Inaugural North Charleston Harvest Festival & Block Party Set for October 26

The City of North Charleston announces the inaugural Harvest Festival and Block Party featuring live musical performances, art and craft booths, costume contests and children’s activities. The fall festivities will take place in the Olde Village of North Charleston, located on East Montague Avenue near Park Circle, on Saturday, October 26, 2013, from 6:00-10:00pm. Admission and parking are free. East Montague Avenue will close to vehicular traffic from Jenkins Avenue to Virginia Avenue at 4:00pm and remain closed for the duration of the event.

The celebration features music by The Local Honeys and performances by other local arts groups from 6:00-7:30pm; a Kid’s Zone with ghost stories by the Backporch Storytellers, a student art exhibit, craft activities, carnival games, face painting and inflatables from 6:00-8:00pm; a street market showcasing fine art and crafts by members of the North Charleston Artist Guild from 6:00-9:00pm; and a street dance with festive tunes by The V-Tones from 8:00-10:00pm. Many of the restaurants in the Olde Village will offer additional programming and food and drink specials.

Other highlights include costume contests for children, adults and pets with prizes in several categories. The contests for children and adults are free to enter and prizes will be furnished by the City of North Charleston and the Olde North Charleston Merchants Association. The pet costume contest, sponsored by The Flats at Mixson, carries a $5 entry fee. Proceeds benefit the Charleston Animal Society, who will be on hand with pets available for adoption. Participants for all contests should be prepared to line up for judging at 7:30pm.

Check out information on Park Circle Films’ line-up of events taking place the same evening at parkcirclefilms.org. Artists interested in participating in the street market can do so by becoming a member of the North Charleston Artist Guild. Visit northcharlestonartistguild.org for more information.

The inaugural North Charleston Harvest Festival and Block Party is sponsored by the Olde North Charleston Merchants Association, the North Charleston Artist Guild and the City of North Charleston. For more information, visit northcharleston.org.

2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Tickets On Sale Now

Performance of Waiting on You presented by Actors’ Theatre of SC during 2012/13 Dinner Theatre Series

The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is pleased to present its 2013/14 Dinner Theater Series, featuring four fabulous performances accompanied by elegant dining. Season tickets are on sale now for $140 per person. Group discounts are available. Single performance tickets are priced at $40 and are available for purchase one month prior to each event. Patrons interested in forgoing dinner and enjoying the performance only may purchase “play only” tickets for $15.

The series has proven to be a popular program for couples and groups. Productions take place in September, November, January, and March. Guests are served a candlelit dinner at 7:00pm, then sit back to watch lively, and often interactive, performances by professional actors while enjoying dessert and tea or coffee. All programs are scheduled on Friday evenings in an elegant ballroom setting at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Dress is business casual. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. A cash bar is available. Parking is free.

Performance details and menus are listed below. Meals are catered by Embassy Suites and include a garden salad, meat entrée with vegetable and starch, rolls, dessert, coffee & tea. Vegetarian alternatives may be requested in advance.


2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theater Series Schedule (subject to change):

September 20, 2013 – Sherlock Holmes & the Charleston History Mystery performed by Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre • When a member of the infamous Charles Townson family is murdered, the World's Greatest Detective, Sherlock Holmes, is drawn into a Lowcountry case of mystery, history, spooks, and specters. Join the Master of Logic himself for an Historical City Tour truly for the lazy — where without ever leaving your theatre seat you will explore Charleston's past, present, and...other worldly…and where should you choose to volunteer, you may actually play a victim, villain, or vile vision! Professional actors, volunteer audience roles.
Entree: Trattoria Carbonara – Classic roman dish, spaghetti pasta, glazed onion, crisp pancetta, cracked pepper, creamy egg & Italian cheese sauce

November 15, 2013 – Gullah Roots performed by The Gullah Lady, Sharon Cooper-Murray • The Gullah Lady, Ambassador of the Gullah Culture, will share the rich history of the Gullah community through a captivating collection of traditional stories and songs.
Entree: Pork Tenderloin – sage buttered & roasted slices, mustard & caper sauce

January 31, 2014 – Black & Blue: An Evening w/ Laura Ball performed by Laura Ball • Celebrate the Soul of America's Gifted Women of the Blues with pianist/vocalist Laura Ball and the Gentle Time Band. From Gospel to the Back Alleys of New Orleans, don't miss this exquisite cabaret evening of musical history. Entree: Smoked Chicken & Italian Sausage Penne – mushrooms, sweet onions, zucchini, pesto cream

March 21, 2014 – Love Letters performed by Threshold Repertory Theatre • Written in 1989 by critically acclaimed playwright A.R. Gurney, this drama reveals the bittersweet story of the staid, dutiful lawyer, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, and lively, unstable artist, Melissa Gardner, through the pages of decades of letters. A smash hit on and off-Broadway, The Wall Street Journal calls Love Letters "exhilarating, funny, and moving." Entree: Pecan Roast Salmon – Dijon & maple basted, smoke tomato jam



Space is limited. Contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 for tickets or more information. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, cash, or checks made payable to the City of North Charleston are accepted. For information on other City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department programs, visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts or call 843-740-5854.

Annual North Charleston Arts Festival Set for May 3-11

 Nine-day celebration of the arts offers something for everyone

The annual North Charleston Arts Festival is just one month away, set to kick off on May 3 and conclude on May 11. Now in its 31st year, the nine day event has matured into one of the most comprehensive arts festival in the state, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to experience the talents of national, regional, and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Crafts, Photography, Media Arts, and Literature. Nearly 100 festival offerings are scheduled to take place in a variety of venues throughout North Charleston and the surrounding area, including libraries, community centers, schools, civic auditoriums, and parks.

Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the North Charleston Arts Festival offers something for everyone. The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department organizes and presents the event each year, striving to maintain the spirit of a public celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event schedule that provides a wide range of performances, exhibitions, and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of the offerings are free, and those that are ticketed are moderately priced.

“The variety of Arts Festival offerings and the inclusiveness of the event have really become a point of pride for the City of North Charleston,” says North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey. “The event provides both our residents and visitors from throughout the Southeast a myriad of opportunities to experience high quality programming in every arts discipline in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings.”

The Arts Festival Main Event, held on Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to over forty performances on four themed stages: General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands.  Other features include judged fine art and photography exhibits; the 12th annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit; youth art from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester county students; the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society show and sale; the Village Antiques & Collectibles show; children's activities at Box City and Creation Stations; art & craft vendors, a food court, and much more. 

Individual events take place throughout the nine days of the festival at various locations.  An exciting array of free and ticketed offerings include concerts, street dances, theatre presentations, film screenings, art workshops and demonstrations, an art walk, children’s programs, and a Grand Finale at the beautiful
North Charleston Riverfront Park. Examples of visual art exhibitions on view during the festival include a group display of contemporary works by artists from Pinar del Rio, Cuba; the 8th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition; an Art & Fine Craft CoOp Gallery & Sale; the 7th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition; a Wearable Art Exhibit and Pop Up Shop; and The PODS Project, featuring interactive installations created within portable storage units. This year’s Grand Finale on May 11 features a Tri-County school showcase, music and dance performances, a slam poetry show, children’s activities, food trucks, and an evening concert by Rivers & Company. The event concludes with a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River.
 
Applications are now being accepted for participation in the Festival’s Art Walk and Opening Processional. Entry instructions for the Festival’s Judged Fine Art Exhibition, Judged Photography Exhibition, and Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition, as well as Volunteer sign-up forms are also available. Applications can be found at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply.

For more 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival information, including event details and venue information, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854.

North Charleston Performing Arts Center Best of Broadway Series announces shows for 2012-2013 Season

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center Best of Broadway series announced today that LES MISÉRABLES will anchor their 2012-2013 season.  Cameron Mackintosh’s brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo will run February 19-24, 2013 for eight performances.  This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

The Best of Broadway series also announced four other productions for 2012-2013:  ROCK OF AGES (October 4-5, 2012); SHREK THE MUSICAL (November 23-24, 2012); WEST SIDE STORY (December 18-19, 2012); BLUE MAN GROUP (January 11-12, 2013).  Best of Broadway will also present a one night only special performance by Mannheim Steamroller on December 1, 2012. All performances will be held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

“The Best of Broadway series keeps getting better and better!” said Dave Holscher, General Manager of the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. “With great shows like LES MISÉRABLES, ROCK OF AGES, SHREK THE MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY and BLUE MAN GROUP, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

“It’s hard to believe that the Performing Arts Center and the Best of Broadway series are entering their fourteenth year of presenting world class entertainment to the Lowcountry. This season’s line-up features both new and classic shows that audiences will love.” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.

“We’re entering the ninth year of an outstanding partnership with the good people at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. We are committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Lowcountry and it doesn’t get any better than this season’s line-up!” said Nick Scandalios, Executive Vice President of Nederlander Producing Company of America.

Season ticket packages are now available and prices start at only $190.50. Tickets are available at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Office, by calling the Best of Broadway hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787) or online at www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com. Individual show tickets will go on sale at a later date.

In addition to having the same seat for all performances, Best of Broadway season ticket holders enjoy many other benefits such as free parking, priority access to tickets for Coliseum & Performing Arts Center events before they go on public sale and special discounts & offers not available to the general public.

The Best of Broadway series features the best in national touring Broadway shows and is presented by the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and the Nederlander Producing Company of America.

...and in case you want it, here's even more information!

ROCK OF AGES
October 4-5, 2012
7:30 PM
The worldwide party musical ROCK OF AGES features a mix of 28 rockin’ 80’s tunes including DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’, WE BUILT THIS CITY, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, HERE I GO AGAIN, CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING and I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80’s. It’s five time 2009 Tony® nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!

"Impossible to resist!”
- Charles Isherwood, New York Times

"Rock and comedy in perfect proportion!"
- David Cote, Time Out

SHREK THE MUSICAL
November 23-24, 2012
November 23 at 7:30 PM, November 24 at 2:00 PM
SHREK THE MUSICAL, based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, WWOR-TV proclaims SHREK THE MUSICAL, “FAR, FAR AND AWAY THE FUNNIEST NEW MUSICAL ON BROADWAY!”

SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

WEST SIDE STORY
December 18-19, 2012
7:30 PM

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere." As the Associated Press says, “WEST SIDE STORY remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.”

BLUE MAN GROUP
January 11-12, 2013
January 11 at 7:30 PM, January 12 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Experience the Phenomenon. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” E! Entertainment News exclaims, “BLUE MAN GROUP is what every live performance aspires to be.” The Baltimore Sun raves, “Blue Man Group packs a wallop. It’s a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production!”

Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. BLUE MAN GROUP is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget.

LES MISERABLES
February 19-24, 2013
February 19-22 at 7:30 PM
February 23 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
February 24 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

DREAM THE DREAM

Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.” The Star-Ledger says "a dynamically re-imagined hit. This 'LES MISÉRABLES’ has improved with age” and NY1-TV proclaims “this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. Musical theatre fans can rejoice: ‘Les Miz’ is born again.”

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.

Season tickets for the BEST OF BROADWAY shows are on sale now at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Window or call the season ticket hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787). For more information or an online order form, visit www.NorthCharlestonColiseumPAC.com. 

Summer Children’s Theatre Performance featuring Paul Miller of Flow Circus Variety Arts

Miller's one-man variety show of juggling, mystifying magic, and comedy will thrill audiences of all ages.

Another wonderful Summer Children’s Theatre is scheduled in North Charleston on Friday, July 15, 2011, featuring two lively performances by Paul Miller of Flow Circus Variety Arts.

A self-taught juggler and performance artist, Miller's influences include masters of silent film Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplain, and physical stand-up comics such as Steve Martin and Robin Williams. He has worked with the Hawaii Volcano Circus, Mobious – Boston’s Center for Experimental Works, Disney Cruise Lines, and FoodPlay, an Emmy Award winning show teaching healthy nutrition to school children.

Flow Circus was created in 1999 to promote active learning and play through the juggling arts. Based in North Carolina, they provide quality school, library, and family programming nationally. In addition to performances, Flow Circus offers engaging hands-on workshops for teens and adults. Visit www.flowcircus.com for more information.

This Summer Children’s Theatre will have two performances at two different venues. A morning presentation will take place from 10:00am to 11:00am at Northwoods Park & Recreation Center, 8348 Greenridge Road, North Charleston, SC 29406. An afternoon performance is scheduled from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the Sterett Hall Auditorium on the former Charleston Naval Base, 1530 7th Street, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Tickets are $2 per child; accompanying adults are admitted at no charge. Groups of 10+ are required to reserve space. Seats fill up fast, so reserve early by calling the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843.740.5854.

For directions or information on additional programs and events, visit the Cultural Arts page at www.northcharleston.org.

North Charleston Arts Festival Concludes with Grand Finale on May 7

Public invited to enjoy free performances, kid’s activities, and fireworks

The North Charleston Arts Festival Grand Finale will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2011, from 6:00-9:00pm at North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue on the former Charleston Naval Base.  The public is invited to attend this grand celebration of the arts featuring dance presentations, choral performances by Tri-county schools, an evening concert, kid’s activities, food, and fireworks to mark the close of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival. Admission and parking are free.
       
Festivities begin at 6:00pm with events in every area of the park.  Audiences may enjoy The Poetry Show from 6:00-8:00pm at the site of the Navy Base Memorial, featuring spoken word and poetry recitations by locally renowned poets and youth poets from the Speak Freely Foundation. At the park’s boardwalk area, patrons will have the opportunity to see shag, Afro-Latino, and salsa dance demonstrations and try out some of the moves with local dance professionals. The Amphitheater Stage will host choral performances by students from Pinehurst Elementary (6:00-6:15pm), Pepperhill Elementary (6:15-6:30pm), Alston Middle School (6:30-7:00pm), and Cane Bay High School (7:00-7:30pm). School performances will be followed by a presentation of Polynesian dances, including a Maori fire dance, by the Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe. The Fowl Play Band will get the crowd grooving with a blend of beach, classic rock, Motown, and contemporary hits at 8:00pm.

       
Other attractions throughout the park include inflatable jump castles, roving entertainment by The Interactive Theater of Jef, and the newly installed National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. The evening ends with a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River by Zambelli Fireworks at 9:00pm. Food concessions will be available for purchase. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a great ending to this year’s North Charleston Arts Festival!
       
Selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, this is the 29th year of the festival, which began as a small community event at Park Circle and has grown into one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state.  The event includes nine days of cultural activities and programs in every arts discipline for the public to enjoy.  Some festival offerings have a modest ticket price, but most are free of charge and parking is free at all locations.

For more information about the Grand Finale or any other 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival events, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843-740-5854 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Annual North Charleston Arts Festival Set for April 29-May 7, 2011

Nine-day celebration of the arts offers something for everyone

Now in its 29th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take place April 29 through May 7, 2011. The nine day event is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state, providing thousands of residents & visitors with a fabulous array of performances, exhibitions, and activities featuring national, regional, and local artists and performers.

Organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the festival strives to maintain the spirit of a community celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event schedule that provides a wide range of performing, visual, media, and literary arts events for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of the offerings are free, and those that are ticketed are moderately priced. Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the North Charleston Arts Festival truly offers something for everyone.

“The Arts Festival unlocks our imagination and gives an opportunity to all residents and visitors of the City of North Charleston to participate in high quality entertainment, exhibits, and programming,” says North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey. “It is a time of the year that we are joined by thousands throughout the Southeast to celebrate the importance of art within our world.”

The Arts Festival Main Event, held on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances from national, regional, and local performers on four themed stages: Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, Bands, and General Audience.  Other features include judged art and photography exhibits; the 9th annual SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit; Youth Art from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester county students; the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show & Sale; the Village Antiques & Collectibles show; children's activities at Box City and Creation Stations; arts & crafts vendors, and much more. 

The Festival continues with over 50 events throughout the week at various locations around the City of North Charleston.  An exciting array of free and ticketed events include street dances, a murder mystery dinner theatre, concerts, literary gatherings, children’s events, film screenings, theatre presentations, art workshops and demonstrations, an Art Walk, an Art & Fine Craft Co-Op, the 6th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, and a Grand Finale at the beautiful North Charleston Riverfront Park. This year’s Grand Finale features children’s activities, performances by school groups, dance troupes, and spoken word poets, an evening concert featuring The Fowl Play Band, and fireworks over the Cooper River.

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the Festival’s Judged Fine Art, Judged Photography, and Tri-County Youth Art exhibitions. Volunteer applications are also being accepted. Application forms are available on the Cultural Arts section of the city’s website at www.northcharleston.org.

For more 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival information, including detailed event schedules and venue information, visit www.northcharleston.org, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854.

The Arts Festival is coming!

April 30 - May 8

Complete Arts Festival Brochure - Official Arts Festival Website

The North Charleston Arts Festival is organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and numerous volunteers. The festival was launched as a one day community celebration at Park Circle in 1982 and has evolved with the addition of new facilities throughout the City. The festival moved to the North Charleston Coliseum in 1995 and expanded to two days. In 2000, the opening of the Charleston Area Convention Center, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, and other new venues, provided the springboard for the festival to expand to nine full days of performances and activities for residents and visitors throughout the City. In 2008, the Arts Festival was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event.

Today, the festival maintains the spirit of a community celebration with the mission of presenting a comprehensive, multidiscipline event schedule that provides an array of performing, visual, media, and literary arts events for people of all ages and backgrounds. The festival is accessible to all with numerous free and moderately priced events.