Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Break It Down Block Party – Charleston, SC

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In Charleston the Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto take over town this time of year. If you’re looking to expand your horizons and try something new and different, we have found an interesting event.

The Break It Down block party in Charleston is part of Piccolo Spoleto and sounds like a fun event. The block party is put together by the talented interns at the Office of Cultural Affairs. You’ll get to enjoy an 80’s cover band, and break dancers performing to today’s music. The event will take you from the music style of the 80’s to today and highlight our environmental progress at the same time. Sounds interesting. You encouraged to step out on the green carpet in your best 80’s or 90’s garb or simply wear an outfit created of recycled material to fit the theme. If that doesn’t sound like you, just go and watch – it’ll be a blast!

The event takes place at the US Custom House on Concord & Markets Streets in Downtown Charleston on Saturday May 30 from 7.00 pm to 11 p.m. For more information visit www.piccolospoleto.com

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival 2009

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Each year, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival invites internationally acclaimed talent and the finest musicians from the Southeast to Amelia Island, Florida. Performances are held at a variety of venues in Fernandina Beach during a two week period from May 21 – June 14, 2009.

The Festival includes a wide range of musical tastes, including: traditional chamber music string quartets and composers such as Haydn and Mozart; chamber music ensembles, including voice, guitar and wind instruments and also modern and non-traditional chamber music.

Click here for details about the 2009 Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

Container Gardens and Summer Heat – Jacksonville

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Here in the south it’s hot, and as you know, not all plants do well in our climate, especially plants in containers. Now you can get tips and tricks about what plants can do well so that you can let your inspiration flourish for your container garden.

The first Summer Garden Tour of 2009 will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Take a look at the Zoo’s selection of heat-busting plants to find out what plants will look the best in containers. Guests are to pre-register online at www.jacksonvillezoo.org, and meet outside the Zoo’s ticket booths at 8:45 a.m.

“Not all plants work well in containers, and not all container plants do well through our hot Florida summers,” said Bob Chabot, Director of Horticulture for Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “Join us and we will show you what we have discovered through our experience that works well for us here at the zoo.”

The cost is $10 for Zoo members and $20 for non-members (Zoo admission is included). Pre-registration is required and tour size is limited. To register, please visit The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Flower

14th Annual Savannah Asian Festival

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Many of us would love to travel and see the world, but very few of us get the chance to do so. The countries of Asian and their different cultures seem fascinating to most of us. On June 6, you can experience a little bit of Asia without leaving the Southeast.

Savannah Asian Festival is one of the largest Asian cultural celebrations in the Southeast. The festival continues grows in popularity every year, and no wonder, this festival is a colorful adventure for the whole family.

Tibetan Monks
Tibetan Monks

The festival takes place at Savannah Civic Center on June 6 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m and includes a day of free live stage performances.
There will be an variety of live musical, martial arts and dance performances on stage with performing groups representing the countries of Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Polynesia, Thailand and India. Come watch the amazing Tibetan Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery, or Matsuriza Taiko Drummers , from Orlando, Florida and a the quick moving group from Chien Hong School of Kung Fu Lion Dancers from Atlanta, Georgia, just to mention a few.

The Exciting Cuisine from the East
For those of us who love food, and especially if you like trying new dishes, the Savannah Asian Festival is definitely the place to visit. Visitor have the opportunity to taste food from different countries. Taste of India , Sushi Zen and Chen’s Chinese Restaurant will be serving a selection of regional favorites from the Philippines, Japan, India, China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Middle East. So plan to stay for lunch or dinner!

Treasures from the East
The Cultural Marketplace showcases traditional arts and crafts from each nation. Here you can find everything from “Ming-shard” jewelry to Chinese calligraphy sets, hand-beaded clothing from Nepal and dupattas from Pakistan and much more.

Visit the workshop room to learn more about different cultures. The festival offers hands-on learning experiences with workshops and children’s activities. Here you’ll find children’s crafts and games, you can learn about Chinese painting with artist Ching Levy , or participate in a Pakistani Tea Ceremony.

Parking
The Savannah Asian Festival is free and open to the public. The festival takes place Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Savannah Civic Center, located at Montgomery and Liberty Streets. Parking at the Civic Center is free or $1 for the day at the Liberty Garage across the street. There is a charge for food and purchases from the Cultural Marketplace. For information, call 912-651-6417 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts .

Asian Festival Savannah