Also that evening Patriots Point on Charleston Harbor celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. On August 14, 1958 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation sent to him by Congress chartering the Society.

The Medal of Honor Museum has been a critical and cultural success since opening in May 2007. Overall attendance at Patriots Point increased during the Medal of Honor Museum’s first year of operation.

To learn more about the history of the Medal of Honor and the objectives of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, visit the official Society website; www.cmohs.org

For information about USS Yorktown and Patriots Point Naval Maritime Museum visit www.patriotspoint.org

Women in Charleston were entranced by the wide variety of chintz fabrics imported from India, England and France. From the late 18th century throughout the 19th century, quilters cut out printed figures from these beautiful fabrics, sewing them to a larger background. This appliqué method was also known as broderie perse, or Persian embroidery since it was originally an imitation of more time-consuming embroidery. The Basket of Flowers quilt, c. 1840 is a stunning chintz appliqué quilt and perhaps the quintessential Charleston quilt. In this example, the central bouquet is cut from a single print augmented with additional flowers cut from other prints. The openwork basket was created from strips of an oak leaf and acorn print.

In another type of appliqué, the shape of the fabric cut-out creates the design. Again, it is sewn to a larger background creating the overall design. Roses were frequently used, as in this 1930s Rose of Sharon example, made up of roses, buds, leaves and stems. Tulips and other flowers, both real and stylized, were also popular. Flowers were even incorporated into pieced design, where geometric pieces were sewn together to create the pattern. Providing an unusual twist on the floral theme is the Sundew (pictured at top) quilt made in the mid-19th century. Each square bears an unusual appliqué and reverse appliqué motif based on the Sundew or Drosera plant. These pink plants lure, capture and digest insects using tentacles covered with glistening drops of mucilage, resembling drops of morning dew. The plants are found in boggy areas in many parts of the world, but this quilt pattern has only been found on central South Carolina quilts (Lexington area).

Quilts In Bloom at The Charleston Museum takes place 07/28/2008 - 12/31/2008

The Charleston Museum
360 Meeting Street
Call 843-722-2996 or visit www.charlestonmuseum.org

If you are looking for fresh vegetables or fruit, there’s no better place to go shopping than your local farmers market. Every Thursday the Farmers Market in North Charleston features fresh, locally grown produce, as well as herbs, jellies, jams and other delicacies.

The Farmers Market offers many special events including cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes and free health screenings. The Farmers Market also has a playground for the kids and fun activities such as face painting, pony rides, jump castle and much more. There are picnic tables in the shade available where you and your family can enjoy your meal. So plan for a Thursday at the market.
Farmer’s MarketThe City of North Charleston and the City of Hanahan sponsor the North Charleston/Hanahan Farmers Market.

The Farmers Market North Charleston/Hanahan is open every Thursday from mid-April to mid-October from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m at Westvaco Park. It is located at the corner of Remount Road and North Rhett Avenue, convenient to I-526, Rivers Avenue, and I-26.
For more information, call (843) 745-1028

Gullah/Geechee Artisans Reconnect Culture Through Crafts

The Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ brings together authentic Gullah/Geechee artists from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida in a major showcase of the artistic skills of Gullah/Geechees that teach how their visual arts, music, dances, and songs connect to their ancestry in Africa. Over the course of three days in historic Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation, people will be able to purchase traditional items and participate in a number of performances and interactive educational workshops. The events will be at different locations on Friday, August 22, 2008. However, the main events will be held Saturday, August 23, 2008 and Sunday, August 24, 2008 at the Charleston Maritime Center at 10 Wharfside Drive from Noon to 7 pm.

This year’s event will feature painters, Al Hawkins, Brother Nizar, and the world reknown Charleston native, Leroy Campbell. Each of these visual artists will unveil their new Gullah/Geechee series of art. All of them will have paintings on exhibit and for sale throughout the weekend.

Gullah/Geechee traditional items will also be created on location and sold throughout the weekend. Featured artisans are Carolee Holmes Brown, Gullah/Geechee quilter, Corey Alston, sweetgrass basket maker, Halim Gullahbemi, wood carver and Minister of Adornment for the Gullah/Geechee Nation, and Rita Pratt, Bahamian doll maker. In addition to these artisans, there will be Gullah/Geechee books, CDs, jewelry, and other items for sale. When going through the “Living Marketplace” attendees can learn the history behind all of these crafts as they are made on-site and also purchase Gullah/Geechee cuisine.

Presentations will be made by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Louise Miller Cohen, Gullah storyteller, Ras Solo, spoken word artist, Rev. Real, Gospel rapper, Evangelist Walker and YAMM Choir, Clyde Walker, stiltwalker and swing dance instructor, Delvina Wescott, drummer, Oyotunji African Village Dancers and Drummers, Centenary Youth Choir, Djole African Drumming Troupe, Nia Productions, and special guests from Sierra Leone, West Africa. The event will be hosted by Queen Quet and the Wisdom Circle Council of Elders for the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

The entire community should be there when the drums sound at Noon on Friday, August 22, 2008 at the Agapé Center on Blake and East Bay Streets. A special libation ceremony will be held there in the Phillip Simmons Garden in honor of this Gullah/Geechee traditions keeper. Saturday begins with an ancestral tribute boat ride at 9 am and the event officially opens at the Charleston Maritime Center at Noon that day and Sunday. Admission varies for different activities and workshops. To pre-register and obtain discounts including those for groups, call 843-838-1171
“E gwine be a time!!!”
http://www.officialgullahgeechee.info/

The North Charleston Coliseum announced today that the North Charleston Performing Arts Center lobby will be the site for a huge “pre-show party” before the Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band concert on Saturday, August 16th. The party begins at 4:00 PM and will feature a DJ, food, drinks, prizes, a Bruce Springsteen lookalike contest and of course, plenty of Bruce Springsteen music. Admission to the party is FREE.

“The biggest concert in Coliseum history deserves the biggest pre-show party in Coliseum history” said Dave Holscher, General Manager of the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center. “The party will be a celebration of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band’s first Lowcountry appearance in over 30 years. It gives concert goers the option to arrive early, beat the traffic and enjoy the pre-show activities.”

Coliseum officials also issued a PARKING ADVISORY for the sold out concert. Concert attendees are encouraged to carpool and arrive early. In addition to official coliseum parking areas, the parking lots at Tanger Outlet Mall by the North Charleston Fire Museum are available for this show. Please enter the Tanger Mall parking by way of International Blvd. and Center Pointe Drive. These parking areas are FREE starting at 4:00 PM. A free shuttle service will be provided to those parking at Tanger Outlet Mall before and after the event. The free parking and shuttle service are available on a first come, first served basis. Coliseum parking lots open at 4:00 PM.

American Idol comes to Jacksonville for auditions on August 11-13. The auditions take place at Veterans Memorial Arena. For more information visit American Idol.

If you are planning a wedding - or just getting married, you might want to head to Charleston Area Convention Center on Sunday August 10 from 12:30 - 5:00 pm this week for the Southern Bridal Show. Get ideas, and look at merchandise in one spot to save time on your wedding planning.

There is also a Bridal Fashion Show at 3:30pm

*Deluxe Honeymoon Giveaways!
*Charleston’s Top Merchants!
*Complimentary Bridal Magazine!
Tickets are $10.00 at the door (cash)For advance discounted tickets, visit www.eliteevents.com

Come to the pool party 9 AM to 4 PM at the Best Western Downtown Charleston. Join 94.9 the Surf Radio station’s Ray Scott as he does the Top 40 countdown live from the Charleston Downtown Best Western at 250 Spring Street near Brittleband Park .

Free shag lessons at 10, 11, 12, & 1 Enjoy an adult beverage and take a dip in the pool or join the dancers in the ballroom. The pool party is a kick off party to the 2008 third annual Charleston Beach Music and Shag Festival coming up August 21-24 . Remember we can only hold 250 at Pivots on any night so you need to get your ticket to hold your spot. Call 1-866-571-9362 for more information or visit the website.

Mark your calendars now for some old-fashioned bluegrass music during this annual fall event at Old Santee Canal Park. Enjoy some good eats and drinks (sorry no coolers or pets) while you listen to an afternoon of good music. Bring your lawn chairs and the entire family. Bands will be announced at a later date. The last band will go on stage at 5 p.m.

TIME: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
PROGRAM FEE: $10
CONTACT: Chip Chipman – 899-4069 – Low Country Music

09/27/2008

Old Santee Canal Park
843-899-5200
www.oldsanteecanalpark.org