Since Independence Day is a national holiday, many families get together and for a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of the long weekend to spend time with relatives. The first week of July is usually one of the busiest travel times of the year. Many people are heading to South Carolina for the Fourth of July weekend.
Here is a list of some of the events:
Fourth of July Boat Parade – Murrells Inlet, SC
Boat Parade, Murrells Inlet, SC
The boat parade in Murrells Inlet draws visitors from near and far to the quaint little fishing village on the inlet. The theme for 2011 is “Ride the Inlet Wave of Freedomâ€. The boat parade is also followed by fireworks.
Make it a day and plan to come early and stay late. There are also lots of nice restaurants and bars in the area. Check out our special events page for Murrells Inlet Boat Parade.
4th of July Blast Patriot’s Point – Charleston, SC
Patriot's Point Charleston, SC
This is one of the most popular Fourth of July celebrations in South Carolina. There is a festival at Patriot’s Point with lots of fun for the whole family followed by fireworks.
Patriot’s Point has been named by media as one of the top destinations for Fourth of July.
The city of Summerville celebrates Independence Day with a festival on Saturday, July 3, 2011 in the downtown area. This event includes all kinds of activities, but something that we noticed is the parade.
Many cities have Fourth of July parades, but Summerville’s parade has an additional twist to it. The parade does not allow any motorized vehicles – which brings out all kinds of creative means of transportations from rollerblades to bicycles and more.
Independence Day at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
July 2 – 3, 2011, Â South Carolina residents receive 1/2 off admission with a valid driver’s license
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
Visit Arthur Middleton’s home, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. You can listen to fife and drums as reenactors celebrate Independence Weekend at Middleton Place.  During this special event the time period of the American Revolution will  come to life with the Second South Carolina Regiment encampment in the Plantation Stableyards.
You and your family gets an opportunity to see  how the troops lived in their camp. The event also includes both cooking and musket firing demonstrations.  At 1:00 p.m. on both days, you can hear formal readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Mount Plesant, SCUncle Sam Jam – Mount Pleasant, SC
A perfect spot to celebrate the 4th of July is the Mount Pleasant Pier at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. The fairly new pier stretches 1,250 feet out in the water and is an excellent vantage spot for firework watching. But that’s not the only thing going on at this location. There is also the popular Uncle Sam Jam at the pier. Â The band with the suitable name for the season – Permanent Vacation – is performing playing a variety of music from beach music to party music. For $10 you can dance the night away under the stars and watch the fireworks. (The front section of the pier will still be open without admission fee for those who just want to watch the fireworks). Gates open at 7 pm, and music starts at 8 pm. Only 800 tickets will be sold, so visit www.ccprc.com to get purchase your tickets early.
Italian Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC
Many people visit Myrtle Beach for the Fourth of July weekend and there are lots of different events and fireworks. One of the more unusual events is the Italian Festival in Valor Park.
Even if you are not Italian, but just love good italian food -you are welcome to Valor Park for a special Italian American celebration.
Charleston, SC, June 20, 2011 – The Charleston International Film Festival (CIFF), South Carolina’s premiere event for independent filmmakers and film enthusiasts, would like to announce the Best of Shorts Screening on June 29th at the Cinebarre in Mt. Pleasant.
If you missed the Charleston International Film Festival main event, you have the chance on Wednesday to catch festival short film award winners and audience favorites at both 7PM and 9PM.
The programs will feature different films, but both include at least 7-8 shorts films of all genres in under two hours, making for a fun and unique film night out. Tickets are available at the Cinebarre box office for $8 day of or $7 in advance online at www.CharlestonIFF.com
7PM Short Block
Rooftop – Music video with local musician Emily Hearn with an appearance by Bill Murray. (Re)Discovering Don ZanFagna – Internationally acclaimed local artist, whose work has been featured in Charleston Magazine, this short documentary displays his work that is being rediscovered and appreciated after 30 years.
The Tub – Frannie (Dedee Pfeiffer) reluctantly relives her life and her lovers, guided by a mysterious woman whom she thinks she knows.
God and Vodka -The story of a writer’s final attempt to capture the words and memories, both touching and comedic, of a relationship that ended all too soon.
November – From Norway, this story is to remember and to forget the loss of loved ones. A visual and symbolic journey.
The Buck Johnson Story – A comedic short about a struggling writer, Dave, who feels the only way out of his Pork Pen job is this story about a wild redneck character, Buck F*@$in Johnson.
Place Stamp Here – The world disassembles us, and then puts us back together. This process repeats & repeats & we are never quite the same as when we started. Then again, neither is the world. Animation by twins Joy Vaccese and Noelle Melody.
How Tourette’s Saved My Life – Short comedy from local Art Institute student, this is a slice of life from a man who copes with Tourette’s Syndrome, and finds his outbursts saving his life.
9PM Shorts Block
Theatre Marvelosa presents “Zee Hat!!†– Local group revels, set in a French Bistro, Ravello sings to Zee Hat!! His prize possession, as Tanti Bacci tries to prove her love for him by vowing to retrieve Zee Hat when it is stolen by Ze Fox.
Saying Goodbye – SC filmmakers present this story about a woman who has lost everything moves into a southern nursing home where a cat with the ability to predict death and a spunky fellow resident inspire her to enjoy living again.
The Perfect Hurl – An innocent 14-year-old wanders moonlit suburbia with his daredevil classmates. His first taste of trouble is one to savor.
Jeremy – When his incarcerated father is transferred to a distant prison, fourteen year-old Jeremy must face life alone with his game-show addicted brother and two violent older half-brothers.
The Story of Us – The Story of Us is about a guy who finds himself blinded by his past love. Atroz – This comedy from Spain is about ‘Awful’ a singular teddy bear, a worn and curmudgeon one, whose owner is Luna, a little girl who has taken him as her best friend.
Sexting – People are not who they seem to be when a misdirected text message leads a young woman to meet with the wife of her boyfriend and ask what is really going on in their relationship.
(CIFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through the art and science of film. Co-founded in 2007, by film producer Summer Spooner Peacher and Charleston native Brian Peacher, the festival showcases over 70 short films, features and documentaries from around the world. Attendees gather for five days every Spring to attend premieres, panels, special events and the Annual Awards Gala.
Gallery Row hosts: “17 Days of Celebrating Fine Art in Charleston†May 27th – June 12th, 2011 to complement the Spoleto Festival.
Spoleto Soleil is a series of art inspired events including sculpture, glass blowing and painting demonstrations, lectures, digital presentations and more on Gallery Row May 27 – June 12, 2011. Â Gallery visitors will also get an opportunity to meet artists during receptions from 4-7pm in a variety of galleries on Gallery Row.
Spoleto Soleil was created to provide visitors  to the city a sampling of  local artists, as well as national and internationally known visual artists that are represented here.
Listing of Events on Gallery Row on Historic Broad Street
All events are 4 to 7pm unless otherwise listed.
Friday, May 27th
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – Plein Air Painting: James C. Hill
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery – Plein Air Painting: Jane Woodward
Edward Dare Gallery – Plein Air Painting: Leslie Pratt-Thomas, Ann Lee Merrill, Sally Cade
COCO VIVO Fine Art|Design:Â Opening Reception Charleston en plein air
Spencer Gallery- Painting Demo
SCOOP studios – Closing Reception, Lisa Shimko’s “Stop Making Fence†with Spoken word by Poet Marcus Amaker @ 5:30 pm
Mary Martin Gallery – Ice Tea & Vibrant Colors  - Afternoon tea and pastel painting demonstration by Elaine Hruska 3-5 PM
Saturday May 28th
Spencer Gallery-Lecture The Changing Art World Today10:30-11:30
Spencer Gallery- Lecture Digital Dark Room 11:30-12:00
Spencer Gallery- Lecture What is Fine Art 1:00-2:00
Spencer Gallery- Painting Demo 5:00-7:00
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – Plein Air Painting: James C. Hill
& Rebecca Johnston
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery – Plein Art Painting: Jane Woodward
Edward Dare Gallery – Plein Air Painting: Leslie Pratt-Thomas, Ann Lee Merrill, Sally Cade, Jim Darlington
Sunday, May 29th
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – Plein Air Painting: James C. Hill
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery – Plein Art Painting: Jane Woodward
COCO VIVO Fine Art | Design:Â Garden Tea Party. Enjoy the sculpture of “Dancing in the Wind” while sipping some sweet tea on one of Gallery Row’s Secret Gardens.
Mary Martin Gallery – Viola musician Don Olson – 3-5 PM
Monday May 30th
COCO VIVO Fine Art | Design : Arts and Flowers. Floral Interpretations of various artists works, May 30-June 2
Spencer Gallery-Painting demo
Tuesday May 31st
Spencer Gallery – lecture Digital Darkroom 10:30-11
Spencer Gallery-Painting Demo 4-7
Spencer Gallery- Painting demo 5-7
Wednesday, June 1st
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – Gullah Storytelling & Spirituals w/ Helen Royal
Edward Dare Gallery – A Broader Perspective: Coastal Landscapes,
Shorebirds & Portraits of the South – oil by Ralph G. James, June 1-12
COCO VIVO Fine Art | Design:Â Open Forum and information.. Secret tips of
Fine Art and Design
Mary Martin Gallery – Viola musician Don Olson – 3-5 PM
Thursday, June 2nd
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: Digital Darkroom – 10:30 – 11am
SCOOP Studios – Artist Talk: Kenton James & Antarctica Revisited
Preview, 6 – 7pm
Spencer Gallery-Painting Demo
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art  – 3 day workshop with Craig Nelson, Department Chairman of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
Friday, June 3rd
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery -  Kathy Casey Opening – “Twenty-Four†5:00-8:00
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery – Spoleto Soleil Stroll, 5 – 8pm: Jewelry trunk
show by Angela Hall
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art: Ongoing workshop with Craig Nelson and opening of Nelson’s Visions of New York 5-8 PM
Edward Dare Gallery – Lampworked Glass Jewelry Demo:
Linda Sacra, June 3 and 4th
First Friday on Broad Artwalk, all galleries, 5 – 8pm
Spencer Gallery-Katherine Bates Opening-“Moments in Time” 5:00- 8:00
SCOOP studios first group show and 2nd Birthday – “Antarctica: Revisitedâ€
Saturday, June 4th
Spencer Gallery- Lecture-The Changing Art World Today 10:30-11:00
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – The Artist Speaks – Art Pottery: Mary Nicholson
Martin Gallery – Artist Lecture – Ben Ham, 11:30 – 1:30 pm
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: “What is Fine Art?â€, 1 – 2pm
Edward Dare Gallery – Lampworked Glass Jewelry Demo:
Linda Sacra, June 3 and 4th
Spencer Gallery- Painting Demo
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art – Last day of workshop with Craig Nelson
Sunday, June 5th
Mary Martin Gallery – Viola musician Don Olson – 3-5 PM
Monday June 6th
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – The Artist Speaks – The Underpinnings of an
Abstract Painting: Kathy Casey
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: Formatting Your Paintings by Classic Master Artist Harry Neely
4:00-7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 7th
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – Plein Air Painting: Joan A. Davis
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: Digital Darkroom – 10:30 – 11am
Spencer Gallery-Painting Demo 4-7
Wednesday, June 8th
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – Pottery Demo: Christian Royal
Edward Dare Gallery – The Colors of Street Life: Havana: Digital
Image presentation and photography: Ron Anton Rocz
SCOOP Studios – Artist Talk: Christopher Murphy, 5:30 – 7pm
Spencer Gallery -Painting Demo
Mary Martin Gallery – Viola musician Don Olson – 3-5 PM
Thursday, June 9th
Ellis-Nicholson Gallery – The Symbiotic Relationship between
Abstract and Representational Art: Deidre Black
Edward Dare Gallery – Sculpture Demo: Tom Player, Kingstree, June 9-11
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: Digital Darkroom – 10:30 – 11am
SCOOP Studios – Artist Talk: Karen Ann Myers, 5:30 – 7pm
Spencer Gallery-Painting Demo 5:00- 7:00
Spencer Gallery- Painting Demo
Friday, June 10th
Edward Dare Gallery – Sculpture Demo: Tom Player, Kingstree, June 9-11
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery – Art of Making Direct Metal Sculpture†Zan
Smith, 5 – 6pm
Spencer Gallery-Painting Demo
Mary Martin Gallery – Ice Tea & Vibrant Colors  – Afternoon tea and pastel painting demonstration by Elaine Hruska 3-5 PM
Saturday, June 11th
Edward Dare Gallery – Sculpture Demo: Tom Player, Kingstree, June 9-11
Spencer Gallery- The Changing Art World 10:30 – 11:30
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: Digital Darkroom – 11:30 – 12pm
Spencer Galleries – Lecture: What is “Fine Art?†1 – 2pm
Spencer Gallery-Painting Demo 4:00-7:00 pm
On Going
COCO VIVO Fine Art | Design- Plein Air painting on gallery Row by artists, Pamela Bledsoe, Angela Trotta Thomas and Danny Laran
National Beach Safety Week in Charleston, South Carolina, takes place May 23-30, 2011
Every year the United States Lifesaving Association sponsors National Beach Safety Week in an effort to remind beachgoers to use caution in the aquatic environment. The objective of National Beach Safety Week is to make citizens aware of the need to be safe while in and near the water.
This objective stresses the following:
· Learn to swim
· Swim near a lifeguard
· Swim with a buddy
· Check with the lifeguards
· Use sunscreen and drink water
· Obey posted signs and flags
· Keep the beach and water clean
· Learn Rip Current safety
· Enter water feet first
· Lifeguards are your friends
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission provides lifeguards at the three county beach parks and at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier in an effort to reduce the number of beach accidents. The agency employs around 50 lifeguards to keep the county beach parks at Isle of Palms, Folly Beach and Kiawah Beachwalker safe. Nevertheless, an informed public is essential to maintaining adequate levels of beach and water safety. In conjunction with National Beach Safety Week, the following beach safe demonstrations will be held on Saturday, May 28. Beach-goers and the general public are encouraged to attend and watch these demonstrations. ISLE OF PALMS COUNTY PARK – May 28, 2011 Visit our info table on the dune crossover for beach safety tips. All activities will begin at Stand 11. Beach safety demonstrations will be performed throughout the day. SCHEDULE: 11:30 a.m. – Swim Rescue Scenario 1:30 p.m. – Marine Life Information 3:30 p.m. – Board Rescue Scenario KIAWAH BEACHWALKER PARK – May 28, 2011 Visit our info area on the beach for beach safety tips. All activities will begin at Stand 42. Beach safety demonstrations will be performed throughout the day. SCHEDULE: 11:30 a.m. – Swim Rescue Scenario 1:30 p.m. – Marine Life Information 3:30 p.m. – Board Rescue Scenario FOLLY BEACH COUNTY PARK – May 28, 2011 Visit our info table in front of the Dunes House for beach safety tips. All activities will begin at Stand 32. Beach safety demonstrations will be performed throughout the day. SCHEDULE: 11:30 a.m. – Rescue Scenario 1:30 p.m. – Marine Life Information 3:30 p.m. – Board Rescue Scenario For more information contact Cole Thomas at (843) 886-3863 or cthomas@ccprc.com.
Guy Fieri, famous chef, restaurateur, best-selling author and TV personality, comes to North Charleston Performing Art Center, SC,on Tuesday May 17, 2011 at 8.00 pm.
Guy Fieri will once again bring his unique culinary style to venues across the U.S. in an entertaining Road Tour. The Guy Fieri Food Tour is a mixture of live cooking show and the adrenaline rush of a rock concert. Fieri will take center stage, surprise and entertain the audience with interactive cooking stations, secret tips and dishes from his new cookbook Guy Fieri Food, as well as fun stories from the road, and much more.
A limited number of VIP tickets will be available in two package levels for the tour. The “Off Da Hook” Package includes: premium onstage seating; a chance to sample the food prepared by Fieri; tour laminate; a copy of Fieri’s upcoming book, Guy Fieri Food; a pre-show meet and greet with Fieri (must be age 21 or older to purchase this package) and more. The “Kulinary Krew” Package includes: prime orchestra seating; tour laminate; a copy of Guy Fieri Food; a pre-show meet and greet with Fieri and more. Don’t wait. This will be a popular event. Click here to reserve your tickets for the Guy Fieri Show in Charleston before it’s too late!
Guy Fieri, famous chef, restaurateur, best-selling author and TV personality, comes to North Charleston Performing Art Center, SC,on Tuesday May 17, 2011 at 8.00 pm.
