Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

First Friday’s on Gallery Row on Historic Broad in April – Charleston, SC

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“First Fridays on Broad” returns to Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday, April 2nd, from 5pm – 8pm. This event is hosted by The Broad Street Merchants Association who invites you to come out to “Celebrating Spring” by enjoying fine art and refreshments in the boutiques, fine art galleries, and bodegas on Gallery Row – Historic Broad Street.

Here’s what’s happening in April 2,  2010:

Hamlet Fine Art Gallery will be featuring a new series of non objective mixed media abstracts entitled “A New Life” by Stephanie Shuler Hamlet.

Ella Walton Richardson Gallery will be presenting “ Venetian Light” an upcoming exhibit by Evgeny and Lydia Baranov.

SCOOP is having a photography show, “Elements” with Stewart Young, Sandy Logan and Cyle Suesz.

COCO VIVO Fine Art and Interior Design will present new jewelry collections by two artists: Jennifer Mathews and Christine Peters Hamilton.

Edward Dare Gallery will feature a sneak preview of bronze and stone sculpture by Tom Player.   He is just as comfortable in bronze and iron as in terra cotta and stone.

Although he admits, “Bronze is my favorite medium, maybe because of its antiquity.   It intrigues me that the process has basically not changed since Michelangelo.” Player continues working with masters of his field, most recently with John Sisko at Brookgreen Gardens in SC. “Clients tell us this is one of their favorite monthly events,” and “Customers can relax while receiving individual and personalized attention as they browse the vast array of fine art, sculpture, jewelry, gifts, pottery, home accessories, and unique fashions on “Gallery Row on Historic Broad Street.”

Participating merchants include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA, Atmah Ja’s, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, SCOOP Studios, Bernie Horton Gallery, Jake’s, Blind Tiger and the Oak Steak House.

For information visit  www.Charlestongalleryrow.com or call Stephanie Hamlet at 843-722-1944.

Cooper River Bridge Run – Charleston, SC – 2010

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Cooper River Bridge Run is not your ordinary 10K foot race. This one Running across the bridge must be an extraordinary experience, and this is exactly what you can do if you participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston on March 27th, 2010.

More than 38,000+ runners have registered to the race. The start is scheduled for 8:00 am, so expect to see a lot of runners in Charleston that day. There’s also an expo going on at Marion Square downtown.

(For a map of the race course, click here!)
This is definitely one of the big sporting events in Charleston during the year.

Lowcountry Cajun Fest in Charleston, SC

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Zydeco Music Heats up Lowcountry Cajun Fest coming to James Island Country Park outside Charleston, South Carolina.

The 19th annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival is bringing spice and heat to Charleston on Sunday,  March 28, 2010. Experience a little bit of  Louisiana right here on the coast. The Lowcountry Cajun Fest is a fun filled day packed with live music, entertainment, food, children’s activities and more!

Lowcountry cajun festival james island county park charleston south carolinaCome hungry, and take the opportunity to enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole fare prepared by local and regional chefs. There’s even a crawfish eating contest at 2:30 p.m.

Delicious food is not the only attraction, there’ s also a lot of live music  from renowned Zydeco bands.  Taking the stage at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. will be one of the hottest bands on the Zydeco scene, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners. Promising to deliver hits that will get folks dancing, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners have toured the world specializing in traditional Louisiana Zydeco music. Leroy is a throwback to first-generation Zydeco, and has an encyclopedic repertoire of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, R&B and Country music.

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas will perform at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m. For over 20 years, Nathan and his hard-working band have toured the world bringing their unique brand of authentic Zydeco music to fans around the globe. Uplifting and connected to its place in history, the music of Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Chas is the expression of a remarkable South Louisiana family.

Other festivities include a crafter market and mechanical, inflatable and carnival games for kids. Check www.ccprc.com/cajun for a current entertainment schedule.

Admission is $10. This event is free for ages 12 and under with paying adult.  Call 795-4FUN (4386) or visit website!

lowcountry cajun festival james island county park, charleston, south carolina

YMCA Flowertown Festival in Summerville, SC – 2010

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A fun thing to do in spring is to visit the small town of Summerville, South Carolina, to enjoy blooming azaleas and southern hospitality during the popular Flowertown Festival. The 38th Annual flowertown Festival takes place on March 26 – 28. Every year Summerville celebrates the passing of winter with over 250,000 of its closest friends.

Flowertown Festival Summerville South CarolinaLots and lots of Art!
The popular Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival has been a South Carolina tradition since 1971. More than 200 artisans from across the country come to the Festival to show their skills and sell their art. You’ll find a wide variety of arts and crafts from painting, pottery, glassworking, woodworking, needlework and much, much more!

Taste of the Town
But the three-day event is not only about art. You can also enjoy delicious foods from local restaurants at the Taste of the Town,there is also fun activities and rides for children at the Children’s Jubilee. Now if that isn’t enough to convince you there is also free admission and parking. This festival has consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

The festival is open on Friday and Saturday from 9-5 and on Sunday from 9-4 for more information visit the Flowertown Festival website


BBT Wine and Food Festival 2010 – Charleston, SC

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This year it’s the fifth anniversary of the popular BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, which takes place on March 4-7, 2010. The culinary Charleston festival has been named as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by prestigious Forbes Traveler. The festival showcases the talents of the world’s most celebrated chefs, culinary professionals and winemakers. If you like good food, this is definitely a festival you don’t want to miss!

At the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival you get an opportunity to sample and learn about Southern cuisine as well as Lowcountry cuisine. The Lowcountry refers to the low-lying coastal region stretching from Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia. This area is known for its regional cooking style that evolved from a multitude of influences from early settlers. The English, French, Spanish, Irish, Italians, Africans, and Caribbean Islanders settled across the South beginning over three centuries ago and they brought influences from their native lands. This created what we know refer to as Lowcountry cuisine.

“The goal for our fifth year anniversary was to expand our events beyond the downtown area,” said Executive Director, Angel Postell. “Guests will have the opportunity to see one of America’s oldest landscaped gardens at Middleton Plantation, enjoy the city skyline from the new waterfront park in neighboring Mt. Pleasant, and take a culinary journey through Wadmalaw Island.”

Thursday March 4, 2010
Wine Pairing Luncheon and Opening Night
Start the weekend off early with a new event on this years’ schedule, The Perfect Pairing Winemaker Luncheons. Already on Thursday afternoon, two of Charleston’s premier downtown restaurants, MUSE and 82 Queen, will host a three-course lunch paired with carefully selected wines. Here wine professionals share the art of pairing wines with food in a casual setting.

The Food and Wine Festival goes into full swing at the Opening Night Party with Salute to Charleston Chefs, on Thursday, March 4, from 7-10 pm. This soiree features 19+ local culinary icons serving small plates from their restaurant specialties, as well as a sampling of wines from across the country. The Opening Night Party will be a foodie’s delight, with interactive food stations, followed by the sounds of The Quentin Baxter Jazz Septets. This celebration will feature hand-rolled cigars, a cabana lounge with a silent auction, and black-and-white contemporary décor.

Friday March 5, 2010
Tea, Wine, Vegetables and Gullah Traditions
On Friday March 5, the Wadmalaw Farm-to-Table Excursion will begin at the Charleston Tea Plantation where travelers will enjoy a tour and farm-to-table luncheon made from vegetables from Wadmalaw Island. Guests will then travel on to Irvin-House Vineyards, the only domestic winery in Charleston, South Carolina, where they will stroll through the vineyards and have a private tasting with the owner. The final stop is Thackery Farms, where local farmers will give guests a tour of their fields, share insight about organic farming and their relationship with local restaurants.

On Friday afternoon the Gullah community is honored with a Gullah Tribute Luncheon in Marion Square Park. This special fifth year anniversary gathering, from 12-2 pm, will recognize the Gullah culture that began with the migration of African slaves to the Sea Islands of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Coming from different regions of Africa, they brought with them their languages, cultures, traditions and cuisines, and these creolized into one form known as Gullah, which has been integral to the Lowcountry ever since. During the luncheon, the best local and regional Gullah cooks will partner with national chefs to create a menu that pays homage to traditional Gullah fare. Guests will have the opportunity to taste and learn about this indigenous cuisine from the cooks themselves, while they enjoy Southern-style cocktails and beverages, live entertainers, and more.

The Culinary Village
On Friday afternoon, the Culinary Village + Grand Tasting Tents, will officially open its doors. The culinary village is the heart and soul of the festival, and a visit is an absolute must. The village will feature two exclusive Grand Tasting Tents, each highlighting delectable cuisine, wine, and spirits from across the country, an SCE&G Celebrity Kitchen Demonstration Tent, Charleston Cooks! Book Signing Tent, Certified Angus Beef & Piggly Wiggly Outdoor Living + Grilling Area, a BB&T Hospitality Tent and live musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday. This year’s FedEx Grand Tasting Tents are set to be the best yet, with guests benefiting from fewer tickets sold per session, the “Taste of the Festival” Signature Charity Tent and one-on-one interaction with esteemed chefs and beverage professionals.

Wine Around The Garden
There’s also an opportunity to explore beyond the downtown area and venture beyond Marion Square during the “Wine” Around the Garden” event at Middleton Place. Here you can stroll through the historic, charming gardens of Middleton Place, America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Old world meets new as winemakers of the modern era pour varietals reflective of European wine-making traditions. Wine professionals will be stationed at designated locations throughout the gardens. Guests will finish their stimulating tour with a spread of farm-to-table dishes from local chefs.

Restaurant Dine-Around
The evening comes to an end at one of most relished events throughout the Festival weekend, the Restaurant Dine-Arounds. Treat your taste buds to a luscious once-in-a-lifetime culinary indulgence at one Charleston’s eighteen finest restaurants- Ben Berryhill’s Red Drum, Carolina’s, Charleston Grill, Circa 1886, Cypress Lowcountry Grill, FIG, Fish, Hominy Grill, High Cotton, Introdaqua, Lana, Magnolias, McCrady’s, Monza, Oak Steakhouse, Peninsula Grill, Slightly North of Broad and Tristan- many known for their 4-star reviews and James Beard Award winning talent. In the ambience of these restaurants each local chef will unite with a national chef to create a unique five-course meal that partners the culinary styles of each chef for a menu unlike any other, highlighted by wines carefully selected by a winemaker to enhance your dining experience.

Saturday March 6, 2010
Iron Chef Competition at the Village
On Saturday, March 6, it’s time for the ever popular Iron-Chef style Cooking Competitions, starting at 12 pm at the culinary village. It’s a competition where local culinary chefs face off against national chefs in a fierce Iron Chef cooking contest. Members of the audience decide the winner. The Season Five Next Food Network Star Runner-up, Jeffrey Saad, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and a special fifth anniversary grand finale surprise will leave audience members on a high note.

Winemaker and Celebrity Authors Receptions
For the first time in the history of the festival, the Winemaker Receptions in Private Homes also goes to sea.
Guest can enjoy the Charleston’s unique architecture by visiting one of the historical downtown homes or view the city skyline as they dock-hop aboard private yachts. Each location will be hosted by a wine professional pouring samples of wines and a local chef or caterer serving creative small plates.

New for this year is the Celebrity Authors Reception, taking place from 4-6 pm on Saturday. Join the Festival’s featured guest authors in a private residence and garden in historical downtown Charleston for wine, and hors d’ oeuvres from MUSE restaurant.

Food and Wine with Daniel Boulud
The most exclusive event of the Festival weekend is: Food + Wine with a View: A Night with Daniel Boulud. This event brings sixty privileged guests together for the ULTIMATE dinner, set in a private penthouse downtown. The city skyline is breathtaking as the stellar talent of the one of the nation’s top chefs/restaurateurs, Daniel Boulud, of famed Daniel, are presented to create an intimate five-course dinner matched with the finest wines in the world.

Bubbles and Sweets!
Saturday night will come to a sweet finish as Marion Square is transformed into Bubbles & Sweets…with a Twist, sponsored by The Art Institute of Charleston and Charleston Magazine. This soiree is sure to be the hottest of the weekend with oases of delightful confections created by top local and celebrated pastry chefs, sparkling and dessert wines, and–new to the event–guest bartenders pouring their signature cocktail creations! Four mixology bars, a bubble bar, a ”candylicious” theme, and music are sure to make this event the talk of the town.

From Gullah Gospel to BBQ, Blues and Brew
Sunday morning, March 7, brings the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch, at 11am to the Holy City. The sounds of Gullah Gospel Ensemble fill the air as some of Charleston’s top restaurants and caterers serve the best brunch in town. A special blessing will welcome guests as traditional cocktails are served along with a three-course menu of miraculous adaptations of a true Lowcountry brunch.

The grand finale of the weekend, BBQ, Blues & Brew, from 5-8 pm, is a local’s favorite way to end the weekend. Top southern pit masters and “que” professionals serve a variety of barbeque favorites–whole hog, brisket, ribs, shoulder and chicken alongside all the fixin’s. The Blue Dogs are back to rock the main tent as guests enjoy cold libations and a true Southern celebration while seated at community tables. Our special Fifth Year Anniversary celebration will include the return of the pitmaster’s rigs!

For the entire event schedule, more information or tickets to the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, please visit the web site, www.charlestonwineandfood.com or call (843) 727-9998 ext. 4.