Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Things to do in South Carolina – April 2012

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It is spring, and actually Summer is right around the corner. The weather is beautiful, and it’s perfect to spend time outdoors. Luckily for us, there are plenty of events and festivals in the coastal South Carolina area to choose from. Here are some of the upcoming events for the month of April 2012.

Charleston has lots of events this month

First Friday on Broad – Charleston, S.C.
April 6, 2012
Stroll from one gallery to another on Broad Street and take in the Southern charms of blooming hidden courtyards and gardens, and old architecture.
Participating merchants include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, SCOOP Studios, Bernie Horton, Lambert GrayFine Art Studio, Jake’s, Blind Tiger and the Oak Steak House.

Farmers Market – Hilton Head Island, S.C.
April 6, 13, 20, 27
This farmers market is located at Honey Horn and is open on Fridays. April 6, 2012, is the opening day for the season and the mayor is coming out to ring the bell at 8:30 am and declare the farmers market open.

Hat Ladies Easter Parade – Charleston, S.C
April 7, 2012
The Hat Ladies will stroll down Meeting Street, between Broad and White on April 7th, 2012 at 11:00 am. Sounds like a great photo op!

The Farmers Market is open for the season

Charleston Farmers Market
April 7, 14, 21, 28 2012
This market is open from April 7 – December 16, 2012 at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. It is the perfect place to come and hang out, have a cup of coffee, watch people pass by and enjoy the downtown atmosphere.

2nd Sunday on King Street
April 8, 2012
Food, music, shopping and fun from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sunday, April 8, Queen Street to Calhoun.
Gary Erwin of Shrimp City Slim fame and one of the best blues musicians around will grace 2nd Sunday along with Austin Fitzhenry, The Honeybees, South Carolina Broadcasters, Dan Mackey, Bianca & Page and Peter Kiral of Charleston Virtuosi.

Ken Burger will be on hand at the 2nd Sunday Info Tent at Wentworth to talk Charleston and sign copies of his latest book, Baptized in Sweet Tea.

Come to the Information Tent for your free parking vouchers, good in most City Garages downtown. (click here for the voucher)

Charleston International Film Festival in April

Charleston International Film Festival
April 11 – 15, 2012
Every year the city of Charleston, South Carolina, holds a film festival in the dowtown area. This festival offers a variety of programs for the cinema enthusiast as well as the film maker. Lots of independent films, short films, animations and documentaries. Check out the full program at www.charlestoninternationalfilmfestival.org 

The World Grits Festival – St. George, SC
April 13 – 15, 2012
The little town of St. George is world famous for its grits consumption. This festival celebrates grits in all its forms. You can have grits for breakfast, lunch and dinner at this event, participate in grit eating contests and most importantly roll in grits. Read more about the World Grits Festival here.

Plantasia 2012 – Charleston, SC
The Horticulture Society of Charleston holds Plantasia Friday, April 13, 11am -5pm. and Saturday, April 14, 8am – 2pm. at Wragg Square, 342 Meeting Street, in front of Second Presbyterian Church. Horticulturally-trained garden docents and volunteers will be available to help with plant selection and answer questions. Workshops will be offered every hour on the hour from topics ranging from basic garden to having chickens in the city. In addition, a wide selection of “Member’s Favorites”, plants grown and donated by Charleston Horticultural Society members, will be on sale at bargain prices. There will be a “Real Yard Sale” featuring previously loved garden items such as pots, furniture and ornamental items. “Member’s Favorites” and “Real Yard Sale” will only be available for purchase Saturday. For a complete listing of events, workshops, tours, and vendors, please check out our website at www.charlestonhorticulturalsociety.org.

Festival of House and Gardens
The 65th Annual Festival continues until April 21, 2012. This spring festival celebrates Charleston’s magnificent spring season. Right now, the city is in full bloom. During this event you have an opportunity to go on garden tours and visit some of the most beautiful Charleston Homes. Find out more here.

Colleton County Rice Festival
April 27 – 29, 2012
This festival in downtown Walterboror, S.C., is a celebration of the rice planting heritage that helped found Colleton County. The focus is family entertainment that includes a fireworks display, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food concessions, cultural displays and performances depicting our local heritage. Call 843-549-1079 for more information.

 

Mt Pleasant, SC
Dance the night away in Mount Plesant, SC

Shaggin’ on the Cooper
April 28, 2012
This is the first Shaggin’ of the season. Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for summer and Shaggin’ on the Mount Pleasant Pier. Live music will fill the air with local bands performing throughout the season at the Mount Pleasant Pier. Gates open at 7:00pm and the music begins at 8:00pm. All ages are invited to let loose, breathe in the ocean breeze and dance the night away under the stars. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. 

Art & Craft Show – Hilton Head Island, SC
April 28 – 29, 2012
The Art Market at Historic Honey Horn, a juried fine art and craft show, is set for April 28 and 29, 2012 on Hilton Head Island. The Coastal Discovery Museum will jury in artists in media that includes: clay, wood, fibers, metals, glass, jewelry, watercolors, oil, mixed media and photography. All work will be on display and for sale.
This event host artists from 13 states annually and well-known local artists share the spotlight during this weekend-long event, as they compete for prizes.
The show is open to the public on Saturday, from 10 am until 5 pm and on Sunday, from 11 am until 4 pm. There is a $6.00 per car parking donation, while admission to the show is free. Demonstrations throughout the weekend will be held in glass, pine needle basketry, clay and much more. Food and beverage are for sale during the event. . Show admission is free, parking is $6 per vehicle.
The Art Market is presented by the Coastal Discovery Museum.

Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
April 29, 2012

This spring festival takes place at the new Memorial Waterfront Park at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. About 12,000 people attend this festival every year. The festival takes place Sunday April 29th from 11:30 am – 6:00 pm. for more information, please call (843) 884-8517

Labor Day Weekend in South Carolina

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Traditionally Labor Day is the holiday to say “goodbye” to Summer and “hello” to Fall.  For us here in the south, the warm weather will linger well after Labor Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to turn down an opportunity for a party.  Especially if the party involves lots of fun for the whole family.  This weekend there are lots of festivals to choose from in the low country involving the beach, live music and also good food.

 

First Friday on Broad

Come join in and have a “Hot time on Broad”. On the first Friday of every month the merchant association on Broad Street hosts an art event.

Barbados comes to Charleston

“Barbados Comes Back to Charleston” is a five day celebration taking place in various locations in Charleston, SC, from September 1-5, 2011. The event highlights the shared history and heritage of Barbados and Charleston.

There are lots of events scheduled from an open air market, live entertainment and a gala and a lecture.  For more information about events, times and to purchase tickets, visit www.barbadoscharleston.com.

 

Low Country Jazz

Jazz has always held a special place in our hearts here on the coast. The Low Country Jazz Festival on September 3, 2011, is quickly becoming a highly anticipated event in the Carolinas attracting festival attendees from North, South Carolina and abroad. More details on our special events page for the Low Country Jazz Festival.

 

BBQ and Bluegrass Festival

South Carolina is known for its delicious barbeque recipes. During Labor Day weekend you can enjoy mouth-watering South Carolina BBQ at Boonehall Plantation on Sunday September 3, 2011, while enjoying live music. This event has become a Lowcountry tradition, and no wonder.
BBQ and Bluegrass were meant for each other!
 

Lowcountry Wine and Beer Festival

On Sunday, September 4, you can sample more than 20 wines from around the globe, craft beers and a Lowcountry buffet from Hege’s Restaurant on the Village Green at Freshfield Village. The event takes place from 4 until 7 p.m.
An African safari, oceanfront condo vacation at Seabrook Island and other items will be up for bid at a silent auction while the Cobblestone Quartet performs live jazz music. All proceeds will support Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, which provides free medical care to those in need on Johns, James and Wadmalaw islands.
 
Freshfields Village, 149 Village Green Lane John’s Island, SC 29455.
Call 843.768.6491   or visit www.Freshfieldsvillage.com for more information.

Beach, Boogie and BBQ – Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach always celebrates the end of the summer season with a big party combining three of our favorite pastimes – Beach fun, music and good food!
 
 
 
 

Spoleto Soleil on Gallery Row – Charleston, SC

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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.  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:  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:  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:  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: Revisited”
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?”, 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

Other Charleston events:

Spoleto Festival

Piccolo Spoleto Festival

Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival

 

 

 

A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children

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Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of ChildrenA Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children
Next Exhibit in St. Johns County Rotunda Gallery

Have you ever wondered how a child views the town they live in? A new exhibit in the St. Johns County Rotunda Gallery will present a unique look of Lincolnville as seen by its younger residents.

Opening Reception
The opening reception for A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children will take place on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 8:00a.m. before the St. Johns County Board of Commissions meeting in the County Administration building located at 500 San Sebastian View.

Young Artists
The exhibit will feature 20 photographs and 7 paintings portraying the Lincolnville neighborhood.  The participating artists range in age from 11 to16 years old. Local photographer, Justin Itnyre gave direction to the young photographers and  local art instructor, Corrie Borglund,  helped as well.  The childrens’ photographs will be published in a book later this year.

A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children will be on exhibit through October.  It is the first all student art exhibit to hang in the Rotunda.

The Cyprian Center of Expressive Arts
The mission of the Cyprian Center of Expressive Arts is to bring art and art programming to the Lincolnville community. In keeping with this mission, the Cyprian Center applied for and received a grant from the Crisp Ellert Fund for a project titled, A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children.

The St. Johns County Administration building is located at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine , just south of the County’s Lewis Speedway complex.

The exhibit is available for public viewing weekdays between 8:00a.m. and 5:00p.m.
The Cultural Council is funded in part by a Local Arts Agency Grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and through the support of Regions

Bank. For more information about the Council and cultural events, visit www.stjohnsculture.com.

Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children

Contemporary Charleston 2010 at City Gallery – Charleston, Sc

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The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents Contemporary Charleston 2010, a Piccolo Spoleto Festival Exhibition at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. The public is invited to the opening reception in honor of the artists, on May 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, Contemporary Charleston 2010 was curated by Erin Glaze, gallery coordinator and artist Max Miller. Contemporary Charleston 2010 will be on display through July 3, 2010.

Contemporary Charleston 2010 features 10 local visual artists who are creating works specifically for the exhibit that have been inspired by the work of 10 local poets. The exhibit will also feature a documentary on the exhibit, from the meeting of the artists to the creation of the work, by the local filmmaker from Contemporary Charleston 2009, Austin Nelson. The visual artists and poet match-ups are as follows:

Artist, Timmy Pakron and Carol Anne Davis, poet
Artist, Benjamin Hollingsworth and Paul Allen, poet
Artist, Scott Debus and Brian Penberthy, poet
Artist, Kat Hastie and Katherine Williams, poet
Artist, Sarah Haynes and Dennis Ward Stiles, poet
Artist, Jocelyn Chateauvert and Carol Peters, poet
Artist, Max Miller and Morrow Dowdle, poet
Artist, Julio Cotto and Jonathan Sanchez, poet
Artist, Hirona Matsuda and Marcus Amaker, poet
Artist, Lynne Riding and Ellie Davis, poet
All the visual artists will hold lectures and demonstrations regarding their contribution to the exhibit on the following dates:
June 5: Scott Debus and Jocelyn Chateauvert
June 12: Kat Hastie and Lynne Riding
June 19: Hirona Matsuda and Julio Cotto
June 26: Timmy Pakron and Sarah Haynes
July 3: Max Miller and Ben Hollingsworth

The exhibit is open May 20 to July 3, 2010. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. During The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the City Gallery at Waterfront Park is open special hours, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, owned by the City of Charleston and operated by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, is a venue for contemporary artwork that is new, vital and innovative, with a focus on broadening Charleston’s arts outlook. The City Gallery provides access to the visual arts for everyone in Charleston, S.C., visitors and residents alike, by offering exhibits that are all admission-free. The City Gallery is located at 34 Prioleau St. in downtown Charleston, S.C., and gallery hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please call or e-mail the City Gallery at (843) 958-6484 or CityGallery@ci.charleston.sc.us and visit www.charlestonarts.sc.