Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

The Lowcountry Oyster Festival 2010 in Charleston, SC

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The Oyster Festival has been the highlight of the month of January for the past 25 years. The Lowcountry Oyster Festival has been named one of the “top 20 events in the southeast” by the Southeastern Tourism Society for 20 consecutive years.

The Greater Charleston Restaurant Association is hosting the Lowcountry Oyster Festival’s on the grounds of historic Boone Hall Plantation on Sunday, January 31st. This festival is an oyster-lover’s dream. About 65,000 pounds of oysters will arrive at Boone Hall Plantation to be served at the festival. Highlights of Sunday’s “rain or shine” event include the famous “Oyster Shucking & Eating Contest”, live bands on the Main Stage and a Kids Corner complete with pony rides and jump castles.

Taste of Charleston, 2009

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The 29th annual Taste of Charleston is scheduled for October 9-11, 2009.
The three-day celebration of Lowcountry cuisine features some of Charleston’s best chefs. There are three special events leading up to the main event at Boone Hall Plantation.

• Taste – Iron Chef Competition takes place on Friday, October 9, at the Culinary Institute of Charleston’s (CIC) Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston. This event features a head-to-head battle between local chefs in CIC’s state-of-the-art amphitheater kitchen.

• Taste of the Kitchen is held on Saturday, October 10, at the Culinary Institute of Charleston’s Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston. Celebrity chefs take the stage to show how chefs do it, also CIC chefs will take participants in the kitchens to cook hands-on. Add wine and beer classes and a Taste of the CIC buffet lunch for a full plate.

• Taste of the Arts will be held on Saturday evening, October 10, at various art galleries in downtown Charleston. This event combines Lowcountry art with the culinary arts by showcase the talents of local artists while offering guests a sampling of appetizers from Charleston restaurants.

• Taste of Charleston (Main Event) will be held on Sunday, October 11, at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. Here you’ll find a sampling of tempting food served at more than 40 of Charleston’s finest restaurants. Additional highlights; the legendary Waiter’s Wine Race, food and wine pairings, specialty and imported beers, cooking demonstrations, the Best of the Taste contest, live bands o (complete with a petting zoo).

For more than 20 years, this event has been named one of the “top 20 events in the southeast” by Southeastern Tourism Society. More than 9,000 guests are expected, so come early and plan to stay. For more information, click here

Taste-of-Charleston

Moonlight Mixer at Folly Beach Pier on Sept 25th – Charleston, SC

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The summer is winding down in South Carolina, but it’s not over yet. This is the last chance to dance under the stars on the Folly Beach Fishing Pier for the season. The final Moonlight Mixer of the season takes place on Friday, September 25 from 7pm-11pm.

Bring that special someone to the pier and dance all night to beach music and golden oldies! Lowcountry radio personality Rob Duren will be spinning our favorites long after the sun goes down. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site at Locklear’s Beach City Grill and the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop.

Rain date is the following Saturday, September 26. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 for Charleston County residents and $10 for non-county residents. Tickets purchased at the gate (if available) are $10. Only 600 tickets will be sold for each Mixer so get yours today! Advance tickets may be purchased at CCPRC’s Park and Program Services (795-4FUN).

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Folly Beach Pier, South Carolina

It’s a Frog-Strangling Downpour in Charleston

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It’s not raining cats and dogs, it’s more of a frog strangler when the new sculpture exhibit is opening at the Hamlet Gallery for Charles Smith and sons, Zan and Beau. The exhibit is called “It’s Raining Frogs” and consists of a new collection of human-size copper frog sculptures.

Thinking Frog
"Thinking Frog" by Zan Smith

The Humble Beginning
The beginning of the human-size copper frog emerged in 1974 when Charles Smith started making metal sculptures(following a career in science and engineering). His first subjects were clowns and dancers made with sheet copper overlaid with brass from one to two feet tall.
“Natural subject matter, coupled with the basic desire to render the life size image of the human form in metal are the forces that led to the copper frog” says Charles.  The frogs have evolved over the years, first sitting on the ground, then standing, holding a wine bottle, martini glass, reading a book, playing an instrument and other various human activities.  Sizes have varied also, large to small and back to the human-size again.  The “Spoleto Dancing” frogs in the courtyard stand around 7 feet tall and are perfectly asymmetrical.

Charles’ sons, Beau and Zan, learned metal sculpture while growing up, and became “Frogsmiths” after their father.  The sons continue to contribute in the development of the medium and collaborate on the art and craft of the human size copper frog.  Charles and Zan each have a studio in a natural setting on a small, family island in the South Carolina Lowcountry, south of Charleston.  Beau works independently in Atlanta, Georgia.

Goblet Frog
"Goblet Frog" by Beau Smith

The Art of Expression and Body Language
Each frog is made individually and has its own character in expression and body language.  They do not use templates, or helpers.  The artists primarily use copper, brass and stainless steel, and have developed over the years a special process for initiating the verdigris patina.  Each frog is signed, dated and copyrighted on a stainless steel plate near the foot of the frog statue. “These frog creatures have “soul” and are “crowd pleasers”, making people smile” says Stephanie Shuler Hamlet of the Hamlet Fine Art Gallery.

The reception takes place on  Friday, August 7th , 5-8 pm. The exhibit continues the whole month of August. For more information, contact the Hamlet Fine art Gallery at 843-722-1944 or www.hamletgallery.com

dancing-frogs

North Charleston Arts Festival 2009

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The 2009 North Charleston Arts Festival is scheduled for May 1-May 9. The nine day art celebration draws more than 30,000 visitors every year. Individual Events begin on Friday, May 1, and continue through Saturday, May 9. The North Charleston Arts Festival is an action-packed event filled with theater and dance performances, concerts, programs for children, literary events, and multi-cultural block parties just tom mention a few.

North Charleston Arts FestivalThe Performing Arts Center and the Charleston Area Convention Center host the Main Event Weekend, Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. Events include the eighth annual SC Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Exhibition, the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, music, theater, and dance performances, exhibitions of fine art, photography, and youth art, free children’s art activities and performances, Arts & Craft vendors and a Festival Food Court.

The Grand Finale will take place right at Riverfront Park with a exceptional variety of concerts and activities. Festival week culminates with a fantastic fireworks display.