Coastal Companion

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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.

Piccolo Spoleto 2009 – Charleston, SC

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Piccolo Spoleto gives access to the Spoleto Festival experience for everyone. Many of Piccolo Spoleto’s performances are free or have minimal ticket prices.

Piccolo Spoleto’s Sunset Serenade turns the beautiful city of Charleston into a stage with a free outdoor pops concert overlooking the Charleston Harbor at the U.S. Custom House. This concert opens Piccolo Spoleto on Friday, May 22 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The Charleston Symphony Orchestra plays big band music with guest artist, The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet. Then it’s time for the trombone players to take over. The unique group, The Palmetto Posaunen, consists of 40 trombone players with percussion. The group performs TROMBONES! at 6 p.m. on the East Bay Plaza of the U.S. Custom House. The music includes an interesting variety of music from Broadway tunes, to jazz, and also “76 Trombones” from The Music Man.

Piccolo Spoleto hosts many family-friendly activities. One of the most popular events is the Children’s Festival in Marion Square. The festival takes place on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., features a great selection of fun-filled activities for the younger crowd. Activities include; some of the Lowcountry’s finest student choral and dance groups, face painting, a “fun bus”, arts and crafts and much more.

Break it Down Now! is a special a block party taking place on Saturday, May 30 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the U.S. Custom House. The block party features music from the 80s, 90s and today. This event is organized by the college interns who encourage festival goers to “go green” for the event. There will be a “green carpet,” and other eco-friendly activities. Artists include 80s cover band Bueller, former American Idol contestant Quiana Parler & Friends, DJ and video artists Spaced Invaders and break dancing group The Electric Company.

From 5 to 9 p.m., June 6 in Hampton Park, everone is invited to Piccolo Spoleto Finale: A Global Village of World Music. This festive finale wraps-up the festival with a exiting line-up. Performers include Carolina Klezmer from Charlotte, N.C., and Sababah from Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Students in Carolina Studios after school program will open the evening with their original performance. Piccolo Spoleto is committed to maintaining a balanced and healthy habitat for the ecosystem in Hampton Park and as a result fireworks will not be included.

There is also a wide variety of theatre, dance, literature and film events during the festival.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the Piccolo Spoleto ticket hotline at 888-374-2656, or online at www.TicketMaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the Piccolo Spoleto box office, located in the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium at 77 Calhoun St., with no service charges, or at area Publix Super Markets. For a ticket brochure and information on Piccolo Spoleto, call the Office of Cultural Affairs at (843) 724-7305 or visit www.PiccoloSpoleto.com.

Piccolo Festival
Visit our events calendar for Piccolo Spoleto 2009, Charleston, South Carolina