Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Charleston Comedy Festival 2010

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You can get all your comedy in one city during this festival in Charleston on January 20 – 23, 2010, where you have the opportunity to watch some of the country’s hottest improv, sketch, and stand-up artists perform with 38 shows in nine different venues in just four nights.

This festival is produced by Theatre 99 and the Charleston City Paper.
Several artists are slated to perform in this year’s festival, including Cook County Social Club, an improv and sketch comedy group from Chicago that played to packed houses in 2009. Cook County will team up with The Dangerous Strangers of Cabaret Kiki, the band behind Charleston’s favorite burlesque show who will reunite for a one-night only performance.

Another Comedy festival favorite is Elephant Larry, an NYC sketch comedy troupe who debuted at the Comedy Fest in 2006 and returned for that year’s Piccolo Fringe Festival in May. The Uprights Citizen Brigade Touring Company makes its semi-annual performance with Pangea 3000, a four-man sketch comedy group comprised of writers and contributors to The Onion, and Sidecar, a group that will perform a compilation of their greatest sketches.

Many stand-up comedians will be taking the stage during the festival. Kenny Zimlinghaus, a former 96Wave deejay who is now on Cosmo Radio on XM and Sirius, will return to perform and emcee the annual Charleston Stand-Up Competition.

Venues for the festival this year include Theatre 99 (280 Meeting St. above the Bicycle Shoppe), The American Theater and Stars Bar (446 King St.), Charleston Ballet Theatre (477 King St.), Trio Club
(139 Calhoun St.), the Music Farm (32 Ann St.), and Eye Level Art 103 Gallery (103 Spring St.). The festival has expanded to the suburbs with two new venues: the Charleston Pour House on James Island (1977 Maybank Hwy.) and Centre Pointe Bar & Grill in North Charleston (4950 Centre Pointe Dr.)

Ticket prices range from $5 – $20 and are available at www.charlestoncomedyfestival.com or by calling Etix at 1-800-514-ETIX. Tickets will be sold at Theatre 99 (280 Meeting St.) the week of the festival.

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.

Restaurant Week comes to Charleston, SC

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Great news for those of us who love food. Several Charleston area restaurants will participate in the Hospitality Association of South Carolina’s statewide Restaurant Week, January 11 – 17, 2010. This is the first time a restaurant week is being held in Charleston.

The city has an impressive culinary scene worthy of showcasing, so we think it’s a great idea. Those who participate will have an opportunity to sample special discounted dinner menus from over 30 participating Charleston area restaurants, ranging from casual to fine dining.

Tickets are not required; however, reservations are strongly advised. For more information and list of participating restaurants, please visit www.restaurantweekcharleston.com.

Myrtle Beach Inaugural WinterFest

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If you’ve spent a lot of time at home over the holidays, now is the time to break loose and have some fun out on the town at this festival in Myrtle Beach. Market Common in Myrtle Beach arranges the first ever WinterFest on January 16th, 2010.

The Winter Fest features the largest oyster roast in the area, chili, soups, and a variety of seasonal beers. And to top it off, you can enjoy live music with the Paul Grimshaw Band and the PotatoHeads.

Admission is free, but tickets are sold for beer and food.Oysters will be sold by the dozen with cocktail sauce and crackers.
Serious oyster eating participants are encouraged to bring their own oyster knives and gloves.

Rock n’ the Beach for New Year’s Eve – Myrtle Beach, SC

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Rock ‘N the Beach claims to be South Carolina’s Largest New Years Eve Celebration.
Come to Myrtle Beach for a day of fun, and a chance to ring in the New Year in Style.

Start out with a Scavenger hunt in downtown. Explore the downtown in search of the Beach Ball Icon and complete five types of tasks. More information is of the back of the “Scavenger Hunt” Card. Get your card stamped at participating location and move on. You can drop off your completed card at our Rock’n the Beach Booth by 10pm. Drawings will take place sometime after 10 pm.

Parking
It’s recommended that you use the Pavilion Parking Garage because then you will receive your special NYE gift bag. The parking garage also sells the NYE VIP Card which gives you super fast passage in the beverage lines. So to ensure that you get in the NYE VIP beverage line, get the card, and get quick service and no delays.

Fun for the Younger Ones
Your kids will enjoy the Plyler Park Area filled with lots of fun such as face painting, characters and performers and “Chalk the Walk”.

Music on Stage
Get into a festive mode with live music. Enjoy Jazz, R&B, Beach Music, Country, and Gospel. There’s even a real Dixie Strolling Band walking through the crowd.

Send a Message
Make this New Year’s Eve a special night to remember. Why not take a carriage ride with the family or that special someone and enjoy the lively entertainment. But most importantly be ready to record your New Year’s Eve message and have it aired on the Jumbotron.

Horry County Arts and Cultural Council Champagne Toast
It’s not really possible to ring in 2010 without a champagne toast and the traditional singing “Auld Lang Syne” with friends. Horry County Arts and Cultural Council Team arranges the champagne and cheer.

Up in the Air
Many places watches the ball drop, but in Myrtle Beach things are different. Just keep your eye on the ball as we count “up” to 2010. The sky will explode with colorful fireworks reflected in the ocean. There are great spots for watching the fireworks all around the downtown area, along the ocean and from Kings Hwy.
Rock’N the Beach will take place between 9th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North in Downtown Myrtle Beach.

For more information call Global Attractions Development and Management 843-213-1094 or visit www.rocknthebeach.com