Summerville's Third Thursday in November-A Night Of Reading, Acting, Music, And A Party

A Very Little Bookstore

It got dark earlier on this Third Thursday.  The time change that took place at the beginning of the month was responsible. Lately the weather had been on the cool side of the thermometer and this night was not going to be an exception. One of my planned stops tonight was to be at a wonderful bookstore for children called A Very Little Bookstore. I wanted to get a schedule of their book readings.

I had soup and a sandwich at the Eclectic Chef to start the evening. The crowd on Short Central was sparse, not the usual center of activity and entertainment. The customary craft stands and product displays were missing. Most of the attendees were seeking the comfort of the warmer businesses where the traditional wine and snacks accented the friendly conversation.

 
I  chose to take on the outside elements, after all I am originally a Northerner, and took a stroll along Short Central. I saw a young gentleman set up at an open door of one of the businesses with a music stand and acoustic guitar in hand. I have seen many of the local musicians but his was a new face to me. I took the opportunity to introduce myself. His name is Andrew Scholz, a local high school student. I asked him if he knew Chelsea Summers, a favorite singer/songwriter from Summerville of mine, and he did. Andrew also writes songs and covers a wide range of genre including Country, Southern rock, Charleston and alternative. He was looking to build up his fan base and strum up some new gigs. I suggested he make a visit to Coastal Coffee Roasters on a Thursday and take advantage of Brad's open mike night. You can contact Andrew Scholz at Andrew Scholz Music. Leave him a message.

The Very Merry Players of Art and Soul were in full costume and on the streets. Dickens' Christmas Carol was the subject matter. It was also the night "The Fezziwig Ball" was scheduled. I just could not resist taking a picture of the poor lads and lassies while they were wandering the streets hoping to find some charitable individuals willing to give of their time and join the group for a Christmas Carol Walk hosted by Dickens himself, played by Tim Lowry. The tour stopped at various locations throughout the downtown district while Tim provided the narration of the beloved story. December 20th, they will do it all again. Get your tickets now.

Tim Lowry, Storyteller, travels around South Carolina to various schools teaching and performing the craft he learned as a young man in southeastern Kentucky. He studied drama in high school and has a degree in theater. His home is Summerville, SC. When not traveling he often performs stories of the historic South Carolina Lowcountry: Colonial Tavern Tales, Gullah Folk Tales, and Civil War Ghost Stories. You can learn more about Tim Lowry at Storyteller Tim Lowry.

It seemed the theme of this Third Thursday was the acting arts. The lights at the James F. Dean Theater were burning brightly. A dress rehearsal for their next show called "The Flowertown Players Old-Timey Radio Christmas Comedy Show Extravaganza" was underway. It is a play written by local resident David Hatch. It is about an old theater built in 1897 that has fallen on hard times and closed down. A group wants to revitalize it by putting on a show at the theater to raise money. That is where the fun begins and the laughs . Buy a ticket to find out the rest.

Despite the sun's early departure and despite the cooler weather, the local residents braved the elements and supported their local businesses, after all that is what Summerville DREAM hopes to achieve through the monthly Third Thursday event. You will even see the Summerville DREAM team out and about working hard to make it a success. I know that for a fact, I bumped into a team member outside of Accent on Wine hosting a table and greeting everyone with a big Summerville smile. Shortly thereafter, I raised a glass of spirits in her honor as she waved to me outside the window where I was sitting.