Spoleto Festival USA And Piccolo Spoleto Time Has Arrived-Choose Your Event, There Are Many

Piccolo Spoleto 2012 Poster Image

by Linda Elksnin

It's Spoleto Festival USA time in historic Charleston starting on May 25, 2012. But this venue is a two for one deal because it is also Piccolo Spoleto Festival time. The two festivals coincide with one another, beginning on the same day and ending on the same day. Spoleto Festival is the parent festival and Piccolo Spoleto was incorporated as a compliment but with a different emphasis. Both festivals are a celebration of the performing, literary and visual arts. Where as Spoleto's focus is on international artists, Piccolo Spoleto's focus is primarily on artists of the Southeast region. Obviously, with over 700 events scheduled in the 17 days the festivals run, you have to be selective. For a complete list of Spoleto events go to Spoleto Festival USA.

One aspect of Piccolo Spoleto is half of its events are admission free. The series of free events include the Sunset Serenade concert behind the U.S. Custom House featuring the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Children’s Festival, the Memorial Day Concert, the Sand Sculpting Competition, the Intern Block Party, the Petite Performance Pavilion, and the Piccolo Spoleto Finale at Hampton Park.

The Intern Block Party: "Anchored Down in Charlestowne" will be June 2 from 6-10pm at Marion Square, King and Calhoun Streets. There will be live music by local bands, a variety of food vendors, and lots of games. Local favorites Folkgrass, Old You, and Rustic Remedy are the featured bands performing their versions of folk, soul, and blues-rock music. Another featured talent will be McKenzie Eddy of Bluroc Records. This soulful songwriter is a graduate from the University of South Carolina and from Hilton Head Island. She toured the East Coast with her funk-rock band Stealing From Bandits for a time and then linked up with hip-hop mogul Dame Dash in New York City where she began running Blueroc and working with artists such as the Black Keys, the London Souls, Curren$y, Ski Beatz, Vado, and Camron. After the party, Charleston has a vibrant nightlife including places like Wet Willies, Mad River Bar and Grille, Charleston Beer Works, Rooftop Bar Vendue Inn, and Closed For Business to name a few. Here is a complete list, and enjoy this video of last years block party.


The Children's Festival: "Once upon a time..." will be at Marion Square, King and Calhoun Streets on May 26 from 10am-3pm. It will be a day of music, dance, arts & crafts with a special focus on storytelling, children’s literacy, and summer reading programs for kids at the Charleston County Library. This is only the beginning of the story. On site will be SC Aquarium’s sealife “touch tank” and Cabot Cheese of Vermont with a sizable exhibit featuring Vermont dairy farmers making their famous cheddar cheese. Photographs of their farms will also be displayed for your viewing and education.

Isle of Palms Front Beach will be the scene of the Sand Sculpting Competition June 2 from 9am-12noon. We look forward to seeing what the area's creative minds can come up with this year. This is a specialized art form utilizing a balanced mixture of water and sand blended together to create whatever shape or form the human imagination can conceive and the hands can orchestrate at its best, with alittle help from various small tools and enhancing mediums. After all, isn't that what Piccolo Spoleto is all about, fostering appreciation for the arts. A great way to begin the day. Young and not so young can join in the fun for free. Trophies will be awarded. Bathing suits and bare feet recommended. Her are some pictures of last year's entries.

Do you like American films? Charleston County Public Library will host a series of free movies. For the complete list of times visit Charleston County Library. Do you like poetry? Dock Street Theatre Courtyard will feature "Sundown Poetry". Judith Pacht, Jerri Chaplin, Diana Pinckney, and Gretl Claggett are some of the poets highlighted. For the complete list of times and dates visit Dock Street Theatre. This is only the tip of the ice tea. Go to Piccolo Spoleto Festival for all of the scheduled events.

It all ends on June 10, 2012. So, choose your poison, figuratively speaking. Charleston's festivals offer the best in visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film. Enjoy the free stuff and for everything thing else purchase your tickets and have the time of your life.

Spoleto Festival Showcases The Best Of Charleston-Plus A Block Party

Charleston, and its surrounding locales, have endured a persistent, ongoing northern invasion of a sort over recent years, perplexing locals and straining the infrastructure. Some locals had become so perplexed by the incursion, comparing it to the "War of Northern Aggression", they created a web site called GoBackToOhio.com, but must have finally accepted the unavoidable fact we are not just happy tourists, but here to stay. The website has fallen into near olivian as a result.

After lounging around the pool this past weekend, talking to fellow residents, it's apparent the incursion includes not just Ohioans, but also Pennsylvanians, Michiganers and New Yorkers. The common thread that binds us together as a group is the sheer fact we love the Charleston area.

Take myself for an example. I vacationed here for a few years before deciding to make the difficult move. Where I am from, fondly referred to as "The Northcoast", there are beaches on which to cool your heels, but also plenty of the white stuff during the off season. Hacking ice off your car on a daily basis can become an exasperating routine and unless you have experienced frostbite you can't appreciate what I am talking about when it comes to stinging pain.

None the less, snow wasn't the deciding factor in the move, I just like the sun more. The sun shines in the Lowcountry twice as much, presenting greater opportunity for outdoor activity throughout the year. Activity like boating, fishing, swimming, and golf. Charleston is a city rich with the kind of history I enjoy, reminiscent of a more genteel and eloquent time. It is also centrally located between Myrtle Beach to the north, Hilton Head to the south, and Florida not far beyond with all the amenities it has to offer. Charleston, for an added bonus, is also a cruise port.

I do miss the broadway shows at Cleveland Playhouse Square, fellow crazy fans in the Dawg Pound of Cleveland Browns Stadium, and living not too far from "The Roller Coaster Capital of the World", Cedar Point. But it is typical of life, you sacrifice some things to attain others. But the sacrifice is small.

When it comes to theater, Charleston abounds with a variety, even carrying the distinction of being home to the first theater building designed solely for theatrical performances in America, the Dock Street Theater. Charleston was even selected above all other cities in the U.S. to be the sister city of Spoleto, Italy and host to the American version of the Spoleto Festival, which is in progess as I write. And why was it selected? Its organizers saw in Charleston the same charm charateristic of Spoleto, Italy, and for its wealth of theaters, churches, and other performance spaces needed to host the operas, plays, dance, and music ranging from classical to jazz.

Charleston is artsy and a photographer's paradise. It also has a healthy nightlife. This Saturday, June 4, you can join in the fun for free. The Piccolo Spoleto Block Party: The Summer Frenzy! will take place at Marion Square, Calhoun St. & King St. A night full of music, dancing, and good eats. Entertainment ranges from local bands battling it out, dance performances by Dancefx and Mufuka Works Dance Company and a DJ mixin’ up tunes from the 60’s to today’s hottest hits. Possibly and painfully, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by the Proclaimers might just come up in the mix. Its a long shot, but stranger things have happened. And if need be, you can down a drink to make it more tolerable. Its all in the name of fun. Time is 7pm to 11pm.

After the party is over, you can go to the Market Pavilion Hotel's rooftop bar for a night cap and enjoy the breeze coming off the bay.

Charleston's Memorial Day Weekend-Beaches Packed And Spoleto Festival Underway

There was a great start to the Memorial Day weekend activities on the beaches. The Isle of Palms was packed with bathers and spectators alike for the sand sculpting contest. Although storms were in the area, Front Beach was sunny and hot for the affair. Not a huge event compared to other sand sculpting contests on other beaches, but everyone involved had fun, adults and kids alike.

I don't know which entry won, I had other arrangements at 12:00 when the contest was to be completed and the winner chosen. These are some of my picks gathered as I strolled the beach while they were under construction.

One of the entries, a castle like structure, was created by Mitch of Emblers Jewelers, accompanied by Josh and Marc. Mitch informed me that a smaller completed version was at his shop located on Coleman Blvd. So, if you would like to view it you will have to pay his store a visit. Other entries were a copy of Mona Lisa, a bic shaver amidst stubble, ninja turtle, and a portion of a chain. Rachel Mahaffey and Marc Brumbaugh were working on a sculpture of what looked to be a swan, but were not going to be done with it until 3:00 pm.

If today was a precursor of what to expect on the beach front, the next two days will mean packed beaches. If you have beach plans get there early if you want a decent parking spot and an ideal location to plant your beach towel or chair. The weather looks to be good. Rain is no longer in the forecast.

Then, when you are done with the sun, there is plenty to do in Charleston with the Spoleto Festival underway. Exhibits, shows, concerts, and more. You won't have to walk five hundred miles for anything. There is something around every corner to keep you busy, and search as you may, there will be no Proclaimers to be found. Thank Goodness. Just upscale entertainment on tap with some homegrown talent from the Lowcountry.

Spoleto Festival Kicks Off Friday And Displays A Wide Range Of Music Venues

When it comes to music I have always said, "If it sounds good, I'll listen to it". Now, I know that statement is rather subjective, because what sounds good to me may not necessarily sound good to you, but I do have a wide range of interest when it comes to music. I never really followed any particular group or singer. They all had their good ones and their not so good ones. There again, my criticism may be subjective.

One song that sticks in my memory and I find myself randomly thinking of from time to time, and this is for no apparent reason, is "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan. Another favored oldie "when I get drunk"(I just thought I would throw that in there because it is part of the lyics, I never get drunk-honest) from a Scottish group "I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles" called the Proclaimers. But I will have to stop there because there just is not enough space for me to list out everything I recall by such groups as Genesis, Moody Blues, Who, Eagles, Billy Joel, John Cougar became Mellencamp, Queen, and so on and so on. I have to interject that Country music was not a favorite of mine until it emerged out of the twangy stage. Oh, when I am on a cruise or the beach somewhere and there is something in the blender, Jimmy Buffet.

From May 27-June 12 Spoleto Festival and Piccolo Spoleto will be featuring music of various genres both international and local such as classical, jazz, and grass roots. So, there is plenty to choose from depending on your tastes or you just might want to broaden your range of interest. The festival is a great place to test the waters out.

Sarah Jarosz will be performing at College of Charleston Cistern Yard Thursday, June 2 at 9:00 pm. I personally haven't heard much of her music until I saw her name on the events list and checked her out. One of her releases that caught my attention was "Long Journey". She is billed as having a "haunting voice whose purity recalls Alison Krauss, mandolin and banjo skills worthy of a Grammy nomination, and songwriting abilities the envy of anyone twice her age." Tickets are $30-$40.

The Del McCoury Band will perform at Middleton Place Sunday, June 12 at 8:30 pm. Del McCoury is considered a bluegrass icon. The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display. Alot of foot stomping here. Tickets ar $30. Want to listen to a sample click here.

Karrin Allyson will perform at College of Charleston Cistern Yard Friday, May 27 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 28 9:00 pm. She is not a newcomer to the festival. She is a celebrated Jazz vocalist. Tickets are $30-$45. Here is an example of her singing.

Early Bird Blues: Juke Joint Johnny & Drew Baldwin “The Harmonica Beast of the Southeast” will be at Mad River Bar and Grill, 32 N. Market St. Tickets: $11. May 27 at 5-7pm.

The Piccolo Spoleto Block Party: The Summer Frenzy! A night full of music, dancing, and good eats. Entertainment ranges from local bands battling it out, dance performances by Dancefx and Mufuka Works Dance Company and a DJ mixin’ up tunes from the 60’s to today’s hottest hits. It is all free. Marion Square, Calhoun St. and King St. June 4 from 7-11pm.

This is only a samlping. For all the music venues offered go to Piccolo Spoleto and Spoleto Fesival. See you at opening ceremonies May 27.