Whats Happening in Charleston

The Spoletians are here in record numbers!!! They seem to be quite happy with the events of the 17 day festival this year: Over 120 performances covering opera, theatre, music theatre, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. And don’t forget the visual arts. This year’s productions will include a few American premieres. Sister festival, Piccolo Spoleto, has grown to a full festival in its own right.

The 2007 Sweetgrass Festival, part of Piccolo, will be held on the 7th, 8th and 9th. The festivities will be held at Laing middle School in Mt Pleasant and are free, as is the parking. Over 100 basket weavers will be on hand demonstrating their craft plus authentic Gullah musical groups, praise dancing, Gullah cuisine and storytellers.

Don’t miss the 31st Spoleto Finale at Middleton Gardens on June 10th. The gates open for picnicking at 3:30 and the concert is slated to start at 8:30. The fireworks are always worth the wait.

If what you’re really looking is Reggae music, then James Island County Park has your ticket. June 23rd is the first of three summer concerts by Jah Works.

The US Air Force Celtic band will be playing a free evening concert in Summerville’s town square on June 19th. The Heritage Aire Celtic Ensemble will perform at 6:30

The Flowertown Players will stage Brighton Beach Memoirs June 15th-17th at the James Dean Community Theatre. They
Will also host a children’s studio workshop June 13– July 18th.

The Folly Fishing Pier wants you to stop by and dance the night away as they present their Moonlight Mixers, Shaggin’ on the Pier. Advance tickets only for the events that run one Friday in each month through September.

A major date on the calendar for our state is June 28 - Carolina Day. Celebrated as a day of recognition by South Carolinians for all the patriots who fought and died for American and our state’s freedom. The day will start with the bells from St Michael’s and St Phillip’s Churches. At noon all the church bells will ring. The Fireproof Building will be open to the public. A procession from Washington Park on Broad and Meeting will make its way to the Battery for the unveiling and dedication of the Statue of William Moultrie.

The Deseret News in Salt Lake City sang the praise of the Holy City recently. They commented on Gullah Tours, Gallery Chuma, Culinary Tours by Carolina Food Pros and the Avery Research Center.

The Lowcountry certainly got some good coverage in Southern Living. Opening up the June issue was a feature on the East Cooper area. Mt Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms’ restaurants, shops and activities from the Boulevard Diner to Wild Dunes were highlighted. Next, the magazine ran a one page story on the artsy side of Daufuskie Island across from Harbor Town on Hilton Head. It showed how the ocean has inspired the works of island craftspeople.

Southern Living also paid tribute to the top five fragrances of the south: Gardenia, Magnolia, Oriental Lily, Four O’Clocks and Ginger Lily. You can’t beat that list. The one pest that threatens the sanity of southern gardeners is moles. So many people are complaining that their tip of the month suggested one teaspoon of chili powder in each hole.

The American Association of Landscape Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have announced that Charleston Waterfront Park will receive the 2007 Landmark Award. This award recognizes a distinguished landscape architecture project completed in the last 15-50 years.

Middleton Gardens debuts its Summer Wine Strolls two Wednesday evenings a month. Each tasting will be held in a different garden location. A garden interpreter will be on hand to answer questions about the history of America’s oldest garden.

The executive chef at two really good downtown restaurants is moving into the islands. Fred Neuville has leased the St John’s Café and is planning to open a Lowcountry French restaurant, the Fat Hen, by month’s end. The chef and co-owner of Rue de Jean, Coast and Good Food Catering will specialize in comfort food with a french flair.

There’s lots of talk about West Ashley and North Charleston high school hours changing. The proposal swaps the times for elementary and high schools and delays the middle school start in District 4 and 10. This would include the magnet schools in West Ashley.

But that’s August, there’s summer to enjoy first and Mt Pleasant is doing their part. Go Skateboarding Day will be June 21st from 1-5 at the Mount Pleasant Skatepark. This is a free event open to all ages with signed waiver. Free skateboarding, free soft drinks and free snacks. Bring your own board and safety equipment. Under 9? Bring someone at least 17 and you’re good to go. The 6th Annual Mt.P. Junior Golf Open at Patriot’s Point is for boys and girls 18 and under. It kicks off June 29th at 8 am. Register by the 21st. Players will be in age groups.

The 10th Annual SCRPA Lifeguard Competition begins June 29th at 8 am with pool events at the Jones Center and moving to the Folly Beach County Park at 1:30 for the beach events. Each member of the 3-4 mixed gender team must show proof of certification.

The heat is on! If it gets to be too much, remember the County
Water Parks are open daily starting June 7th.

The Charleston Dance Center will be performing on June 23rd at the Gaillard Auditorium with a matinee at 1 and the evening show at 6pm.

If you’re in the mood for fresh fish, join the group on the Folly Beach Fishing Pier on Saturday June 23rd for the monthly fishing tournament. Registration is at 6am on site only and prizes will be awarded at 4:15 pm.

Calling all girls...the Folly Beach Wahine Surfing Classic will be held at the Washout June 5th and 6th.

The Showdown in Carolina Softball Tournament in North Charleston is scheduled for June 8-10.