The South Carolina Lowcountry, anchored by the historic Charleston peninsula, has become a real center for the arts and major destination for art lovers. In fact, as I covered in this recent blog, a group recently named Charleston as the number one place in America for art lovers. It’s based on a per capita breakdown of the number of art entities like galleries and museums compared to the population. This evening is a great example of that.
Attention Art Lovers: Charleston Art Walk tonight
It happens four times a year. It’s not far from any of the beach and super close to some of the country’s best restaurants. It’s the Charleston Art Walk, and it’s grown in popularity with each passing one. I’ve been a few times, and it really is a lot of fun. Basically, a few dozen galleries (about 40) stay open after hours on a Friday night and host special exhibits. Many have complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, some have live music. It’s sponsored by the Charleston Gallery Association. A wide spectrum of artistic styles are represented. Art Walks take place the first Friday evening in the months of March, May, October and December. They’re a fun, free way to get a good dose of that Charlestonian culture. So if you’re here right now, you’re in luck. Tonight - Friday, March 1st - in the first Art Walk of 2019. It goes on from 5:00 till 8:00 p.m. all around the downtown peninsula.
Then, of course, there’s Spoleto, the ultimate festival for art lovers
Charleston is a cultural center, indeed. It’s not too early to plan for what is one of the best times to be in the Charleston area. I’m talking about the end of May through early June, also known as Spoleto time. It’s one of the preeminent South Carolina arts festivals in the country (and arguably the world). Tickets for the festival are on sale now, and shows and performances are going fast. The 43rd annual festival takes place this year from May 24th through June 9th. Events take place in venues across the area (centered on the historic district). If you are interested in coming during Spoleto time, please call us ASAP to secure the best selection from among our portfolio of homes.
There are some new things this year for Spoleto. Highlights include:
- A new Festival Finale venue. This year the closing festivities will take place at spacious Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Pack your picnic, get set for great rock & soul by Curtis Harding, and fireworks after dark. Read more and grab some tickets here.
- You pick the play! Shakespeare’s Globe Theater Troupe will be performing at the Dock Street Theater. For 8 of their 19 performances, the audience will pick from among three options - Twelfth Night, Pericles, of The Comedy of Errors. Whichever play gets the loudest cheers will be performed!
- The Festival Orchestra will perform a Classical Showcase this year in the Dock Street on May 28. Normally they’ve only played in large venues like the Gaillard. They’ll perform music from 1736 – the year the Dock Street first started. More about it here.
- The beloved Westminster Choir also has a new venue. They’ll perform in the newly renovated and restored St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, the lovely tall spired church right on Marion Square.
A bit more Mardi Gras this weekend
We still haven’t hit Mardi Gras yet. In fact, this weekend is technically Mardi Gras weekend. So it comes as no surprise that there are several themed events going on this weekend. They include:
- The Charleston Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball at The Schoolhouse;
- Mardi Bras at Avondale’s Triangle Char ‘n Bar’
- Mardi Gras Party at The Royal American;
- Fat Tuesday Cosmic Bowling at The Alley;
- “Bourbon Street Drinks and Bayou Eats” at the Tiki Bar’s Fat Tuesday Party.
And when you are looking for rental homes South Carolina, be sure to call EP.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger