CULTURE #6 OF THE 7 REASONS TO CHOOSE CHARLESTON
CULTURE IN CHARLESTON
Charleston Symphony Orchestra
World-class musicians present magnificent music from September through May. Masterworks, Charleston Pops, cutting edge Backstage Pass and innovative Out of the Box concerts are offered, along with Kinderkonzerts and Family concerts. Various locations.
Sound of Charleston
Experience the unique sounds that define Charleston's rich musical heritage...gospel, Gershwin, music of the Civil War, light classics, & jazz...The Sound of Charleston is ranked one of the most popular attraction in the City by Trip Advisor.
Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association
CFADA member galleries support the future arts with two major events - Palette & Palate Stroll (July) and the Charleston Fine Art Weekend (November) raising funds for art scholarship and art supplies for the Charleston County High schools.
Charleston Stage Company
Charleston Stage, founded by playwright Julian Wiles in 1978, is South Carolina’s largest professional theatre company in residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Charleston Stage provides a full season of plays, musicals and theatre-for-youth productions.
Piccolo Spoleto Festival
Annual in May before Spoleto
The combination of historic Charleston’s old European charm and the world-class Spoleto Festival USA together produce a unique and impacting synergy for all who come to the city by the sea to experience this magnificent international multi-arts festival. But what really adds the ingredient of magic to the mix is Piccolo Spoleto, which provides access to the festival for every person, especially children. Focusing primarily on artists of the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to the international scope of its parent festival and its 700 events in 17 days, transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of performing, literary and visual arts. Piccolo Spoleto’s traditional program offerings include visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film.
SPOLETO FESTIVAL
From the end of May through the first week in June, Charleston hosts the Spoleto Festival bringing art and culture to the area full force featuring 17 days of opera, chamber and orchestral concerts, dance, theater productions and art.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Celebrating 30 years of wildlife art and the sporting life, SEWE’12 (February, annual) will feature 120 fine artists, shows by Jack Hanna, chef demos, DockDogs competitions, decoys, birds of prey demos, conservation exhibits, children’s activities, and much more. Tickets: $10-$20
Theater 99
Charleston’s home for improv comedy! No scripts! All improv! SC’s only professional improv theatre is guaranteed to make you laugh. Each high energy show is based on audience suggestion, making every show different from the last. Where the locals go! Non-smoking, in-house bar.
Theatre Charleston
Theatre Charleston, a non-profit organization comprised of the area's leading local theatres, is your one-stop-shop to find out what's playing and purchase tickets to your favorite shows. Visit www.theatrecharleston.com and see a show tonight!
Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival
Engage in the Gullah Geechee people’s culture thru gospel songs, storytelling, African American drummers and dancers, artists and crafters, and hands on sweetgrass basket making. Enjoy “The Real” taste of Gullah Cuisine, along with a unique sweetgrass hats fashion show
Jazz Artists of Charleston
Want jazz? We've got it! Swing on over to JAC's Charleston Jazz House or catch a performance by Charleston's own 20-piece big band, the Charleston Jazz Orchestra! CJO is produced and presented by JAC, your source for all things jazz!
National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
Open Daily. Free Admission. Sculptor’s from across the nation display fun and thought provoking works uniquely situated among 10 acres of walking paths with magnificent views of the Cooper River. New works are installed every April for this rotating exhibition. A self guided walking tour is available for download from the City of North Charleston website, www.northcharleston.org.
North Charleston Arts Festival
May, annual. Featuring more than 40 performances, art and photo exhibits, hands-on children’s activities, art and fine craft booths, food vendors and more, this action-packed festival is largely free and family friendly. northcharleston.org
Charleston Wine & Food Festival
The Charleston Wine & Food Festival®, March, annual, celebrates the best that the city of Charleston, SC has to offer; a food culture rich in tradition, James Beard award-winning chefs.
Palette & Palate Stroll (July)
Charleston Fine Art Weekend (November)
Charleston Stage
The Historic Dock Street Theatre
135 Church Street
843.577.7183
Charleston Stage is located at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Founded by Playwright Julian Wiles in 1978, it is South Carolina's largest professional theatre company. Charleston Stage has presented over 150 productions at the theatre and played to a collective audience of over one million strong. Charleston Stage employs 20 full-time staff members, guest artists, scores of actors, dancers, singers and musicians and TheatreWings High School Apprentices.
Footlight Players
Footlight Players Theatre
20 Queen Street
843-722-4487
The Footlight Players have been producing plays of professional caliber on a community level since 1931. What began as a small group has become for Charleston a theatrical tradition, built with strong community support.
The first plays in were produced at the Navy Yard, then various theatres in town such as the Academy of Music, replaced by the Riviera movie theatre in 1936. In 1937, by invitation of the City of Charleston, the Footlight Players opened the newly reconstructed Dock Street Theatre. In 1934, the Footlight Players purchased an old cotton warehouse (built c.1850) at 20 Queen Street with the idea of converting it to a theatre. In 1941, through the efforts of volunteer workers, the former warehouse was completely remodeled and emerged as an informal Playhouse and Workshop. All plays were presented here for the short period of 1952 - 1954. The Footlight Players secured the lease to the Dock Street Theatre in 1958 until 1986 when the company again left the Dock Street and moved back to the Workshop. Meanwhile the Workshop was used as a rehearsal hall, scenery and costume workshop and for the presentation of children's school productions.
Charleston Ballet Company
20 years as a professional company, founded in 1967 with the professional component started in 1987, the ballet presented 14 dancers on a 26-week contract. Charleston Ballet Theatre has grown with the season beginning in September and continuing through the middle of June.
Attracting exceptional performing talent to the company, CBT has also drawn some of the most notable choreographers to create works for the repertoire. CBT is the only SC Company licensed to perform the works of George Balanchine (Serenade, Allegro Brilliante, Concerto Barocco, Tarantella, Who Cares?), Jose Limon (The Moors Pavane), Salvatore Aiello (Clowns and Others, Notturno), Mark Dendy (Ballet I, Afternoon of a Fawn), Eddy Toussaint (A Simple Moment, Souvenance), David Parsons (The Envelope), and Daniel Pelzig (Nine Lives).
ABOUT CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER
The Charleston Gaillard Center provides the Lowcountry with a world-class performance hall, elegant venue space, and vibrant educational opportunities. Artistic and cultural experiences at the Gaillard Center serve as an educational resource and enjoyment for all.
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Relocation Resource Information
As a real estate professional, we have educated myself about moving, relocating or transferring to, from or within the Charleston Coast area. If we don't know the answer, chances are that we certainly know where to find that answer, and we are not afraid to call on colleagues and friends to help you. This website provides you with information on Charleston and the surrounding areas of Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, James Island, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, Dewees Island, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant and the entire Charleston Coast of South Carolina.
