Charleston City Paper: Piccolo Spoleto 2024 Official Guide #1

May

9

festival takes over the peninsula for the 45th time

J O I N O U R S U B S C R I B E R F A M I L Y

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Mozart & Tchaikovsky

BEKKER CONDUCTS OPENING WEEKEND

September 20 & 21 | 7:30PM

The Charleston Symphony's opening weekend features Concertmaster Yuriy Bekker conducting, with Principal Oboe Kelly Mozeik performing Mozart's Oboe Concerto

Rach 3

FEATURING PIANIST JEREMY DENK

October 10 & 11 | 7:30PM

A concert that celebrates extraordinary creative forces joining together –Rachmaninoff’s Third tops the list for one of the great piano concertos ever written

Harlem Renaissance

WITH BYRON STRIPLING

September 26 | 7:30PM

Master trumpeter, conductor, singer, actor, and more – Byron Stripling returns to lead and perform with the Charleston Symphony for an uplifting night of symphonic jazz

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

WITH CONDUCTOR JOANN FALLETTA

March 7 & 8 | 7:30PM

A program showcasing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Florence Price's Ethiopia’s Shadow in America, and pianist Geoge Li performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No 1

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MASTERWORKS, POPS, & PICK 6 SUBSCRIPTIONS

Greetings,

I want to welcome you all to the 45th Anniversary Piccolo Spoleto Festival. For 17 days, Charleston will be bustling with various performances and exhibits from both wellestablished and breakthrough artists of the highest caliber. I want to encourage residents and visitors alike to join us in this wonderful time of expression, reflection, and creativity.

Charleston is a city known around the world for its architecture, rich history, and diverse culture, making it the perfect setting for the nation’s preeminent performing arts festival 45 years and running.

Having grown up here, I know the vibrance that this festival brings to the city each year, and I have many fond memories of attending with friends and family. With treasured traditions like the Sunset Serenade with the Charleston Symphony, the Sand Sculpting Competition on Isle of Palms, and the Memorial Day Concert at Hampton Park, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

I want to thank all the artists who are participating in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival this year. I know you have put countless hours and effort into your craft, and I want to personally thank you for sharing your talent with us. I also want to extend a special thanks to the Office of Cultural Affairs and the community volunteers who continue to make this event a success year after year, your hard work does not go unnoticed.

I look forward to seeing all that the festival has to offer, let’s make this year the best one yet!

Sincerely,

William S. Cogswell, Jr. Mayor

Festival Staff About the Festival

The Piccolo Spoleto Festival annually presents a varied program that includes visual arts exhibitions, performances of classical music, jazz, dance, theater and choral music, as well as cultural events and community celebrations, poetry readings, children’s activities, craft shows and film screenings.

Piccolo Spoleto prioritizes accessibility for both artists and performers, presenting professional work of the highest standard, while ensuring that nearly half of Piccolo’s events are admission-free, with the balance offered at affordable prices.

In addition to the Festival’s visual arts, artisan crafts exhibitions and public art installations, performances are being planned for outdoor settings in Charleston’s parks. Events are scheduled for the City’s larger parks in formats that accommodate social distancing and smaller neighborhood pop-up events will be announced the week of the event to ensure that the weather will accommodate the performance.

Piccolo Spoleto was launched in 1979 by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, which continues to work closely with an engaged group of volunteers from the Charleston arts community. The working group of arts professionals who serve as volunteer program coordinators for the Festival now numbers nearly 40 with each specializing in a particular discipline, genre or period.

Applications for the 2025 Piccolo Spoleto Festival will be available online in the autumn at PiccoloSpoleto.com.

For more information, call the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs at (843) 724-7305 or email CulturalAffairs@charleston-sc.gov.

Piccolo Spoleto Festival is produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs

CITY OF CHARLESTON

William S. Cogswell, Jr. Mayor

CITY COUNCIL

Boyd Gregg District 1

Kevin Shealy District 2

Jim McBride District 3

Robert Mitchell District 4

Scott Watson Director

Mindy Manziano Associate Producer of Piccolo Spoleto Festival

Harrison Chapman Farmers Market Manager

Karl L. Brady Jr. District 5

William Dudley Gregorie District 6

Perry K. Waring District 7

Michael S. Seekings District 8

OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Basil Punsalan Outreach and Event Coordinator

Anne Quattlebaum City Gallery Manager

William Tinkler District 9

Stephen Bowden District 10

Ross A. Appel District 11

Caroline Parker District 12

Katie LaPorte Cultural Projects Coordinator

Latanya Mueller Production Manager

Rachel D. Workman Finance Manager

Piccolo Spoleto salutes its sponsors

Piccolo Spoleto takes over the peninsula for the 45th time

By Chloe Hogan

The countdown officially begins for this year’s Piccolo Spoleto, which starts May 24 and will offer thrilling artistic experiences for 17 days and nights across Charleston — this year, for the 45th time.

Director Scott Watson said Piccolo Spoleto is a gathering where Charlestonians go out and support artists who also happen to be friends and neighbors. This year, he said, “will proudly celebrate what’s made us special through those past decades and also bring in some new twists.”

In the first half of the festival, you can find well-loved festival traditions as well as new offerings. Kicking it all off is the Sunset Serenade with the Charleston Symphony at 8 p.m. May 24 at the U.S. Custom House. Also in the first days of the festival, the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community

band, offers a fun pajama march (10:30 p.m. May 25) and a patriotic parade (11 a.m. May 26).

Every day at noon at the Circular Congregational Church on Meeting street, there are free concerts from musicians like Peter Kfoury and Kurt Lamkin, jazz from Jonathan Kammer, gospel vocals from Ann Caldwell and so much more.

Plus, there’s plenty of free programming at Charleston’s public libraries for kids and families. You can find the whole lineup at piccolospoleto.com, but to get an idea of what’s to come, check out our recommendations in this first of two special Piccolo inserts.

Visual art all over the place

More than 50 Charleston artists are featured in this year’s Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition, on view starting May 24 at the City Gallery. This annual exhibition highlights local and regional artists in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and photography. This year, it is juried by surrealist Charleston artist Duke Hagerty.

At the Avery Research Center, Christopher “kolpeace” Johnson shows a solo exhibition, Look Just Like Yo Mama, on view until August with an opening reception 5-8 p.m. May 31. Through a vibrant collection of paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works, kolpeace invites viewers on a journey of appreciation for Black culture, using his own experiences as a lens to explore universal themes of

memory, resilience and the enduring power of human connection.

And don’t forget to check out tents of art at the annual outdoor art exhibition, on view for free every day at Marion Square, highlighting local makers in all kinds of media.

Family-friendly events abound

For artsy Charleston kids, there’s a workshop series led by artist Karen Jayne at the Charleston County Main Library on Calhoun Street and the John L. Dart Library on upper King Street. Kids 8 and up can register to learn how to create a 3D nature-based work of art using found objects connected with wire, yarn, fabric and other natural elements.

Or if your little ones like magic, you’ll appreciate the Shakespeare Magic show at the Cannon Street Arts Center. It’s a fun, lively, interactive 55-minute show of the ideas and skills used in performing Shakespeare. You’ll leave entertained and mystified — along with an appreciation on how this playwright can be a lifelong companion in understanding the human condition.

Events at the library offer chances for kids to engage with diverse art forms, including a program that teaches about the didgeridoo, a kid-focused reggae performance and storytelling events where actors bring life to characters like Jack, from Jack and the Beanstalk, and Goldie Locks.

Diverse offerings in theater and dance

This year’s theater and dance offerings are perhaps the most multifaceted, with more than 30 different options from which to choose, such as Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life, a one-man show about a true experience with cancer; or a completely improvised play in the style of Tennessee Williams that’s a part of Theatre 99’s Piccolo Fringe

At the Cannon Street Arts Center, there’s a show from Charleston Opera Theatre: Master Class, which features actor Saundra DeAthos portraying Maria Callas, one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. This dramatic performance is inspired by the series of master classes Callas conducted at Juilliard toward the end of her career. She coaxes, prods and inspires students — “victims” as she calls them — into giving the performances of their lives while revealing her own.

Also at Cannon Street is a one-woman show by Kaytlin Bailey from the Oldest Profession Podcast, called Whore’s Eye View, described as a “mad dash through 10,000 years of history from a sex worker’s perspective.”

In West Ashley, the Charleston Stage theater space called “The Pearl” hosts Lady in White Productions as it presents Big Mama’s The Musical. Back by popular demand, this show offers an evening

Courtesy Charleston Symphony

The annual Sunset Serenade with the Charleston Symphony is the festival’s perfect opening night kickoff

The Shakespeare Magic show will delight kids and adults alike!

EARLY MUSIC SERIES

of soul music and drama with songs from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more.

For the comedy fans, find Piccolo Fringe at Theatre 99, an array of performances in improv, sketch comedy and stand up, with performances from the Theatre 99 company plus special guests like Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones).

And see the tales of Edgar Allan Poe like never before in a stunning fusion of live theater, immersive visuals and haunting music at Gage Hall on Archdale Street: ALONE… Tales from Edgar Allen Poe challenges audiences to explore the depths of their own emotions, fears and desires.

Not-to-be-missed literary experiences

Throughout the festival at 6 p.m. in Washington Square Park, Sundown Poetry is offered by Buxton Books with receptions following at the bookstore. This year hosts poets Danielle DeTiberus, Jessica K. Hylton, Joey Tucker, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, Lola Haskins, Ray McManus, Regina YC Garcia and Katherine Williams. There’s also Blue Bicycle Books longstanding event, Piccolo Fiction, which presents local and South Carolina authors reading brief short stories. This month, find readings in the courtyard from Mindy Friddle, Emilie Ross, Sara Cappell Thomason and Susan Beckham Zurenda. Readings will be in the courtyard beside the bookstore, and, following tradition, each story will begin with the words “I ducked into the alley…”

No matter what you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone in this year’s Piccolo Spoleto. So make sure to seize this opportu-

nity to honor the uniqueness of Charleston’s artistic community.

Find the full lineup of events and more details at piccolospoleto.com.

at Old Saint Mary’s May 25 -June 8 • Daily at 3 pm

Featuring: Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart

PURCHASE TICKETS AT CITYPAPERTICKETS.COM LEARN MORE AT PICCOLOSPOLETO.COM

Photos by Erika Conway; provided

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life (above) and Whore’s Eye View (below) exemplify the multifaceted theater experiences in the 2024 festival

Courtesy Piccolo Spoleto

The annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition (above) takes over Marion Square for 17 days

The Void offers its first Piccolo production,

Goodnight Embryos

By Chloe Hogan

The Void, a Charleston based theater company, is bringing a fresh perspective to the long-cherished tradition of Piccolo Spoleto.

The queer-led, woman-led company founded in 2022 focuses on smaller cast works with subversive themes. Leaders Shannon Carmody and Brianna Morgan love to tackle new and premiering work, and their first foray into Piccolo Spoleto is no exception. Their staging of Goodnight Embryos, written by Maureen McGranaghan, was a finalist for the 2020 Todd McNerney playwriting contest offered at the College of Charleston. It’s a workshop production, meaning the actors and director worked closely with the playwright to make changes to the script and develop the work as the actors rehearsed.

It’s a two-woman show: actors Teddi Lynette Thomas and Sadia Matthews play a lesbian couple, Em and Belle. The drama starts in 2014, when the couple uses IVF to conceive a son, Rory, and follows the couple over the next decade, covering the struggles of balancing a career, a relationship and parenting.

The issue that drives the plot forward is that the IVF procedure resulted in six embryos — and the couple must now decide what to do with the remaining five. Belle wants another child, but Em demurs. Do they donate the embryos to another couple, or to science, or let them be destroyed? The two characters grapple with this decision and their changing lives.

Sadia Matthews and Teddi Lynette Thomas co-star in The Void’s first Piccolo Spoleto production

Prepare for the future or enjoy the present?

The personal struggles that the couple goes through also mirror collective issues that we deal with in America, said the show’s Charleston-based director, Destini Nicole Fleming.

“There’s this inability to make a decision that causes issues in the relationship,” Fleming said. “But then there’s all of these parallels within it to our collective issues — climate change, for example. What do we actually do? Do we actually try to live now, or

“

I hope that people who have opposing views do come to our show and can see and relate to these very real, lovable characters and see a bit of themselves on stage.” —Shannon Carmody, director of The Void

are we constantly trying to prepare for future generations? It goes through a lot of the challenges that all of us have gone through in America over these past 10 years.”

Matthews, who plays Em, shares this view of the story, saying, “I hope we are able to portray how not communicating with each other as a nation is affecting us. What is going on within the doors of Em and Belle’s home is a mirror, a reflection of what is also happening at a much larger scale.”

Intersectional issues

One of the most exciting parts of the production is that it’s a workshop, meaning the actors work with the playwright to infuse the script with the truth of their own lived experiences.

“We ended up casting two Black women, so now, not only are we telling this story through the lens of a queer relationship, but also through a Black woman’s experience in the health care system,” Carmody said.

Matthews, who is a queer actor and a College of Charleston theater graduate, said she’s honored to help give life and lived experience to a story that isn’t often represented.

“We don’t see Black sapphic love on stage, but especially not on stage in Charleston,” she said.

“Combing through this work, we were trying to understand where we can address some of the nuances. One thing that kept coming up was health care for queer people, and how this play would not even exist if queer people and women had the correct access to health care.”

And she’s grateful for the workshop experience for that reason.

“[The playwright] Maureen highly encouraged us to just voice our opinions… working with Maureen on what this script looks like coming from our perspective, and seeing this art evolve, it was phenomenal.”

Real connections, on and off stage

Matthews explained she and Thomas have worked to create the chemistry needed for the 13 scenes in which they’ll share the spotlight. But some of their on-stage relationship, she explained, comes from shared instincts.

“We want to display the kind of chemistry that you have with lifelong partners, with soulmates,” she said. “Those people who understand exactly what you’re thinking without you saying anything… Even back when we were auditioning, we had this unspoken agreement like, if we love each other, we would hug in this moment, we would lean on each other…. I’m really glad that they casted someone who already had the same instinct for this couple that I did.”

“Do we actually try to live now, or are we constantly trying to prepare for future generations? It goes through a lot of the challenges that all of us have gone through in America over these past 10 years.”

—Destini Nicole Fleming

The play also is the Charleston stage debut for Thomas, who studied acting at Winthrop University but has not performed professionally since graduating in 2018. She said sharing the stage with Matthews, who is celebrating her second show with The Void, has been an incredible learning experience.

“I’ve learned so much from Sadia, and I’m so honored that we get to work together to bring this story to life with The Void — it’s such a welcoming and non-judgmental environment,” Thomas said. “I get to be my authentic self in and out of rehearsal.”

Both actors said they ultimately hope that the audience can connect with the struggles and the triumphs of these characters.

“I hope the audience sees how beautiful Black and queer love is, and the real struggle of fertility,” Thomas said. “Fingers crossed, the audience leaves wanting to be a more gentle and understanding being towards one another.”

The Void’s director Carmody echoed that sentiment.

“I hope that people who have opposing views do come to our show and can see and relate to these very real, lovable characters and see a bit of themselves on stage,” she said. “Fertility is such a loaded, powerful, complicated, painful, joyous experience, and I feel like a lot of people are struggling silently.

“I’m hoping that this story makes people open their heart a little bit more, or makes them check up on the uterus owners in their life, because it is a hard fucking time to be a uterus owner. And I feel really grateful for the team that we have to tell this story. It’s one of the braver things we’ve ever put out in the world.”

The Void offers five chances to catch Goodnight Embryos at Hed Hi Studio during Piccolo Spoleto. 7:30 p.m. May 24, 25, 26, 31 and June 1. Tickets are $30 at thevoidtheatre.org.

The Festival by Genre

Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival is back with a broad range of performances — from free outdoor concerts, familyfriendly fun and exhibitions to ticketed events to whet your cultural whistle in theater, music and more. Get out during the 17-day festival to experience the Holy City’s creative community.

The calendar profiled in this publication focuses on the first half of the festival. To learn more and find tickets for some shows, visit PiccoloSpoleto.com

FESTIVAL TRADITIONS

Sunset Serenade with Charleston Symphony

Piccolo Spoleto’s annual curtain-raiser is a free, outdoor concert that features the Charleston Symphony under the direction of Artistic Director Yuriy Bekker.

8 p.m., May 24. Location: U.S. Custom House, 200 East Bay St. Free.

Gullah Geechee: Connecting Wid Da Diaspora

The Gullah Geechee Angel Network presents this event that highlights artists, art and history connecting with the diaspora. Honor, celebrate and sustain Gullah Geechee culture with education, food, dance, music and more. Hosted by Savannah J.

Noon to 3 p.m., May 25. Cannon Street Arts Center, 134 Cannon St. Free.

Midnight Pajama March with the Seed & Feed

Marching Abominable

You’ll have more fun than you can imagine

Note

when watching this colorful and wild marching band from Atlanta. The allvolunteer group electrifies crowds

10:30 p.m. to midnight, May 25. U.S. Custom House, 200 East Bay St. Free.

Patriotic Parade with the Seed & Feed

Marching Abominable

Daytime merriment, colorful street theater and explosive sound from this eclectic band. 11 a.m., May 26. U.S. Custom House, 200 East Bay St. Free.

Children’s Programs at the Library

Tickets are limited, but required, for various kid-friendly programs:

9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., May 28: Shana Banana Presents: Heartbeat of the Earth

9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., May 30: Porkchop Productions Presents Goldilocks

9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., June 4: College of Chalreston Opera in Jack and the Beanstalk

9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., June 6: Super Reggae Man

MUSIC

Shows may be ticketed (T) or free (F). More info: visit PiccoloSpoleto.com. Please check the website for other shows not listed below.

Early Music Series

A major part of Piccolo Spoleto since 1986, the Early Music Series this year moves to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 Hasell St, Charleston. Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart are the composers that will be featured in an intimate setting with stunning acoustics. All concerts start at 3 p.m. and last an hour. (T)

May 25: Viva Vivaldi, N.C. Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players

Schedule is subject to change, with additions and tweaks expected in the coming weeks. Be sure to check back with the Charleston City Paper and the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs for the latest up-to-date information. This advance calendar listing focuses on the events in the first half of Piccolo Spoleto. Additional offerings will be highlighted in the second Piccolo Spoleto program guide to be published on May 31. The most up-to-date calendar information can always be found at piccolospoleto.com

piccolospoleto.com

PiccoloSpoletoFestival

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May 26: Vive La France, N.C. Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players

May 27: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, N.C. Orchestra Chamber Players

May 28: German Chocolate, N.C. Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players

May 29: The Golden Age of the Spanish Guitar

May 30: Bach to Bach Sonatas for violin and obligato harpsichord

May 31: Jacob Fuhrman, harpsichord –Suites & Variations from Buxtehude, Böhm, & Bach

• Learn about June 1-8 shows at PiccoloSpoleto.com

Lowcountry Voices

This group presents “By the Rivers of Babylon: Honoring the African American Spiritual” with special guest artist Clarissa Newby-Phillips.

5 p.m., May 25. Mount Zion AME Church, 5 Glebe St. (F)

The Journey of a Song

Awendaw Green presents “The Journey of a Song: Piccolo Songwriters in the Round” as Lowcountry songwriters Danielle Howle, Sam Rae and Mike Kaufman present their songs and the stories behind them).

5 p.m. May 28. Circular Church, 150 Meeting St. (T)

Noon concerts at Circular

Enjoy the talents of a broad array of local musicians who are performing as a tribute to the festival with free noon concerts at Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St.

May 27: Peter Kfoury and Kurt Lamkin

May 28: The Mike Fritz Trio

May 29: Jonathan Kammer

May 30: Lime and the Coconuts

May 31: Alva Anderson

June 3: Lindsey Pasko

June 4: Top Notes

June 5: Demetrius Doctor

June 6: Ann Caldwell

June 7: Leah Suarez

New South Festival Singers

Formerly the William Baker Festival Singers, the group has performed at Piccolo Spoleto since 1989, bringing exciting a cappella classics and spirituals. The group’s newest album, Legacies of Light was recorded live at Piccolo Spoleto 2023. 3 p.m., May 27. Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. Free.

Piccolo Spoleto Rising Stars

Now in its 16th year, Palmetto State Arts Education will host its Rising Stars Series, which will showcase six young actors, dancers, musicians, writers or visual artists in each of six programs. All shows in the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church auditorium, 1 Vanderhorst St. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., May 27.

Charleston Musical Heritage Series

The Sound of Charleston, featuring music of Charleston’s history, from gospel to Gershwin, is a Festival favorite that this year offers more than ever. All shows at Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. (T)

The Sound of Charleston: 7 p.m., May 22; 2 p.m., May 25, June 1 and June 8. Gershwin and Jazz: 2 p.m., May 26. Oh Happy Day Gospel Music with Ann Caldwell: 4 p.m., June 2.

Classical Pride Charleston

This concert is a celebration of LGBTQ+ voices both past and present featuring the Singers of Summerville, the Palmetto Peace Choir, soloist Gary Powell and a string orchestra with conductor Ryan Pagels. (T) 7:30 p.m., June 1, Unitarian Church, 4 Archdale St.

Concerts at the Citadel

Carillonneur Michael Varnadore will play The Citadel’s 59-bell Carillion, one of the largest instruments in North America. All concerts are free and start at 10:30 a.m. 171 Mountrie St.

May 25: Patriotic music

May 28: Familiar Favorites

May 30: Music by The Beatles

June 1: Music for Children

June 4: Hymns and Spirituals

Young Artists Series

Emerging artists from the College of Charleston showcase their talents in various musical disciplines. Hill Gallery, 161 Calhoun St. All shows at noon. (F)

May 27: Isn’t it Romantic?

May 28: What’s Opera Doc?

May 29: The Great American Songbook

May 30: Mostly Mozart

May 31: I’ll Take Romance

June 3: An Operatic Affair

June 4: My Romance

June 5: To Infinity and Beyond

June 6: Go for Broke

June 7: CofC Jazz All-Stars

Other musical events

• Charleston Men’s Chorus, noon, May 27, Memorial Day concert at St. Philip’s Church, 142 Church St. (T)

• Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra , 5 p.m., May 26, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. (F)

• The Charlestones, 5 p.m., May 27, Gage Hall, 4 Archdale; and 7 p.m., May 31, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford St. (T)

• Distances: Saxophone/piano duo, 8 p.m., May 29, Cannon Street Arts Center, 134 Cannon St.; 5 p.m., June 1, Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. (T)

• Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra , 7:30 p.m., May 25, West Ashley High School, 4060 West Wildcat Blvd. (F)

• Harmonia Children’s Choir, 4 p.m., May 26, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 990 Etiwan Park St., Daniel Island. (F)

• Bill Wilson Band , 4:30 p.m., May 30, Enston Homes, 900 King St. (F)

• The In-Between , 6 p.m., May 30, Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting St. (T)

• Music, She Wrote at St. Stephens, 67 Anson St. 5 p.m., May 26. (F)

• Oscar Rivers Quartet , 7 p.m., May 30 and June 6, Cannon Street Arts Center, 134 Cannon St. (T)

• Piano Works of Florence Price , 5 p.m., May 29, Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. (T)

• The Poet Sings, 2 p.m. May 29, First Church of Christ, Scientist, 137 Moultrie St. (T)

• Samba Beats Soulful Bossa , 3 p.m. June 1, Gage Hall, 4 Archdale St. (T)

• Scottish Performing Arts Classic , 4 p.m., May 31, South Carolina Society Hall, 72 Meeting St. (T)

• Sounds Like Teen Spirit by SOA and Academic Magnet students, 7 p.m., May 26, Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Blvd. (F)

• A World of Jewish Culture, 7 p.m. May 25, and several June performances, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, 90 Hasell St. (T)

L’ORGANO

Musicians will explore the range of pipe organs in nine churches throughout the Holy City in Piccolo Spoleto’s annual L’Organo performances. Free, but contributions welcome.

10 a.m., May 27: Amelie Held. Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth St. 10 a.m., May 28: Wesley Hall, Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St.

Piccolo Picks

Piccolo Spoleto 2024 is back, stronger than ever. This year’s annual event — the 46th so far — again will ofer scores of fun, innovative programs and art experiences, according to Scott Watson, director of the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs. The 17-day long arts party and companion ton Spoleto Festival USA connects friends and neighbors to artists and friends across the Lowcountry. It’s all about “what’s made us special through those past decades and also brings in some new twists.” While this year’s festival will again feature several last-minute neighborhood “pop-up events,” here are five things you can count on to make memories that will last for years:

Seed & Feed Marching Abominable

11 a.m., May 25. Location: Marion Square, King and Calhoun streets. Free. Atlanta’s wildest community band offers explosive sound at this annual festive concert The group is celebrating its 50th season of performing the kinds of songs you would hear a great high school band perform.

Memorial Day Concert at Hampton Park

3 p.m., May 27, Hampton Park. Free.

This annual patriotic tradition features the combined Charleston Concert Band and Columbia Community Band in a concert ranging from rousing marches to Broadway show tunes. It concludes with a stirring musical tribute to each of the nation’s armed forces. Come salute our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who gave their lives to protect our freedom. Bring a chair or blanket to this free event.

45th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

May 24–June 8. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. Marion Square. Free.

Marion Square is transformed into a beautiful open-air market as 57 of the finest and most creative local artists exhibit and sell their work. You can view original oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, encaustics, photography and more.

Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition

May 24-June 9, City Gallery, 34 Prioleau St. Free.

More than 70 visual artists have been invited for the 2024 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition presented by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs. This annual exhibition highlights the recent work of artists across South Carolina featuring painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and photography. Artworks receiving prizes are presented alongside a limited selection of pieces identified by the juror as meriting display. This year’s juror is Charleston artist Duke Hagerty.

Exciting theater productions

Various times and venues. See page 12 for theater schedule.

This year’s festival sees an expanded lineup of theater and dance offerings with more than 30 total shows to choose from. They are staged at venues around town including the Cannon Street Arts Center, Hed Hi Studios and Gage Hall. There’s also the Stelle di Domani program at the College of Charleston which showcases the work of students, faculty and alumni, and features collaborations with local arts organizations, like Annex Dance Company, and the Charleston Library Society, which will transform the front steps of the Library Society into a stage for a plein-air Shakespeare performance.

Courtesy Chris Bilton

Provided

Rūta Smith file photo

The Festival by Genre

10 a.m., May 29: Young People’s Program, Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth St.

10 a.m., May 30 : Jonghee Yoon, First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting St.

10 a.m., May 31: Nicholas Quardokus, Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth St.

• View June 1-8 shows online at PiccoloSpoleto.com

PICCOLO FRINGE

Tickets online at PiccoloSpoleto.org. All shows at 280 Meeting St.

The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Company offers powerful improvisational comedy in Charleston’s longest-running show. Shows on May 25, June 1 and June 8 at 8 p.m.

OTHER THEATRE 99 SHOWS

Take the Funny and Run

Bring your improv suggestions.

7:30 p.m. on May 24 and June 7.

8 p.m., May 31

Mary Kay Has a Posse

Unforgettable night of all-female improv comedy.

7:30 p.m., May 30; 4 p.m. June 1; 6 p.m., June 2; 7:30 p.m., June 5

Clean Improv Comedy Show

You can bring your parents and kids to enjoy improv.

4 p.m., May 25.

Laughway to the Weekend

Midweek fun featuring up to three acts per night.

8 p.m, May 29; 9 p.m., June 5.

Salty Tales

Improv comedy from Georgia and Atlanta’s Dad’s Garage Theatre. 9:30 p.m., May 24; 6 p.m., May 25.

Impro Theatre’s

Tennessee Williams

style of Tennessee Williams.

6 p.m., June 1; 8 p.m., June 2.

• Other shows scheduled from June 1-8

THEATER

Tickets online at PiccoloSpoleto.org.

ALONE … Tales from Edgar Allan Poe

Experience the mysterious and thrilling tales of Edgar Allan Poe in this stunning fusion of live theater, immersive visuals, and haunting music. Gage Hall, 4 Archdale St. (T)

8 p.m., May 24

8 p.m., May 25, June 1

4 p.m., May 26, June 2

7:30 p.m., May 30, 31, June 6, 7

Big Mama’s The Musical

Songs from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more in this popular show by Lady in White Productions at The Pearl, West Ashley Theatre Center, Ashley Landing, 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. (T)

All shows at 7 p.m. Performances on May 24, 25 and 31, and June 1, 7 and 8.

Crowns

This gospel musical by Regina Taylor and directed by Art Gilliard, explores Black history and identity in a production by Art Forms & Theatre Concepts, Inc., at Burke High School Auditorium, 244 President St. (T)

8 p.m., May 31 and June 1; 2 p.m., June 1; 4 p.m. June 2

Goodnight Embryos: A Workshop Production

The Void Theatre presents a production on the story of Em and Belle, a lesbian couple, who are the happy new parents of a son named Rory at Hed Hi Studios, 654 King St. (T)

All shows at 7:30 p.m.

Performances on May 24, 25, 26, 31 and June 1.

Cannon Street Arts Center

Presents

All shows at 134 Cannon St. (T)

Master Class

Pyrotechnical theater from Charleston Opera Theatre.

7 p.m. on May 25 and 26. 5 p.m. on May 28 and 29.

Shakespeare’s Magic Show

Family fun in a 55-minute show of ideas and skills used in performing Shakespeare. 7:30 p.m. on May 24 and 31.

Shortwave Kitsch: Freedom of Screech

The charm of a 1940s radio show. 2:30 p.m., June 1.

Shortwave Kitsch: The Passive Aggressive Living Dead

A double feature of suspense. 7:30 p.m., June 1.

Whore’s Eye View

A dash through 10,000 years of history from a sex worker’s perspective. 7 p.m. June 3 and 4.

Threshold Repertory

Theatre Presents

All shows at 84½ Society Street. (T)

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life

A true story that chronicles Keith Alessi’s cancer journey from CEO to the healing power of music.

5 p.m. on May 24-26.

The Wolves

Award-winning play on a team of young women soccer players. Presented by Flowertown Players. 8 p.m. on May 25 and 31; 3 p.m., June 2.

Musings from the Bar

A dive into marriage, a bar and patrons. 3 p.m. May 27; and 7 p.m. June 2 and 3.

Cognac and Roses, A Toast to Edgar Allan Poe

Six master storytellers share Poe’s works. 7:30 p.m. on May 28-30; 5 p.m., May 31.

A Yank in Scotland

On a story of loss and discovery

in Scotland.

4 p.m., June 1 and 7; 7:30 p.m., June 4; 5 p.m., June 8.

Stelle di Domani at the College of Charleston

Visit PiccoloSpoleto.com for full descriptions and times of performances of these theatrical productions by students at the College of Charleston. Shows are ticketed, unless otherwise marked, and are being performed in the Chapel Theatre, 172 Chapel St., or an adjacent annex.

May 25-28: Deathtrap, by Ira Levin

May 28-31: Staged readings (F)

May 31: Musical Theatre Revue

June 2, 3: Under the Lights

June 5, 6: In Love and Death

June 7, 8: It’s Itself

June 9: Shakespeare on the Steps at the Charleston Library Society (F)

• View other shows online at PiccoloSpoleto.com

LITERARY AND IDEAS

Sundown Poetry Series

Piccolo Spoleto’s annual Sundown Poetry Series features acclaimed poets who will read from their work in the Washington Square Park, 6 p.m., 80 Broad St. Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to these free events. Signings and receptions follow at Buxton Books, 160 King St.

May 28: Danielle DeTiberus

May 29: Jessica K. Hylton

May 30: Joey Tucker

May 31: Cheryl Boyce-Taylor

June 4: Lola Haskins

June 5: Ray McManus

June 6: Regina YC Garcia

June 7: Katherine Williams

Charleston Author Series

Piccolo Fiction. This event devoted to fiction offers local and S.C. authors reading short stories. Authors include Mindy Friddle, Emilie Ross, Sara Cappell Thomason and Susan Beckham Zurenda. (F) 5 p.m. June 1, Blue Bicycle Books, 420 King St.

Marching Band Music

Wacky

‘Abominable’ band celebrates 50th anniversary at Piccolo Spoleto

By Rayshaun Sandlin

Rarely will you find a homecoming without a marching band. The two are indelibly linked, like soul food and the Deep South. For many, your marching band can become your home, a place where you build community over music and life.

For the past 50 years, Seed & Feed Marching Abominable has become exactly that for much of its “band family” in its Atlanta home and during rousing performances at the annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

As the legend goes, the band’s name came about one of two ways: (1) It originally practiced in a seed and feed warehouse, or (2) “seed and feed is what you do with friendship,” according to founder Kelly Morris. “You seed it, but you also have to feed it.”

Morris originally started a guerilla band while teaching at Emory University for what he called “outdoor political noises and moves” during “an era of demonstrations and protests.” After leaving Emory in 1972, to march to the (literal) beat of his own drum, he established a theater company that later evolved into the boisterous

marching band many know and love today.

Based in Atlanta, Seed & Feed has become known for affectionately blitzing public areas in bright colors with various instruments and a boisterous roster of nearly 200 members. The tradition began with its first public appearance at the Inman Park Festival Parade back in 1975, and it has been a staple in the community ever since.

The band welcomes all, no matter what skill level or stage of life. Members’ ages range from 15 to 90 years old (including two original participants). Its open-door policy also helps maintain members, whether they currently live in Georgia or Wales. Like the best form of family, the band is there for you with open arms, ready when you are.

Patricia Pichardo, Seed & Feed’s booking manager (better known as “the bookie”), believes this policy has a lot to do with why it has survived for a half century, making it one of the longest-running street bands in the United States.

Photos by Caleb Barrett

Marching Band Music

Long-running street band

“Fifty years is not a small feat,” Pichardo said. “We’ve figured out how to stay alive, and I think it’s because we reinvent ourselves and make space for newcomers to come and make their mark, so there’s fresh blood.”

Pichardo, who joined the band 10 years ago, likens it to “church the way church was probably intended to be.” She said she arrived after a transition in her life where she was seeking community and belonging. “I was getting a divorce and trying to figure out who I was after leaving all my family and friends, and I needed to create things. And I found the band.”

She played instruments since she was 4 years old and used that talent to forge a new path.

“I knew I could play music, so I knew I could do that.”

More than a decade later, Pichardo has not only played music but found her chosen family within the band, created a new family of her own and served as its bookie for the past five years.

She said one of her most memorable bookings was for Hugh Jackman’s birthday.

“We got the call last minute,” Pichardo said, “and they only needed a few people. But we never cut the band, so I said, ‘It could be a few more or a few less.’ We got there, and it was our full band! They had to get multiple shuttles for us. But he’s a theater guy, and he was dancing on the table with his cake. It was great.”

That party also made an impression on band manager (a role better known as “the mouth”) Joann Cebulski, who initially got the call about the gig through a friend. She realized after the fact that Jackman had just finished filming “The Greatest Showman.”

“Seeing us in wigs, tutus and false eyelashes must have been wild for him after that,” said Cebulski, who has been with Seed & Feed for 12 years. “It was serendipitous.”

Aside from the occasional A-list celebrity gig, Cebulski said she also feels the community is what keeps the band going. “It’s like a family,” she said. “If someone’s sick or going through a hard time or needs a meal train, we’ll do it.”

The feeling of community also rings true for the band’s “semiconductor,” Alicia

Cardillo. After having her second child, she felt she needed more time before getting back to her regular duties.

“I was relearning how to walk, but I still needed the band for my musical therapy,” said Cardillo, a 15-year Seed & Feed veteran. She said she found different ways to be part of the band by helping with logistics as a “bruin” and now becoming the semiconductor, where she gets to train the next wave of leadership and lead the music selection for each gig.

Crowds expect the band

Piccolo Spoleto has become its own tradition for the band, starting in the early 1980s. Cebulski said a few members initially went down to visit Charleston during Spoleto and would play wherever they could. “They just had so much fun they did it the next couple of years,” she said. “And at some point, the mayor said, ‘We are going to make this official.’ ”

Festival crowds have learned to expect a Seed & Feed visit each year.

“Everyone recognizes us and points at us,” Pichardo said. “Sometimes people try to meet us and try to find out where

we’re staying! But for the day I’m living the dream. I’m being a musician, I’m playing, I’m with friends.

“I don’t have to go to bed if I don’t want to, I don’t have to stay quiet, we dance, we sing, we do each other’s hair, we try new things, we do all kinds of crazy stuff.”

Cardillo said the experience is both fun and exhausting, with three performances all over the peninsula in just 24 hours. One of those is the Pajama March.

“It just makes me giggle in delight when you turn that corner on the street and see that audience there waiting for us,” Cardillo said. “And we have just as much anticipation as they do for us.”

Seed & Feed Marching Abominable will return to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival starting May 25 at 11 a.m. at Marion Square. As is tradition, the band will also perform that night at the Pajama March at 10:30 p.m. at the U.S. Custom House on East Bay Street. It will end the weekend with a bang at the Patriotic Parade at 11 a.m. May 26 at the U.S. Custom House.

Rayshaun Sandlin is an arts journalism graduate student at Syracuse University.

Echoes of Eternity: An early music journey to revival

By Shirin Gupta

Amid the grandeur of Gothic architecture and the warmth of flickering candlelight, Saint Mary of the Annunciation on Hasell Street will play host to the melodies of Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and many others in this year’s Piccolo Early Music Series.

“The rhythms of the past will come alive in the wonderful acoustical setting of St. Mary’s Church with music played on original instruments,” said Steve Rosenberg, artistic director of the series, which has been running for more than 30 years.

Rosenberg, a professor emeritus at the College of Charleston, promises a bit of everything this year, from Vivaldi’s iconic “Four Seasons” to Spanish guitar and even a touch of Shakespeare’s stage band.

“We’re doing a lot of Baroque music this year,” he said. “Basically, we are going to have some of the greatest masterpieces of music from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Plus how often do people have a chance to hear a solo harpsichord recital as well?”

The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, based in Davidson, will present two of this year’s programs. “It will be really

exciting to hear a world-class ensemble based in the Carolinas,” Rosenberg said.

Among its offerings will be May 26’s “Vive la France,” a showcase for solo and duo instruments, including harpsichord and theorbo, as they play French baroque music, a genre known for its lush and elaborate compositions. The harpsichord will also be featured in the orchestra’s “Bach to Bach” program on May 30, in which Elisabeth Wright will be joined by violinist David Wilson to present sonatas as well as solo works by J.S. Bach.

“The venue for our concerts at Piccolo Spoleto is warm and intimate, enhancing the listeners’ experience by inviting them to join us in our musical journeys through the Baroque music of Germany, Italy and France,” said Barbara Krumdiek, the orchestra’s co-founder and executive director. “Our concerts provide a space of inclusivity and acceptance.”

Variety of classical programming on tap

Nobody knows exactly what Shakespeare’s audiences heard, but the five-member Spartina Consort will make an educated guess on June 2 as they perform instrumental and vocal selections by John Dowland and other composers familiar to the Bard.

Before that, classical guitar virtuoso Ulyana Machneva will offer a glimpse into “The Golden Age of Spanish Guitar” beginning May 29. “It’s really inspiring to play the old music, the early music,” Machneva said, “because I am inspired by its tranquility and wisdom.”

Her program ranges from Luis de Milan (“his lute pieces became the classical early music for the guitar”) to the timeless melodies of Tarrega and Rodrigo, and onward to more familiar names like Bach.

Machneva also works as a music teacher, which impresses upon her the importance of educating the next generation of early-music

fans. “It is difficult to get them interested in classical guitar music with the instrument being not so easy to play,” she said.

Rosenberg shares her sense of urgency.

“We are living in a world now where everything is pop, pop culture,” he said.

Nonetheless, they are both hopeful about the revival of early music. “It is a good and inspiring concert for the young generation

to come and see what the guitar can play,” Machneva said.

Tickets for the Early Music Series at Piccolo Spoleto are available for advance booking at PiccoloSpoleto.com

Shirin Gupta is an arts journalism graduate student at Syracuse University.

Photos provided

The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra will present two programs

Virtuoso Ulyana Machneva (above) will perfrom calssical Spanish guitar pieces

The Spartina Consort will perform instrumental and vocal selections