Calen dar o f events Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Courtesy of CHarleston Brigerun, Anna Pedone
» Cooper River Bridge Run
www.bridgerun.com Start in Mount Pleasant and run across the Cooper River on the expansive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. You’ll wind up in downtown Charleston. Held in late March or early April each year, the event features a popular world-class 10K run as well as a walk.
» Family Circle Cup
www.familycirclecup.com A partnership between the city of Charleston and Family Circle magazine helped build a state-of-the-art tennis center that brings this weeklong women’s tournament to Daniel Island each April. Watch the stars play for the Cup, then come back to play tennis or attend sports and cultural events.
MAY & JUNE Photo/Leslie Burden
A bird of prey takes the stage during the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.
» Piccolo Spoleto USA
» Spoleto Festival USA
www.spoletousa.org Each year since 1977, dozens of music, dance and theater performances as well as visual arts exhibits have come to the Charleston area for Spoleto USA. The 17-day festival begins in late May and continues into June. It fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with more than 120 performances
94 | INTRO
www.piccolospoleto.com This festival, running concurrently with Spoleto Festival USA, focuses primarily on artists from the Southeast, offering theater, music, visual arts, dance, ethnic culture presentations, comedy, crafts and film. It takes place at a variety of locations around Charleston.
JULY
» Fourth of July
www.patriotspoint.org Fireworks launched from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier at Patriots Point and a shoreside party with beach music make Independence Day in Charleston fun. Communities all over the area have their own celebrations. Sit on the beach and watch fireworks all around.
SEPTEMBER
» Taste of Charleston
www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com In late September, Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant becomes the place to eat, as 50 of the Lowcountry’s favorite casual and fine dining restaurants serve samplesized portions and beer and wine. There’s also live entertainment, a waiters’ race and a special children’s area.
» MOJA Arts Festival
www.mojafestival.com In late September through early October, the MOJA Arts Festival celebrates African American and Caribbean arts. Featured are music, visual arts, storytelling, performances, crafts and children’s activities at various locations.