5.1.09 Charleston Events

FESTIVALS Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festival The Box Office kiosk for Spoleto Festival USA is now open in the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium. The Piccolo Spoleto Box Office is also open in the Gaillard Auditorium. For more information on the two festivals, visit www.spoletousa.org and www.piccolospoleto.com. Click here to download a Piccolo Spoleto ticket brochure. Click here to view events in Spoleto Festival USA THEATRE Pure Theatre Sheep's Clothing April 29 - May 15, 2009 PURE Theatre is a small professional theatre producing the work of contemporary playwrights with specific interest in new plays. PURE has been continually praised for its commitment to quality and unyielding drive for excellence. $30/person Apr. 29 & May 13 (Pay What You Can), 7:30p.m. Apr. 30 - May 1, May 7-9, & May 14-15 at 7:30p.m.; May 10 at 2p.m. The Circular Congregational Church, Upper Lance Hall, 150 Meeting St. For more info, call (800) 838-3006 and visit www.puretheatre.org. THEATRE Theatre 99 280 Meeting St. (843) 853-6687 www.thehavenots.com May 1, 2009 IMPROV SMACKDOWN! 8p.m. $10 50% game show! 50% sporting event! 100% good times! That's Improv Smackdown in a nutshell. It's the hit improv show at Theatre 99 where you, the audience, are the judge! It's hilarious, exciting and based entirely on your audience suggestions. That's not all! At the end of Improv Smackdown there is an intermission and the second act is a fast paced long form improv set! May 2, 2009 IMPROV RIOT! 8p.m. $10 Shows at Theatre 99 are improv parties where audience members laugh until it hurts! Come loaded with suggestions for the quick witted Theatre 99 ensemble members who will take your suggestions...and rock out hilarious unscripted scenes! Guaranteed to make you laugh! May 6, 2009 LAUGH FOR A LINCOLN 8p.m. $5 3 acts of improv comedy for just 5 buck...yes, just $5. Best bang for your buck in town!

MUSIC CSO Spiritual Ensemble A Low Country Spiritual Journey May 1, 2009 The CSO Spiritual Ensemble is a newly formed 35-voice group made up of members of the acclaimed CSO Gospel Choir. The Ensemble will focus on African-American spirituals. Debuting to sold-out crowds this past February in Charleston, the Ensemble will honor the musical tradition that African-Americans formed as slaves after arriving in this country and in particular its relevant musical history here in South Carolina. Free and open to the public; donations accepted. In anticipation of popular demand, first-come first-served entry tickets (up to four tickets per person) may be picked up in advance at four area locations: Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Kiawah Island Town Hall, Indigo Books at Island Freshdields Village, and River Roads or Johns Island Public Library. 7p.m. Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3871 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island For more info, call (919)923-2791 and visit www.csospiritual.com. FUNDRAISER The Center for Women "It's in the Bag" Silent Purse Auction April 30, 2009 Join the Center for Women for their 8th annual fundraiser. Bags will be one-of-a-kind and designed locally. $25 at the door 6-8p.m. City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St. For more info, call (843) 763-3441 and visit www.c4women.org. FESTIVAL United Artists for Hope May 2, 2009 The event, a family-oriented, eco-friendly festival, will feature a variety of musical acts, children's area, arts and crafts, African bazaar, dancing and drumming workshops, plus much more. The sole purpose of the event is to raise awareness about Project OKURASE's work in Ghana to save children from the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and to raise money for a sustainable, safe water treatment system through a partnership with Water Missions International. $15 in advance at etix.com; $20 at door; free/ kids 12 and under May 2 from 4-8p.m., after party 8p.m.-12a.m. The Navy Yard at Noisette Building 1507 (former Food Bank Building), 1635 Cosgrove Ave. Extension, N. Charleston For more info, call (843)216-0442, visit www.projectokurase.org, and email jennifer@trio-solutions.com. THEATRE S.C. Maritime Foundation Portimao Global Ocean Race (PGOR) May 1-31, 2009 Approximately 25 boats, ranging in size from 40 to 50 feet, are expected to compete in this race around the globe, starting in Portimao, Portugal. The competition takes sailors across 30,000 miles of ocean, stopping in the ports of South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil, and Charleston before returning to Portimao. Once the race is underway, enthusiasts will be able to follow the fleet around the world through a specially designed website that tracks the competitors and brings to life the individual stories of each skipper. Proceeds will support educational programs onboard the Spirit of South Carolina. Charleston Harbor, 20 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant For more info, call (843) 722-1030 ext 12 and visit www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com. THEATRE The Footlight Players La Cage Aux Folles (The Bird Cage) May 1-17, 2009 One of Broadway's biggest hits, La Cage aux Folles adds new dimensions to the boulevard comedy about homosexuals whose twenty years of domestic tranquility are shattered when a son, fathered during a one night fling, decides to marry the daughter of a bigoted politician. Albin and Georges run a transvestite nightclub in St. Tropez, where Albin is the featured performer. Georges agrees to masquerade as "normal" when he meets the father of the bride-to-be, with hilarious results. $30/adults, $27/seniors, and $20/students May 1 & 2, May 7-9, May 14-17 8p.m.; May 3 at 3p.m. Footlight Players, 20 Queen St. For more info, call (843)722-4487 and visit www.footlightplayers.net. MUSIC First Federal and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Starlight Pops May 2, 2009 Pack your picnic basket, blankets or beach chairs for a relaxed evening of music and fun outdoors. Come early to enjoy tours of the house and grounds, the gift shot and the butterfly garden; live pre-concert performances from area school musical groups and choruses; the Charleston Symphony Orchestra's instrument "petting zoo"; and a picnic judging contest at 6:45p.m. with prizes awarded for the Best Movie Theme, Fanciest Theme, and Picnic You'd Most Like to Be Invited To. Pre-concert music begins at 5p.m. and provides the perfect backdrop. This year's performances include the eighth grade steel drum band from DuBose Middle School, the trash can band from Hanahan High School and choruses from St. Andrews Math & Science, Sangaree Elementary, Windsor Hill Elementary and Oakbrook Elementary. Adults, Seniors, & 50-Plus Club, $20 at Gate; Students, $10 at Gate; Children, Free Gates open at 4p.m.; Pre-concert music begins at 5p.m.; CSO Performance begins at 7:30p.m. Boone Hall Plantation For more info, call(843) 529-5930 and visit www.charlestonsymphony.com. THEATRE Creative Spark Alborada May 1, 2009 A Latin-American show featuring authentic Andean instruments and songs sung in Spanish, English and Quecha. $5 per child 10a.m. Creative Spark, 757 Long Point Rd., Mt.Pleasant For more info, call (843)881-3780, visit www.creativespark.org, and email creativespark@bellsouth.net. THEATRE Village Playhouse Ring of Fire May 1-16, 2009 A HIT on Broadway and a South Carolina Premier! An exhilarating, foot-stomping celebration of America's legendary Man in Black! From the heart of the songs of Johnny Cash comes a unique musical. Featuring I Walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, I've Been Everywhere and many more. $27/adults; $25/seniors; $20/students with ID May 1-2, 7-9, & 15-16 at 8p.m.; May 10 at 5p.m. The Village Playhouse, 730 Coleman Blvd.,Mt. Pleasant For more info, call (843)856-1579, email villageplayhouse@bellsouth.net and visit www.villageplayhouse.com.

FESTIVAL City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department 2009 North Charleston Arts Festival May 1-9, 2009 The fabulous nine day celebration of the arts draws over 30,000 visitors each year. Exciting entertainment is provided by over forty national, regional, and local professional performers, ethnic and cultural groups, and community groups. Individual Events begin on Friday, May 1, and continue through Saturday, May 9. Concerts, theater and dance performances, children's programs, literary events, and multi-cultural block parties are just some of the offerings during the Festival Week. The Performing Arts Center and the Charleston Area Convention Center host the Main Event Weekend, Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. Features include the eighth annual SC Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Exhibition,the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, music, theater, and dance performances, exhibitions of fine art, photography, and youth art, free children's art activities and performances, Arts & Craft vendors and a Festival Food Court. The Grand Finale at Riverfront Park will present a variety of concerts and activities, as well as a fantastic fireworks display in celebration of what is sure to be a successful 2009 Arts Festival. Various locations. Free and Ticketed Events. For more info, call (843)745-1087 and visit www.northcharleston.org.