Thursday, May 10, 2012

Hot ticket: LEO already proving to be a popular show

Posted by Erica Jackson Curran on Thu, May 10, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Psst... We hear tickets to LEO are selling quickly. Check out this video to see why the show, from German company Circle of Eleven, is already a hot ticket.

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Update: Spoleto has added another LEO show to the update on May 26 at 2:30 p.m. Go get you some.

Topics: Spoleto

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Monday, May 7, 2012

Piccolo Spoleto 2012 schedule released

Here's what's on the docket

Posted by Erica Jackson Curran on Mon, May 7, 2012 at 10:20 AM

Frankenmatt
  • Frankenmatt

We finally got our hands on the Piccolo Spoleto schedule last week. The city-run component of Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo includes a big selection of performances from both local and national artists, including jazz and blues musicians, comedians, dancers, visual artists, and more.

Theater offerings make up a huge chunk of the schedule, with many returning shows from local groups (PURE, Charleston Acting Studio, Footlight Players) and some new visiting shows as well. As usual, the College of Charleston's Stelle Di Domani series is a highlight of the theater offerings, with the Pink Collar Comedy Tour and A Boston Marriage, presented by the Collective Collaborative Players. Alum David Lee Nelson returns with his new show The Elephant in My Closet, and we'll also see the return of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, which won over local crowds in 2007.

Piccolo Fringe has some familiar faces from past Fringes and Charleston Comedy Festivals, including Frankenmatt, the Reformed Whores, the Shock T's, and the Upright Citizens Brigade. The ever-popular Charles Ross returns with One Man Star Wars, and Martin Dockery presents another one-man show, The Holy Land Experience. We're especially looking forward to the G.L.O.C. (Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy).

Blues fans will have their pick of intimate concerts at venues like Bowens Island, Mad River, and the Carolina Queen riverboat as legends like Momma & the Redemption Band, Sarasota Slim, and John Nemeth entertain the crowds. And for jazz, musicians like Modus Bone, the Pulse Trio, and the New South Jazzmen will perform at various venues. We can't wait for the salute to Miles Davis.

As with the big festival, there are plenty of classical music offerings. You'll find daily performances of the Early Music Series at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, the Young Artists Series at the College of Charleston, the Spotlight Concert Series at City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Spotlight on the Art of Choral Music at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, and Mepkin Abbey Concerts. Some highlights are the concert from pianist Laura Magnani, the artistic director of the Spoleto Italy Piano Festival and the Spoleto Reunion with Yuriy Bekker, David Chernyaavsky, and Phillip Von Maltzan. There's also the Traditional Music of the Old South Series.

In the dance department, Charleston Ballet Theatre is offering three shows and only one Brown Bag and Ballet performance. Robert Ivey Ballet is hosting a dance festival at Footlight Theatre, and a handful of other companies are coming in for the Dance at Noon Series.

Some of Piccolo's most interesting offerings are listed under the Special Events category. The Teetotallers, an Irish supergroup, will perform at Circular Congregational Church, and local filmmaker Justin Nathanson will present his Charleston, A Love Letter at the Hippodrome. Artists Mary Whyte and Jonathan Green will give a lecture at the Gibbes, and there will be an art exhibit onboard the USS Yorktown as well as a performance from the 282nd Army Band. The literary festival features talks with authors like Sallie Krawcheck and Marshall Chapman, and Hirona Matsuda is curating a show at City Gallery.

And, of course, you'll find all of the usual free events throughout the fest, including the Sunset Serenade at the Custom House, the Memorial Day Concert, and the Intern Block Party in Marion Square.

All told, there aren't a lot of surprises in this year's Piccolo schedule, but there's plenty to keep us busy throughout the festival. See the full lineup here.

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Alvin Ailey dancers offering local master classes during Spoleto

Secure your spot now

Posted by Erica Jackson Curran on Thu, May 3, 2012 at 2:00 PM

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Serious dance lovers won't likely miss the opportunity to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre perform during Spoleto. And while plenty of local dancers will be in the audience, they have an opportunity to get even closer to the company's talented dancers with master classes at local dance schools.

Alvin Ailey's Antonio Douthit is teaching a class at DanceFX on Sat. May 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. Charlestonian Jack Burg will play percussion for the class. There are only 35 spots available, so register now if you're interested. Prices are $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Email stephanieb@dancefx.org to secure a spot.

In addition, dancers Guillermo Asca and Hope Boykin will teach master classes at the Charleston Dance Center on Sat. May 26. The beginner/intermediate level is at 11 a.m. and  the intermediate level is from 12:30-2 p.m. It costs $20 per person. Find out more by calling (843) 452-8713.

 

Topics: Spoleto

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Spoleto Saturday offers deals for locals May 5

Local Perks

Posted by Erica Jackson Curran on Wed, May 2, 2012 at 11:50 AM

Cecile McLorin Salvant

It pays to be a local during Spoleto: You know the best parking spots, you don't get lost looking for the Cistern, and you can get some pretty great deals during Spoleto Saturday. On Sat. May 5, head to the Gaillard between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to score serious discounts on a number of Spoleto shows. Here's what's up for grabs, while supplies last, via Spoleto organizers.

Jazz & More Deals: Purchase two general admission tickets to any performance at the Cistern Yard or Simons Center Recital Hall for only $50. (Regular price: $30 each) Performances include Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jake Shimabukuro, Rebirth Brass Band, Joy Kills Sorrow, David Peña Dorantes, and Ketch & Critter of Old Crow Medicine Show.

Bank of America Chamber Music Medley: Purchase any three weekday chamber music concerts for only $48. (Regular price: $25 each). Purchase any weekend concert June 1-3 for only $25. (Regular price: $35).

Spoleto Specials for Gaillard and Sottile: Purchase any two Gaillard Auditorium and/or Sottile Theatre performances and save 20 percent. (Excludes Gold Circle seating.) Performances include Kepler, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Choral/Orchestral Concert, Wells Fargo Jazz artists Virgínia Rodrigues and Mavis Staples, Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra Concert, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Traces, and Orchestra Uncaged.

Just $15: A Crack in Everything, Orchestra Uncaged, The Animals and Children Took to the Streets.

You'll also earn festival points — for every $250 you spend at Spoleto Saturday, you'll earn $25 toward your next ticket purchase. Find out more at spoletousa.org.

Topics: Spoleto

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Spoleto box office opens Monday

Head to the Gaillard to avoid extra fees

Posted by Erica Jackson Curran on Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Tickets to Spoleto Festival USA have been on sale since January, but the box office doesn't officially open for in-person sales until Mon. April 23. The opening at Gaillard Auditorium marks a countdown to the festival, which kicks off May 25.

The bonus of buying in person versus online or by phone? All handling fees are waived. For an even bigger discount, hold tight for Spoleto Saturday on May 5, when locals can get 20 percent off select tickets. But if there's something you really want to see, you might not want to press your luck. Our Spoleto contact tells us that tickets to KD Lang are already extremely limited. They also expect the Gate Theatre's Hay Fever, Leo, and returning ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro to sell quickly.

The hours of operation are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat., April 23-May 23. Then during the festival, May 24-June 9, it's open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. See spoletousa.org for more info.

Topics: Spoleto

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