The CCA hosts a “Moulin-Rouge”-themed auction on April 26, complete with food, drinks, and live entertainment. Savor the music of Chamber Music Charleston and Theatre Marvelosa and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Moulin Rouge. Come in Business or Festive Moulin Rouge attire. And, don’t forget to bid on fantastic items in both the silent and live auctions, including Bernie Horton paintings, a cooking class with Nathalie Dupree, a week stay at Cabo San Lucas, Chef’s Table at McCrady’s, fine jewelry from Croghan’s Jewel Box and Nice Ice, and much, much more!  Mills House Hotel, Queen & Meeting Sts.  April 26 at 6:30p.m.  Admission:  $75.  For a sneak peak at the auction items available and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.  Questions?  Call (843) 727-1216 and visit www.charlestonconcerts.org.

This imaginative romp through Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz captured 7 Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1975. After becoming a film with Diana Ross in 1978, it was largely forgotten. But The Wiz’s clever retelling of the Oz Story and its acclaimed sassy score (Ease on Down the Road, Believe in Yourself, Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News) are too memorable to be forgotten. Just over the rainbow, the magical world of The Wiz awaits. Rediscover this legendary Broadway triumph in Charleston Stage’s imaginative multi-cultural production. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Apr. 26-28 at 7:30p.m. Admission: $38-$52/Adults, $36-$52/Seniors (60+, $22-$52/Students (25 & under). For more info or to purchase tickets, call (843) 577-7183 and visit www.charlestonstage.com.

This is a production that truly took NYC by storm smashing all box office records and nabbing Tony Award nominations for all four lead actors –eventually earned the Tony for Best Play, Best Director and Best Actress. God of Carnage is set in a gentrified section of Brooklyn where two married couples meet to sort out a playground fight between their sons. At first niceties are observed, but as the evening progresses and the rum flows the gloves come off and the evening becomes a side splitting free for all. Village Playhouse, 730 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant. Apr. 27-28 and May 3-5 at 8p.m. Apr. 22 & 29 at 5p.m. Admission: $20-$27. For more info, call (843) 856-1579 and visit www.villageplayhouse.com.

This community celebration offers a non-alcoholic and family-oriented alternative program to celebrate the New Year in Charleston. This city wide, admission-free program has something wonderful for everyone: comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children’s activities and so much more.  Marion Square, King & Calhoun Sts. Dec. 31 from 4-10:30p.m.  Admission:  Free.  For more info, call (843) 724-7305.  FOR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – CLICK HERE!

Marion Square is beautifully lighted and decorated for the holidays, including a 60-foot Christmas Tree of Lights, a Hanukkah menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinari. Come and enjoy free activities and family-oriented performances that capture the spirit of the season. Don’t forget to download a voucher good for 2 hours of free parking!  {DOWNLOAD}

The Charleston Farmers Market is available each Saturday from 8am-2pm in the beautiful Marion Square, between King and Meeting Streets at the edge of Calhoun Street in the Upper King Street Design District. The park at Marion Square has long been the center of festive activities and is the perfect tranquil setting for the Farmers Market. Nestled beneath beautiful trees with plenty of room for families to gather and children to play, the Farmers Market comes to life each Saturday morning and offers an abundance of the freshest local produce, shrimp, plants, herbs and cut flowers. While strolling the Charleston Farmers Market, a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunches are available while listening to a variety of live entertainment. The Farmers Market also offers an amazing assortment of juried arts and crafts, providing the best selection and most talented local artisans.

VISIT THE NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.CHARLESTONFARMERSMARKET.COM.

The 31st Annual Parade of Boats will be held in Charleston Harbor on Saturday, December 3, 2011. You can participate in the parade by simply registering, decorating your boat from stem to stern with lights, and joining us on the water. Thousands of spectators view the parade along the route from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston each year.

The parade begins at approximately 5:00PM near the Mt. Pleasant side and ends in the Ashley River, (after processing down the Charleston side of the Cooper River), at approximately 7:30PM. We say approximately, because of various factors, including wind, current, and the ability of the boats to maintain headway.

Captains and crews will be invited to the Captain’s Party at a date, time, and location to be announced. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place boats in both the power and sail categories, with the best-in-show award going to the highest scoring boat overall.

For those who also wish to attend the City of Charleston’s Official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Marion Square on the same evening, there is time to get to the waterfront and enjoy both. We look forward to seeing you on the water!

2011 Holiday Parade of Boats Registration Form

For more information: Call Ray Swagerty, Production Manager & Parade of Boats Coordinator (843) 724-7414 or email SwagertyR@charleston-sc.gov.

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. For more information, visit www.piccolospoleto.com 

2012 Piccolo Spoleto Festival Performer and Artist Applications:

2012 Poster Competition Guidelines

2012 L’Organo Series Application

2012 Performer Application

2012 Theatre Application

More coming soon!

Make a Donation to Support Piccolo Spoleto’s Outreach Programs

Help us continue to Bring the Arts to the People! Did you know that half of Piccolo’s events are admission-free? Did you know that Piccolo Spoleto produces scores of outreach events in nursing homes, schools and hospital wards? Help us continue the festival’s outreach program so everyone can enjoy the festival experience. DONATE ONLINE today or download the CONTRIBUTION FORM and mail to: Development Manager, City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, 180 Meeting St., Ste. 200, Charleston, SC 29401. If your company is interested in sponsorship opportunities with the festival, email us at AmersonL@charleston-sc.gov or call (843) 720-3816. Thank you for your support!

The MOJA Arts Festival is a multi-disciplinary festival produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the MOJA Planning Committee, a community arts and cultural group and the MOJA Advisory Board, a group of civic leaders who assist with fundraising and advocacy. MOJA, a Swahili word meaning “One,” is the appropriate name for this festival celebration of harmony amongst all people in our community. The Festival highlights the many African-American and Caribbean contributions made to western and world cultures.

MOJA’s wide range of events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and much, much more. In addition to its myriad arts presentations, MOJA also includes an active and busy educational outreach component of workshops in the public schools and senior outreach in senior citizen homes.

For more information, visit www.mojafestival.com

2012 MOJA Arts Festival Call for Performer/Presenter Submissions

If you would like to be considered as a performer/presenter for the
2012 MOJA Arts Festival, please send the following information:
1. A cover letter describing your work and what you intend to present at the MOJA Arts Festival.
2. A CD, DVD, audiotape, video-tape, or written example of your work.
3. Photos
4. Any press information related to your work.

Please send all materials to:
2012 MOJA Arts Festival
Office of Cultural Affairs
180 Meeting Street, Suite 200
Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Each component of the MOJA Arts Festival: A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts is carefully selected by a jury process. The submitted materials will be forwarded to the appropriate selection committee and the final decision on the 2012 program will be made by the end of April.

Application DEADLINE for performing artists: January 14, 2012
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