FOCUS: Piccolo Spoleto 2019 has something for everyone

Staff reports  | Hold onto your hats for what may be the most memorable Piccolo Spoleto season ever when the city’s annual arts tribute opens May 24 for 17 days.  

“The arts resound throughout Charleston year-round, but Piccolo Spoleto’s performances and exhibitions afford special license for the arts to be your guide as you discover landmark houses of worship, historic parks and celebrated public spaces, as well as lesser-known performance venues off the beaten path,” Mayor John Tecklenburg said in his annual welcome letter.

For the 2019 season, artists will be using two new venues — the Cannon Street Arts Center downtown and “The Pearl” at Charleston Stage’s new West Ashley Theater Center.   Several shows will take place at the Cannon Street venue, including “Big Mama’s House” (May 24-26); “Butcher Stories” (May 29-30, June 2); “The Why” (June 7-8); “Too Much Memory” (May 29-June 1); “Reality is Overrated” (May 31-June 1); and “Vincent John Doe” (June 6-9).  Other shows that caught our attention:

• “Reality is Overrated,” West Ashley Theatre Center, May 29.
• “Mark Twain’s Final Tour,” Queen Street Playhouse, May 28, June 6.
• “Gracie and Lucy,” Queen Street Playhouse, June 7-8.
• “Ray Bradbury Live,” Threshold Repertory Theatre, May 29-31.
• “Thus Spoke the Mockingbird,” Threshold Repertory Theatre, June 6-8.
• “Frederick Douglass … No Turning Back,” Circular Congregational Church, May 30, June 6, June 8, June 9.

“Piccolo Spoleto, since its earliest days, has made arts events and cultural experiences accessible to everyone throughout Charleston,” said Scott Watson, who runs the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs, which puts on the festival.  “This year’s festival reflects that founding impulse but goes further, using shared experiences provided by the arts to forge and strengthen our collective spirit and our sense of community.”

Also among the 500+ performances between May 24 and June 9 are festival traditions, such as the May 25 Family Day at Marion Square, which includes the outstanding Seed & Feed Marching Abominable band.  Members of the troupe also will perform at a Midnight Pajama March at 11 p.m. May 25 at the U.S. Custom House and for a patriotic parade at noon on May 27 at the same venue.

Two continuing favorites are opening day’s free Sunset Serenade at 8 p.m. featuring the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as well as picnicking at the Piccolo Spoleto Finale on the evening of June 8 in Hampton Park.

Some other highlights:

Children’s programs.  The Charleston County Public Library main branch on Calhoun Street will feature several children’s programs in its auditorium.  See all here.

Early music.  St. Philip’s Church will host the annual tribute to early music, including a Spanish guitar performance on May 26, Vivaldi’s Circle on May 27, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on June 3.  More.  Several concerts also will be held in Beaufort.

Spotlight concerts will include a Memorial Day Concert at Mepkin Abbey at 4 p.m. May 27; Chamber Music Charleston at Second Presbyterian Church on May 31; and Chamber Music with Yuriy Bekker and Friends at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue on June 2.

Blues cruises.  You can take Carolina Queen Harbor Cruises featuring performers like Royal Johnson, Willie Jackson and the Tybee Island Blues Band and the Davis Coen Band.

There also are organ recitals, youth music performances, lots of singers and choirs, at least 10 dance performances in seven venues; poetry performances, art displays, book discussions, sand-castle building, crafts and more.

• CAN’T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO?  If there’s so much that you don’t know what to pick, we suggest that you take a look at your calendar and compare it to the full calendar of Piccolo Spoleto events here.  Then find something that looks good for that date … and head on over.  Enjoy the season!
• Have a comment?  Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com