CALENDAR: Marsalis, septet to bring jazz to Gaillard April 23, 24

Jazz at Lincoln Center Septet, photo by Justin Bias.

Staff reports  |  The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet will perform socially distanced shows at 7:30 p.m. April 23 and 24 at the Gaillard Auditorium under the musical direction of master trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.   

In a recent interview with 105.5 The Bridge radio host Richard Todd, Marsalis described how jazz is the American music:

“It’s a music that comes directly out of the American experience and the search and need for freedom. Cultures and groups of a people don’t just get unlimited art. If you’re a culture and you are blessed with an art form and an ability to express it in art, it had to be studied to be understood. It can last across centuries and across time if it is tended to. We have a tendency to turn everything into a commercial venture. There are some parts of our civic life that are not about turning a profit but are about investing in our identity. And jazz is one of those things.” Hear the full interview on Todd’s podcast next week.

At the Gaillard, the septet will perform from its vast repertoire with rare historic compositions to Jazz at Lincoln Center‐commissioned works, including compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus and others. The weekend performances will showcase the musicians in a rare small group configuration that will leave audiences inspired and uplifted with the full vigor, vision and depth of America’s music.

• Concert seating is in blocks of two and four.  To attend in person, you must purchase the block.  Tickets start at $65.  If you don’t want to attend in person, you can buy a livestream ticket of the April 24 event for $20. Learn more.

Also on the calendar:

Roots of Racism in Policing: 7 p.m. April 13; Virtual at: Jewish Federation of Charleston.  Simon Balto, author of Occupied Territory: Policing Black Chicago from Red Summer to Black Power, discusses the link between racism and police brutality as well as what defunding the police might really mean, how to address racist policies and what the Jewish community can do to be better allies. This free event is part of the ongoing Jewish Film Series.

Safe Sounds: Series starts April 17, Firefly Distillery, North Charleston.  Here’s a list of some of the shows at the beginning of the 15-concert series:

• Saturday, April 17 – 20 Ride
• Saturday, April 24 – Randall Fowler with special guest
• Sunday, April 25 – The Allman Betts Band
• Thursday, April 29 – Sam Bush
• Saturday, May 1 – On the Border – “The ultimate Eagles tribute Band”
• Head over to citypapertickets.com to secure a spot. Tickets are available now.  (Editor’s note: City Paper Tickets, which is run by sister publication Charleston City Paper, is operating ticketing for Safe Sounds.)

Ongoing

Holy City Farmers Market:  4 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Holy City Brewing, North Charleston. Vendors rotate weekly to provide shoppers with a tiny but mighty shopping experience. Vendors will be selling a range of products from specialty foods, home and body care to arts and crafts. More info.

Birds of Prey flight demonstrations: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 Highway 17. Awendaw.  The center has reopened its doors to visitors after closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inviting people to once again come and explore the world of raptors through an outdoor program and flight demonstration. Tickets: . $20/adult; $15/children age 3-17. 

Like A Girl: Dare to Dream: Through May 2, City Gallery, Prioleau St., Charleston.  Featuring portraits of more than 35 South Carolinian women, Like a Girl is a new exhibition by artist Fer Caggiano that brings attention to women who have excelled, each with unique and inspiring stories. In them, girls and other women will see on canvas their potential: they can be strong, smart and beautiful, and ready to make their mark on the world. Learn more.

Quiet Edge: Through May 22,  Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St., Charleston.  This new show brings together the works of two artists who address rectangular forms that ebb and flow between depiction and abstraction: Suzanne Dittenber of Ashevlle, N.C., with the form of the book and Benny Fountain of Waco, Texas, with the window and room.  Hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday Brunch Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday, Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island. While the market is discouraging people from spending too much time hanging out during the market, everyone is invited to shop their local vendors.

Bird-watching at Caw Caw. Every Wednesday and Saturday — particularly through the end of February — you can see a plethora of birds at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel as they make their way through the Lowcountry.  The two-hour regular walks, which start at 8:30 a.m., are through distinct habitats that allow participants to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.  A paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Max. 10 participants.   Fee: $9; free for Gold Pass holders.  Open to all ages.  More: Caw Caw Interpretive Center. 

• If you have any online events, drop us a line (editor@charlestoncurrents.com) and make sure to put “Online event” in the subject line.  Similarly, if you’ve got cool ideas for stuff to do while in isolation at home, send them our way.

CHARLESTON HISTORY

• ORDER NOW:  Copies of our new book, 350 Facts About Charleston, are in Lowcountry-area bookstores now, but if you can’t swing by, you can order a copy online today.