CALENDAR: Dunning, CJO to bring holiday swing to Charleston Music Hall

Dunning. Photo provided.

Staff reports  |  Vocalist Zandrina Dunning will join the Charleston Jazz Orchestra (CJO) led by Maestro Robert Lewis for two Dec. 4 concerts guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

It’s a Charleston Jazz tradition with big band arrangements of winter classics and holiday favorites such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Sleigh Bells.”

Dunning, who began singing as a youth in church and elementary school, began her professional musical journey studying classical music and theatre arts at S.C. State University in 2000. She received her bachelor’s degree in music industry with a concentration in vocal music in 2004.  Since 2013, she has been managing her own career with a broad array of concerts and tribute shows.  She also works with show production for Forte Jazz Lounge and Charleston Music Hall and  in programming and management locally at OHM Radio.

Under the direction of Lewis, the CJO has been performing for audiences in the Lowcountry for more than12 years. It is comprised of 18 accomplished jazz musicians and is an entertaining and educational example of the rich history of jazz in Charleston. 

Performances on Dec. 4 will be at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.charlestonjazz.com or call the Charleston Jazz box office at 843-641-0011. Tickets range from $25-$62, with discounts for seniors, military and students.   

Also on the calendar:

Keeping it local: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 4, Johns Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Rd., Johns Island.  The 8th annual Homegrown Holiday Bazaar will include about 75 vendors from whom you can get all of your holiday shopping, according to the Sea Island Chamber of Commerce.  In addition to great gifts, there will be a kiddie train ride, horse rides and a special visitor from the North Pole.  Food trucks will be available as well as local craft beer, wine and music.  

Holiday Festival of Lights: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m, through Dec. 31, James Island County Park.. Visitors can drive through the impressive three-mile light spectacle with more than 750 illuminated displays. The festival also includes other holiday activities like train rides, marshmallow roasting, a climbing wall and more. There also will be a Winter Wonderland, which features the area’s largest holiday sand sculpture made from more than 50 tons of sand. You and your family can also explore the shops, an enchanted walking trail and the amazing dancing light display. Tickets  It is recommended that visitors purchase tickets in advance online.  

Elf the Musical returns:  Dec. 1-19, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston.  The popular musical, sold out in Charleston in 2019, returns for several holiday performances by actors at Charleston Stage.  Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, the musical tells the story of Buddy the Elf who is transported from Santa’s Workshop to New York City.   Click here for times and tickets, which range from $32 for students to $36 to $75 for adults..  

Winter Wonderland exhibit.  Through March 27, 2022, Lowcountry Image Gallery, The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston. This exhibit showcases colorized photographs of remarkable snow days captured by residents of Charleston dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. More on tickets and hours.

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. 

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. 

Farmers markets

Closing in December

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.  Closes Dec. 18 with holiday market.

Open year-round

West Ashley Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Ackerman Park, 55 Sycamore Avenue, Charleston.  More.

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. More info.

Sea Island Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., every Saturday.  Charleston Collegiate Campus, 2024 Academy Rd., Johns Island. More.

Goose Creek Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday, 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd., Goose Creek. More. 

  • 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

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