North Charleston Arts Fest

10:30AM
THEATRE

Pirate Stories & Treasure Hunt • Dressed in authentic period apparel, Eric and Sabrina Lavender of Charleston Pirate Tours will take audiences back to Charleston’s Golden Age of Piracy with tales of the true adventures of the pirates of Charleston. Following the stories, young buccaneers will have the opportunity to follow a pirate treasure map that leads to a chest full of pirate booty!

10:30AM
THEATRE

Puppet Show – Tangle of Tales • Experience a taste of the familiar and a touch of the new with Grey Seal Puppets. Three favorite folk tales from around the world come to life: The Frog Prince from Germany teaches the importance of a promise; Three Billy Goats Gruff from Scandinavia warns us against gluttony; and The Three Little Pigs from England is all about doing the job right. 

6:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Opening Celebration & Art Reception • It’s Arts Fest time! Celebrate with food, music, and more, set among the hundreds of pieces of artwork on display in the Arts Fest’s many competitions and exhibitions. Award winners of the Judged Fine Art and Photography, SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft, National Outdoor Sculpture, and Tri-County Youth Art and High School Sculpture competitions will be acknowledged at 6:30pm.

6:00PM
LITERARY ARTS/MUSIC

Spoken Word/Music Performance • Christian Morant, author of the critically acclaimed book GROWTH, is an East Coast-based professional spoken word artist and lyricist most known for his enthralling level of poetry and advocacy on mental health. This intimate and intriguing program blends spoken word and music, featuring poetry pieces, either a capella or accompanied with backing music, and actual songs where he is joined by live musicians.

6:00PM
LITERARY
ARTS

Literary Program – Learning How to Tell Your Story • Join Jessica Mack of Ebony Xscape Productions for an author reading and discussion on her writing process and how she’s learned to tell stories.  The author’s goal is for the audience to come away inspired to create and/or shape their own creative process as well as provide them with tools to help them persist in their craft. The program will end with Q&A.

6:00PM
MUSIC

Bossa Nova Concert • Enjoy the sultry sounds of Brazilian bossa nova performed by vocalist Rochelle Whitney Green accompanied by guitarist Nikolai Svishev and John Willmarth on percussion. 

12:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Lunch & Learn • Fiber art and textile enthusiasts are invited to bring a bag lunch or their favorite takeout meal and enjoy this lecture and guided tour of the 17th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, Celebrating Black Music, led by curator Torreah “Cookie” Washington. 

3:00PM
MUSIC

North Charleston Farmers Market Season Kick-Off • The 2024 North Charleston Farmers Market season kicks off May 2 and takes place every Thursday through October 24, offering fresh, locally grown produce, as well as art & craft, specialty food vendors, and a different food truck each week. The Ocean Drive Party Band will be rockin’ from 4-6pm for the market’s season opener.

5:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

African American Fiber Art Exhibition Reception • Join Jessica Mack of Ebony Xscape Productions for an author reading and discussion on her writing process and how she’s learned to tell stories.  The author’s goal is for the audience to come away inspired to create and/or shape their own creative process as well as provide them with tools to help them persist in their craft. The program will end with Q&A.

6:30PM
MUSIC

Funk/Soul Concert • Local saxophonist Louis Dixon, aka Louie D., will present a lively evening concert with his Alto, Soprano, and Tenor saxophones. A staple in the Charleston area’s club and event scene for more than 30 years, his repertoire ranges from post-modern funk, soul, and jazz to blues, beach, and everything in between.

7:00PM
THEATRE

Theater Performance – Shortwave Kitsch • Step into a bygone era with Shortwave Kitsch, presenting a captivating radio show that seamlessly merges the charm of 1940s radio programs with a modern artistic twist. Each performance is a journey through time featuring two enthralling episodes, making every show a double feature of suspense, humor, and historical richness. The talented local cast brings original stories to life with skilled voice acting, piano accompaniment, melodic tunes, and live sound effects.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Chamber Music Concert • Coming off its sold-out North Charleston Arts Fest debut in 2023, the Colour of Music Festival Chamber Ensemble returns to present a premiere by Charleston-born composer Edmund Thornton Jenkins, the Lowcountry’s father of Black classical music. Edited and arranged by Jenkins’ great-nephew and Saturday Night Live keyboardist Tuffus Zimbabwe, his never before performed composition, Sonata for Violin and Piano, will feature violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport and pianist Elizabeth G. Hill. The evening also features the Festival’s quartet and quintet ensembles performing Dame Shirley J. Thompson, OBE’s Tequesta Song for Piano Quartet and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet, Op. 44.

9:00AM
KIDS

Children’s Festival • Follow the yellow brick road to this fun-filled event for young children featuring interactive entertainment, fun outdoor games, and hands-on activities. Offerings include maypoles, a petting zoo, STEM projects, inflatables, craft activities, visits with roving characters and stilt walker Mike Weakley, bubble fun with Soap Bubble Circus, photo-ops (bring your camera), and much more. Individuals and groups are welcome.

3:00PM
KIDS/
THEATRE

Children’s Theatre Performance – Schoolhouse Rock Live! • Get ready to rock with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Resident Touring Company as they bring the pop culture phenomenon, Schoolhouse Rock, to life! The alarm clock rings and Tom awakens, nervous to start his first day of teaching. He turns on the TV to relax and is surprised when the voices he hears in his head come to life as characters in the television set! At first, Tom is hesitant to accept them, but eventually they help him see how great of a teacher he’s been all along. This energetic production touches on themes of friendship, identity, and inclusion and is best suited for grades K-5th.

6:00PM
LECTURE/
WORKSHOP

The Global Art Fair Soft Launch • The Global Art Fair (TGAF) is a multidisciplinary and multicultural art experience that will be hosted annually in North Charleston beginning this Fall. Founded by arts industry leader, pioneer, and Charleston native Okeeba Jubalo, this event showcases a myriad of Lowcountry and southeastern creatives who deserve a world-class platform, presented with a mission is to bring the world to North Charleston and serve as the catalyst for turning the Lowcountry’s epicenter of arts and culture. This TGAF Soft Launch event offers just a taste of what the larger event has in store, featuring a fine art exhibition, Gullah cuisine, film screenings, spoken word presentations, speakers, education opportunities, and more.

6:00PM
LITERARY 
ARTS

Spoken Word Performance • Enjoy back-to-back spoken word performances while surrounded by an exhibition of recent works by Arts Fest Poster Design Competition winner, Jirah Perkins. From 6-6:30pm, local poet Christopher Lucius “C-Lyric” Wynn will present The Poetry of C.O.L.O.R.S., featuring a selection of works from his debut poetry book, C.O.L.O.R.S., along with other compositions. From 6:30-7pm, Free Verse Festival and Griot and Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference Slam Champion Brittany Porcher, aka Ttruthseeker_thepoet, of Awendaw, SC, will present #andletthechurchsay, featuring a collection of original spoken word poetry pieces that merge Christian doctrine, blackness, humor, and faith.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Jazz Concert • Leah María Suárez is a musician and arts entrepreneur whose primary instrument is her velvet rich voice. The multilingual singer will be joined by other Charleston musicians to present an intimate evening concert, featuring traditional US American Songbook and Jazz standards, along with a global mix of standards and other selections from Latin and South America.

11:00AM
KIDS/FAMILY

Interactive Magic Show • John Tudor‘s heartwarming magic has been enjoyed across North America for more than three decades. Join him on a journey to Egypt, India, China, and beyond, taking a few jumps in time through magic history from the past to present day.

12:00PM
DANCE

World Dance Showcase • Experience a mesmerizing display of traditional, folk, and modern dances of cultures from around the world by local performers in vibrant costumes. Lola’s Lumpia and Kona Ice will be on hand to serve up some tasty food options.

2:00PM
LITERARY
ARTS

Literary Workshop – Korean Adoptee Literature: Poetry and Prose with Maria S. Picone • Maria S. Picone is an award-winning multi-genre writer whose work speaks to her own heart and her adoption from South Korea as a child. This workshop consists of a brief author reading, followed by a session of reading and responding to prompts based on the work of other Korean adoptee writers such as Lee Herrick, Matt Salesses, Marci Calabretta Cancio-Bello, and Sun Yung Shin. Prompts will be for all levels and genres of writers to help them get creative and write. There will be time for questions and sharing works written in the workshop at the end.

3:00PM
LITERARY
ARTS

Spoken Word/Poetry Presentation • Join host Carlos Johnson, aka Los tha Host, for an afternoon of poetry, spoken word, and music. Youth poets from the Speak Freely Foundation and students from Berkeley Center for the Arts, Goose Creek High School, and Burke High School will take the stage to give their written words a voice. Special guests include Georgia Nubia and DJ G-Money.

5:00PM
KIDS/
FAMILY

Arty Block Party • Shop local while enjoying live music and roving entertainers! Vendor booths featuring local artists and makers will line the street. Musical entertainment for the evening kicks off with 2Slices (Charleston-based indie group combining catchy dance beats with soaring synth-pop melodies and psychedelic guitar) from 5-6:30pm and closes out with RasB and ReggaeInfinity (original, authentic Roots Reggae) from 7-8:30pm. It’s an art-filled evening of fun for the whole family!

5:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Exhibition Reception – Sowing Seeds • Meet the artist behind the 2024 North Charleston Arts Fest Poster Design and view an exhibition of her recent work. Jirah Perkins’ solo exhibition features her winning design PlayPen, along with a collection of works that, through visual storytelling, explore the many layers of kinship, community, and identity. Refreshments will be served.

7:00PM
MUSIC

World Music Concert – Voyage • You are welcome here! Voyage is a deeply connected experience of spaces, stories, and sounds from the Republic of Chad to North Charleston, SC, to the Nation and World, featuring Mr.Bernoji and special guests. We are where music is. Curated by Marked Co. in collaboration with Singamong.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Concert Band Performance - Aah, Suite Spring • The Charleston Concert Band is comprised of approx. 80 professional and serious amateur musicians from throughout the Lowcountry. Their annual Spring concert will feature one of the great works for concert bands, First Suite in Eb for Military Band by British composer Gustav Holst. Other selections include The National Game march by John Philip Sousa, Rhapsody by James Curnow, featuring euphonium soloist, Tom Watson, The Voice of the Navy, featuring special vocalist Courtney Williams, and more.

2:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Exhibition Encore • Last call! This event serves as a closing celebration for the Arts Fest’s many visual art competitions & exhibitions, including Judged Fine Art and Photography, SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft, and Tri-County Youth Art and High School Sculpture. In addition to admiring the vast array of artwork on display, patrons can enjoy live fiber art demos by local artists.

2:00PM
MUSIC

Youth Choral Performance – Peace, Love & Harmony • The sweet voices of the Palmetto Youth Choir will welcome spring in this joyful afternoon concert. Enjoy a variety of uplifting and heartwarming musical selections, all celebrating the universal themes of peace, love, and harmony, including songs by The Beatles, Jack Johnson, Jackie DeShannon, renowned choral composer Greg Gilpin, and more! The choir will be conducted by Danielle Loveless and accompanied by Bill Gesin, with artistic direction by Regina Ruopoli.

3:00PM
MUSIC

Bluegrass Concert • Headin’ Home is a family bluegrass band hailing from Bloomingdale, GA, with a repertoire that boasts a fascinating fusion of both traditional and original material. The group consists of Jon Lindblom, dad, on upright bass and vocals; Marina Lindblom, mom, on fiddle; Luke Lindblom, on dobro and vocals; Libby Lindblom on guitar and vocals; Lucy Lindblom on mandolin and vocals; and Timothy Lindblom on banjo. This seasoned family band is a refreshing burst of youthful energy, red-hot picking, chilling vocal harmonies, an entertaining stage show, and uplifting, faith-based music rooted in the traditional bluegrass sound.

3:00PM
DANCE

Modern (+ more) Dance Matinee • This afternoon program features modern, hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary dance performances by youth and adult dancers from throughout the Lowcountry.

5:00PM
MUSIC

Gospel Concert – Gospel Music at it’s Best • Project L.O.V.E. invites one and all to this uplifting evening of music and praise featuring The Tony Washington Singers, Nikki Smalls & Friends, Helen Freeman, Minister Anthony Ravenel, Minister O.C. Riley & Friends, and more.

5:00PM
THEATRE

Theater Performance – Tales of the Lowcountry • History, ghostly legends, and occasional humor intertwine in this collection of short stories ad original plays presented by The Crabpot Players. From forgotten pirates to resilient spirits, embark on a dark journey that uncovers the secrets hidden beneath the starlit skies and flickering bonfires that bring the Lowcountry’s soul to life.