North Charleston Arts Fest

10:30AM
THEATRE

Wizard of Oz • Bright Star Touring Theatre has adapted L. Frank Baum’s literary classic into a two-person play that audiences of all ages can enjoy!

6:00PM
CELEBRATION

Opening Celebration • It’s North Charleston Arts Fest time! Come 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.

6:00PM
MUSIC

Brass Concert • Enjoy Louisiana cuisine, a great selection of beverages, and the toe-tapping sounds of Charleston’s premier “street beat” style brass band.

12:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Lunch & Learn – Fiber Art Lecture & Exhibition Tour • 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 15th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, From Chaos to Beloved Community: Envisioning Social Justice, led by the curator Torreah “Cookie” Washington.

5:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

African American Fiber Art Exhibition Reception • Join curator Torreah “Cookie” Washington and many of the featured artists from throughout the US for a public reception in honor of the 15th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, From Chaos to Beloved Community: Envisioning Social Justice.

6:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Fashion Show • Rachel D.K. Clark is a contemporary folk artist who hails from a long line of sewers. Her wearable art portfolio spans three decades, featuring eclectic fabric mixes, vibrant designs, and a keen sense of wit. In this fashion show, Rachel celebrates the “Decade of the Coat.” 

6:30PM
MUSIC

Jazz Fusion Concert • Momentum is a newly formed music group, presented by Charleston Jazz, featuring eight of the finest musicians in the Lowcountry. 

6:00PM
MUSIC

Folk Blues Concert • Singer/songwriter Veronika Jackson has been performing her own unique style of grassroots folk blues for 40 years, combining elements of the acoustic folk and R&B music traditions, Piedmont blues-style guitar picking, and her historical and cultural identity as an African American woman. 

7:00PM
MUSIC

Celtic/Folk Concert – Celtic Grooves • Shake off the stresses of the workday with a riveting performance of old and new Celtic and folk music by The Zephyr Trio.

8:00PM
THEATRE

Comedy Show – Wham, Bam, Cam Bertrand…and Friends • Dashi transforms into the hottest comedy club in the region as it welcomes local comedic host Bill Davis, along with three screamingly funny talents to its outdoor stage: Cam Bertrand (Tampa, FL), Jeremy McLellan (N. Charleston, SC), and Dedrick Flynn (Atlanta, GA).

3:30PM
THEATRE

Magic Show • Start your weekend off right with Professor Whizzpop and his fun-tastic medley of magic, theatre, and comedy for all ages! Amazing magic, silly stunts, and belly laughs are guaranteed!

5:00PM
MUSIC

Arty Block Party • Shop local while enjoying live music and roving entertainers! Vendor booths featuring local artists, makers, and arts-related businesses and organizations will line the street.

5:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Exhibition Reception – Oh, Pearl: The World is Your Oyster • Meet the artist behind the 2022 North Charleston Arts Fest Poster Design and view an exhibition of her recent work. Deborah Kinard’s solo exhibition features her winning design Memories 222, along with a collection of vibrant, abstract mixed media pieces created using an assortment of mediums and collage techniques.

7:00PM
MUSIC

World Music Café • World Music Café is in its 6th year of presenting ethnic music performers from all over the world in an intimate, listening room atmosphere. The Arts Fest edition will feature the Afro-Cuban rhythms, melodies, and vocals of Gino Castillo (percussion) and Iliana Rose (keyboard), as well as the Middle Eastern Jazz Fusion of master oud player Peter Kfoury. 

10:00AM
MUSIC

Yoga and Live Music • Start your day with “Namaste” and live music. Charleston-based quartet ContraForce is the high-energy experimental folk project of fiddler Andrae Raffield, percussionist/handpan/saxophonist Joey Dorwart, guitarist Jimi “Two Nails” Peirano, and vocalist Karin Mcquade.  

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. Burgers ‘N Freys and Kona Ice will be on hand to serve up some tasty food options. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome! 

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 will take the stage to give their written words a voice. Special guests include Joey Tucker and Georgia Nubia. DJ G-Money will be spinning neo-soul jams between sets. 

4:00PM
MUSIC

Funky Sounds & Spirits at Firefly • Turn up the funk and enjoy a blend of high-energy funk, jazz, and improvisation that appeals to many listeners. While the music plays on Firefly’s “Back Porch,” Soap Bubble Circus and Good Clean Fun will be in the field offering an interactive bubble popping party, pedal-powered spin art, and a hula hooping arena. Happy Thai Food Truck will also be on site, so bring the whole family for a fun night at Firefly!

5:00PM
MUSIC

Gospel Concert • Project L.O.V.E. invites one and all to this uplifting evening of music and praise featuring The Tony Washington Singers. The group routinely tours internationally to present their unique style of contemporary black gospel, incorporating elements of fusion jazz and melodic R&B to make their arrangements fresh and vibrant.

6:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Open Studio • Muralist, fine artist, and toy maker, Patch Whisky, will host an open studio featuring his latest body of work, music, exclusive merch drops, and complimentary libations. Follow @patchwhisky on social media for updates on this event, as well as future happenings at this new contemporary art gallery/event space.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Bluegrass Concert • YeeHaw Junction is keeping the tradition of authentic bluegrass alive and strong in South Carolina’s Lowcountry and throughout the region. The band features Jeff Meierer on mandolin, Kristen Meierer on upright bass, David Grant on guitar, Tadd Huff on banjo, and Lisa Deakins on the fiddle.

12:00PM
MUSIC

Pop-Up Opera • Brunch, delicious cocktails, and Nomadic Vocal Drama with Small Opera (SMOP) are a match made in Mother’s Day heaven. SMOP seeks to make the timeless art form of opera fun, fresh, and accessible to all with interactive audience games and a variety of beautiful music, both operatic and non. In this presentation, SMOP’s singers will perform an assortment of opera, musical theater, and standard favorites.

7:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

Exhibition Encore • Last call! This principal event serves as a closing celebration for the Arts Fest’s many visual art competitions & exhibitions, including Judged Fine Art & Photography, South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft, Tri-County Youth Art and Tri-County High School Sculpture.

3:00PM
MUSIC

Bossa Nova Concert – Brazil Bash • Join Porto Seguro and jazz vocalist Alva Anderson for an afternoon concert featuring a laid-back, soulful mix of choro, bossa nova, and samba music.

5:00PM
MUSIC

Americana Concert • Rene Russell and the Bottom End have a message for you: you have the power to change your circumstances and make your world a better place. This message is delivered loud and clear on their debut record, Dream the World Anew, which features acoustic Americana-Rock songs with bluegrass and reggae undertones.