North Charleston Arts Fest

10:30AM
KIDS/FAMILY

Puppet Show - The Emperor's New Clothes • What’s big and pink and loves to dress up in fancy clothes? Give up? It’s the Emperor himself in Grey Seal Puppet‘s clever adaptation of The Emperor’s New Clothes. Not only is this Emperor big and pink, he also happens to be a pig. 

10:30AM
THEATRE

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 as part of the Arts Fest’s many competitions and exhibitions.

10:30AM
Theatre/Kids and Family

Interactive Children’s Theatre Performance – Diggery’s Dino Adventure • Join The Story Ship for this science-based immersive adventure featuring large interactive animated characters, dinosaur bones, a giant dinosaur egg, and beautiful puppets.

11:00AM
Lecture/Visual Arts

Lunch and Learn • Fiber art and textile enthusiasts are invited to bring a bag lunch or their favorite takeout meal and enjoy lectures and a guided tour of the 18th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, In Praise of the Ancestors, led by curator Torreah “Cookie” Washington.

3:30PM
DANCE / MUSIC

African Dance & Music Performance – Healing Sounds & Movements of the Diaspora • Experience an electrifying fusion of rhythm, culture, and storytelling with Solae’ ENT! All ages can enjoy this dynamic dance performance that blends the vibrant traditions of West African dance, Gullah Geechee culture, and contemporary Afrobeat with the soulful influences of hip-hop and R&B.

5:00PM
VISUAL ARTS

African American Fiber Art Exhibition Reception • Join curator Torreah “Cookie” Washington and many of the featured artists for a public reception in honor of the 18th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, In Praise of the Ancestors.

6:00PM
THEATRE

Improv Theatre • Create “instant theatre” with Charleston County School of the Arts Improv Troupe, The Fighting Gnomes. The group will take audience suggestions to perform an hour of family-friendly improv and sketch comedy.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Chamber Music Concert • Coming off its second sold-out North Charleston Arts Fest performance in 2024, the Colour of Music Festival Chamber Orchestra returns to present an evening of classical gems spanning centuries of classical musical brilliance.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Concert – Music Builds Bridges • Fox Music Friends consists of nine seasoned Lowcountry musicians from different backgrounds. Join Charles Miller (keyboards/vocals), Mark Barrett (keyboards), Mathew Maisie (percussion), Kain Naylor (drums), John Holenko (fretted instruments), John Kennedy (bass), Mike Kaufman (guitar/vocals), Joe Marlow (fretted instruments), and Brent Lacasce (trumpet) as they come together to present a concert that spans styles, genres, times, and places with a common language – music.  

10:30AM
KIDS/
THEATRE

Children’s Theatre Performance – Schoolhouse Rock Live! • Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth invites one and all to step right up to the big top in this interactive adaptation of The Three Little Pigs where the Big Bad Wolf might just turn out to be the hero of the story. Best suited for grades K-5.

0:00AM
KIDS

Puppet Show – Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets • 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.

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.

6:00PM
LECTURE/
WORKSHOP

Pop-Up Opera • 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.

7:00PM
MUSIC

World Music Café • 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.

6:00PM
LITERARY 
ARTS

Hip Hop/Soul/New Age Concert • 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.

10:00AM
LECTURE/
WORKSHOP

Workshop - A.I. and the Content Creator • In this workshop, Julian Gooding will demonstrate how A.I. is used for starting and managing business for artists, examining ChatGPT for writing and research, text to art, voice cloning for podcasting, video production, and more. The workshop will also explore ethics related to using A.I.

11:00AM
MUSIC/KIDS
AND FAMILY

Jazz Concert for Youth • The Javier Vega Jazz Quartet features retired educators and experienced musicians led by jazz trumpeter and Latin percussionist, Javier Vega. In their program, Young People’s Jazz Concert, the group will offer an introduction on how to enjoy Jazz and the Blues.

11:30AM
DANCE/KIDS
AND FAMILY

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. Roe Roe’s and Kona Ice will be on hand to serve up some tasty food options.

5:00PM
MUSIC/
THEATRE

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

5:00PM
VISUAL
ARTS

Exhibition Reception - Intersections • Meet the artist behind the 2025 North Charleston Arts Fest poster design and view an exhibition of her recent work. Amy Stewart’s solo exhibition features her winning design Intersections, along with a collection of abstract mixed media paintings that explore the ripple effect of our actions on others and vice versa.

7:00PM
MUSIC

Motown Concert - Motown Magic • The smooth, soulful sounds of The Trané N’Chel Live Experience are sure transport you back in time with classic hits that defined an era.

1:00PM
KIDS AND
FAMILY

Magic/Storytelling Show – Story Circus! • Prepare to be dazzled and amazed by Yasu Ishida and his Story Circus! Combining traditional Japanese theatre, music, origami, magic, and storytelling, Yasu guides audiences to the enchanting land of Japan. This highly interactive storytelling show features Balloon Haiku (balloon animals coming to life with Haiku), Story-gami (storytelling with origami), and magic.

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.

2:00PM
MUSIC

Latin/Jazz Concert • The Gregarious Grooves Trio is a vibrant musical ensemble that skillfully blends the rich traditions of Spanish, Latin, classical, jazz, popular, and original music.

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.

4:00PM
MUSIC

Bluegrass Concert • Often described as having the voice of an angel, Boonie Bevins got her start at the young age of 5 years old, singing in the band 4 Wheel Drive and regularly performing at Guy and Tina’s Pickin’ Parlor in Bethera, SC. She now performs regularly at venues throughout the Lowcountry.

5:00PM
MUSIC

Gospel Concert – Gospel Music at it’s Best • 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.