April Arts Calendar

Special Events

Through April 12: The Historic Charleston Foundation presents the Festival of Houses and Gardens. Enjoy the interiors and gardens of some of the finest private residences in America during the 61st annual festival. Call 722-3405 or visit www.historiccharleston.org.

April 5: The College of Charleston School of the Arts will present its 2008 gala "An Evening in Andalusia," complete with Flamenco dance, Spanish guitar performances, cocktails and Spanish fare. The event will offer silent and live auctions in which proceeds will support the college's School of the Arts and its educational and cultural programs. Physician's Promenade, College of Charleston. 7 p.m. $100. 953-6527.

April 10: Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents the third annual Silent Film Contest. The winning silent films from this annual competition will be shown on the big screen as the CSO provides live accompaniment. Charleston Music Hall. 9 p.m. $15 or $5 for students with ID. For information about submitting a film, go to www.charlestonfilm.com.

April 25 & 26: Charles Pinckney National Historic Site presents "Colonial Days," a living history two-day exhibit including craftsmen and women in period dress demonstrating rice pounding, indigo dyeing, iron smithing, brick masonry, sweetgrass basket sewing, quilting, Gullah story telling, African drumming, and 18th-century music. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 881-5516 or visit www.nps.gov/chpi.

Music

April 1, 8, 15: St. Luke's Recital Series presents C of C Voice Students Singing Arias (April 1), Wade Davis on the cello (April 8) and Robert Gant on the organ (April 15). St. Luke's Chapel, MUSC, corner of Ashley and Bee Streets. 12:15 p.m. Free. 792-6775.

April 2: The College of Charleston School of the Arts presents "Fitter Happier: Arrangements of Radiohead," the original work of music students Andrew Walker and Lee Marchbanks. Tickets sold at Kudu Coffee, 52.5 Records, Blue Bicycle books and the C of C's Simmons Center for the Performing Arts. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Charleston Breast Center. Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. 8 p.m. $5, plus optional donation. Call 586-709-0495 or 314-606-7686 or visit www.myspace.com/fitterhappiertunes.

April 4: Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents works by Sallinen, Dvorak and Grieg in the Backstage Pass at the Sottile. Sottile Theatre. 7 p.m. $15-$27. 723-7528.

April 5: Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents Kinderkonzert. The centerpiece of the program is "The Jammin' Bremen Town Musicians," composed by Edie Hill and based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Flowertown Theatre, 133 S. Main St., Summerville. 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Free. 723-7528.

April 6: Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry and College of Charleston Wind Ensemble will give a combined concert. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King St. 4 p.m. Free. 953-5927.

April 7, 14, 21: The College of Charleston's Monday Night Concert Series presents Jory Vinikour on the harpsichord (April 7), the College of Charleston Orchestra (April 14) and the College of Charleston Concert Choir (April 21 at Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St.) Recital Hall, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. 8 p.m. $5 at the door, free for C of C students with valid ID. 953-5927.

April 11: Charleston Southern University presents Friday Fanfare-Choral Finale. Great works by American composers will be featured. Lightsey Chapel Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Free. 863-7966 or e-mail vbullock@csuniv.edu

April 12: Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents an ABBA Tribute. Finnish vocal sensation Rajaton crosses the pond to perform favorite ABBA hits such as "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia" and "Waterloo." Gaillard Auditorium. 8 p.m. $15-$40, kids or students with ID $5. 723-7528.

April 13: Chamber Music Charleston presents its Holy City Series featuring two nationalistic composers in works that feature two lesser-known chamber music instruments. St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 67 Anson St. 3 p.m. $25. 763-4941.

April 13: The College of Charleston presents Music Under the Oaks, an outdoor classical and jazz concert. Refreshments for sale, chairs provided or bring a blanket. The Cistern, C of C campus. 2:30 p.m. Free. 953-8228.

April 14: Chamber Music Charleston presents the Kiawah Island House Concert. The Schendel Home, 90 Jackstay Court. 7 p.m. $25. 763-4941.

April 15: The International Piano Series presents Jorge Luis Prats. Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. 8 p.m. $20 at the door, free for C of C students with a valid ID. 953-6575.

April 17: The Charleston Concert Association presents Chanticleer, the only full-time classic vocal ensemble in the United States. Citadel Square Baptist Church, 328 Meeting St. 8 p.m. $15-$55. To purchase tickets, visit the Gaillard Box Office, call Ticketmaster at 554-6060 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

April 18: The College of Charleston presents the C of C Opera in Concert. Recital Hall, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. 8 p.m. $8 adults, $5 for C of C students and those under 18. 953-5927.

April 19: Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents "Candide," a comic operetta based on Voltaire's novella. Gaillard Auditorium. 8 p.m. $15-$55, kids or students with ID $5. 723-7528.

April 20: The College of Charleston presents the University Chorus Concert. Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St. 4 p.m. Free. 953-5927.

April 20: Johns Island Presbyterian Church presents "Songs of Our Past and Present," featuring Amanda Franklin Johnson performing British and American art songs from the 20th and 21st centuries. 2550 Bohicket Rd. 3 p.m. Free. 559-9380 or visit www.jipc.org.

April 25: Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents Aaron Copland's "The Tender Land" in its Backstage Pass at the Sottile series. Sottile Theatre. 7 p.m. $15-$27. 723-7528.

April 25: The College of Charleston presents the Composer's Forum: Music Composed by Students. Recital Hall, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. 8 p.m. Free. 953-5927.

April 26: The College of Charleston Chamber Series and the Charleston Music Fest presents Masterworks featuring Lee Chin Siow, Natalia Khoma, Kathryn Dey and Volodymyr Vynnytsky. Simons Center Recital Hall, 54 St. Philip St. 7:30 p.m. $25. 953-0935.

April 27: The College of Charleston Music Series and the Charleston Music Fest presents a Concert and High Tea at Ashley Hall. 172 Rutledge Ave. 4 p.m. $50. 953-0935.

April 28: Chamber Music Charleston presents a Charleston House Concert in the Drew Home, 18 Broad St., No. 7A. 7:30 p.m. $25. 763-4941.

Theater

Through April 17: Pure Theatre presents "The Tragedian," a one-man portrait of Edwin Booth, one of the most brilliant theatrical artists in history. Circular Congressional Church, 150 Meeting St. $25. 723-4444.

April 3-6: Charleston Southern University presents "The Wizard of Oz." Lightsey Chapel Auditorium. April 3-5, 7:30 p.m. and April 6, 3 p.m. Adults $15, Students and Seniors $10. 863-7966 or visit www.charlestonsouthern.edu.

April 3-5 & 10-12: The Footlight Players present the world premiere play, "This War is Live," following the story of a group of journalists embedded with the troops during the first year of the Iraq War as things go from a quick "mission accomplished" to a brutal insurgent struggle for power. 20 Queen St. 9 p.m. $10 April 3 and 10; all other performances $15. 722-4487 or visit www.footlightplayers.net.

April 10-15: The College of Charleston presents "Arabian Nights" by Mary Zimmerman. Emmett Robinson Theatre, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. 8 p.m., except April 13 at 3 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors. 953-5604.

April 25-27, May 1-3 & 8-11: The Footlight Players present "The Full Monty." Unemployed steelworkers come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process, they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun. Footlight Players Theatre, 20 Queen St. 8 p.m. April 25, 26, May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10; 3 p.m. April 27 and May 11. Adults $30, Seniors (62+) $25, Students $20. 722-4487 or visit www.footlightplayers.net.

April 25-May 17: Pure Theatre presents "Eurydice" by Sarah Ruhl, who reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice through the eyes of its heroine. Noisette, 10 Storehouse Row, North Charleston. 7:30 p.m. April 24-26, May 1-3, 8-10, 14-17; 2 p.m. May 4. $25. 723-4444.

Ongoing Wednesdays: The HaveNots! Laugh for a Lincoln features 2 different sets with different improv groups. 280 Meeting St., above The Bicycle Shoppe. 8 p.m. $5. 853-6687 or visit www.thehavenots.com.

Lectures, Film

April 11: The Halsey Institute Southern Circuit Film Series presents the "Unoccupied Zone: The Impossible Life of Simone Weil" by Cathy Crane. Room 309, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. 8 p.m. Free. 953-5680.

April 12: Poetry Society of South Carolina presents a reading by James Baker Hall, a poet, photographer and former director of creative writing at the University of Kentucky. Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting St. Free. 509-4945, visit www.poetrysocietysc.org or e-mail poetrysocietyofsc@yahoo.com.

April 19: The Jane Austen Society of North America-S.C. region and Indigo Books are sponsoring a tea party. Members in Regency costume will stroll the green sharing information about the society. Jane Austen books, DVDs and other related items will be for sale. The Fountain Courtyards, Freshfields Village (between Kiawah and Seabrook Island). 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free. 884-4398 or e-mail gofigure@gowebway.com.

Ongoing: The Historic Charleston Foundation presents the Eat and Run Luncheon Lecture Series. These entertaining and educational light lunches feature speakers on popular Charleston topics, including history, architecture and floral design tips. Captain James Missroon House, 40 East Bay St. 11:30 a.m. $45. 722-3405 or visit www.historiccharleston.org.

Tours

April 1: The Historic Charleston Foundation presents Charleston by Water Cruise. Join local historian Ian Macdonald aboard the Spirit of Carolina for this panoramic perspective of the South's most historic seaport. Departs from Fountain Walk. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Adult $45, Ages 6-12 $20 and children under 6 are free. 722-3405 or visit www.historiccharleston.org.

April 11: The Kiawah Art and House Tour will feature five homes with views of the salt marsh, ocean, ponds and lagoons that showcase private art collections to benefit the Gibbes Museum of Art. 2-6 p.m. $55 includes admission to the Gibbes. Tickets are available at the museum store or at 243-0423. www.gibbesetc.org.

Ongoing Saturdays: The Complete History of Charleston for Morons Tour/Show. More than 300 years of Lowcountry history in less than 70 minutes. Charleston Legend and Lore Theatre, 161 Church St. 5 p.m. $16. 937-0916 or 866 -0916 or visit www.charlestonlegendsandlore.com.

Ongoing: The Gibbes Museum of Art and The Original Charleston Walks tour company present Gibbes Museum of Art Discovery Walking Tours. View artistic treasures at the Gibbes Museum and then walk in the footsteps of the artists who created them. This 90-minute tour highlights the many historic sites that have inspired artists for centuries. Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (advance reservations and a minimum of 5 people required). Tours begin at 135 Meeting St. $20 includes museum admission and walking tour. 800-729-3420 or visit www.charlestonwalks.com.

Classes, Workshops

April 2-May 7: The Charleston Acting Studio presents music theatre classes for ages 13 and up. This 6-week course for teens of all levels of experience will focus on musical theatre performance. Instructed by Emily Wilhoit with accompanist Justin Wham. 1551 Regimental Ln. 557-1163 or visit www.midtownproductions.org.

April 7-May 30: Cone 10 Studios offers pottery and clay sculpture classes. The studio offers beginning and intermediate classes in wheel-thrown pottery and clay sculpture, featuring high-fire reduction firing. Classes held once a week for 8 weeks, with open studio time for student work. 285 Meeting St. 853-3345, e-mail betseycarter@gmail.com or visit www.cone10studios.com.

April 12: The Gibbes Museum of Art presents Figure Drawing Marathon. Choose your studio and work from the figure, nude and costume, in gradual movement. Features 10-minute, 30-minute, and 1-hour poses in an all-day marathon. For adult artists of all levels, students 16 and older may participate. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $20 museum members and $25 nonmembers, $15 students. 135 Meeting St. 722-2706, ext. 23 or contact artacademy@gibbesmuseum.org

April 12: North Charleston Cultural Arts Department presents introduction to abstract painting. Jeff Poole is offering a free introductory class to his series abstract painting for teens and adults, a 6-week course offered later in April. Rhodes Art Center on the former North Charleston Naval Base. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Registration ends April 11. 745-1087, visit www.northcharleston.org or e-mail culturalarts@northcharleston.org.

April 14-May 19: North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is offering acting for teen and adults. Taught by Nick Smith, this popular class teaches dynamic skills for acting for film, TV, and theatre, building up participants' confidence on stage and in front of the camera. North Charleston Cultural and Civic Center Auditorium. Mondays 6:30-8 p.m. $140/student for six-week session. 745-1087 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Ongoing: The Charleston County Public Libraries offer a variety of classes and workshops. 805-6930 or visit www.ccpl.org.

Ongoing: The McClellanville Arts Council offers classes and workshops in the visual arts. 887-3157 or visit www.mcclellanvilleartscouncil.com.

Ongoing: The Mount Pleasant Recreation Department's Fine Arts Program offers classes throughout the year in art, dance, music and theater. 849-2061 or visit www.townofmountpleasant.com.

Ongoing: The North Charleston Cultural Arts Program offers classes and workshops in visual arts, photography, crafts, music, dance, theater and more for youths and adults at the city's new multidisciplinary Cultural Arts Center adjacent to Sterett Hall on the former Charleston Naval Base. 745-1087 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Ongoing: The Charleston Museum Education Department offers after-school classes, toddler days, kids tours, and second Saturday activities. Registration required. 360 Meeting St. at John St. across from the Visitors Center. 722-2996 or visit www.charlestonmuseum.org.

Calls for Submissions

April 30 & May 1: The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is accepting applications from professional and amateur S.C. photographers over age 18 to compete in the North Charleston Arts Festival Photography Exhibition. All entries must be original analog or digital prints photographed within the last 2 years at a minimum of 8-inch by 10-inch mounted on foam core or gate board. Maximum number of entries is six. Must be delivered to North Charleston Performing Arts and Convention Center Complex during designated time, 1-8 p.m. $5 per entry at time of drop off. 745-1087, e-mail culturalarts@northcharleston.org or visit www.northcharleston.org.

April 30 & May 1: The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is accepting fine artists over age 18 to submit entries for the North Charleston Arts Festival's annual Judged Art Exhibition. All entries must be original works completed within the last 2 years that are either framed or have finished edges, wired and ready for exhibition. Maximum number of submissions is 3. Deliver to North Charleston Performing Arts and Convention Center Complex between 1-8 p.m. April 30 or May 1; 9 a.m.-noon May 3. $10 per entry due at time of drop off. 745-1087 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Visual Arts

Through April 20: The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents works by Gena Grant titled "Translations." Grant's work features sculptures created from reeds, wire, pizza boxes and much more. The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free. 958-6484 or e-mail CityGallery@ci.charleston.sc.us.

Through April 25: The Halsey Institute Exhibition presents Young Contemporaries. Halsey Gallery, College of Charleston 52 St. Philip St. Free. 953-5680.

Through April 30: The North Charleston City Gallery presents original artworks by members of the South Carolina Watermedia Society. This exhibition is part of the South Carolina State Museum's Traveling Exhibitions Program. Charleston Area Convention Center (gallery viewing area) 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Free. E-mail culturalarts@northcharleston.org or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Through April 30: "The Joy of Painting" chronicles the painter's role in the production of a painting. Robert Lange Studios. 151 East Bay St. Opening reception will be 5:30-9 p.m. April 4 and the artist will attend. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday or by appointment. 805-8052 or e-mail info@robertlangestudios.com

April 4-29: The Corrigan Gallery presents the first duo show of works by Charleston's own Manning Williams and John Hull, the new head of the studio art department at the College of Charleston. "Storytellers: John Hull and Manning Williams" opens April 4 with a reception 5-8 p.m. 62 Queen St. 722-9868, e-mail art@lescorrigan.com or visit www.corrigangallery.com.

April 4-30: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery presents "Emotion Through Gesture and Color," an intimate showing of figurative work by guest artist Renee Kahn. A reception will be held 5-8 p.m. April 11 at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery. 1 1/2 Broad St. 722-5353 or e-mail ellisnicholson@bellsouth.net.

April 11: The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art presents "Unoccupied Zone: The Impossible Life of Simone Weil" by Cathy Crane. 8 p.m. Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Room 309 Simons Center for the Arts. 54 St. Philip St. 953-5680 or e-mail sloanm@cofc.edu.

Ongoing: Spring Sidewalk Show hosted by the Charleston Artist Guild. Weekends though June 8. 151 Meeting, St. Set up promptly at 9 a.m. 722-2454.

Gibbes Museum of Art

The Gibbes, 135 Meeting St., features numerous exhibits throughout the year. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. $9 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, military and students and $5 for children ages 6-18. Free for members and children under 6. 722-2706 or visit www.gibbesmuseum.org.

Through April 27: The Gibbes Museum of Art presents "Pleasant Journeys and Good Eats Along the Way: A Retrospective Exhibition of Painting by John Baeder," the first major traveling exhibition devoted to the work of this important contemporary realist.

April 10: The Gibbes Museum of Art presents "The Charleston Story: A Visual History of the Lowcountry." Join Associate Curator of Exhibits and Interpretation Pam Wall as she discusses the Gibbes Contemporary Art Collection. Enjoy an in-depth discussion, media presentation and opportunity to view rarely seen works of art. 6 p.m. Free for members, $5 for students and seniors, $10 for nonmembers.

Ongoing: "The Charleston Story" features paintings, sculpture and miniature portraits that highlight significant people, places and periods from Charleston's birth as a British colony, through the American Revolution, the Civil War and culminating today as a culturally diverse and dynamic community.

Arts in Charleston is a monthly calendar of cultural events in the Charleston area compiled by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and published as a public service by The Post and Courier. Deadline for submissions is noon the 15th of each month. For more information about the calendar and including upcoming events in future issues, please call the Office of Cultural Affairs at 720-3819, e-mail event listing to ocaintern@ci.charleston.sc.us , fax the event listing to 720-3967 or write:

Arts in Charleston Calendar

City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs

180 Meeting St., Suite 200

Charleston, SC 29401