Photo exhibit a tribute to Big John's

Some people might not think of the rough-hewn, graffiti-spotted Big John's Tavern at 252 East Bay St. as an appropriate space for a photography exhibit.

But Robert Epps, an architect and photographer, sees an aesthetic in Big John's that he believes should be preserved. As a tribute to this landmark, he has created "Inscriptions, Big John's Tavern," an exhibit of eight large photographs depicting the tavern. With an opening reception to be held 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, the exhibit continues through June 8, with all photographs for sale.

"I first entered Big John's Tavern at the age of 16," says Epps, owner of Epps Architecture, next door to Big John's. "For me, the place was a refuge from my other destination, which was home. On any Friday in the mid-'60s, virtually every high school in Charleston County was represented there, along with many Citadel cadets, who once considered it their very own social gathering place."

Epps also notes that regulars from the nearby docks would arrive about 4:30 p.m. and be gone by 9 p.m., leaving the place to the more youthful crowd.

John (Big John) Cannady, a Charleston native who played football at Indiana University and with the New York Giants, opened the tavern in 1954.

As Epps points out, in 1944, Cannady was playing in his junior year when Indiana won the Big Ten conference title. In 1947, Big John was drafted by the New York Giants, where he was a linebacker 1947-53. Named All-Pro in 1950 and 1952, he later retired because of knee injuries.

Of course, in those days, before the 1970s when the minibottle came into law, lots of places just went ahead and served alcoholic beverages, risking getting raided and fined; but then opened again the next week.

"Every night, Big John held court from the bar stool closest to the door and witnessed everyone coming in," says Epps. "Once you had been given the visual once-over by Big John, you were allowed to enter, with seldom a driver's license check, even though at that time the legal age for consuming beer was 18."

Epps remembers during one particular raid that a police cruiser was stationed out by the side door on Pinckney Street. One of the younger customers was picked up and put inside the back seat of the cruiser. But the car doors were not locked and the young boy jumped out the other side. After losing a shoe, he vanished down Pinckney Street. The pursuing policeman was no match for the young sprinter, Epps recalls, and so the chase was off.

"In fairness to Big John, I want to say that troublemakers were never welcome," recalls Epps. "The tavern's interior has changed little today, except that in 1968 a plate of boiled shrimp was $1, as was a ham sandwich served by longtime bartender known only as Montague."

Big John's is now owned by Chris Condon, who, as Epps says, is very careful not to allow underage customers and is also very strict in enforcing the no-smoking laws.

Born in Charleston and educated at Clemson University, where he received a master's degree in architecture in 1977, Epps, says, "I do about half architecture and half photography, in which I focus on Southern culture, particularly with the belief that beauty can be most complex when it inhabits and resonates from that element of culture that we call common place."

The architect says that 40 years later, Big John's is still a meeting place, a kind of social hall.

One of the photos shows a wall covered with the name tags from the uniforms of dozens of Citadel cadets.

But today, Epps says, most of the Citadel cadet clientele has been replaced with workers from nearby carriage companies.

Epps adds, "These (photographic) images show, as they recall the wisp of a specific time or event, that graffiti is the structure that holds Big John's history intact."

'Dance Out Hunger!'

This is the call and quest of Audrey C. Mattingly, leader of Come Dance With Me, a line dance team based in Summerville that has coordinated a dance-filled fundraiser featuring nine dance teams.

With proceeds to be divided equally among Crisis Ministries of Charleston, the Tri-County Family Ministries and Help of Summerville, "Dance Out Hunger" will be held 3-6 p.m. today at the Hanahan Senior Center Gymnasium.

Tickets are $5, with additional donations appreciated.

"The amount distributed will consist of the total monies received, as we have the use of the gymnasium, the sound system, the refreshments and the printing of the programs, all donated," says Mattingly, who entertains with 14 other women in Come Dance With Me two or three times a week at nursing homes and churches.

"We decided we could do more for people and with the way things are today, we just want to help feed more people," she says.

The problem is very real and very urgent, as Mattingly points out.

In fact, several months ago, this newspaper reported that the number of people visiting Crisis Ministries was up nearly 40 percent over recent years.

Performing this afternoon, dance teams include: Southern Grooveline Soul Line Dancers of Columbia; the Boot Stompers and The Harmony Squares, both of North Charleston; The Carolina Dancers of Dorchester County; The Lowcountry Scootin' Boots of Walterboro; The Wranglers of the tri-county area; and Come Dance With Me.

Children's teams are the Children's Dance Theater and the KES Connection of Knightsville Elementary School in Dorchester County.

Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postandcourier.com.