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Love and hate: Profiling seven of Charleston's most debated restaurants

Ken Hawkins — Sun, 27 May 2012 10:13:21 -0400

When talking about the food scene in Charleston you'll generally get approving remarks (if not better) — but start talking about specific spots and the opinions will become more polarized.

In an apparent attempt to draw yet more attention to some of these controversial spots, the Charleston City Paper has penned the piece, "Charleston's seven most controversial restaurants".

Featured on there? A mix of old Charleston classics and newcomers: The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene, Husk, Halls Chophouse, Triangle Char and Bar, Hyman's, Butchet & Bee, and Jestine's Kitchen.

Take a read of the rundown over here.

Love them or hate them, they're all worth going to at least once.

Keep up with Charleston area food news on our topic page.

Blackbeard’s Cove to celebrate 6 years with a big 'ol party

Amanda Click — Sun, 27 May 2012 09:00:31 -0400

On Sunday, June 3rd, Blackbeard’s Cove is turning 6.

For their 6th Anniversary celebration they're having a party at the park starting at 11 a.m. The anniversary will include free mini golf all day, games, face painting, live entertainment, a dunking booth and tons of prizes. Plus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can enjoy free hamburgers and hotdogs!

Bobby Riggs, owner of Blackbeard’s Cove says “The community has been supporting us for six years and we wanted to give something back to the community to say thank you!”

Photo of the Day: Kiawah Island PGA course in a spherical panorama

Ken Hawkins — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:58:12 -0400

Beryl update: Time to get ready for tropical storm winds

Ken Hawkins — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:20:36 -0400

Subtropical Storm Beryl continues to drift southwest towards making landfall near Jacksonville, Florida, however Lowcountry residents should get ready for rain and high winds, particularly if the storm drifts more westward.

Beryl is expected to make landfall in the early morning hours on Monday, and the Lowcountry currently is being given a 40% chance of bringing tropical storm-force winds throughout the Charleston area.

The storm also presents a double chance for rainfall as it is expected for it to turn north:

Beryl is moving southwestward as a strong ridge develops to its northwest over the Eastern United States. The models forecast this ridge to move eastward during the next 36 hours and then weaken it as a large deep-layer trough moves eastward from the central United States. This evolution should cause Beryl to turn westward and make landfall in the southeastern United States between 24-36 hours. After that time the track guidance agrees that the cyclone will stall and then turn northeastward.

With a good chance of high winds and this being the second storm to approach the Carolina coast even before the start of the hurricane season, residents are well advised to begin prepping their homes, hurricane supplies, and evacuation plans. — You can check out our guide here.

Stay current on our weather topic page.

Charleston Battery top LA Blues

Staff reports — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:00:58 -0400

The Charleston Battery defeated the Los Angeles Blues 1-0 on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,344 fans.

Captain Colin Falvey scored early in the match to lift the Battery to a victory.

With the win the Charleston Battery (5-2-0) stay in the number three spot in USL PRO standings with 15 points.

"Our defense did well, you can see the guys weren't as sharp as we have been because of that nine day lay off," said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser "but we will take the three points."

The deciding goal came in the 14th minute when the Charleston Battery was awarded a free kick 40 yards out. Jose Cuevas bent the ball onto the top of the box to find captain defender, Colin Falvey who fired a header in the upper right corner of the net past Blues goalkeeper, Amir Abedzadeh.

As the game wore on each team had some chances but Falvey's lone goal and strong Battery defense proved to be the difference.

Battery goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was credited with three saves en route to his shut-out.

The Charleston Battery's next game is on Tuesday evening when they host Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Blackbaud Stadium; gates open at 6:00 PM with kick off set for 7:30 PM ($10 - $18, www.charlestonbattery.com / (843) 971-4625).

The Battery returns to USL PRO action with a three game road swing starting Thursday, May 31, at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

College of Charleston strikes back against move-out trash piles with a thrift sale

Ken Hawkins — Sat, 26 May 2012 09:33:51 -0400

It used to be that at the end of every semester, area residents were up in arms over the unsightly and wasteful roadside trash piles left of cloths, furniture, and many still usable items by the mass of evacuating College of Charleston students.

While those piles still persist, the problem has been becoming lighter as the college has worked to salvage items that were still in good condition at a public "Lighten Your Load" sale.

The Charleston City Paper offers up a profile; read it over here.

The sale this time around passed earlier this month, but we'll watch for the next one.

The college also holds regular bike sales of abandoned (and seized) bikes from campus.

Stay tuned to all things College of Charleston on our topic page.

A look at the 2012 Spoleto season (Update: Opening ceremony photos)

Amanda Click — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:01:43 -0400

Update May 26: The Charleston City Paper also has coverage, most notable for the inclusion of a video that also features Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Kanji Segawa's dance to "Takademe" by Robert Battle; take a gander over here and scroll down for our coverage and photos.

Keep up with the festival on our Spoleto topic page.

Update May 25, 1:40 p.m.: There was a strong showing for the opening ceremony this afternoon which featured speeches from Carlos E. Evans (Chairman of the Spoleto Festival Board), Daniele Benedetti (Mayor, Spoleto, Italy), Rocco Landesman (Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts) and Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

The crowd was also treated to "Fanfare for the Common Man" courtesy of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra's Brass Ensemble, the national anthem by Spoleto performer Gregory Schmidt and a performance by dancer Kanji Segawa to Robert Battle's "Takademe."

Below are some photos from the ceremony:

General Director of Spoleto Festival USA, Nigel Redden, giving interviews.

From left to right: Dr. Theodore S. Stern, Spoleto Chairman Emeritus; Dr. Sarah Lynn Hayes, Chairman of the South Carolina Arts Commission; Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts; Carlos E. Evans, Spoleto Festival Chairman of the Board; Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr; Daniele Benedetti, Mayor of Spoleto, Italy; Homer C. Burros, Spoleto Festival Chairman Emeritus.

Mayor of Spoleto, Italy, Daniele Benedetti.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman, Rocco Landesman, confessing his love for the Holy City.

Mayor Riley and Mayor Benedetti share an embrace at the end of the ceremony.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Kanji Segawa closes the festival with a dance to "Takademe" by Robert Battle.

Update May 25: Spoleto Festival 2012 officially kicks off today with the grand opening ceremony at noon.

Per usual, the opening ceremonies, which take place at 80 Broad Street in downtown Charleston, will include speeches, ringing church bells, brass fanfare and confetti.

Spoleto Festival USA, which showcases nationally and internationally acclaimed artists in a distinctive program of opera, theater, dance, physical theater, music, and visual arts.

The 36th annual Festival, held in historic Charleston, South Carolina, from May 25 through June 10, focuses its attention this season on the work of contemporary artists and crosses conventional genre boundaries with a schedule of innovative performances by trail-blazing artists.

A sense of physicality permeates the 2012 Festival program, from energetic, body-centric dance in Cedar Lake's Violet Kid, to intense, high-risk acrobatics in Traces. Through the creative use of technology, the human body undergoes strange and wondrous transformations in Zoe | Juniper's A Crack in Everything, moves effortlessly through an animated dystopia in The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, and even defies gravity in Leo. Movement becomes a storytelling medium in Kyle Abraham's The Radio Show, while other more traditional narratives prevail in humorous but thought-provoking monologues by Jack Hitt and Mike Daisey.

On the music front, the offerings include notable performances by musicians whose work resists categorization, such as iconic vocalist k.d lang, modern American string band Joy Kills Sorrow, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, and New Orleans' Rebirth Brass Band. Contemporary composers also take the spotlight with premieres of major works by Philip Glass, Guo Wenjing, and John Cage, and concerts featuring new pieces by Japanese composers Somei Satoh, Toshio Hosokawa, and Toshi Ichiyanagi; British composer Tansy Davies; and Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood.

Tickets to these and a wide variety of other Festival performances are available Monday, January 2, at spoletousa.org and (843) 579-3100.

2012 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

OPERA:

The 2012 opera program offers two significant American premieres. To date, Kepler, the newest opera by minimalist pioneer Philip Glass, has only been presented in concert form. To commemorate the composer's 75th birthday and acknowledge his long-standing collaborative relationship with Spoleto, the 2012 Festival will feature the first fully-staged production of Kepler in the U.S. Directed by Sam Helfrich, who directed Glass' Orphee at Glimmerglass Opera in 2007 to critical acclaim, and with John Kennedy conducting the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, this celestial-themed opera explores the mind and soul of visionary astronomer Johannes Kepler.

Written by Guo Wenjing, one of China's most important contemporary composers, Feng Yi Teng depicts a fateful meeting destined to change the course of Chinese history. Beijing opera tenor Qian Qihu and Sichuan opera soprano Shen Tienmei-both prominent voices in Chinese opera-lead a star-studded artistic team that includes Tony Award-winning set designer Derek McLane (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, 33 Variations), costume designer Han Feng (Madama Butterfly for Metropolitan Opera, The Bonesetter's Daughter for San Francisco Opera), and internationally acclaimed film director Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter, Chloe). Ken Lam conducts an orchestra of eleven Western and four traditional Chinese instruments. Feng Yi Teng is a co-production between Spoleto Festival USA, Currents-Art & Music, and Lincoln Center Festival.

THEATER:

The 2012 theater lineup features the return of two popular international theater companies. Dublin's Gate Theatre is an undisputed Spoleto favorite making their eighth Festival appearance with a production of Noël Coward's urbane comedy of manners Hay Fever directed by Patrick Mason. Britain's innovative theater collaborative 1927, whose Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea played to sold-out crowds at the 2008 Festival, returns in 2012 with The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, a dark comic fairytale told through the seamless blend of live performance, music, and stylized animation.

The theater offerings are rounded out with shows by two very different but equally compelling monologists. Peabody Award-winning journalist Jack Hitt, heard on public radio's This American Life, combines an affable anecdotal style with an interest in contemporary brain science in Making Up the Truth; and Mike Daisey, deemed "a master storyteller" by The New York Times, turns his razor sharp wit on the timely topics of technology and multinational business with The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs and Teching in India.

PHYSICAL THEATER:

Innovative circus-based performance is fast becoming a Spoleto tradition; in 2012 physical theater presentations range from the sublime to the spectacular. Leo, performed with flawless precision by Circle of Eleven's Tobias Wegner, features one man's touching and funny exploration of a world suddenly turned sideways where the laws of gravity refuse to be obeyed. In sharp contrast, Traces is 90 minutes of heart-pounding, nonstop acrobatics, urban dance, and effortless athleticism performed by Montreal-based new circus troupe 7 Doigts (7 Fingers).

DANCE:

The focus of the 2012 dance series is squarely on the contemporary dance scene. Under the leadership of new artistic director Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater enlivens their rich repertoire of Ailey classics (Revelations) with fresh new works. Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, always a showcase for the world's most sought-after choreographers, returns to the Festival with pieces from celebrated French dance maker Angelin Preljocaj and Hofesh Schechter, one of the UK's most exciting young choreographers. These two powerhouse presentations are complemented by the provocative work of two innovative young companies: Seattle-based Zoe | Juniper, with their haunting multi-media piece A Crack in Everything; and the Abraham.In.Motion performance of company founder Kyle Abraham's reflection on community and memory, The Radio Show.

MUSIC:

Led by Director for Chamber Music Geoff Nuttall, the ever-popular Bank of America Chamber Music Series features thirty-three concerts of 11 programs performed twice daily in the historic Dock Street Theatre. Accomplished violinist and series newcomer Jennifer Frautschi joins a stellar roster of esteemed musicians returning to the Festival in 2012, including the St. Lawrence String Quartet, pianist Pedja Muzijevic, violist Hsin-Yun Huang, pianist Inon Barnatan, clarinetist Todd Palmer, and recent MacArthur Foundation prize winner, cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Specific repertoire and artists will be announced in late spring.

Anne Manson, one of America's foremost female conductors, makes her Spoleto debut guest conducting the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in a concert of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Stravinsky's Petrushka featuring longtime Festival chamber musician Stephen Prutsman on the piano. This concert marks the last public performance in the Gaillard before the auditorium closes for a major three-year renovation. The Festival's young orchestra will also perform a second concert under the direction of Resident Conductor John Kennedy in a program that celebrates contemporary musical achievement with the American premiere of John Cage's orchestral trilogy Twenty-Six, Twenty-Eight, and Twenty-Nine. Also on the program is Doghouse, by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood.

Under the baton of Joseph Flummerfelt, Spoleto Festival USA Artistic Director for Choral Activities, the Westminster Choir joins forces with the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus for a program featuring Maurice Duruflé's exquisite Requiem and Verdi's emotional Stabat mater. Conducted by Joe Miller, Director of Choral Activities at Westminster Choir College, the choir will also offer their two traditional a capella concerts in the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul, featuring repertoire ranging from Rachmaninoff to contemporary compositions, as well as a special concert of Herbert Howells' profoundly moving Requiem performed in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Emphasizing the Festival's multi-disciplinary approach to artistic programming, musical offerings at the 2012 Festival feature established artists performing alongside emerging talents, all of whom push genre boundaries and embrace myriad styles. Four-time Grammy Award winner k.d. lang, who makes her Festival debut with the Siss Boom Bang band, is recognized for a sophisticated style forged from elements of country rock, punk, torch song, and jazz, with a touch of bossa nova. Boston-based string band Joy Kills Sorrow "merges bluegrass with jazz like it is the most natural combination in the world" says the Los Angeles Daily News. And one of the brightest young talents to emerge on the Creole music scene, four-time Grammy nominee Cedric Watson, brings his band Bijou Creole to the Festival Finale for an all-ages concert that combines old-school zydeco with strong blues-inflected vocals. A new highlight of the Festival Finale will be a Beer Garden featuring artisan beer and musical entertainment throughout the afternoon by local and regional bands.

Resident Conductor John Kennedy's thought-provoking Music in Time series includes the always amazing Bowed Piano Ensemble in a program featuring composer Stephen Scott's classic for the instrument, Rainbows; a performance of Feng Yi Ting composer Guo Wenjing's percussion piece Dramas; and an intimate, piano-side conversation with contemporary music icon Philip Glass that celebrates his 75th birthday year and long history with Spoleto Festival USA. The Festival's late-afternoon Intermezzi concerts feature artists from the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra and the season's operas in varied programs, including a performance of Arnold Schoenberg's groundbreaking and influential Pierrot Lunaire.

WELLS FARGO JAZZ:

The Wells Fargo Jazz Series has become a showcase for a range of diverse musical styles loosely gathered under the broadly inclusive jazz umbrella; the 2012 installment is no exception, featuring popular returning artists and exciting Festival newcomers. After her acclaimed Spoleto debut in 2001, Virgínia Rodrigues returns to the Gaillard stage lending her spellbinding contralto voice to songs steeped in African and Portuguese traditions; double-bass virtuoso Renaud Garcia-Fons' unconventional style virtually reinvented the way the instrument could be played, resulting in an altogether new sound that enchanted Festival audiences in 2005; and Jake Shimabukuro, whose one-night-only appearance drew a record crowd to the College of Charleston's Cistern Yard in 2009, brings his versatile ukulele and lightning-fast fingers back to Spoleto for two concerts at the Cistern Yard.

Twenty-two-year-old Cécile McLorin Salvant, described as "a young jazz prodigy" by Paris Hot Club magazine, recently took home first prize in the Thelonious Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition. This talented French-American vocalist makes her Spoleto debut at the 2012 Festival, as does gospel legend Mavis Staples, a ground-breaking artist whose history-spanning career broke the barriers of gender and race, paving the way for future generations of musicians, like Ms. Salvant, to rise to prominence.

At opposite ends of the Festival schedule-and of the musical spectrum-internationally acclaimed flamenco pianist David Peña Dorantes gracefully integrates classical, jazz, Celtic, and Brazilian themes in a concert during Spoleto's opening weekend; while Rebirth Brass Band evoke the streets of their native New Orleans with a signature jazz/funk/hip-hop sound that brings an upbeat party atmosphere to the final days of the 2012 Festival.

VISUAL ARTS:

Return to the Sea: Saltworks centers on a site-specific installation created solely from salt-a symbol of purity in Japanese culture-during Motoi Yamamoto's three-week residency at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Radiating an intense tranquility, the work is the artist's attempt to preserve the memories of his sister who died of brain cancer at 24. In partnership with the Festival, the installation will be exhibited at the Halsey, along with a series of Motoi's recent drawings, paintings, and sketchbooks.

Storm Beryl forms east of Charleston, looks to bring much moisture to Lowcountry

Ken Hawkins — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:23:19 -0400

Update: Get the updated forecast here.

With sustained winds of 45 mph, a weather system centered due east of Charleston has become Subtropical Storm Beryl — and current models suggest that Beryl will bring much moisture to the Lowcountry late this Memorial Day weekend.

(Why is it being called a "subtropical storm"? Generally that's when the formation of the storm isn't typical, likely with strong winds and storms further from the storm's center.)

The storm's expected pattern is rather erratic at the moment and watchers should expect the anticipated bath to change much — but current suggestions suggest the storm could hit with tropical storm force winds near Jacksonville on late Sunday before hooking back across Savannah on Tuesday with a tropical-depression like conditions.

However, despite the poor timing of the storm with holiday plans, the storm could bring much rain to drought-ridden Georgia and South Carolina without too-devastating winds.

Beryl is clearly one to watch, and we'll keep you updated.

Stay current on our weather topic page.

Skip parking pressure and enjoy 'Spoleto Sans Auto'

Amanda Click — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:59:33 -0400

The Spoleto Season is a great opportunity to enjoy the massive art festivals downtown, but a bad time to find a parking space.

Fortunately, CARTA public transit makes “Spoleto Sans Auto” possible, allowing you to park easily and in Mount Pleasant and ride downtown on two CARTA bus lines. This year, for the first time, you can plan your entire trip, automatically, online using Google transit.

Save money, avoid road rage, skip congestion and never see the inside of a dank parking garage while enjoying art, opera, music, theater, dance and creativity of all kinds.

Once downtown, jump on the Free DASH buses. DASH busses make stops at the Visitor’s Center, run within a block or so of the Dock Street Theater, Gailard Auditorium, Sottile Theater and Meminger Auditorium. Just step off the air conditioned DASH and make a short walk to your destination.

For more information on Spoleto Sans Auto and bus route information, click here.

Where to find the best barbecue sandwiches in the South

Amanda Click — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:37:08 -0400

People in the South will tell you that there are few things more magical than a pulled pork sandwich.

To help point you in the direction of the very finest, Southern Living Magazine has compiled a list of their top picks for the best places to get some pig from the Carolinas to Texas.

The Reader's Pick section on the left side of the screen highlights the top 10 restaurants voted on via Facebook. Charleston's Home Team BBQ happened to take the No. 8 spot!

Hop over to Southern Living for a look at the complete list.

Outta My Huevos food truck takes breakfast to the street

Amanda Click — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:55:09 -0400

Charleston fleet of food trucks will soon be joined by Outta My Huevos, a breakfast food truck dreamt up by McCrady’s alumni Tim Logan and Claire Masingill.

Due to start rolling in June, the pair will be serving up a locally sourced menu of breakfast sandwiches, burritos and the like.

Keep up with the truck's progress on Facebook and Twitter.

Local mix masters to battle it out at the Bacardi Cocktail Classic

Amanda Click — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:21:31 -0400

On Tuesday, June 5th from 8 to 11 p.m., 18 of Charleston’s best bartenders will gather at the SC Aquarium celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary and to compete in the Bacardi Cocktail Classic (formerly The Bacardi Mojito Challenge) which will benefit The South Carolina Special Olympics.

For the celebration the SC Aquarium will be transformed into a steamy Caribbean paradise where a panel of judges and the public will decide the winning Bacardi cocktail while enjoying the sultry Cuban Jazz and Salsa of Gino Castillo and his Sextet.

Previous winners of the competition include John Acquino from Coast, and the 2011 winner, Lindsay Ranes from O-Ku.

Leading up to the event, Bacardi Cocktail Classic is hosting weekly Facebook and Twitter ticket giveaway contests for fans of their pages.

Tickets are available for $35 online and advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended

Participating restaurants include:

Tristan
Wild Wings Cafe
NV/ Suede/ Henry’s
The Tin Roof
Upstairs at the Ice House
Coast
Marriott Lockwood’s Saffire, Blu
Fish
High Cotton
Muse
Indigo Road Restaurants
Republic
Red Drum/ Next Door
Hall’s Chophouse
Magnolia’s Group
Graze
Mellow Mushroom Charleston

Return to the Sea: Saltworks by Motoi Yamamoto [Spoleto]

Pearlstine Distributors — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:50:51 -0400

Pearlstine Distributors and Sapporo USA proudly support Motoi Yamamoto’s “Return to the Sea: Saltworks” art exhibition, an exquisite labyrinth made entirely out of salt. The exhibit is part of the 2012 Spoleto Festival USA.

You can find Sapporo beer specials at many restaurants throughout the duration of the festival.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS (Both of these events are at the Halsey Institute downtown and open to the public):

Thursday, May 24 from 5-7 p.m.: The opening reception will be Japanese themed- complete with sake, Sapporo, and sushi!
Saturday, July 7 at 4 p.m.: The exhibit will be dismantled, and we will walk from the Halsey Institute down Calhoun Street & return all of the salt to the sea

We hope to see you at these events, and remember to enjoy a Sapporo during Spoleto!

The 5th Annual JAC Jazz Series in underway (Update: Venue change, video)

jazzartistschs — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:33:09 -0400

Update May 24: The 5th Annual JAC Jazz Series is underway!

The JAC has produced some fun teaser videos of a few upcoming shows which you can watch here.

Update May 19: Due to unforeseen construction delays, The Mezz will unfortunately not be available for the 5th Annual JAC Jazz Series.

The new venue is upstairs at 493 King Street - Father Figaro Hall.

Update May 8: This just in from the Jazz House:

This year’s JAC Jazz Series commemorative poster is a tribute to our dear friend and colleague Jack Arthur McCray. The hat image is from a photograph of one of Jack’s many signature hats, taken by Alice Keeney, with permission and assistance from Jack’s son Terry and daughter Krystel.

The layout and design is by Evan Bivins of Bivins Brothers with collaborative production from Jazz Artists of Charleston. The official commemorative poster is a limited edition 18×24 screen print and is currently available for pre-sale. Posters will be available for sale starting May 21 at the Charleston Jazz House, 185 St. Philip Street.

For all inquires, please contact jac@jazzartistsofcharleston.org or call (843) 641-0011.

First reporting: The Jazz Artists of Charleston have announced the exciting lineup for the 2012 JAC Jazz Series which run from May 20th – June 8th and be held at The Mezz, a new jazz bar located 276 King Street right above Sermet's Corner.

Each set is approximately 75 minutes long and doors open 30 minutes prior to each set. Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the show. Heads up - seating for all shows is first come, first serve, and there is no elevator to get you up to the second floor.

For a peek at the schedule of performances which includes everything from "Pop Song Provocations" to a show dedicated to timeless classics by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, visit the official Jazz Artists of Charleston website.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day-of, except for special events, and can be purchased online, by phone or at the Charleston Jazz House, located at 185 St. Philip Street.

Tonight's the night for 'Burlesque in the Boroughs'

Pelham Spong — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:21:08 -0400

A fundraiser for the Ménage à Trois Burlesque, sponsored by Jericho Advisors and Badd Kitty is taking place today, May 24th, from 6-9 p.m. at Jericho Advisors.

We have been invited to perform in the Asheville Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival taking place Memorial Day weekend. However--we can't do it without our third! Miss Pria Puss is flying her little behind down from the Big Apple, and we want to help her out!

Come enjoy a burlesque cocktail hour in a beautiful space. We will be offering drinks and a show, and a raffle to win prizes from Badd Kitty! Kick off your holiday weekend with a bit of sparkle and champagne, and send us off to Asheville with a blast!

There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. For more info, check out the Facebook event page.

City Council discusses designated bike lane around Hampton Park (Updated: Tabled, for now)

Amanda Click — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:14:06 -0400

Updates are at the bottom:

First reporting: City officials are flirting with the idea of converting the inner lane of the loop around Hampton Park into a designated biking and walking lane.

According to the article in The Post and Courier, the plan would be to create a bike lane about 5 feet wide with a 4-foot shoulder for pedestrians. City Council members held off from casting votes on the proposal, citing that more time, studies and input from residents would be required.

What are your thoughts on the proposed conversion? Yay or nay?

Update May 22:This just in from Charleston Moves:

Charleston Movers:

As you may know, the City of Charleston has advanced a plan to dedicate one of the two lanes on the road through Hampton Park to cyclists and pedestrians. Charleston Moves has endorsed the plan.

Our position is simple: Hampton Park is a park!

But if one wishes to pursue the logic a little further, consider the argument that the City's plan really only memorializes a traffic pattern that exists in the park a majority of the time anyway. Cyclists, walkers and runners are often found in the inside lane, while vehicles easily negotiate the park via the outside lane.

The City's plan comes up for a hearing and a council vote at 5 p.m. TODAY and strong community support may stave off opposition. Having PEOPLE PRESENT (that's YOU) to support the plan is IMPERATIVE. If you can get away from work early, or have someone else watch your children for a short while, please do so! Your support this evening is what will help bring about this needed change.

Thank you for continued support of our efforts to keep our community safe and pedestrian-friendly.

Tom Bradford

Update May 24: Despite the presence of an overwhelming tide of public support, the Charleston City Council decided, at least for now, not to re-dedicate one of two lanes in Hampton Park for use by bicyclists and pedestrians.

Resistance seemed to center on provisions for pedestrians in the plans (or on the absence of adequate plans for pedestrians).

Again, I'll point you to the the Charleston Moves website for more on the City Council's decision.

RiverDogs fall into first place tie; return home on Thirsty Thursday

Amanda Click — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:06:26 -0400

A two-run double by Aderlin Rodriguez in the first inning got the Savannah Sand Gnats started on their way to a 6-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action on Wednesday night at Historic Grayson Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,083.

With the loss and a win by the Asheville Tourists, the 30-15 RiverDogs dropped into a tie for first place atop the Southern Division. Savannah is now 28-17 on the season.

The scoring in this one started right away, as Charleston dented home plate twice in the top of the first. Mason Williams walked and Cito Culver singled to start the inning and, after Gary Sanchez was plunked to load the bases, Ben Gamel (1-4, 2 RBI) lined a 2-out single into right to score two runs. The lead was short-lived however, as Savannah did the RiverDogs one better in their half of the inning. They loaded the bases with nobody out and Rodriguez’s (2-4, 2 RBI) double tied the game off starter Scottie Allen (1-3). Dustin Lawley scored the go-ahead run one batter later on a groundout.

The Sand Gnats got an unearned run in the second when Luis Nieves reached on an error, stole second and scored on a Gilbert Gomez (3-4, 2 RBI) single. In the fourth, they added two more when three consecutive singles to start the inning loaded the bases again with nobody out. One run scored on a double play and Gomez then singled to pick up his second RBI of the game.

The RiverDogs got their final run in the fifth when a Tyler Austin single scored Francisco Arcia but Savannah starter Domingo Tapia (4-2) held them right there. Tapia threw six solid innings and struck out six on the way his fourth win of the year. He was also aided by some clutch defense, as his fielders turned three double plays behind him.

Savannah’s bullpen took over in the seventh and got the last nine outs. Carlos Vazquez pitched a scoreless seventh and Jared West got his first save of the year by pitching a perfect eighth and ninth.

The RiverDogs are back in action on a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park with a game against the Greenville Drive. The first game of four against Greenville will feature RHP Will Oliver (1-2, 3.63 ERA) pitching for Charleston and RHP Madison Younginer (1-4, 5.06 ERA) pitching for Savannah. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Extremely rare Freedman's badge unearthed at Lowcountry plantation

Amanda Click — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:53:26 -0400

A City of Charleston Free Badge once worn by a free person of color was recently unearthed on the grounds of a Lowcountry Plantation

Found by a Columbia man with a passion for metal detecting at historic South Carolina Lowcountry plantations, the relic is worth between $20,000 to $30,000. Only 500 to 600 of the badges, issued by the government in the early 1800s, were ever made.

Live 5 News reports that the Freedman's badge bears the number 320, but city records cannot be found which would link the badge to a name.

Still no answers in fatal shooting of 5-year-old

Ken Hawkins — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:27:19 -0400

Update May 24: Two months later and the most notable development is the apparent lack of any public developments in the case of a home invassion that left 5-year-old Allison Griffor with a fatal wound.

However, police have issued a statement to say that they believe what the public suspicion has long been: that the targeting of the Griffor home was a case of a mistaken identity by the perpitrators.

First reporting, March 30: It's been months since the tragic shooting of 5-year-old Allison Griffor who was fatally wounded during a West Ashley home invasion in late 2011 — and the family is still reeling, and has no answers.

NBC News 2 received a statement from the family, in part:

"In the last few months following the murder of our precious Allison, we have tried our best to follow GODS path in hopes of finding some middle ground. In our walk allowing us to somehow move forward, secure in our positions, It’s been a daily challenge. I have not even been able to secure a job to support my family in this economy. We went from a secure stable environment where we were very happy in both, our financial and family living positions, to that short second in the night that not only took our only daughter from our lives. It ripped our entire lives, shaking us to the ground, taking our daughter,our job,our home,our future."

Read it all here.

Keep up with the case on our topic page.

First North Charleston 787 Dreamliner takes flight

Ken Hawkins — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:28:16 -0400

Update May 24: Flight!

The first North Charleston-assembled 787 took off on Wednesday at 12:01 p.m. for a brief trek up the South Carolina coast, passing Myrtle Beach, and a few trips up and down the atlantic for testing — you can see the flight path here — before landing back at Charleston at 3:45 p.m.

Scroll down to the bottom for a shot of the plane up in the air.

Update May 23: In a tweet, Boeing has announced that the 787 Dreamliner is expected to fly today.

The company wrote on their @BoeingAirplanes account on Tuesday that, "1st flight of 1st South Carolina-built 787 set for tomorrow (5/23) pending pre-flight checks, taxi test & weather."

We'll be sure to keep you posted.

First reporting: The first North Charleston 787 Dreamliner has been completed since April, but it's expected to take to the skies on Friday, May 18.

Web site "All Things 787" writes that:

Boeing is setting to fly the first Charleston built 787 this Friday. Randy Neville, a Boeing 787 test pilot fresh from the 787 World Tour flew ZA003 from St. Louis today then left for Charleston in order to take ZA237 (LN46) on its first flight scheduled for May 18th. Randy was on ZA001 when it went up on its first flight on Dec. 15, 2009.

We'll be sure to keep you posted.

The plane is expected to be delivered to Air India in June.

[Photo by City of North Charleston]

Keep up with Charleston Boeing news on our topic page.

House Industries founder Rich Roat to speak in Charleston

blueion — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:57:40 -0400

Join the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) this Thursday night, May 24, for a presentation and party with Rich Roat, founder of House Industries.

Founded in 1993 by Andy Cruz and Rich Roat, House Industries is known for its eclectic typeface collections and exploits into product design. House attributes its body of work to passion, fundamental skills, and a genuine love for their subject matter.

This special event will be held downtown at the offices of Blue Ion at 301-B King Street, above the Apple Store; enter from Liberty Alley.

Doors open at 6 p.m., the talk starts at 7 p.m., and drinks and snacks will be served. The event is free for all AIGA members, and just $5 for non-members.

Pre-register at the AIGA SC website here.

Ted's Butcherblock trades beer dinners for casks

Timmons Pettigrew — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:10:29 -0400

The home of Charleston's longest running regular beer dinner, Ted's Butcherblock, is shelving beer dinners for a while in favor of a monthly cask event.

The first one will be held Wednesday, May 30th. Edward and Morgan from Mount Pleasant's Westbrook Brewing Company will be on site pouring from a cask of Single Hop: Pacific Jade, their rye pale ale made with Pacific Jade hops, further dry-hopped with Calypso. If you're not familiar, cask beer is fermented natrually in the serving vessel (the cask or "firkin") and served at a relatively warmer temperature than force-carbonated beer. It's a unique drinking experience not be missed, a blast from our beer-drinking past made new by the varieties and ingredients involved.

Single Hop: Pacific Jade is the first in what will be a summer series of single-hop rye pale ales from Westbrook. This edition highlights Pacific Jade hops, a relatively young variety developed in New Zealand, fertile ground for hop farming and innovation. Its touches of passionfruit and black pepper should play well against tropical fruit aromas imparted by the Calypso dry-hopping.

Two things are not changing about Ted's monthly beer events: they are still collaborations with their old friends at Charleston Beer Exchange, and they are still serving delicious food. A handful of special plates will be available to enjoy along with the beer (at a VERY reasonable $5/pint):

Charcuterie Platter – $15

Housemade Liver Mousse
Ted’s Country Pate
Sopressata
Russian Bacon
Lardo
Pickles, mustard and fig jam

Butcherblock Sausage Sampler – $9/plate

Chorizo and Chimichurri
Duck Sausage and Kimchee
Italian Peppers & Onions

Crispy Confit Chicken Wings – $8

Beer Steamed Local Clams with Chorizo – $12

Ted's Butcherblock is located at 334 East Bay Street downtown. No reservations are required for this event.

In video: SC union leader bludgeons Nikki Haley pinata

Amanda Click — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:20:44 -0400

A video of South Carolina union leader Donna Dewitt taking whacks at a pinata bearing Republican Gov. Nikki Haley's face has been making the rounds on the interwebs.

The video was shot during a picnic to celebrate Dewitt's retirement as president of the South Carolina AFL-CIO.

Haley responded by posting the video on her Facebook page with the comment, "Wow. I wonder if the unions think this kind of thing will make people take them seriously. "

The story has been picked up by The Huffington Post; read the report here.

National food blog 'Eater' launches Charleston micro-site

Amanda Click — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:30:24 -0400

The Charleston food scene is impossible to overlook and has become so popular that national food blog, Eater, has officially launched a Charleston "micro-site."

Angel Powell, local food reporter and wife of Guerrilla Cuisine frontman jimihatt, has been hired as Eater Charleston's editor.

FIG restauranteurs to open 'The Ordinary' on Upper King Street

Katrina Robinson — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:16:36 -0400

Updates are at the bottom:

Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow, owners of FIG (232 Meeting St.), have announce their intentions to open a new restaurant in the vacant Bank of America building at 544 King St. by the beginning of September.

The purchase took quite a few months to negotiate and finalize, and the two restauranteurs are excited about their planned future for the space.

"We are so psyched about the concept," says Lata. "It's the perfect idea for the perfect property."

While details about the new restaurant are still very hush-hush, we can tell you that it's going to be an oyster bar with a casual yet energetic atmosphere.

Get more details about the property and the new restaurant over at Charleston City Paper's story here.

Update May 23: FIG's sister restaurant has a name: The Ordinary.

Here's more from the official website:

Taking its name from an old term for a set menu, The Ordinary is their version of a classic oyster bar and seafood hall, located in an old bank in Charleston's Upper King Street District. It will feature an extensive raw bar, fresh fish, and a variety of small and large plates - making it the ideal gathering place for groups small and large.

At its core, The Ordinary is a celebration of fishermen of the Lowcountry and the matchless seafood of the East coast.

TheDigitel Charleston | Feed

Love and hate: Profiling seven of Charleston's most debated restaurants

When talking about the food scene in Charleston you'll generally get approving remarks (if not better) — but start talking about specific spots and the opinions will become more polarized.

Blackbeard’s Cove to celebrate 6 years with a big 'ol party

On Sunday, June 3rd, Blackbeard’s Cove is turning 6.

Photo of the Day: Kiawah Island PGA course in a spherical panorama

Beryl update: Time to get ready for tropical storm winds

Subtropical Storm Beryl continues to drift southwest towards making landfall near Jacksonville, Florida, however Lowcountry residents should get ready for rain and high winds, particularly if the storm drifts more westward.

Charleston Battery top LA Blues

The Charleston Battery defeated the Los Angeles Blues 1-0 on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,344 fans.

College of Charleston strikes back against move-out trash piles with a thrift sale

It used to be that at the end of every semester, area residents were up in arms over the unsightly and wasteful roadside trash piles left of cloths, furniture, and many still usable items by the mass of evacuating College of Charleston students.

A look at the 2012 Spoleto season (Update: Opening ceremony photos)

Update May 25: Spoleto Festival 2012 officially kicks off today with the grand opening ceremony at noon.

2012 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Storm Beryl forms east of Charleston, looks to bring much moisture to Lowcountry

With sustained winds of 45 mph, a weather system centered due east of Charleston has become Subtropical Storm Beryl — and current models suggest that Beryl will bring much moisture to the Lowcountry late this Memorial Day weekend.

Skip parking pressure and enjoy 'Spoleto Sans Auto'

The Spoleto Season is a great opportunity to enjoy the massive art festivals downtown, but a bad time to find a parking space.

Where to find the best barbecue sandwiches in the South

People in the South will tell you that there are few things more magical than a pulled pork sandwich.

Outta My Huevos food truck takes breakfast to the street

Local mix masters to battle it out at the Bacardi Cocktail Classic

On Tuesday, June 5th from 8 to 11 p.m., 18 of Charleston’s best bartenders will gather at the SC Aquarium celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary and to compete in the Bacardi Cocktail Classic (formerly The Bacardi Mojito Challenge) which will benefit The South Carolina Special Olympics.

Return to the Sea: Saltworks by Motoi Yamamoto [Spoleto]

Pearlstine Distributors and Sapporo USA proudly support Motoi Yamamoto’s “Return to the Sea: Saltworks” art exhibition, an exquisite labyrinth made entirely out of salt. The exhibit is part of the 2012 Spoleto Festival USA.

The 5th Annual JAC Jazz Series in underway (Update: Venue change, video)

Update May 24: The 5th Annual JAC Jazz Series is underway!

Update May 19: Due to unforeseen construction delays, The Mezz will unfortunately not be available for the 5th Annual JAC Jazz Series.

Update May 8: This just in from the Jazz House:

First reporting: The Jazz Artists of Charleston have announced the exciting lineup for the 2012 JAC Jazz Series which run from May 20th – June 8th and be held at The Mezz, a new jazz bar located 276 King Street right above Sermet's Corner.

Tonight's the night for 'Burlesque in the Boroughs'

A fundraiser for the Ménage à Trois Burlesque, sponsored by Jericho Advisors and Badd Kitty is taking place today, May 24th, from 6-9 p.m. at Jericho Advisors.

City Council discusses designated bike lane around Hampton Park (Updated: Tabled, for now)

First reporting: City officials are flirting with the idea of converting the inner lane of the loop around Hampton Park into a designated biking and walking lane.

Update May 22:This just in from Charleston Moves:

Update May 24: Despite the presence of an overwhelming tide of public support, the Charleston City Council decided, at least for now, not to re-dedicate one of two lanes in Hampton Park for use by bicyclists and pedestrians.

RiverDogs fall into first place tie; return home on Thirsty Thursday

A two-run double by Aderlin Rodriguez in the first inning got the Savannah Sand Gnats started on their way to a 6-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action on Wednesday night at Historic Grayson Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,083.

Extremely rare Freedman's badge unearthed at Lowcountry plantation

Still no answers in fatal shooting of 5-year-old

Update May 24: Two months later and the most notable development is the apparent lack of any public developments in the case of a home invassion that left 5-year-old Allison Griffor with a fatal wound.

First reporting, March 30: It's been months since the tragic shooting of 5-year-old Allison Griffor who was fatally wounded during a West Ashley home invasion in late 2011 — and the family is still reeling, and has no answers.

First North Charleston 787 Dreamliner takes flight

Update May 24: Flight!

Update May 23: In a tweet, Boeing has announced that the 787 Dreamliner is expected to fly today.

First reporting: The first North Charleston 787 Dreamliner has been completed since April, but it's expected to take to the skies on Friday, May 18.

House Industries founder Rich Roat to speak in Charleston

Join the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) this Thursday night, May 24, for a presentation and party with Rich Roat, founder of House Industries.

Ted's Butcherblock trades beer dinners for casks

The home of Charleston's longest running regular beer dinner, Ted's Butcherblock, is shelving beer dinners for a while in favor of a monthly cask event.

In video: SC union leader bludgeons Nikki Haley pinata

A video of South Carolina union leader Donna Dewitt taking whacks at a pinata bearing Republican Gov. Nikki Haley's face has been making the rounds on the interwebs.

National food blog 'Eater' launches Charleston micro-site

FIG restauranteurs to open 'The Ordinary' on Upper King Street

Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow, owners of FIG (232 Meeting St.﻿), have announce their intentions to open a new restaurant in the vacant Bank of America building at 544 King St. by the beginning of September.

Update May 23: FIG's sister restaurant has a name: The Ordinary.

Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow, owners of FIG (232 Meeting St.), have announce their intentions to open a new restaurant in the vacant Bank of America building at 544 King St. by the beginning of September.