‘Visual Theatrics’ at USCB Center for Arts tops busy season for cultural events, creativity
The vernal equinox, which was on March 19 this year, fell as the sun crossed the equator going north. We all must share and take responsibility for this new beginning as artists — performing and visual — organizations, contributors, supporters and followers. Spring has sprung! What a future we share!
VISUAL ARTS
USCB CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Art Beyond Tradition: ‘Visual Theatrics’
The Art Beyond Tradition group, formed in 2006, presents an exhibit in Beaufort at the USCB Center for the Arts. By focusing on art’s formal elements, each artist uses line, color, form, texture, shape, value and movement to create their individual works, showcasing the many different faces of abstraction. Participating artists include Earline Allen, Joanna Chalson, Cindy Chiappetta, John Crum, Jo Dye, Mark Larkin, Sharon Collings Licata and Donna Varner. A special exhibit of past participant Mary Sullivan will be included, commemorating her recent passing.
Where: USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort
When: April 16 to June 27
Info: uscbcenterforthearts.com or 843-521-4145
ART LEAGUE OF HILTON HEAD
Featured Artist of the Month Alvin B. Glen
The collection, which depicts men, women and children farming and processing rice, highlights the hard labor of slaves that made Charleston one of the richest cities in the world. “Their cultivation of Carolina Gold rice forever changed the Lowcountry and added significant cultural influences felt nationwide,” says Glen.
Where: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head
When: April 9 to May 10
Info: artleaguehhi.org or 843-681-5060
LA PETITE GALLERIE
Now in its 10th year, the Old Town gallery continues bulging with phenomenal art. It is a total must-stop for special pieces to view or even to add to your walls at home or work. The six member artists continue to thank their wonderful consigned artists, friends and customers.
Where: Adjacent to The Store, 56 Calhoun St., Bluffton
When: Through the month
Info: lapetitegallerie.com or 843-757-6586
RED PIANO GALLERY
Featured Artist of the Month Dan Graziano
Where: 40 Calhoun St., Suite 201, Bluffton
When: Through the month
Info: redpianoartgallery.com or 843-842-4433
PLUFF MUDD GALLERY
Artist of the Month John Crum
The Pluff Mudd Gallery in Bluffton is celebrating the art of John Crum. His art can be best described as “gently surreal,” offering a dreamlike quality that invites viewers to explore and interpret each piece in their own unique way. It’s art that makes you smile.
Where: Pluff Mudd Art Gallery, 27 Calhoun St., Bluffton
When: Through April
Info: pluffmuddart.com or 843-757-5590
MAYE RIVER GALLERY
The gallery offers fine art, handmade jewelry, ceramics, textiles, photography and environmental art, all of it original and created by local artists.
Where: Maye River Gallery, 16 Church St., Bluffton
When: Through the month
Info: mayerivergallery.com or 843-757-2633
JEPSON CENTER
‘Frank Stewart’s Nexus: An American Photographer’s Journey, 1960s to the Present’
This is the first major museum exhibition of photographer Frank Stewart’s work and centers on his sensitive and spontaneous approach to portraying world cultures and Black life in many forms, including music, art, travel, food and dance. Organized into thematic groupings, the retrospective traces his explorations of life on the road and the trajectory of his stylistic journey, bringing together a comprehensive visual autobiography through over 100 black-and-white and color images.
Where: 207 West York St., Savannah
When: Through May 12
Info: telfair.org or 912-790-8800
PERFORMING ARTS
LEAN ENSEMBLE
‘Fun Home’
When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. “Fun Home” is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
In conjunction with the production, the “Queer Artists of the Lowcountry” exhibition is designed to spotlight both emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists in our region. The exhibition will be hosted in the theater lobby to celebrate the creative expression of our own LGBTQ+ community.
Where: HHPS Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head
When: March 24, 29 and 31 (95 minutes with no intermission)
Info: leanensemble.org or 843-715-6676
HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Violinist Tessa Lark
Brilliant American violinist Tessa Lark returns to the Lowcountry with JMR and the HHSO to revel in Hispanic musical culture from both sides of the Atlantic. The concert features Piazzolla’s tango-infused “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” which riffs on themes from Vivaldi’s classic set of violin concerti in a wild and evocative work of sensual passion. The program also presents the ebullient “Symphony in D” by J.C. Arriaga, the “Spanish Mozart” who composed one symphony before his untimely death at 19. The brooding and vivacious “Danzon No. 2” by celebrated Mexican composer Arturo Marquez finishes the evening’s performance.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head
When: 4 p.m. April 7 and 7:30 p.m. April 8
Info: hhso.org or 843-842-2055
HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE COASTAL HOME SUPPER CLUB
‘All of Me: Everything Huxsie Scott’
Famously dubbed the “Voice of Savannah,” singer Huxsie Scott has dazzled Lowcountry audiences for decades. A bronze medalist of the 2004 American Traditions Competition and Historic Savannah Theatre company member, Huxsie has continued to influence music lovers again and again with her wide-ranging vocal abilities. Backed by a solid Coastal Home Supper Club rhythm section of bassist Delbert Felix, drummer Aaron Jennings, and HHSO’s principal keyboardist Charles Ancheta, Huxsie will entertain with her favorite Motown, R&B, gospel and blues tunes. Coastal Home Supper Club is the popular monthly dinner and cabaret series.
Where: SoundWaves Theatre, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head
When: April 14; doors and bar open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 and the concert begins at 7:30; concert-only ticket holders admitted at 7:15 p.m.
Info: hhso.org or 843-842-2055; dinner orders must be made by noon April 10
HILTON HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY
‘Inspired by Art’
On this magically “artful” evening, the Hilton Head Choral Society will be accompanied by soloists Samantha Bock, Julia Miller and David Coyle. Songs include tunes the audience will recognize like “All My Hope” (Brubeck), “O What a Beautiful Morning” (Rogers and Hammerstein) and “The Impossible Dream” (Wasserman). Each arrangement will invoke a different emotion, making it an unforgettable concert event.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head
When: 7 p.m. April 12
Info: hiltonheadchoralsociety.org or 843-341-3818
GULLAH KINFOLKS FULL STAGE MUSICAL
‘Circle Unbroken: A Gullah Journey from Africa to America’
Step back in time with the nationally acclaimed ensemble’s full-stage musical and experience. “Circle Unbroken: A Gullah Journey from Africa to America” is the true story of newly freed Gullahs, a people determined to persevere out of the bondage of slavery. Award winning storyteller Aunt Pearlie Sue and Gullah Kinfolk bring this profound era of American history alive.
Where: Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head
When: April 14; doors open at 3 p.m. and the show is at 4
Info: freshtix.com
HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
Zhu Wang, who won first prize in the HHIPC’s inaugural Young Artists competition at age 14, is back in the Lowcountry. Now in his mid-20s, he is enjoying a burgeoning career. In 2020, Zhu was awarded first prize in the Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions. His resulting Carnegie Hall debut made The New York Times’ “Best of Classical Music 2021” list. Zhu received a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School and an artist diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music, and he is pursuing his Master’s at Juilliard under the tutelage of Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald.
Where: SoundWaves Theatre, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head
When: 7:30 p.m. April 18
Info: hhipc.org
ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA
‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’
A Tony and Grammy Award-winning production that takes audiences on a deliciously musical ride through the life and career of one of America’s most beloved and prolific songwriters. The story follows Carole from her humble beginnings trying to make it as a songwriter in Brooklyn all the way to Los Angeles, where she navigates her newfound fame and cements herself as an icon in popular music history in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Where: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head
When: April 24 to May 26
Info: artshhi.com or 843-842-2787
SEA GLASS STAGE COMPANY
‘Lost in Yonkers’
Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning dramedy beautifully captures the humor, conflict and heartbreak of a Jewish family living in Yonkers in 1942.
Where: Coligny Theatre, 1 North Forest Beach, Building I-5, Hilton Head
When: May 3-19
Info: sgstage.org
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Bluegrass and Barbecue
Immediately following Tessa Lark’s weekend HHSO performances of famed Argentinian tango composer Astor Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” the Grammy-nominated classical violinist returns to SoundWaves as an acclaimed Kentucky fiddler. Foot-stomping through a captivating performance of Appalachian and bluegrass music, with much of what she performs from these two genres having been composed specifically for her, Tessa demonstrates her distinctive crossover versatility with seemingly tremendous ease.
Where: SoundWaves Theatre, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head
When: April 9; doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 and the concert at 7:30.
Info: hhso.org or 843-842-2055
PALMETTO BLUFF: THE ARTS INITIATIVE
The Arts Initiative’s third season is already underway.
April will feature the community’s talent in their Artists of the Bluff Spring Art Show.
The April AIR, ink and acrylic painter Kurtis Schumm, will lead guests in capturing integral parts of the Lowcountry ecosystem.
May’s AIR, oil painter Chris Groves, will hold landscape and still life workshops that draw inspiration from Palmetto Bluff’s stunning natural surroundings.
The third annual Flow Fest, the community’s beloved music and arts festival, will return to Wilson Village Green on May 19, with Bluffton favorites Deas-Guyz headlining and Charleston-based funk, blues, and Motown band The Secrets opening.
More info: PBArtsInitiative.com
2024 ALL SAINTS GARDEN TOUR AND EVENTS:
Get outdoors! Join the All Saints Church Garden Tour and visit several lovely gardens on Hilton Head and in Bluffton.
Where: Various locations
When: May 18
Info: Nancy Renner at 505-269-6498 or allsaintsgardentour.wordpress.com
SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA 2024 - CHARLESTON
The festival is a 17-day celebration of international arts and culture. Purchase tickets now; they will sell out!
Where: 100 events in venues throughout Charleston
When: May 23 to June 9
Info: www.spoletoUSA.org or 843-579-3100
To reach Nancy K. Wellard email her at: coastalartnews@gmail.com
