34th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival Announces 2012 Season

CHARLESTON, SC – May 16, 2012 – Tickets are now on sale for the 34th annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival USA. Piccolo Spoleto opens on Friday, May 25 and runs for 17 days until Sunday, June 10, 2012 and offers a variety of arts and cultural programs including theatre, blues, jazz, chamber music, early music, dance, literary, visual arts as well as many admission-free and family-friendly events.

For 2012, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival box office returns to the Gaillard Auditorium located at 77 Calhoun St., and will operate a second box office location at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St.  Tickets are also available by calling the Piccolo Spoleto Festival box office hotline 1-866-811-4111, or online at www.piccolospoleto.com.
 
The 2012 official Piccolo Spoleto poster image, selected from a statewide competition based on its design qualities and representation of the festival, is Contrappunto, by Linda Elksnin. The Spotlight Concert Series poster is Sanctuary by Charlestonian Carol Ezell-Gilson.
 
In describing this year’s festival program, Piccolo Spoleto’s Founding Director, Ellen Dressler Moryl, said: “During Piccolo Spoleto….the city becomes a stage…and opera is for everyone! Piccolo makes the Spoleto Festival USA experience accessible for everyone and showcases the crème de la crème of artists and performers from throughout the Southeastern United States.  There’s a huge array of theatre productions, dance programs, concerts and presentations with something to please every taste!”
 
Produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs since 1979, Piccolo Spoleto’s mission is to provide access to the Spoleto Festival USA experience for everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances and to provide the opportunity for excellent local and regional artists, writers and performers to be showcased in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival venues. Highlights of this year’s admission-free events, produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs include:
 

• SUNSET SERENADE: America’s beloved opera, Porgy and Bess comes to life in concert form as guest conductor Joseph Young, a S.C. native, leads the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, internationally acclaimed Soprano, Roberta A. Laws, Bass Baritone Alvy Powell, and the CSO Spiritual Ensemble in a performance of highlights from George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward’s classic work. The program also includes selections from Bernstein’s West Side Story and Copland’s Rodeo. U.S. Custom House, Concord and Market Sts. May 27 at 8 p.m.
• PICCOLO SPOLETO CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL: “Once Upon A Time…”—This whimsical day of music, dance, arts and crafts has a special focus on storytelling, and children’s literacy. Sponsored by Cabot Cheese of Vermont. Produced in partnership with the Charleston County Public Library. Marion Square, King and Calhoun Streets. May 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• SPOTLIGHT CONCERT SERIES: Piccolo’s signature chamber and choral music series, includes programs by Charleston Chamber Opera; by Italian pianist Laura Magnani; and two special events at Mepkin Abbey – the Ensemble of St. Clare at Mepkin Abbey performing the Bach Double Violin Concerto; and the Taylor Festival Choir performing The Celtic Mass and the Vaughn Williams Mass in G. *Admission prices varies.
• ECHOES OF THE CIVIL WAR can be heard in the White Point Garden Bandstand as this 19th century military band concert features music of the Civil War Era performed by the Eighth Regiment Band of Rome, Georgia. Performing on period instruments, they will be joined by world-class bugle player Jari Villanueva performing “Tenting Tonight” and other well-known songs. White Point Garden, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.
• PICCOLO SPOLETO INTERN BLOCK PARTY: ANCHORED DOWN IN CHARLESTOWNE—Produced by the Piccolo Spoleto interns, this block party features performances by Old You, Folkgrass, Rustic Remedy and McKenzie Eddy as well as food vendors, games and more. Marion Square. June 2 from 6 to 10 p.m.
• CAROL EZELL-GILSON INVITATIONAL: SACRED WINDOWS—featuring works by this year’s Spotlight Concert Series poster artist, this exhibit depicts stained glass windows from 12 churches and synagogues on the Charleston historic district. Drawing Room, Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. May 25 to June 29; Festival Hours: May 25 to June 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. After Piccolo Spoleto Festival (June 10 to June 29) Hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• “A LONG TIME AGO…….”—Curated by Hirona Matsuda, A Long Time Ago….captures the art of storytelling, the oldest known art form, in this enchanting contemporary art exhibit. Featuring artwork by local artists Lisa Abernathy, Becca Barnet, Seth Corts, Baird Hoffmire, Michelle Jewell, Xin Lu, Lisa Shimko, Liz Vaughan, and Trever Webster. Painting, sculpture, paper-cutting, collage, and pen and ink drawing will be showcased in this exhibition. City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St. May 24-July 29; Festival hours: daily, 10am-6pm; After Piccolo Spoleto Festival (June 12 to July 29) Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
• PICCOLO SPOLETO FESTIVAL FINALE—The Lemira Percussion Ensemble of Sumter, S.C., opens this family friendly event; followed by the internationally famous and iconic reggae group, The Meditations, emceed by Osei Terry Chandler, S.C.’s “Voice of Reggae.” Then at 8 p.m., back by popular demand, Motownmadness! performs Motown’s hottest hits accompanied by members of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Jeffrey Reed conducts. Motownmadness features The Rewinders and vocal soloists from Bowling Green, Ky., and is a product of Orchestra Kentucky of Bowling Green and its Music Director, Jeffrey Reed. Hampton Park. June 9 from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Piccolo Spoleto ticket hotline at 1-866-811-4111, Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; or online at www.piccolospoleto.com. Tickets may be purchased in person at the official Piccolo Spoleto box office at the Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401. This location is open from May 7 to Wednesday, May 23, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and opens daily starting Thursday, May 24 through Saturday, June 9 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 10 hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29403, which is open May 7 to Wednesday, May 23, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; daily starting on Thursday, May 24 through Saturday, June 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Sunday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.