Mount Pleasant SC - Southern National BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival

Barbecue and bluegrass - served up southern style all day Sunday August 31, 2008 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, S.C.. Legendary bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys are the musical headliners along with the Nashville Bluegrass Band and local favorites Homeboy Reunion. Professional barbecue teams will compete in a cook-off sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Locals and amateurs are invited to show-off their talents. Come enjoy a big plate of Haven (barbecue). There will also be a mechanical bull-riding competition, celebrity dunking booth, jump castles, and carnival games with the day ending with a fireworks show. Events are 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Tickets are $20 in advance; $8 for children ages 6-12; no charges for children younger than 6. Tickets will be available at the gate for $22 and $10 for children. No coolers are allowed.

Jerry Lee Lewis Concert

Jerry Lee Lewis - 8 p.m. - Dec 8. Great Balls of Fire! Lewis and the Killer Band will rock the Charleston Music Hall. Tickets are $75-$225. For details, call (843) 853-2252.

Local food and wine fest named one of Southeast's top events

The third annual BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival, scheduled for Feb. 28 through March 2, 2008, has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 events for the month of February 2008.

To be considered for the award, the event had to be in at least its third year and have attendance of at least 1,000. The society also considered economic impact on the community, community involvement, whether the event was unique and if it had won other awards.

This year's festival, held in March, was recognized for highlighting Charleston as a culinary destination. More than 14,000 visitors attended the four-day fête, whose total ticket sales exceeded $462,000. Festival organizers donated $20,000 to charities and local culinary scholarships.

Highlights of the annual festival include a Culinary Village in downtown Charleston's Marion Square, featuring two large tasting tents, culinary competitions and cooking demonstrations. A few of the many other events include the Celebration of Charleston Chefs Opening Night Party, the King Street Sip & Stroll and the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch.

Recognition of the festival by the tourism society includes publicity in more than 800 newspapers and magazines, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Publicity on radio and TV stations will include the New Orleans-based radio show "Travel Talk Radio."

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, held in Charleston each February, also made the tourism society's Top 20 list for the month.

as provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal

IMAX theater passes into history

The Charleston IMAX Theatre closed its doors for good today, a victim of declining revenues despite the popularity of such recent features as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

Charleston-based Rivers Enterprises, the owner of the theater, said in a written statement that the decision to close came after much "thoughtful consideration."

The statement, which was released through the city of Charleston, said the company concluded that the "most prudent business decision was to close the theater."

The city and Rivers Enterprises are now working together to find a new occupant for the location, the statement said.

The closure of the Charleston IMAX came so abruptly that its Web site on Monday was still advertising upcoming features. The Web site is trumpeting the showing of "Transformers," which opens on Sept. 21 and was to be shown "only for a limited time."

Attempts to reach personnel at the theater for comment were greeted by a somber message announcing the closure.

Rivers Enterprises' decision to close is the local manifestation of a nationwide trend that has engulfed IMAX, a technology company specializing in larger-than-life films based on its 70mm film format. IMAX Corp. recently reported second-quarter results that showed a 28% revenue decline nationwide, a precipitous drop that added up to a $4.57 million loss for the quarter.

Second-quarter profits from continuing operations replaced a $0.04 per share profit a year earlier with a deficit of $0.11 per share.

Despite the IMAX closure, the city of Charleston continued Monday to tout the Aquarium Wharf area for which the theater served as an anchor as "a vibrant and exciting part of downtown Charleston."

Other active enterprises on the wharf include the South Carolina Aquarium, Fort Sumter Tours, Charleston Water Taxi, Sandlapper Water Tours, Spiritline Cruises and Charleston Harbour Tours.

By Dan McCue , Staff Writer

Dancing in the moonlight

Dance the night away under the stars from 7-11 p.m. Friday at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. Rob Duren will spin the oldies and beach music. Food will be available at Locklear's Beach City Grill and Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop. Beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Tickets are $10 or $8 with Charleston County Park discount. Space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance; call (843) 795-4FUN.

as provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal

Local Charleston, SC area events for May:

2007 Charleston Greek Fest

May 11-13, 2007
Greek Orthodox Church
of the Holy Trinity
Charleston, SC
(843) 577-2063

This year's festival program will include:

• Church tours highlighting ecclesiastic history, music, art, and prayer

A berry fun time

Nothing says spring like the juicy taste of plump, red strawberry. Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens celebrates the start of strawberry season this weekend with the 10th annual Lowcountry Strawberry Festival. The festival opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and at noon Sunday; it closes at 6 p.m. each day. Activities include jump castles, a Ferris wheel, hay rides, face painting and sand art. Don’t miss the bluegrass tunes of Homeboy Reunion at 11 a.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Also, the Summerville High School Jazz Band will play at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and steel drum band Island Trio takes the stage at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. At 3:45 p.m. Saturday don’t miss the Berry Princess Contest for girls 2-4. Entrants should wear their best homemade strawberry-themed costume. No festival is complete without sno-cones, kettle corn, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, a chocolate fountain for strawberry dipping and strawberry shortcakes. Cost is $4; $2 for children 12 and under. For more information, call (843) 884-4371.

as provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal

Barbecue Bash

The Charitable Society of Charleston, a local volunteer organization made up of young professionals, is raising money for Happy Days and Special Times. Join in the charitable efforts by attending a Barbecue Bash Sunday at Bowens Island Restaurant on James Island, where you can arrive by boat or car.

Stuff yourself with all-you-can eat barbecue, red rice, coleslaw, banana pudding and tea. Beer and wine will be for sale; no coolers allowed.

Calvin Taylor will be providing live music on the dock.

Tickets are $15; $5 for children ages 10 and under. Purchase tickets in advance online or by calling (843) 571-4336.

Tickets also will be available at the door.

BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival Overview:

March 1st through 4th put a shiney gold star on the calendar of Charleston events! The 2nd Annual Food + Wine Festival generated quite a buzz last year with it's debut and followed up with The New York Times calling out new capital of regional cuisine with top critic recognition and world class chef participation the Festival was bound for success.

Featuring 75 events showcasing 100+ local chefs, 70 celebrity chefs, wine professionals, cook book authors and pitmasters, this Festival enveloped our city and highlighted everything Charleston boasts. The Charleston culinary community along with Corporate sponsors and hundreds of volunteers made this event possible.

Everything from Lowcountry favorites (Carolina BBQ, she-crab soup, shrimp & grits, boiled peanuts & benne wafers) to inspired culinary masterpieces (reaching a $500/plate price tag), were enjoyed while charitable initiatives were met. Along with Culinary Scholarships to Trident Technical College & The College of Charleston, funds were provided to the Lowcountry Food Bank and food items donated to Crisis Ministries.

Once again hard core foodies were satisfied and wine conisures wowed by the cooking demonstrations & wine seminars held at the 2nd Annual Food + Wine Festival! Mark your calendar for Feb. 28th - Mar. 2nd 2008!

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition: Feb.16-18. Now in its 25th year, SEWE is the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting more than 35,000 attendees. More than 120 artists and 350 exhibitors will showcase art and outdoor gear. Jack Hanna (pictured) of Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures will host educational live animal presentations and the Purina Incredible Dog Team will perform in Marion Square. Click here for a schedule and more information.

as provided by Chaleston Regional Business Journal

Blues Bash: If you like blues, clear your schedule. The Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash kicks off Friday for 10 days of incredible music. Blues lovers can enjoy 43 acts and more than 60 shows at 17 local clubs, restaurants and bars. Colorful acts with equally colorful names like Shrimp City Slim, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Nappy Brown, Mighty Lester, Motherless Chillin' and Creole Zydeco Farmers will show off their musical mojo. Tickets range from $3 to $15 and many shows have no admission charge. While many venues are open to all ages, some are 21+ only, so you may want to call ahead. Click for a complete schedule. Also, check out the Charleston County Public Library's events for special Lowcountry Blues Bash films and discussions. (Pictured: Wanda Johnson, right,and Shrimp City Slim/photo by Don Taylor).

provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal

Souls Alive
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and nine-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt will perform at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center this spring. Tickets for the April 24 show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Joining Raitt on her Souls Alike Tour 2007 is New Orleans keyboardist Jon Cleary. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online and by phone at (843) 554-6060. All seats are $60. Raitt produced her latest (and 18th) album, “Souls Alike,” which blends songs from relatively unknown songwriters with the familiarity of Raitt’s touring band. Raitt’s upcoming Charleston performance is her first in the Lowcountry in more than 12 years.

Pure country
Tickets go on sale Friday (1/19/2007) for one of country music’s legendary performers. Here’s a hint: think Wrangler’s, cowboy hat and dozens of No. 1 hits. Give up? It's George Strait , who performs Feb. 24 at the North Charleston Coliseum. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Strait (pictured) has sold more than 62 million records. He has 53 No. 1 songs, more than any artist in history, including Elvis Presley. Strait has countless awards and honors, including last year’s induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame. His most recent album, “It Just Comes Natural,” was released last fall and marked Strait’s 25th anniversary as a recording artist. Another country music icon, Ronnie Milsap, is part of Strait’s 2007 tour. He’s also joined by country newcomer Taylor Swift, whose debut song “Tim McGraw” became a hit single. Tickets are $59.50 and $49.50. Purchase tickets at the coliseum box office, at Publix Ticketmaster centers, online or by calling (843)-554-6060.

as provided by the Charleston Regional Business Journal

Funny times
Some of the country’s hottest improv, sketch and stand-up artists are in Charleston for a weekend full of side-splitting laughter. Produced by The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Company and The Charleston City Paper, the fourth annual Charleston Comedy Festival features 34 shows at seven venues. Shows continue tonight through Saturday. Participating artists include Pimprov (Chicago), God’s Pottery from Uprights Citizens Brigade Tour Company (NYC), stand-up comedy by Skinny White Comics (a Piccolo Spoleto 2006 hit), Don’t Spit the Water! (Chicago), Dad’s Garage Theatre (Atlanta) and Late Night Players (Boston). Local artists include Men are from Goose Creek, Women are from Savannah; Moral Fixation; Big Dicktionary; The Sofa Kings; and The Fighting Gnomes. The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Company will host and perform the festival finale show featuring a “sample platter” of festival participants. Tickets range from $6 to $17.50 and can be purchased online or by calling (800) 514-ETIX. Tickets also will be sold at Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., the week of the festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for a complete schedule, list of venues and artist information. (Pictured: Pimprov, performing tonight at The American Theatre.)

as provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal

Lifetime show to be filmed in Charleston

By Daily Journal Staff

Touchstone Television's new ensemble drama series “Army Wives,” starring Kim Delaney (“NYPD Blue”) and Catherine Bell (“Jag”) was picked up by the Lifetime Network for 12 episodes and will be shot in the Charleston area.

“We're pleased that our efforts to secure more aggressive film incentives continue to pay dividends for South Carolina,” said Gov. Mark Sanford. “Landing a television series will provide a great economic benefit to the Charleston area during production.”

It is the first project Touchstone Television, a division of The Walt Disney Co., has shot in South Carolina. Production crews and actors were in Charleston this past fall shooting the pilot.

Touchstone will begin pre-production preparations this month with shooting beginning in late February and continuing through May, with possible post-production work wrapping up in June.

Bring on the oysters
Fish out your gloves and oyster knives as we launch into what seems to be the season for oyster roasts. The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina is hosting an oyster roast and art walk from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. The event features an art walk sponsored by Eye Level Art and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar in The Reel Bar. Head down to the beach where local musical favorite Plane Jane will perform. Oysters are $7 a bucket; no charge for admission. Bring the kids for a bean bag toss and marshmallow roasting. For more information, call (843) 856-0028.

Courtesy of the "Charleston Regional Business Journal"