Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council

The Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council works to enhance community appreciation and involvement in the visual and performing arts within the Town of Kiawah Island and its environs by providing a diversity of planned programs. All events are open to public and complimentary tickets for most events are available at the Visitors Center at Kiawah Island Town Hall on a come first serve basis. Ticket release dates are two weeks prior to the event date. Kiawah Island property owners have a 3 day lead time prior to the public release date.   For more information call 843-768-9166.

 2011/2012 Arts Council Season Planner 

Event Details Below

Please check ticket release dates for January as changes were made due to a scheduling mistake. See below new Public ticket release dates for Charles Wadsworth and Ashu,Saxophonist.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.  

January 

	Ladies Sing The Blues" with Wanda Johnson & Beverly "Guitar" Watkins & Shrimp City Slim Band Friday, January 6th at 7:30 pm at  East Beach Conference Center Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 12/16; Public: 12/21 Wanda Johnson, described as a "dynamic new face and voice on the global blues scene"-and  Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, the 72 year young singer / guitar slinger, team up for an evening of unforgettable blues, original ballads, along with a touch of gospel.  Wanda Johnson is a natural-born singer and entertainer.  She has lived with music all her life.  Wanda writes much of her own music.  She delivers her passionate vocals with a powerful stage charisma and her intimate performances have a strong connection with audiences world-wide.  Music critics have described Wanda as possessing a mellow bluesy vocal style.  She is a very talented and imaginative vocalist and a soulful performer. Beverly "Guitar" Watkins is a pioneering performer in the blues world  Beverly is a former WC Handy award nominee and a Blues Grammy award winner in France.  Beverly has an amazing vocal range which can go from a low growl to a high trill, depending on the song.  Her guitar style has been honed through years of performing before thousands of enthusiastic blues loving fans. So when Wanda and Beverly get on stage - LOOK OUT!  Be prepared to get up and dance to their very own brand of the blues from hard-driving and foot stomping, to mellow and smooth.
	Art Film, “Bottle Shock” Friday, January 13th at 3:00 pm at the Sandcastle Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 12/27; Public:  12/30 France's position as the world's top wine producer went unchallenged until 1976, when the Montelena Winery put California wines on the map -- a story delightfully told in this full-bodied tale about the heady early days of Napa Valley's success. Bill Pullman, Chris Pine and Freddy Rodriguez star as the dreamers -- and drinkers -- who dared to challenge the establishment, with Alan Rickman hitting just the right note as a toffee-nosed sommelier.  The story of an American dream.  In 1976 Jim Barrett has become despondent over the minimal success he has had with his winery to which he has devoted over 30 years of his life.  Meanwhile a British born wine connoisseur living in Paris hears of these Americans who seem to be making wine and devises a contest to attract customers knowing that the French growers will surely put those upstart Americans in their place.  He spouts poetry “wine is sunlight held together by water, land, soil, and the grape.”  Based on the true story of the historic Paris Wine Tasting Contest.  Bring your favorite bottle of wine and enjoy this entertaining movie with friends.
	Charleston Ballet Theatre, “The Big Easy Show” Sunday, January 15th at 4:00 pm at  East Beach Conference Center Ticket Release: Kiawah: 12/27; Public: 12/30 Charleston Ballet Theatre celebrates the sound and influence of New Orleans and the literary art of Tennessee Williams (in his 100th anniversary birthday year) with a trio of southern gothic ballets inspired by three of the playwright's most famous works. Guest choreographer Daniel Pelzig (former Resident Choreographer of Boston Ballet) will present his interpretation of the tragic southern romance Summer and Smoke, the story of two people whose very different approaches to love eventually tears them apart. Tony Powell, famed dance photographer and choreographer, will premiere his new ballet Soothe My Lonely Heart, inspired by Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, an exploration of conduct in southern society and culture with Maggie the Cat, Brick, Big Daddy and all the characters.  A Streetcar Named Desire, a revival of CBT Resident Choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr's 2004 work will return to fill out the trio of sultry and sizzling New Orleans themed ballets making it the perfect setting.
	Robert Lewis & C of C Jazz Faculty Thursday, January 19th at 7:30 pm at  Turtlepoint Clubhouse  Ticket Release: Kiawah: 1/3; Public: 1/5  The College of Charleston Faculty Jazz Ensemble is an exciting all-star group of world-class jazz musicians.  Members of the ensemble have toured extensively in the U.S. and around the world, bringing their unique take on jazz standards and original compositions.  Each performer is a talented artist in his own right and the combination makes for a vibrant, varied sound that is sure to delight.  Members are:  Robert Lewis, saxophones; Tyler Ross, guitar; Tommy Gill, piano; Frank Duvall, bass; and Quentin Baxter, drums.
	Art Film, “Degas & the Dancer”, Friday, January 20th at 3:00 pm at the Sandcastle Ticket Release: Kiawah: 1/3; Public: 1/5 The career of Edgar Degas was a long one of about 60 out of his 83 year life. And his style, unlike that of most famous artists who worked into their old age, never ceased developing. His improvisations and daring experiments often resulted in astounding originality. Renoir was to consider him the greatest sculptor of the epoch. Searching for inspiration impressionist Edgar Degas hires a struggling young ballerina to pose for him. However, their critical attitudes and equally stubborn opinions push both towards greater heights. Film is based on actual events.
	Charles Wadsworth & Friends Chamber Group Saturday, January 21st at 7:30 pm at Church of Our Saviour Ticket Release: Kiawah: 1/3; Public: 1/6  Charles Wadsworth is an international favorite, acclaimed both as a pianist and as the creator of chamber music events worldwide.  He originated the chamber concert series of the Spoleto USA Festival and is founding artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.  In his first concert for Kiawah he will entertain us with his charming introductions for which he is also famous and he will perform along with Courtenay Budd – soprano, Timothy Fain – violin, Jose Franch-Ballester – clarinet and a cellist.
	Ashu, Saxophonist & Kuang-Hao, Pianist, Sunday, January 29th at 4:00 pm at Church of Our Saviour Ticket Release Kiawah: 1/10; Public: 1/13 While most people have never heard the saxophone in concert music, Ashu has begun to change this.  He is a young  concert saxophonist from Chicago has won major international awards and has been touring through the United States and Europe with his piano partner Kuang-Hao (who regularly performs with the Chicago Symphony.)  Their program features Masterpieces for sax/piano by Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Bach, Piazzolla and more.  Ashu & Kuang-Hao have performed at Carnegie Hall, La Jolla Music, Kravis Center, Vienna Konzerthaus, etc.  Ashu is a unique artist with a dynamic style and this is one exciting program that should not be missed.

February  

 

	Art Film, “The Rape of Europa  Friday, February 3, at 3:00 pm at the Sandcastle Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 1/17; Public: 1/20 "The Rape of Europa" covers endlessly interesting material: the central role art played for the Nazis; the arriviste connoisseurship of Hitler and Goering; the Germans' different treatment of cities like Krakow (spared for it's Germanic art) and Warsaw (almost obliterated for its Slavic art and sensibility). It also raises endlessly interesting questions: Should soldiers lives be risked to save historic sites and artwork? Can a culture survive if its art is wiped out? This story is still playing out contentiously and emotionally as art is recovered and heirs sue for restitution.  Historical Documentary
	Planet D Nonet Band Friday, February 10th at  7:30 pm at  East Beach Conference Center Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 1/24; Public: 1/27  Planet D Nonet “The Little Big Band” from Detroit blends classic big-band swing, jump blues, and even snippets of avant-garde jazz to make an intoxicating sound uniquely their own. A typical Planet D Nonet gig might involve very early jazz from Louis Armstrong or the 30’s classic swing of Duke Elington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, and Benny Carter. Master drummer R.J. Spangler leads the band comprised of some of the best musicians from the Motor City. The Planet D Nonet band can play a swing dance or a concert performance. Whatever they do, they always have a wonderful Detroit twist. The Band is about swing, blues, space-age jazz and classic American songs all served with plenty of good humor with an eye toward turning people onto this music. This event is part of their first ever Southern tour. So get ready to put on your dancing shoes or just sit back and delight in this highly entertaining ensemble.
	The Brazilian and the Butterfly Thursday, February 16th at 7:30 pm at Turtlepoint Clubhouse Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 1/30; Public: 2/2 Laura Ball is a multi-instrumentalist and singer from Charleston, South Carolina   whom has been trained vocally in opera, but  comfortable in a wide range of styles.  Miss Ball will sing as well as play the piano at this concert.   Joining her will be Duda Lucena on guitar with percussionist, Gino Castillo.    This dynamic trio will be featuring solos, duets and instrumentals from such notable greats as Astor Piazzolla and Antonio Carolos Jobim.  Together these three vibrant musicians will bring you a romantic, sensual evening of Latin and Brazilian music.
	Art Film, “ Note by Note: The making of Steinway” Friday, February 17th at 3:00 pm at Sandcastle Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 1/30; Public: 2/2 From the factory floor in Queens to Steinway Hall in Manhattan, each piano’s journey is complex spanning 12 months, 12000 parts, 450 craftsmen and countless hours of fine tuned labor. Filmed in key Steinway locationsthe factory, Steinway's reserved "Bank" and private auditions Note by Note is a loving celebration of not only craftsmanship, but also a dying breed of person who is deeply connected to working by hand.
	Charleston Ballet, “A Midsummer Night's Dream” Sunday, February 19th at 4:00 pm at  East Beach Conference Center Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 1/30; Public: 2/2 Continuing the celebration of CBT's 25th Anniversary season, Charleston Ballet Theatre will present  three ballets including two of the company's most celebrated performances over the past quarter century. Anchored by a revival of Bahr's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a magical balletic interpretation of the classic Shakespeare comedy, the performance will also include Bahr's very first ballet she choreographed for CBT in 1987, the modernistic and mysterious Poetry With A Splash of Red Blood, set to the music of minimalist composer Philip Glass. George Balanchine's passionate and dazzling Allegro Brillante, set to the music of Tchaikovsky will conclude the performance.
	The Charlton Singleton Group Thursday, February 23rd at  7:30 pm at Seabrook Island House Ticket Release:  Kiawah: 2/6; Public: 2/9 The Charlton Singleton Group – a fabulous jazz ensemble led by Singleton on trumpet and featuring some of the best musicians in the area. Mr. Singleton will be performing material from his debut solo EP, The New Deal. Released in December of 2011, The New Deal features four of Singleton’s originals, as well as popular standards, Stella By Starlight and Body and Soul. In addition to material drawn from The New Deal, his performance will include other original compositions and standards arranged specifically for this ensemble and performance
	Duo Pianos with Konstantin Sunday, February 26th at 4:00 pm at Church of Our Saviour Ticket Release Date: Kiawah 2/6;  Public 2/9  Konstantin a classical pianist, is rapidly earning a reputation as a “young pianist who captivates” with his “distinctive lyricism”, “immaculate technique” and “vigor…refinement… and drama”.  Mr. Soukhovetski has worked with an array of distinguished conductors.  He has presented a number of four hand piano programs.  This is a return visit to Kiawah after his enthusiastic reception in 2010.  Mr. Soukhovetski studied at the Moscow Central Special Music School under the auspices of Moscow State Conservatory with Anatoly Ryabov. This year Mr. Soukhovetski will make his film debut starring in two independent feature films to be released in 2011 and 2012 respectively:Dishonorable Vendetta and Andrei.  Mr. Soukhovetski was born in Moscow to a family of artists and began his music studies at the age of four. Edvinas Minkstimas is widely regarded as one of Europe's top emerging young pianists with his extensive repertory, solid technique and musical expression. Known especially for his repertory of romantic music by Liszt, Chopin and Rachmaninoff, and thrilling audiences with the Paris virtuosos music by Alkan, Thalberg and Herz, Minkstimas also pleases with Bach, Ligeti and Piazolla. A native of Kaunas, Lithuania, Minkstimas claims his early artistic influences from the world of Nordic poetry, Baltic mythology and other romantic images. His playing draws inspiration from tales of chivalry or nostalgic episodes and infused with a longing for beauty. He strives to convey the lyricism and poetry within a musical work by his displays of virtuoso technique influenced by such great pianists as Richter, Rachmaninoff, Michelangeli and Paderewski and compositions of Brahms, Ligeti and Penderecki.

For more information call Kiawah Island Town Hall at 843-768-9166.