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One Word Poetry Festival returning to Rock Hill this month

Rock Hill Poet Laureate Angelo Geter, in conjunction with the Rock Hill Poet Laureate Committee, Arts Council of York County, and Comporium, is pleased to announce the second annual One Word Poetry Festival, which will take place from March 30-April 2, 2022.

[caption id="attachment_49539" align="alignright" width="250"] Angelo Geter. Provided photo.[/caption] The first festival in 2021 attracted a crowd of approximately 500 people. Many of the events were free and open to the public. Events taking place during this year’s five-day festival will include:
  • a creative writing showcase by Winthrop University students;
  • a Youth Open Mic;
  • Adult Open Mic featuring music by Rock Hill Hall of Fame band, “Mellogroove,” where there will be a food truck and beverages for sale from the Rock Hill Bottle Shop;
  • and various workshops will be offered for free Saturday morning and afternoon for children 12 and under, middle and high school students, and adults.
The festival will also include the announcement of the 2022/2023 Youth Poet Laureate contest winner. Poets from across the country will compete in an epic poetic battle to determine the best of the best at the Saturday night Poetry Slam, with $4000 worth of prizes up for grabs. Capping off the festival will be a Sunday brunch with a keynote reading by the acclaimed poet Rachel McKibbens, and a performance by the toe-tapping musicians of the Jason Poore Trio. The festival’s additional sponsors include: South Carolina Humanities and the South Carolina Arts Commission; Duke Energy; the city of Rock Hill; Old Town Rock Hill; the Women’s Art Initiative; The Mercantile; Winthrop University English Department; York County Library; Barber Therapy & Associates; the Eta Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the Rock Hill Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; the Kappa Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Harriet & Martin Goode; Slow Play Brewing; and Flipside Restaurant. Some festival events are free. A $50 festival pass that grants free entry into all festival events is available, or guests may pay individually for the events that have a cost. Tickets can be purchased at onewordpoetryfestival.com.
Contact Rock Hill Poet Laureate Angelo Geter with questions: onewordpoetryfestival@gmail.com or 757.870.2497. 

Submitted material

The show can go on, governor says

S.C. arts venues, festivals cleared to reopen Aug. 3

[caption id="attachment_27031" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Artisphere Artisphere in Greenville, 2016. File Hub photo.[/caption]

Arts centers and festivals may resume holding public events, albeit within guidelines that call for reduced capacity and social distancing, Gov. Henry McMaster announced yesterday afternoon.

The announcement covers performing arts centers and festivals, but also amphitheaters, concert venues, and theaters of all types, among others. Special requirements pertaining to the arts include mandatory mask usage; capacity of 50% or 250, whichever is less; and the cessation of alcohol sales by 11 p.m., already required of bars and restaurants. [caption id="attachment_36942" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Well, not like this, but you get the idea.[/caption]

Additional reopening materials for arts and culture

Our partners at the South Carolina Arts Alliance developed a reopening guideline in June that might help arts leaders walk through reopening. These guidelines are referenced in the Festival/Event guidelines above but are not necessarily part of the "required" guidelines issued by the Governor. Click here to read more. The SCAC is tracking reopening resources on its COVID-19 response page. As with most things in 2020, the situation here is evolving. The intent of the SCAC, and therefore The Hub, is to provide constituents factual information so they can decide their best path through the pandemic for themselves.

Jason Rapp

Tuning Up: FatRat + more Riley fellow news + Pee Dee art

Good morning!  "Tuning Up" is a morning post series where The Hub delivers curated, quick-hit arts stories of interest to readers. Sometimes there will be one story, sometimes there will be several. Get in tune now, and have a masterpiece of a day. And now, in no particular order...

FatRat Da Leprechaun? South Carolina’s godfather of hip-hop, FatRat Da Czar (above), will host the 2020 iteration of the famed St. Pat's Festival on Saturday, March 21. He'll perform his role as official festival MC from a centrally-located stage and hopes his presence will "bring a little of the hip-hop family day vibe so families with kids can come out and enjoy the day." #SCartists Band of Horses headline the festival and Columbia and South Carolina Jazz Ambassador Mark Rapp (and the Soda City Brass Band) are also booked. S.C. Phil ED named Riley Fellow. Remember this news yesterday? The arts have additional representation in the Midlands cohort. Rhonda Hunsinger, long-time executive director of the South Carolina Philharmonic, was also named a Riley Phillow. Er, Phellow. Darnit! Fellow. If there are other arts folks involved, we haven't heard because you don't send your news releases to the S.C. Arts Commission by adding this email to your media distro list, or didn't submit news to The Hub. And opening Thursday... The Florence County Museum is proud to present the 2020 Pee Dee Regional Art Competition, which highlights the best contemporary art in the Pee Dee region. One of the state's oldest juried art competitions, the first Pee Dee Regional dates back to 1954. This year's exhibition will be on display in the FCM Waters Gallery. An opening reception will be held Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The exhibit will remain on display through Friday, April 3.

Performing groups invited to participate in Historic Columbia’s Jubilee: Festival of Heritage

Performing groups that celebrate African American heritage are invited to be part of Historic Columbia's 37th annual Jubilee: Festival of Heritage on Saturday, Sept. 19. Historic Columbia is searching for entertainment acts that reflect Jubilee and African American heritage, such as drum and dance groups, gospel, jazz, blues and spoken word. The deadline for entertainment registration is July 15, and the entertainer application form is available at historiccolumbia.org. Entertainment acts may request fees. Associations, churches, civic/service groups, health/medical organizations, charities and other businesses are invited to participate as vendors. The cost to participate is $25 for nonprofit vendors, $55 for marketplace vendors and $125 for food vendors. Spaces are limited and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis once approved by the vendor committee. One table and two chairs are provided at no charge; additional items such as electricity, extra tables and extra space are available for an additional charge of $15 to $25. Vendor application forms are available at historiccolumbia.org, and the deadline for vendor registration is Sept. 4. Jubilee: Festival of Heritage celebrates the rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit of the Mann-Simons family. The festival is free and open to the public at the historic Mann-Simons Site at 1403 Richland St. For more information about Jubilee and the Mann-Simons Site, please visit historiccolumbia.org/jubilee, call 803.252.1770 ext. 36 or email jubilee@historiccolumbia.org. About Historic Columbia Foundation In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. Over the next five decades the organization, which was founded on the premise of preservation and education, would take on the stewardship of seven historic properties in Richland County. Today, the organization serves as a model for local preservation efforts and interpretation of local history. Visit historiccolumbia.org or find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for more details. Via: Historic Columbia Foundation

Francis Marion University’s Arts International Festival moving downtown

From the Florence Morning News Article by Shamira McCray
[caption id="attachment_19239" align="alignright" width="233"]Chief Kamu Chief Kamu Fire and Hula Show[/caption] Francis Marion University and the city of Florence announced Tuesday that they will partner to bring the Arts International Festival to FMU’s downtown Performing Arts Center in April. FMU President Fred Carter and Florence Mayor Stephen Wukela announced the partnership at a press conference held at the PAC.
The festival, held on FMU’s campus for nearly 40 years, features a mix of art, music and food.
“About every 10 years we revitalize this festival with changes,” Carter said. “The international component was added about a decade ago. Changing venues, I think, will be a very, very positive thing. The festival goes very, very well on campus, but this gives us an opportunity to cultivate new audiences.”
Changing venues will give FMU the chance to create new support partners downtown, Carter said. The festival is not leaving campus, he said, but instead going from one part of campus to another part that is six miles away.
Wukela said the relocation of the Arts International Festival allows for an opportunity to tap in to the cohort that is already accustomed to coming to downtown festivals. With it being centrally located in downtown, people might participate in the festival when they might not have otherwise.
“I think that produces a great, great dynamic,” Wukela said. “Also, of course, it makes very, very good use of the cultural amenities we have already here downtown and the international community that’s here in the city of Florence. So I think all of those melt very well, and I think we’ll have a very successful festival.
The Arts International Festival will serve as the signature spring festival in Florence, Wukela said.
The festival is scheduled for April 11. The Blue Dogs headline the list of artists scheduled to perform. The festival will also feature performances by FMU music groups, the Jabali African Acrobats, hula lessons, an international food court, beer and wine gardens, art displays and the Florence-Darlington Technical College’s welding sculpture competition, among other activities. Image above: the Chinese Acrobats

Artisphere still tops in the nation

Congratulations to Greenville's Artisphere for being named No. 7 among 600 similar arts events ranked by the Art Fair Sourcebook! The South Carolina Arts Commission is proud to have played a part in the festival's growth with grant support since the first year.  The 2015 festival is scheduled for May 8-10. Visit Artisphere's website to view the list of participating artists and schedule of events. From The Greenville News Story by Paul Hyde

Artisphere once again was named one of the Top 10 arts festivals in the nation. Greenville's big annual celebration of the visual arts placed No. 7 in Greg Lawler's Art Fair Sourcebook, a respected resource for artists and patrons. The outdoor festival, which brings tens of thousands of people to downtown Greenville, also set records for artists' sales last year. Artisphere retained its top spot among 600 similar arts events ranked by the Art Fair Sourcebook, said Artisphere director Kerry Murphy. "We've come an amazingly long way in a short period of time," Murphy said, speaking at a press conference on Monday. This year's Artisphere takes place May 8-10. In addition to art in a variety of media, the festival features food, music, street performances and activities for children. Artisphere, only 11 years old, shares accolades in the Art Fair Sourcebook with esteemed company: well-established arts festivals in much-larger cities such as Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Portland. "To be a Top 10 show in the country and in the company of such cities as Chicago, Portland and Philadelphia is a testament to what a gem this annual event has become not only for Greenville's art community, but exhibiting artists across the country," said Charlie Mickel, board president of Artisphere. Artists' sales in 2014 over the three days of Artisphere were an average of $7,366, a considerable increase over average sales of $6,500 in 2013, Murphy said. In all, the 125 artists last year saw sales of $920,750. As another sign of its growing prestige, Artisphere received more artist applications than ever this year, 995, compared to last year's 934 applications. "We had a fantastic pool of applicants to choose from," Murphy said. In its first year, 2005, Artisphere received only 282 applications and average sales were $2,400. An ever-increasing number of artist applications allows Artisphere to maintain high artistic standards and showcase a diverse group of artists at the event. Of the 995 applicants, 121 were chosen to exhibit their works in the event's central attraction, Artists' Row. "We have never had a group of artists as impressive as those lined up for this year," said Bill Pelham, chair of Artisphere's Visual Arts Committee. "The caliber of creativity and artistry that the 2015 exhibiting artists represent is absolutely incredible." Forty-three of the 121 artists are new to the festival. "That's always exciting," Murphy said. "People love to see familiar faces but new faces as well." Seventeen of the artists are from the Greenville area, another new record. The featured artists work in a variety of media: from painting to woodwork to sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and photography. Sarah Mandell, a Greenville-based artist, will be showing her work, primarily jewelry, at Artisphere for the first time. "I do a lot of shows, but nothing like this one," Mandell said. "The scale of Artisphere is tremendous." Jaryd Walley, a former Hollywood prop maker who creates fine-art furniture in his Greenville studio, is returning to Artisphere for the third time. At Artisphere, artists not only sell their works but also build relationships with future clients, Walley said. "Artisphere is of tremendous marketing value for artists," Walley said. Artisphere is also big business for Greenville, particularly for downtown, with a $5.5 million economic impact for the community, Murphy said. David Lominack, TD Bank market president, said events such as Artisphere play a vital role in Greenville's quality of life and contribute substantially to economic development. TD Bank is the presenting sponsor of Artisphere. "Events such as this help maintain the attractive quality of life in our community, and we are happy to play a part in helping Artisphere continue its great success in the Upstate and on the national stage," Lominack said. For more information about Artisphere, see the website www.artisphere.us.
 

Greenville’s Artisphere gears up for 10th anniversary

Since Artisphere’s inception in 2003, Greenville's signature arts festival has grown into an event that attracts acclaimed artists from across the country, draws thousands of art enthusiasts, and entertains visitors of all ages. Part of the draw for patrons is the opportunity to meet the artists, observe the creative process, and purchase original works of art. This year's festival runs May 9 -11, and along with returning favorites such as Brian Olsen’s Art in Action and the Kidsphere craft area, Artisphere will offer several new opportunities to commemorate the 10th annniversary:

  • Sculpture — In honor of the 10th anniversary, artist John T. Acorn was commissioned to create a new sculpture for downtown Greenville.
  • Artists — This year’s Artist Row will feature 125 artists -- the largest number to date -- including 57 new artists and 15 local artists (another record).
  • STEAM Exhibit — Clemson University will showcase interactive experiences in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Activities will include Digital Production in Arts and Hollywood, Microscope Photography, and 3D Dancer Simulation.
  • Street Muralists — Professional street painters from Art for After Hours and Furman University students will transform pavement into a makeshift canvas re-creating all of Artisphere’s commemorative posters.
  • Artisphere “After Hours” — When the artist booths close and dusk settles over downtown Greenville, the “Artisphere after Hours” experience begins. Head to the WYFF Main Stage for special performances by Houndmouth and Blitzen Trapper on Friday and Saturday.
  • 10th Anniversary Merchandise — Stop by the Festival Merchandise tent to purchase 10th Anniversary commemorative T-shirts, tumblers, tote bags, posters and more. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of private label Artisphere wine featuring the 10th anniversary poster artwork and a pair of etched glasses.
  • Wine & Craft Beer Experience — The Wine Tasting and Craft Beer Experience will feature dozens of wines and some of your favorite craft beers paired with cheese and snacks from Whole Foods.
  • Culinary Arts Cafe — Enjoy delicious fare from 10 of Greenville’s favorite restaurants including Barleys Greenville, Grill Marks, Larkin’s on the River, Mimi’s Steakhouse of Japan, Rick Erwin’s Deli, Roost, Tealoha Tea & Eats, The Trappe Door, Papi’s Tacos, and Passerelle Bistro.
  • Bikeville — Ride your bike to Artisphere and drop if off with Bikeville’s Bike Valet in the parking lot across from the Greenville News.
Festival hours are Friday, May 9, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 11, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To view a schedule of all activities, visit www.artisphere.us. Via: Artisphere

Call for Art – Red Rose Sculpture Exhibition and Competition

Avant Garde Center for the Arts will host the Red Rose Sculpture Exhibition and Competition in downtown Lancaster, S.C., on May 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event will be held at Red Rose Park, 118 S. Main Street during the fifth annual Red Rose Festival. The sculpture show is juried, and prizes and honorariums will be awarded to all participants. Applications can be found at www.lancastercitysc.com or by contacting Cherry Doster at cmstevens@comporium.net or (803) 289-1492. Deadline for application is May 11. Avant Garde Center for the Arts is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide arts opportunities in partnership with existing arts and other agencies. Via: Avant Garde Center for the Arts

Annual North Charleston Arts Festival set for May 2-10

The annual North Charleston Arts Festival kicks off on May 2 and concludes on May 10. Now in its 32nd year, the nine-day event has matured into one of the most comprehensive arts festival in the state, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to experience the talents of national, regional, and local artists and performers in the areas of dance, music, theatre, and visual, media, and literary arts. Nearly 200 festival offerings take place in a variety of venues throughout North Charleston and the surrounding area, including libraries, community centers, schools, businesses, civic auditoriums, and parks. Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the North Charleston Arts Festival offers something for everyone – from classical to contemporary, funky to formal. The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department presents the event each year, striving to maintain the spirit of a public celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event that provides a wide range of performances, exhibitions, and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of the offerings are free, and those that are ticketed are moderately priced. “The variety of Arts Festival offerings and the inclusiveness of the event have really become a point of pride for the City of North Charleston,” says North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “We look forward to this time each year when we are joined by thousands from throughout the Southeast to celebrate the importance of art within our world.” The Arts Festival Main Event, held on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to more than 40 performances on four themed stages: General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands. Other features include judged fine art and photography exhibits; the 13th annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit; youth art from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester county students; the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society show and sale; the Village Antiques & Collectibles show; children's activities at Box City and Creation Stations; art & craft vendors, a food court, and much more. This year’s festival Gala, the Sweetgrass Soiree, will take place on Friday, May 2, from 7 -11 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center Entrance Hall. Tickets for this premier event are $50. Other highly anticipated programs include an Art Walk on Wednesday, May 7, an interactive murder mystery dinner theatre on Thursday, May 8, and street dances featuring beach/variety music and reggae on Friday, May 9. Examples of visual art exhibitions on view during the festival include a series of cut paper collages and prints by Lillian Trettin (Becoming Southern Steampunk); mixed media works by Cuban-born artist, Maribel Acosta (Pieces); paintings and found-object sculptures by Gingi Martin (Landscapes of Mozart and Beethoven); the 9th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition; a group exhibition featuring Charleston-area female photographers (Through the Lens); an Art & Fine Craft CoOp Gallery & Sale; the 8th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition (JOY!); and the 2nd Annual Wearable Art Competition and Exhibition. This festival’s Grand Finale on May 10 features a Tri-County School Steel Drum Festival, dance demos and performances, a slam poetry show, children’s activities, food trucks, and an evening concert by The CoastRunner Band. The event concludes with a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River. Visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com for complete details or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854. Applications are still being accepted for participation in the Festival’s Art Walk. Entry instructions for the Festival’s Judged Fine Art Exhibition, Judged Photography Exhibition, and Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition, as well as volunteer sign-up forms are also available. All forms and instructions can be downloaded at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. Via: North Charleston Cultural Arts Department

Colour of Music Festival celebrates black classical musicians

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble, in association with Buster-Elsie Productions, is pleased to announce the Colour of Music Festival, a five-day all-black classical musicians festival featuring black musicians, vocalists, and orchestra leaders performing piano, organ, and voice recitals, chamber ensembles and orchestra and a newly formed Colour of Music Chorale. More than 20 performances will showcase the breadth and influence of blacks on the classical music world past and present, including work by acclaimed composers such as William Grant Still (pictured above) and George Walker, who received the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1996. The festival runs Oct. 23-27 with events scheduled throughout the day and evening at a variety of Charleston venues including churches and theatres. Visit the Colour of Music website for a complete schedule and ticket information. Chevalier de Saint-GeorgeFew classical music enthusiasts are aware of the contributions of an African-French composer, Joseph Boulogne, also known as Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (pictured left). Preceding Mozart by 11 years, Saint-Georges composed four operas and many mid-18th century works on par with or exceeding his contemporaries. His compositions are known around the world but garner little notice in the United States. For years, black classically trained voice professionals have made enormous strides beginning with Marian Anderson’s groundbreaking 1955 debut at the Metropolitan Opera. Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Denyce Graves and many others have followed, showcasing the “colour” of voice. On the orchestral stage, however, the prevalence of black classically trained instrumentalists in America lags behind their vocal counterparts. Within the U.S. military, the corporate world, professional sports and politics, black Americans have moved beyond the boundaries that held back their ancestors. Yet today, only on rare occasions does a black conductor, concertmaster or principal classical musician grace the concert stage of a major American city or regional orchestra. Join in this celebration of the enormous contributions these talented musicians have offered the world! Via: Charleston Symphony Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble

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