Aesha Patel honored by FRAA at Johnsonville High School

Each year since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduates from all over Florence County.  This tradition was continued on May 22^nd as Aesha Patel was honored at Johnsonville High School. 

Patel was honored for outstanding achievement in visual art.  FRAA Board Member and Francis Marion University professor Keith Best presented the award to Patel.  Patel was one of 15 Florence County students honored with this year’s Excellence in Arts Education Awards. 

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts acitivities and performances.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annaully to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards, Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program or other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

Gilliard, Moreau & Langston honored at West Florence High School

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently recognized three outstanding seniors from West Florence High School.  Each year since 1997, FRAA has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduates from all over Florence County.  This tradition was continued on May 21^st as Jacob Gilliard, Candace Moreau and Miranda Langston were honored from WFHS. 

Jacob Gilliard was honored for outstanding achievement in chorus. Candace Moreau was presented with the award for being the top graduating senior in WFHS’s visual arts program.  Miranda Langston received the honor of top graduate in orchestra. 

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts acitivities and performances.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annaully to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards, Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program or other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

May 25th: The Lakeside Music Room at Cheraw State Park

What: The Lakeside Music Room kicks off its inaugural season at Cheraw State Park with a free concert from Hartsville-based, internationally-touring songwriter, Dylan Sneed.

Additional Info: After a successful grassroots fundraising campaign through Kickstarter.com, The Lakeside Music Room was born. A joint effort from Cheraw State Park, Pee Dee Outfitters, and Artsville, the free concert series will feature some of the region’s best independent music in South Carolina’s oldest state park. There will be four concerts in all, happening every last Friday of May, June, July, and August. Local food vendors will sell food at each show. Each concert will open at 7 p.m. The music will begin right around sundown. For more information, visitfacebook.com/lakesidemusicroom.

Who: Dylan Sneed has been called "a sober Townes Van Zandt" (SC Free Times) and "the best side of true Americana: music of passion and skill that can move audiences with a whisper or a roar." (Dallas Observer) His previous two records were #1 and #6 simultaneously on the South Carolina Roots Music Chart. Sneed’s E.P. No Worse For The Wear made the top 40 on the national Roots Music Report Folk Chart.

Where: Cheraw State Park, Cheraw, SC

When: Friday, May 25, 7:00 p.m.

For more information on The Lakeside Music Room, please call 214-686-3996 or send emaillakesidemusicroom@gmail.com.

Becoat honored by FRAA at Hannah-Pamplico High School

Each year since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduates from all over Florence County.  This tradition was continued on May 18^th as Ellie Becoat was honored at Hannah-Pamplico High School. 

Becoat was honored for outstanding achievement in visual art.  FRAA Board Member and Francis Marion University professor Keith Best, along with Emily Myers of Honda, presented the award to Becoat.  Becoat plans to attend Francis Marion Unviersity in the Fall and major in Graphic Design.

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts acitivities and performances.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annaully to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards, Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program or other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

The Palmetto State Boychoir to hold registration on June 2nd, July 7th & August 11th

Patz Fowle wins Outstanding Merit Award as part of Palmetto Hands Exhibit

Darlington County's Patz Fowle recently had two pieces of artwork chosen for the SC Palmetto Hands Exhibit in North Charleston.  In addition to having works in the show, she was chosen for an Outstanding Merit Award for Palmetto Sprout (clay sculpture) and will have another piece, Pearl Fryar's Glorious Garden, travel as part of the Palmetto Hands Traveling Exhibit.  


Below is a blog post about Palmetto Hands from The Digitel Charleston:

Artists and artisans from across South Carolina were invited to participate in the 12th AnnualSouth Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition, the state’s only juried fine craft competition and exhibition. 

Organized and exhibited annually by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the show is presented as a component of the North Charleston Arts Festival. 

Following an extensive pre-jury process, 38 applicants were asked to participate and 108 entries were submitted in the categories of clay, fiber, metal, wood, and 3D mixed media.

Cash awards totaling $6,500 were made at the sole discretion of the juror, Clay Burnette, handweaver, basketmaker, and Director of Grants and Fellowships at the South Carolina Arts Commission.

After making his selections, Mr. Burnette stated, “As I viewed the artwork submitted to this year’s exhibit, my goal was to identify examples of works that contained true evidence of the mark of the artist’s hand – proof that quality, individuality, and attention to detail has gone into each piece that I was selecting.” He continued, “It was obvious that individual identity - that mark of the hand - was prominent in many of the pieces presented, which made my task of selecting those that I deemed most worthy of the awards even more difficult.”

After awarding ribbons, Mr. Burnette also selected pieces from the show to assemble a South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Traveling Exhibition, which will tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum’s 2012/2013 Traveling Exhibitions Program.  This program gives galleries, museums, and art centers across South Carolina the opportunity to request the exhibit to tour their facilities, thus providing additional exposure for the selected artists.

In addition, two pieces were selected for City of North Charleston Purchase Awards. These pieces will be added to the City of North Charleston Permanent Public Art Collection, which is on display throughout North Charleston City Hall throughout most of the year.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition:

Best of ShowHanded Down (Mixed Media) by Susan Lenz (Columbia, SC) 

Outstanding MeritPalmetto Sprout (Clay) by Patz Fowle (Hartsville, SC)
Capsulated Conifer (Mixed Media) by Kim Keats (Okatie, SC)

Honorable MentionLolly & Pop (Metal) by Matt Wilson (North Charleston, SC)
Vessel No. 359 (Metal) by Lee Sipe (Columbia, SC)
Lidded Jar (Clay) by John Johnson (North Myrtle Beach, SC)
Binky (Fiber) by Ellen Byrd (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
Bloom (Metal) by Mackenzie King (Charleston, SC)
Forged Simplicity (Metal) by Michael DuBois (Ladson, SC)
Henry (Metal) by Matt Wilson (North Charleston, SC)
High Chair Driven (Mixed Media) by Dennis Vernon (Okatie, SC)
Dream Catcher “Carolina” (Mixed Media) by Rebecca Johnson (Wedgefield, SC)
Leaf Necklace (Mixed Media) by Rachel Weiss (Charleston, SC)
Paradise Lost (Fiber) by Connie Lippert (Seneca, SC)
Indigo Dyeing Under the Magnolias (Fiber) by Arianne King Comer (North Charleston, SC) 

SC Palmetto Hands Traveling Exhibition SelectionsHanded Down (Mixed Media) by Susan Lenz (Columbia, SC)
Indigo Dyeing Under the Magnolias (Fiber) by Arianne King Comer (North Charleston, SC)
Brown Jug (Clay) by Pamela Steele (Gilbert, SC)
Mark Leaving Series #3 (Mixed Media) by Fran Gardner (Heath Springs, SC)
Lowcountry Server (Clay) by John Johnson (North Myrtle Beach, SC)
Count It All Joy (Mixed Media) by Georgette W. Sanders (McClellanville, SC)
Open Segment Bowl with Foot (Wood) by Kenny Teague (Charleston, SC)
Pearl Fryar’s Glorious Garden (Clay) by Patz Fowle (Hartsville, SC)
I Confess (Fiber) by Ellen Byrd (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
Untitled (Wood) by William Fournier (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
Palmetto Sprout (Clay) by Patz Fowle (Hartsville, SC)
Capsulated Conifer (Mixed Media) by Kim Keats (Okatie, SC)
Large Urn (Clay) by John Johnson (North Myrtle Beach, SC)
Binky (Fiber) by Ellen Byrd (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
Bloom (Metal) by Mackenzie King (Charleston, SC)
Forged Simplicity (Metal) by Michael DuBois (Ladson, SC)
High Chair Driven (Mixed Media) by Dennis Vernon (Okatie, SC)
Dream Catcher “Carolina” (Mixed Media) by Rebecca Johnson (Wedgefield, SC) 

City of North Charleston Purchase AwardLolly & Pop (Metal) by Matt Wilson (North Charleston, SC)
Urn (Wood) by Ben C. Pendarvis, Jr. (Orangeburg, SC)

For more information about the South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5854, emailculturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at www.northcharleston.org. Those interested in hosting the traveling exhibition should contact Jeff Powley, South Carolina State Museum Outreach Manager, at 803-737-4159 or jeff.powley@scmuseum.org.

Palmetto State Boychoir to hold registration on June 2nd

The Palmetto State Boychoir will hold registration for boys in grades 2-6 on June 2nd at 9:30 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church (corner of Marsh and 3rd Loop) in Florence.  The Boychoir plans to offer 40 full scholarships for the 2012-2013 season and an additional 40 full scholarships to our music day-camp to be held August 14-17. Camp participants will sing camp concerts in the Pee Dee and in Charleston.

Parents can learn more by visiting the Boychoir  website at www.psboychoir.org or by calling Mark Railey  at (843) 229-9281.

May 23rd - 26th: Farmers' Markets Across the Pee Dee

The Pee Dee is hosting three great farmers' markets between May 23rd and May 26th.  Click the links below for more information about each market:

May 23rd in downtown Florence

May 24th in Lake City

May 26th in Marion

An Overview of Artsville

For those of you interested in knowing more about this Pee Dee treasure, check out the brief overview of Artsville:

About Artsville:

The mission of Artsville can be summed up in three words: "try new things." We believe music is a great way to challenge the status quo and to explore new horizons in life.

We're the home of Artsville House Concerts, Artsville Open Mic, and Alphabet Soup. We also collaborate on events like The Lakeside Music Room.

In only its second year, Artsville House Concerts has already artists from around the country, and even the world. Artsville Open Mic is quickly earning a reputation as the most artist-friendly open mic in the Pee Dee. And with Artsville's help, The Lakeside Music Room raised 106% of its funding goal before its debut season.

Contact Information:
Dylan Sneed, Founder & Alchemist
214.686.3996
Email: info@welcometoartsville.com
Website: welcometoartsville.com

124 Mantissa Row, Hartsville, SC 29550

May 26th: Farmers' Market & Market Place in Marion

Each Saturday the Farmers Market & Marion Market Place are open in Marion from 9am-1pm. Visit the group's on Facebook or call Chuck at 843.423.9918 for information.

The Farmers Market and Market Place take place at 229 North Main Street in Marion.

Vegetables, handmade treasures and more!

Lake City Farmers' Market

The Lake City Farmers' Market will be open every Thursday from 2-7pm.

Come out and buy local. Not only will you have local produce and plants to enjoy, but also kids' activities, fresh seafood and baked goods.

The Lake City Farmers' Market is held at 111 Henry Street in downtown Lake City. 

For more information call: 843.374.0138 or 843.374.1500.

(EBT Accepted.)

May 19th: Blue Ridge Junction at the Art Trail Gallery

Revisiting The Faces of the Art Trail Gallery

Over the past year, we have made four posts featuring the Faces of the Art Trail Gallery.  Click the links below to revisit some of these images from artworks by some of the best artists in the Pee Dee:

Visualicious 2012

Visualicious 2011

Soul of the Pee Dee

More Art Trail Faces

The Art Trail Gallery is located at 135 South Dargan Street in downtown Florence, SC.  

May 25th: Blues & Beach Music in downtown Mullins

Don't miss the Mullins Downtown Live Series on Friday, May 25th, at 7pm on Main Street in Mullins (in front of Depot).  The event is free.

Carl Brunson will be performing Blues and Beach Music.

For more information contact the Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce at 464-6651 or mullinschamber@bellsouth.net. 

Hayes & Kelley honored at South Florence High School

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently recognized two outstanding graduating seniors at South Florence High School.  Each year since 1997, FRAA has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduates from all over Florence County.  This tradition was continued on May 10^th as Kristine Hayes and LaKeesha Kelley were honored from SFHS. 

Kristine Hayes was honored for outstanding achievement in visual art. LaKeesha Kelley was presented with the award for being the top graduating senior in SFHS’s chorus program.  Nationally renown playwright and Francis Marion University English professor Jon Tuttle presented the awards to Hayes and Kelley.

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts acitivities and performances.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annaully to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards, Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program or other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

May 25th: Lakeside Music Room at Cheraw State Park

The Lakeside Music Kicks Off on May 25th 

from Cheraw State Park

Dylan Sneed will be the first featured performer at Cheraw's Lakeside Music Room.  Join Sneed, Jeff Johnson of Pee Dee Outfitters and Mark Davies of Cheraw State Park on Friday, May 25th at 7pm at the Lakeside Music Room inside Cheraw State Park.  Admission is free.


For more information, contact Sneed at artsvilleinitiative@gmail.com.  


Check out the video below to learn more about the Lakeside Music Room.  This video is from their Kickstarter fundraising campaign (which was a smashing success):

May 19th: Farmers' Market and Market Place to take place in Marion

Each Saturday the Farmers Market & Marion Market Place are open in Marion from 9am-1pm. Visit the group's on Facebook or call Chuck at 843.423.9918 for information.

The Farmers Market and Market Place take place at 229 North Main Street in Marion.

Vegetables, handmade treasures and more!

May 17th: Lake City Farmers' Market

The Lake City Farmers' Market will be open every Thursday from 2-7pm.

Come out and buy local. Not only will you have local produce and plants to enjoy, but also kids' activities, fresh seafood and baked goods.

For more information call: 843.374.0138 or 843.374.1500. (EBT Accepted.)

Come this Thursday, May 17th and enter for a chance to WIN a $25.00 Farmers' Market Gift Certificate! FREE DRAWINGS are every hour on the hour from 2-7pm.

• 2:15-3pm Cooking Demonstration & Tasting with Jane Player, Rph, CDE (Diabetes friendly foods that taste good and are easy to prepare)
• 3:30-4pm Complimentary Bingo sponsored by IGA
• 4pm Music by G.L.S. & Company (Jazz Band)
• 5pm Performance by Dancin' On Main's Main Attraction Dance Team

Vendor Information & Specials

Dairy, Meat, and Seafood:

Carolina Heritage Farms & Orangeland Seafood

Grains, Produce, Plants, and Herbs:

McKenzie Farms and Nursery, A and B Farms, Sacred Sky Farms,Dickson's Organics, Poston Strawberry Farms, Russ Brothers Farms Old Plantation, Gowdy Farms, Clint Nero, Pryme Thyme Herbs,Countryside Gardens

Bread, Drinks, Sweets, and Other Foods:

Lone Palmetto Farms, M and J Entertainment, JBJ's, Kathy Fridl,Crabby Dick's, McCall Farms

Crafts, and More:

Paintin' in the Country, Carrie Belle's Calicos, It's Easy Being Green,Reeca's Gifts

Farmers' Market: Every Wednesday 3-7:30pm in downtown Florence

Come Downtown Florence and shop the

Downtown Farmers’ Market.

Each Wednesday from 3:00pm to 7:30pm

160 W Evans Street

Enjoy the freshest and best that the Pee Dee has to offer from

Organic  Beans, Radishes. Tomatoes, Eggplant,

Pasture Raised Beef, Garden Vegetables, Pears, Grapes,

Blueberries, Flowers, Firewood, Handmade soaps, local honey, handmade lotions, Goat Cheese, Goat Milk, Goat Milk Soap, Frozen Custard, Fresh Local Eggs, Soy Candles, Handcrafted Crocheted Soap Bags, Local Art, Garden Plants, Fresh Local Seafood, Fresh Strawberries...

...and much, much more! 

May 26th: War Bonds at the FMU PAC

War Bonds will be at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center on May 26, 2012 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25/$20/$15 and single tickets will go on sale on April 26, 2012.

Want a sneak peak? Here's a preview!

War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II is a sentimental journey through a war that redefined the world. This multimedia, living-history cabaret is interspersed with actual veterans letters and headline news of the period. Twenty-two period songs lift the mood and juxtapose the anguish of war. Award winning artists Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen fill the stage with war-time memories and nostalgic tunes. This family show allows the greatest generation to celebrate, as the next greatest generation contemplates.

The Center is located at 201 S Dargan Street in downtown Florence. For tickets and information, visit www.fmupac.org, or call 843-661-4444 Mon-Fri between 12 & 5 pm. 

Carolinas V coming to the Hartsville Memorial Library and Black Creek Arts Center

Black Creek Arts Council and the Friends of Hartsville Memorial Library will be hosting their fifth annual community photography contest and exhibit on July 12th from 5:30-7.

Friends of the Hartsville Memorial Library and Black Creek Arts Center invite you to participate in Carolinas V, a photography exhibit and competition. 

Black Creek Arts Council and Hartsville Memorial Library will be hosting the community opening reception and gallery crawl on July 12th from 5:30 – 7:00pm, with works being shown at both Black Creek Arts Center and Hartsville Memorial Library.

Sonoco will be sponsoring the opening events.

How to enter: 

Bring your photo(s) to the Arts Center or 

Hartsville Memorial Library between

June 19th and June 29th

$15 for 1 entry, $25 for 2 entries or $30 for 3 entries

For more information, contact Black Creek Arts Center, 843.332.6234 or the Hartsville Memorial Library, 843.332.5155.

You may print the Submission Form and bring it with you to submit your photos.

Addition information for entrants, Submission Letter.

ASCCT has solid showing at Visualicious 2012

The Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail (ASCCT) had a great showing at the Art Trail Gallery's Visualicious 2012.  In all eight ASCCT members took home nine awards.  

In the Professional Category, Pollie Bristow of Darlington won 1st Place, Carolyn Atkinson of Hartsville took 2nd and Mike Fowle of Hartsville took 3rd.  Bennettsville's Denny Stevenson and Hartsville's Patz Fowle received honorable mention awards in the Professional Category.  

In the Novice Category, Suzanne Muldrow of Darlington won 2nd Place.  Janis Hobbs of Florence received an honorable mention award.  Florence's Gaye Ham took home two awards, winning recognition as an Emerging Artist and receiving the Watermedia Award.  

Visualicious 2012 will be on display through the end of June.  The Art Trail Gallery is located at 135 South Dargan Street in downtown Florence.  Admission is free.

Congratulations to the Visualicious 2012 Winners

Congratulations to all the winners from Visualicious 2012 at the Art Trail Gallery in downtown Florence.  The exhibit will remain up through June.  Stop by 135 South Dargan Street and see what all the fuss is about.  

Also, check out the Pee Dee Arts' blog post featuring the faces of Visualicious:

The Faces of Visualicious 2012

The Florence Library calls for Book Donations

The Doctors Bruce & Lee Foundation Library calls for Book Donations

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library in Florence is requesting gently used book donations to help with dwindling book budgets.

 

The public is encouraged to donate gently used books to the library during regular operating hours. Arrangements can be made to pick up larger donations in the Florence area. Book donations to the Florence County Library System are tax deductible. Books may be donated to any of the six branch libraries in Florence County.

Click here for more info

June 23rd: Artsville House Concerts presents Jacob Johnson

Artsville House Concerts will be welcoming Jacob Johnson to the Pee Dee on June 23rd.  Click the link below to learn more about the this exciting house concert:

Artsville presents guitar phenom Jacob Johnson

The Faces of Visualicious 2012

Check out a few of the faces of Visualicious 2012 at the Art Trail Gallery in Florence.  Visualicious opens on Friday, May 11th with a reception from 5:30-8pm.  Several awards will be given out at the opening.  

Having gotten a sneak preview of the exhibit, I can promise you this is not one to miss.  Visualicous will be on display through the end of June.  The Art Trail Gallery is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30am to 2:30pm and Fridays 5:30-8pm.  Admission is free.

The Art Trail Gallery is located at 135 South Dargan Street in downtown Florence.

Visualicious is a dynamic and engaging show with works by several artists in a wide range of media.  If you haven't seen an Art Trail exhibit, I encourage you to come out for this one.

-Bruce Douglas

June 1st: Mark Wayne Hagood at the Art Trail Gallery

On Friday, June 1st, Mark Wayne Hagood will perform at the Art Trail Gallery in downtown Florence.  From 6:30-8pm, Hagood will play original songs and cover some of the great outlaw classics.  He will also pay tribute to the legendary musician Waylon Jennings.  

Admission to Hagood's performance is free.

May 11th: Visualicious opens at the Art Trail Gallery

Works from the FRAA Permanent Collection to be shown at the Art Trail Gallery

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is pleased to announce that a portion of its permanent collection will be on display at the Art Trail Gallery during May and June.  During that time, Visualicious, an exhibit featuring many different types of artwork by artists from the Pee Dee, will be the featured exhibit at the gallery.

Included in the works from the FRAA collection are pieces by Jack Dowis, Jane Jackson, Denny Stevenson, Greg Fry and Harry McFadden.  In all 11 pieces of the collection will be shown.  The works will not be juried as part of Visualicious.

The show will open with a reception on May 11^th from 5:30 to 8pm and will remain on display through June 29^th.  Stop by the Art Trail Gallery, located at 135 South Dargan Street in downtown Florence, to see Visualicious and works from the FRAA permanent collection.  Regular gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 – 2:30 and Friday 5:30 – 8pm.  Admission is free.

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting, and promoting the Arts in Florence County.  Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts. 

May 20th: Tour the Caleb Coker House in Society Hill

A Message From Nancy Brooks with the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation:

You are invited to tour the Historic Caleb Coker House in Society Hill Sunday afternoon, May 20, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Hear about the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation’s plans for this house and other historic properties they have around the state. Enjoy ice tea, lemonade and light refreshments as the Palmetto Trust members welcome members of the Darlington County Historic Society, Marlboro Historic Society and other historic minded individuals from the Pee Dee area.

The Caleb Coker House is located at 309 South Main Street in Society Hill, SC.

For Information Contact:

Nancy Brooks

Director of Operations/Resource Development

Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation

Phone: 803-896-6439, 803-608-1425

E-mail: nancy@palmettotrust.org

www.palmettotrust.org

FMU's Performing Arts Center to host Catie Curtis

On Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m., Francis Marion University’s Performing Arts Center brings Boston-based singer-songwriter Catie Curtis to the stage of its intimate Black Box Theatre.

Curtis is a veteran artist with a 15-year career and has recorded 10 critically acclaimed solo albums and has had songs featured in numerous TV shows including Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, Grey’s Anatomy and Alias, as well as in films such as 500 Miles to Graceland and A Slipping Down Life.  In the fall of 2008 Curtis released the critically acclaimed Sweet Life (her ninth recording), an album dedicated to Lynne Ramsdell, the neighbor who gave 15-year-old Curtis her first guitar and traced out the first steps of Curtis’ life path.

Throughout the fall of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 Curtis toured Sweet Life, and in January 2009 performed at the Human Rights Campaign’s official Obama inaugural ball beside LGBT icons Melissa Etheridge and Rufus Wainwright.  Her new CD, "Stretch Limousine on Fire," was released last August. The opening act of the show will be Carsie Blanton.

Tickets for the show are $20 for adults and $10 for students. They may be purchased at www.fmupac.org, via telephone at (843) 661-4444, and at the FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office. Telephone and personal ticket sales are available Monday through Friday between 12-5 p.m. Subject to availability, tickets may be available for purchase at the door.