PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT:  Ballet Theater “Twisted Tango”
Charleston Ballet Theater, the state’s World-Class Professional Dance Company, heats up the night with a pre-festival performance of its sensual and electric new program.  Original choreography by Jill Eathorne-Bahr is blended into this intimate and seductive dance form, featuring lavish costumes and intense drama - it promises to be a sizzling performance!
North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive
7:30PM, call the Charleston Ballet Theater office at 723-7334
or the Cultural Arts Department at 745-1087 for ticket info

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL: Pre-school Activities and Variety Show
Fun outdoor games planned for young children followed by an 11:00AM performance of the Flow Circus Variety Show – magic, juggling, comedy, and more! Individuals & groups welcome, please pre-register with the North Charleston Recreation Department 745-1028.

NORTHWOODS MALL KIDS EVENT:  “Teddy Time” Puppet Show
Becky’s Box of Puppets presents a professional puppet show with bright, colorful props and unforgettable teddy bear characters. The charming bears dance, play music, juggle, and even get into a spot of mischief. 
Food Court, Northwoods Mall, 7260 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston
6:00-7:00PM, FREE

NORTHWOODS MALL CONCERT: ‘Hungry Monks’
This Charleston-based acoustic string band performs traditional, contemporary, and original acoustic songs and instrumentals in the Celtic tradition, while drawing on a wide range of influences including Medieval & Renaissance, Folk, Blues, Classical and Jazz.
Food Court, Northwoods Mall, 7260 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston
7:00-8:00PM, FREE

CONCERT & MOVIE SCREENING:
The ‘Fly Boys’ will perform a positive rap music concert prior to the movie screening and discussion of the Byron Hurt film “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes.”  The film, which aired as part of the Independent Lens series on PBS, is a “loving critique” of disturbing trends in rap music today, featuring insight from intelligent, divergent voices including rap artists, industry executives, rap fans and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation. Octavia Jackson of the Jackson Knight Show will lead the discussion.
North Charleston Cultural & Civic Center Auditorium (on the former Charleston Naval Base)
Fly Boys Concert 7:30PM / Movie Screening & Discussion 8:00-9:30PM, FREE

ARTS FESTIVAL GALA & PERFORMANCE: “Forever Tango”
You and your guests are cordially invited to attend the North Charleston Arts Festival 2008 Gala, featuring the off-Broadway production of “Forever Tango.”  The Gala begins at 6:00PM in the Charleston Area Convention Center Ballroom with heavy hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by Congdon & Co. Guests will attend the performance in the adjacent Performing Arts Center Auditorium and return to the Ballroom immediately after for desserts, cordials, and dancing to Congdon & Co. until midnight!
Gala Celebration: Embassy Ballroom, Charleston Area Convention Center, 5000 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston
Pre-Event Reception 6:00-7:30PM / Gala 10:00PM-12:00AM
Performance: Performing Arts Center (PAC) Auditorium, 8:00PM
Gala Package Includes: Free parking pass, pre-event reception & entertainment, “Tango” ticket, post-event party & dance band, desserts and cordials 
Gala Package Tickets: Individual $75, parties of 4 or more $70, parties of 10 or more $65. Call 745-1087 (Deadline Monday, April 28)

 FESTIVAL MAIN EVENT: (SEE MAIN EVENT PAGE FOR DETAILS) Main Event performances may be seen throughout the day on four separate stage areas.  Attractions and exhibitions include Judged Fine Art, Photography, Youth Art, and SC Palmetto Hands Fine Crafts, Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, creative and interactive children’s activities such as Creation Stations and Box City, Arts & Craft vendors, an outdoor Food Court and much more!
North Charleston Performing Arts & Convention Center Complex, 5001 Coliseum Drive
10:00AM-4:00PM, Parking and admission are FREE

GOSPEL SHOWCASE
Local and regional performing artists, gospel groups, and choirs will share their music and praise with the Lowcountry.
Tanger Outlet Mall, Tanger Blvd., North Charleston, outdoor performance area (Mall suite will serve as rain site) 
5:00-7:00PM, FREE

AN OLD FASHION SOCK-HOP: Concert by ‘The Loafers’
Original members of the favorite local quintet, The Loafers, will recreate the Park Circle Teen Club of the 50’s & 60’s with their popular sounds.
Felix Davis Community Center Auditorium at 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston
7:00- 9:00PM, FREE

SHADOW PUPPET PLAY: “Green – The World is a Basket”  

Geoffrey Cormier, formerly of the Jim Henson Company, and Wayang Modern Puppet Theater produce fresh and topical interpretations of the ancient Indonesian Wayang Kulit shadow puppet theater for modern, adult audiences. Opening with a “cartoon” short, this shadow puppet performance will illustrate how our past is connected to our future using puppets made of sweetgrass, an iconic Lowcountry staple. Puppets and original art will also be on display. Cormier and Wayang Modern were voted Best Puppet Show for Charleston City Paper’s Best of Charleston 2008.

The Meeting Place, 1077 E. Montague Avenue, North Charleston
8:00PM, Tickets: $7.00 in advance/ $10 at the door  

 FESTIVAL MAIN EVENT: (SEE MAIN EVENT PAGE FOR DETAILS) Main Event performances may be seen throughout the day on four separate stage areas.  Attractions and exhibitions include Judged Fine Art, Photography, Youth Art, and SC Palmetto Hands Fine Crafts, Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, creative and interactive children’s activities such as Creation Stations and Box City, Arts & Craft vendors, an outdoor Food Court and much more!
North Charleston Performing Arts & Convention Center Complex, 5001 Coliseum Drive
2:00PM-5:00PM, Parking and admission are FREE

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL MUSIC CONCERT
An elegant evening filled with praise and worship featuring a nationally acclaimed gospel recording artist, Smokie Norful. Tia Brewer-Footman and Gerald Footman will host the annual Grace Icon Awards presented by Grace Magazine.
North Charleston Performing Arts Center (PAC) Auditorium, 5001 Coliseum Drive
7:00PM, ticket info www.mygracemag.com or call 764-2622

SENIOR CONCERT:  Roger Bellow & Berita Martin
This duo will offer rich, mellow jazz sounds and some familiar oldies for an afternoon concert open to all seniors, Red Hat Ladies, and the general public.
Felix Davis Community Center Auditorium at 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston
1:30PM-2:30PM, FREE

AFTER-SCHOOL CHILDREN’S PROGRAM:  ‘That Puppet Guy’

Nationally recognized touring puppeteer, Lee Bryan, will perform a one-man show titled “Princess and the Pea, Y’all” for the North Charleston Recreation Department’s After-School program. The public is invited to attend. Bryan’s professional credits include a feature film with The Muppets and more recently, an Emmy nomination for his puppetry work on television with Public Broadcasting.
Northwoods Recreation Center, 8348 Greenridge Road, North Charleston
4:00PM, FREE

AFTER-HOURS CONCERT: Wanda Johnson
Relax in a beautiful setting and enjoy a soulful performance by international touring artist, Wanda Johnson, the new voice of SC Soul & Blues.
Embassy Hotel Atrium, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston
6:00-7:00PM, FREE

ONE MAN PLAY:  “The Neon Man and Me”

Richmond, VA, playwright, Slash Coleman presents a dramatic, yet humorous performance based on the experiences of a young man coming to terms with the death of a close friend. A delightful blend of stand-up and physical comedy, the production consists of seven monologues and an original musical score that Coleman plays on his guitar. This show recently ran off-Broadway and will air on PBS this spring.
North Charleston Cultural & Civic Auditorium (Hobson Avenue/ on the former Charleston Naval Base)
6:00PM, FREE

CHILDREN’S PUPPET SHOW: Performed by Grey Seal Puppets

Families, schools and daycares are invited to enjoy a morning show with loveable puppet characters and entertaining children’s stories. Grey Seal Puppets are the recipients of the North Carolina Theatre Conference's Award for leadership in theatre arts and The Puppeteers of America President's Award for outstanding service to the art of puppetry.
Cooper River Memorial Library, 3503 Rivers Avenue (744-2489)
10:30AM, FREE

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM:  ‘That Puppet Guy’
Emmy-nominated puppeteer, Lee Bryan, combines unique vocals and innovative puppet designs in the show “Aesop’s Fantastic Fables”. Direct from the Master of Morals, timeless tales of The Lion & Mouse, The Tortoise & Hare, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf help teach valuable character education lessons.
Otranto Road Regional Library, 2261 Otranto Road (572-4094)
10:30AM, FREE

LIBRARY PROGRAM: Performed by Curious Moon Puppets

“Fish n’ Ships” is a shadow puppet show for all ages. No one has ever been able to solve the mystery of what is haunting the old, sunken pirate ship. And none of the other fish in school believes that amateur detective Fry can solve the mystery either. With encouragement from the audience, and armed with his Deepwater Detective badge and Ocean Floor Trail Guide, Fry sets out on a journey across the ocean to find the ship and what is haunting it.
Dorchester Road Regional Library, 6325 Dorchester Road (552-6466)
11:00AM, FREE

SENIOR PROGRAM: Ann Caldwell & The Magnolia Singers

The public is invited to join residents and guests as the melodic sounds of the Magnolia Singers, led by jazz vocalist and producer Ann Caldwell, bring traditional Gullah songs to life.
Driftwood Nursing Center, 2375 Baker Hospital Blvd., North Charleston
2:30PM, FREE

ART WORKSHOP FOR TEENS:  Karen DeLoach
City of North Charleston Artist in Residence, Karen DeLoach, will lead students in a creative visual art workshop.
Murray Hill Academy, 2670 Bonds Avenue, North Charleston
4:00-5:00PM, FREE

MAGIC SHOW: Performance by ‘Hokus Pokus’
A local magician will perform an engaging magic show for the Pepperhill Elementary After-School Program. The public is also invited to attend.
Pepperhill Elementary School, 3300 Creola Road, North Charleston
4:30PM, FREE

AFTER-HOURS CONCERT SERIES: Annie Sidley and Band
National performing artist, Annie Sidley, presents original Pop songs and Rhythm & Blues.  Described as one of Washington, DC's most soulful and original artists, her voice has been compared with the strength and soulfulness of Aretha Franklin and her songwriting to that of Stevie Wonder and Prince, yet she remains true to her own vision and distinctive sound. Make this your after-work destination. 
Embassy Hotel Atrium, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston
6:00-7:00PM, FREE

MUSIC PRESENTATION: “Lady Bird Jazz & The Word”
Oakland, CA, piano trio, the Tangria Jazz Group, will perform straight-ahead jazz and author/drummer Sheryl Mebane will include a reading from her debut Jazz novel.
Dorchester Road Regional Library, 6325 Dorchester Road (552-6466)
6:30PM, FREE

BILINGUAL STORYTELLING: Gregorio Pedroza
The international author and professional storyteller will weave tales for students in both English and Spanish. The public is invited to attend.
Garrett Academy of Technology, 2731 Gordon Street, North Charleston
8:30AM, FREE

REFLECTIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Ellen Shoener
Join local seniors as writer, Ellen Shoener, reads selections from her original travel writings and leads a workshop titled “Enlarging the Circle of Life”.
Felix Davis Community Center at 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston
11:00AM, FREE

BROWN BAG LUNCH / LECTURE/ DEMO: Arianne King Comer

Pack a bagged lunch and join batik artist Arianne King Comer for a fascinating lecture and demonstration on the creation of textile works.
10 Storehouse Row, Noisette Blvd., The Navy Yard at Noisette (on the former Charleston Naval Base)
Noon, FREE

THE LONE RANGER RADIO SHOW: Tim & Bonnie Lowry
Join Bonnie Lowry and Tim Lowry, resident storyteller at Boone Hall Plantation, for an interactive presentation recreating the days of radio dramas. All ages may participate as a character reading lines or as a background artist creating the sound effects for a Lone Ranger episode.
Otranto Road Regional Library, 2261 Otranto Road (572-4094)
4:00PM, FREE

ART WALK: Co-sponsored by the Olde North Charleston Merchants Association
Stroll down E. Montague Avenue through businesses, pubs, small cafes, and salons to see works from local artists, art from private collections, and stunning samples from masters’ collections. Art majors from the Charleston County School of the Arts and the non-profit group, ‘Kids with Cameras’, also included.  Visit the Art Co-Op at The Meeting Place.
The Yonrico Scott Jazz & Soul Trio will be performing from 6:00-7:00PM in an outdoor garden setting. This group is currently touring with Santana and has played with other national performing artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and OutKast.
ART CO-OP Exhibition & Sale: The Meeting Place, 1077 E. Montague Avenue, Open House and Reception during the Art Walk
ART WALK: Olde North Charleston Business District, E. Montague Avenue
5:00-8:00PM, FREE

JAZZ SAXOPHONE CONCERT:  DeVone T. Gary
This young, local musician has delighted audiences with his outstanding talents, performing with headliners for regional events and programs.
Cooper River Memorial Library, 3503 Rivers Avenue (744-2489)
6:00PM, FREE

LATIN STORIES & MUSIC:  Gregorio Pedroza & Portico
Internationally known Bilingual storyteller, Gregorio Pedroza, brings Latin culture to life through stories drawn from his experiences growing up in a barrio in Texas. Now residing in New York, Gregorio works as an author, storyteller and motivational speaker and travels throughout the world weaving his tales. Traditional Latin American music will be performed by Portico, under the direction of Pedro Rodriguez. This event is presented in partnership with the City of