Events for Kids & Families
Details on fun and exciting events and activities suitable kids and families are listed below.
Free parking at all locations, except where noted.
Scheduled events are subject to change; confirm prior to event.
FRIDAY, APRIL 29
African Drum & Dance Performance
R.B. Stall High School, 3625 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
8:45am & 10:15am • FREE • Adande Dance Company presents the colorful and meaningful form of African dance and drumming based on Guinea traditions. The beat and magic of the African chant and drum energizes the crowd as they are absorbed by dances and rhythms that are distinctive of this unique art form. Audience participation is requested!
Children’s Festival - Preschool Activities & Puppet Show
Felix Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC 29405
9:00am-noon • FREE • Call 843-745-1028 to pre-register • Fun outdoor games and activities are planned for young children, followed by an 11:00am performance of The Ant, the Grasshopper, and More by Hobey Ford, two time winner of puppetry's highest honor, the UNIMA Citation of Excellence. Individuals & groups are welcome.
Children’s Improvisational Variety Act
Food Court at Northwoods Mall, 2150 Northwoods Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29406
6:00-7:00pm • FREE • LUMBO creates a world that will bring fun and laughter to all ages through improvisational comedy, character clowning, mime, and juggling.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30
Arts Festival Main Event
Chas. Area Convention Ctr. Complex & N. Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston, SC 29418
10:00am-4:00pm • FREE • See performances throughout the day on four separate stages. View exhibitions of Judged Fine Art, Photography, Tri-County Youth Art, and SC Palmetto Hands Fine Crafts. Other attractions include the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, the Village Antiques & Collectibles show, children’s activities at Creation Stations & Box City, arts & crafts vendors, roving entertainers, an outdoor food courtyard, and much more!
SUNDAY, MAY 1
Arts Festival Main Event
Chas. Area Convention Ctr. Complex & N. Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston, SC 29418
2:00-5:00pm • FREE • See performances throughout the day on four separate stages. View exhibitions of Judged Fine Art, Photography, Tri-County Youth Art, and SC Palmetto Hands Fine Crafts. Other attractions include the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, the Village Antiques & Collectibles Show, children’s activities at Creation Stations & Box City, arts & crafts vendors, roving entertainers, an outdoor food courtyard, and much more!
MONDAY, MAY 2
Children’s Puppet Show - Caleb’s Conscience
Felix Pinckney Community Center, 4764 Hassell Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
4:00-4:30pm • FREE • A sock comes to life and teaches young Caleb about the importance of morals and having a clean conscience in this original puppet show presented by The Lighthouse Theater Kids.
Hispanic Community Event
New Covenant Church of God, 2801 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
7:00-9:00pm • FREE • Bring the whole family for a fun evening featuring Latino music by singer, Pepe Moreno, and other local musicians, as well as children’s entertainment by El Payaso Estrella.
TUESDAY, MAY 3
Children’s Puppet Show - The Happy Circus
Cooper River Memorial Library, 3503 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
10:30-11:30am • FREE • When the elephant parade begins you'll know that you are in for a treat! Join Becky’s Box of Puppets for a visit to the little big top. Clowns, wild animals, and spellbinding acts will mystify and delight young and old alike. Becky Becker and her box of puppets have been entertaining audiences across the South since 1980.
Kids Visual Art Workshop
Gethsemani Community Center, 2449 Beacon Street, North Charleston, SC 29405
3:30-4:30pm • FREE • Space is limited; call 843-740-5854 to register • Elementary and middle school age students are invited to participate in a hands-on visual art workshop led by the City’s 2010/11 Artist-in-Residence, Deborah Meyer. Materials provided.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
Children’s Puppet Show - Tangle of Tales
Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 7620 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406
11:00am-Noon • FREE • EMMY Award nominee, Grey Seal Puppets, brings three favorite folks tales from around the world to life with a touch of the familiar and a taste of the new. Using a variety of puppet styles, "The Frog Prince" (Germany), "Three Billy Goats Gruff" (Scandinavia), and "The Three Little Pigs" (England) are each told with refreshing wit and wisdom. In between each of the tales is a whole menagerie of zany characters to see and enjoy.
Kids Visual Art Workshop
Raymond “Buck” Miller Community Center, 2731 Oak Leaf Drive, North Charleston, SC 29420
3:30-4:30pm • FREE • Space is limited; call 843-740-5854 to register • Elementary and middle school age students are invited to participate in a hands-on visual art workshop led by the City’s 2010/11 Artist-in-Residence, Deborah Meyer. Materials provided.
World Music and Stories - Citizens of the World
Otranto Road Regional Library, 2261 Otranto Road, North Charleston, SC 29406
4:00-5:00pm • FREE • Seona McDowell, two time winner of Australia’s OZ Music Award for best female folk singer, will delight audiences with her wide repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs and stories from around the world. This lively program celebrates the similarities and differences of people and cultures across the globe and teaches us how to be good world citizens. This program is perfectly suited for grades preK-8.
Magic Show
Dorchester Road Regional Library, 6325 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
4:30-5:30pm • FREE • Houdini II will present a reading themed, after-school magic show featuring music, close-up tricks, live birds, and more. Fun for all ages!
Art Walk
Olde Village area, East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
5:00-8:00pm • FREE • Take a stroll down East Montague Avenue through businesses, pubs, restaurants, studios, and salons to see works by local artists and fine craft artisans in a variety of subjects and mediums. Lime & the Coconuts (Ukulele/Swing/Folk) and Lane Gregory (Bluegrass/Folk/Old Time/Americana) will provide musical entertainment throughout the evening. Be sure to stop by the Art & Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery reception at the Meeting Place. Other attractions include children’s activities and live artist demonstrations. It’s an evening of art and culture for the whole family!
FRIDAY, MAY 6
Contemporary Dance Performance - Science in Motion
Mary Ford Elementary School, 3180 Thomasina McPherson Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29405
8:30am • FREE • Space is limited; call 843-740-5854 to register • Learn science through the choreography of this Active Learning contemporary dance performance. The Kinetyx Dance Ensemble will teach lessons on interdependence of life forms, life cycles, simple machines, and the Laws of Motion.
Theatre Presentation - Men of the Mountain
Northwoods Park Community Center, 8348 Greenridge Road, North Charleston, SC 29406
3:30-4:00pm • FREE • Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina presents this original outdoor production directed by and starring Tyler Ilgen. Actors and dancers on stilts portray ancient mythical creatures that protect forests. These giant beasts kindly teach a young girl, her brother, and the audience a lesson about protecting nature.
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Contemporary Dance Performance - Around the World in 60 Minutes
Otranto Road Regional Library, 2261 Otranto Road, North Charleston, SC 29406
Noon-1:00pm• FREE • Take a trip to four continents through the art form of dance in this Active Learning contemporary dance performance. The Kinetyx Dance Ensemble will explore Native American customs, Tango Argentina, Chinese folk tales, and an African safari.
Interactive Storytelling - Tell-Aerobic-Tales™
Dorchester Road Regional Library, 6325 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
2:00-3:00pm • FREE • Join award-winning storyteller and teaching artist, J’miah Nabawi, for this unique storytelling program that infuses physical education with the fun and excitement of drama, music, dance, and action storytelling to create positive self-esteem through “aerobic” activity.
Arts Festival Grand Finale - Performances/Children’s Activities/Fireworks
North Charleston Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
Rain Site: Sterett Hall, 1530 7th Street, North Charleston, SC 29405
6:00-9:00pm • FREE
6:00-6:30pm - Shag Demonstration by Luis Boria at the boardwalk – grab a partner and give it a try!
6:00-7:30pm - Tri-county school showcase at the amphitheatre stage – The Pinehurst Elementary
School Chorus (4th & 5th graders) and the Pepperhill Elementary School Chorus (5th graders) will present a variety of choral selections from 6:00-6:30pm. The Alston Middle School Chorus will share highlights from their spring production “Once On This Island,” featuring music, puppetry, and dance, from 6:30-7:00pm. The showcase closes out from 7:00-7:30pm with the Cane Bay Cobra Chorale Showcase, featuring 10th & 12th graders.
6:00-8:00pm - Locally renowned poets and youth poets from the Speak Freely Foundation will perform poetry recitations and spoken word during the “The Poetry Show” at the Navy Base Memorial. The Speak Freely Foundation is a non-profit helping at-risk youth through the literary arts.
6:30-7:00pm - Afro-Latino Dance Demonstration by Buen Aché Dance Co. at the boardwalk – join in on the fun!
7:00-7:30pm - Salsa Dance Demonstration by Latin Groove at the boardwalk – take a spin!
7:30-8:00pm - Presentation of Polynesian dances, including Maori fire dances, by Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe at the amphitheatre stage
8:00-9:00pm - The Fowl Play Band will get the crowd groovin' at the ammphitheatre state with a blend of beach, classic rock, Motown, and contemporary hits.
9:00pm - Fireworks display over the Cooper River by Zambelli Fireworks. (Rain date - Sunday, May 8, 9:00pm)
Other attractions include inflatable jump castles and roving entertainment by The Interactive Theater of Jef. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a great ending to this year’s Arts Festival! Food concessions will be available for purchase.