The original Jelly Roll rolls in. Folk-feminism finds voice. Murder gets musical.
Maura's Three for the Week in Charleston, 3/10/25 - 3/16/25
The clocks have turned and with any luck the weather will, too. In the past few days, I could already feel the winds shift in the cultural season. Over a few days, I partook in a buzzing, teeming art walk, a convivial and charmiing Charleston Men’s Chorus concert, the dynamic, The Ibu Movement’s uplifting Waka Waka gala and summit, and Charleston Stage’s terrific new go of The Glass Menagerie (here’s my review).
Missing out? The coming week has plenty more on offer, indoors and out—and all over town. So get booking, y’all. Our artists are primed to welcome you.
Jazz up your Monday, New Orleans-style
Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St., downtown Charleston, Mon., March 10 at 7:30 p.m.
I’ve been lucky enough to catch a few shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City and they never disappoint. Tonight, you can zip to the Charleston Gaillard Center for New Orleans Songbook, the organization’s touring concert led by acclaimed pianist Luther S. Allison that features the soulful vocals of Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs, backed by an equally brilliant band. They’ll perform hits from the legendary composers and timeless songs that define the Crescent City, among them Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Ellis Marsalis and James Black.
For tickets and information, click here.
Spy the demon barber of Fleet Street on Sullivans Island
Battery Gadsden, 1917 I’On Avenue, Sullivans Island, Wed., March 12 - Sat., March 15 (with rain date is set for Sun., March 16), 7:30 p.m.
As I flagged last week, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is set to unleash Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant score, to be performed by a 22-piece on-stage orchestra, by way of a new production from Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera, aka HALO. With Ryan McAdams as both director and conductor, the story of the bloodthirsty British barber is set alfresco at Battery Gadsden, which is sure to add immeasurably to the sonic chills and thrills.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.holycityarts.org.
Spring into Shakespeare with dancing fairies
Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., downtown Charleston, Sat., March 15 at 1 p.m and 7 p.m and Sun., March 16 at 3 p.m.
As part of its tenth season, Palmetto City Ballet brings on the spring with a Shakespearean brand of magic, mischief and romance. The world premiere of A Midsummer Night's Dream conjures a realm of fairies and lovers, all aloft in gorgeous ballet. The company concludes its Classic vs. Contemporary program with Why Our Walls, in which three soloist dancers grapple with their personal and societal challenges while striving to overcome them. The work features spoken word segments by Marcus Amaker, Charleston's former poet laureate, as well as the invigorating Grieg String Quartet in G Minor.
For tickets and information, click here.
Bonus: Join Ani DiFranco for Unprecedented Sh!t
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., downtown Charleston, Tues., March 11 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Folk-feminist hero Ani DiFranco shares a forthcoming album Unprecedented Sh!t, which is shaped by stories — ones about reproductive freedom, the double-edged sword of the pandemic, identity and ever-evolving belief systems that have shaped each of its 11 songs. The title Unprecedented Sh!t is not only representative of how much of a sonic departure the 11-track album is from Ani’s other work, but also a political and social commentary on the current state of the world.
For tickets and information, click here.
Another bonus: Jazz up your classical fare in a Summerville sanctuary
St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 28 Sumter Ave., Summerville, Sun., March 16 at 3 p.m.
The St. John the Beloved Concert Series presents the return of The In-Between ensemble for Wonderland. The ensemble features classical soprano Jill Terhaar Lewis with jazz musicians Robert Lewis (saxophone) and Gerald Gregory
(piano) for more new compositions and arrangements that incorporate elements of classical chamber music with improvisations in jazz styles in a true fusion resulting in
unique and engaging music. Events are free and open to the public as a gift to the community. Donations received at series events will help
to continue to support the concert series. Patrons should pay as they are able; those who cannot donate are still warmly welcomed.
For more information, click here.
One for the future: Beetlejuice rears its head in North Charleston
North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, Tues., March 25 - Sun., March 30, various times
What’s not to love about a Broadway musical hit based on Tim Burton’s beloved cult film. I’ve been eager to see it since it first opened on Broadway in 2019. True to the 1988 film, the show tells the story of the oddball teen Lydia Deetz, who rubs shoulders with a recently deceased couple and soon runs afoul of a stripe-suited demon who doesn’t give her a moment’s peace. Its lands in North Charleston by way of the excellent Best of Broadway series, and I’ll be bringing my tween daughter Beatrice, who is a major league fan of all things Beetlejuice.
For tickets and more information, click here.