The art of jazz. Crazy for Cline. Croissants and crosswords.
Three for the Week, 6/23/25- 6/29/25
The swelter weather is nigh, Charleston, so you may want to head for the A.C.-powered arts and culture in the days to come. There was a time when summer in the city offered slim pickings for inspired outings, but these days there is a steady stream of top talent keeping the momentum going well into the dog days. Here are some hot happenings in cool venues. Enjoy.
Stay cool with the Art of Jazz series kickoff
Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St., downtown Charleston, Wed., June 25, 6 p.m.
I’ve long been a fan of the Gibbes Museum of Art’s ever-inventive and illuminating Art of Jazz series, which invites musical artists to interpret works of art. This week, Charleston-based pianist, bassist and composer Jonathan Lovett headlines opening night, fresh off a successful European tour with blues legend Eric Gales. Artists include Jonathan Lovett on keyboards; Brett Belanger on bass; and Ron Wiltrout on drums.
For more information, click here.
Amp up with Indigo Girls at Charleston Music Hall
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., downtown Charleston, Fri., June 27, and Sat., June 28, at 7:30 p.m.
I’m dating myself, admittedly, but I first discovered the gritty folk rock glory of Indigo Girls well before the release of their 1989 debut album featuring hits like “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears,” which propelled the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray. Back then, they serenaded a crowd on the deck of the long-shuttered Cafe 99, a Market Street bar that attracted emerging talent like the perennially popular pair. It’s always a delight to welcome them back to town, here on their Look Long Tour with singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt.
For tickets and information, click here.
Spritz, savor and search for the words
Philosphers & Fools, 50 Bogard St., downtown Charleston, Sun., June 29, Noon - 5 p.m.
I’ve been known to pop in to Philosophers & Fools on a regular basis. The bookstore bar is around the corner from my home in Cannonborough-Elliotborough, and its friendly proprietors Jenny Ferrara and Michael Bourke are always up for a good jawbone on literature, live performance and grape-based libations—offering a much-needed break from writerly solitude and a great spot for interviews, too. The couple now launches“Sunday Spritz with Crosswords & Croissants,” a Sunday-only menu of Spritzes and croissant sandwiches, complete with a complimentary crossword puzzle. Sounds like an ideal way to chill out with fellow word nerds, while keeping the brain cells firing on all cylinders.
For more information, click here.
Bonus: Go Crazy for Patsy Cline with chanteuse Maggie Worsdale
Queen Street Playhouse, 20 Queen St., downtown Charleston, Sat., June 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun. June 29 at 4 p.m.
The Footlight Players have built a following converging cabaret and theater, which has added greatly to Charleston offerings. This week, a Footlight favorite, renowned jazz and cabaret singer Maggie Worsdale, pays tribute to the original ”Queen of Country Music” Patsy Cline in her one-woman concert Crazy about Patsy Cline, a multi-media concert singing Cline’s songs in a jazz-meets-country rendition and sharing little known stories about the icon’s life and career.
For more information, click here.