Charleston SC Events May June 2016

North Charleston Arts Festival

April 29 - May 7

The North Charleston Arts Festival features nine full days of events highlighting more than 100 national, regional and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Crafts, Photography, Media Arts and Literature. Residents and visitors from throughout the Southeast and beyond are invited to experience nearly 200 free and modestly priced performances, workshops, exhibitions, and activities in a variety of venues, including libraries, businesses, community centers, schools, civic auditoriums and parks. The Main Event, held the first weekend in May at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to over forty performances on four themed stages; General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands. Other Main Event activities include judged art and photography shows, the SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit, a gem & mineral show, an antique show, children’s activities, art & craft booths and a food courtyard. The Arts Festival continues with over sixty individual events and exhibitions throughout the remainder of the week at various locations. An array of free and ticketed offerings include street dances, concerts, theatre presentations, film screenings, an art walk, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, a National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition and much more. The festival concludes with the Grand Finale at North Charleston Riverfront Park featuring performances by professional groups and Tri-county schools, children’s activities and fireworks over the Cooper River. 843-740-5854, northcharlestonartsfest.com

The Big Build

May 1 - Sept 24

The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is excited to present The Big Build special exhibit, a hands-on and play-based exhibit where children are invited to "Be the Builder" and construct endless structures using KAPLA, LEGO and Imagination Playground blocks and many more. In addition to manipulatives, The Big Build will feature a catenary arch, special toddler area, literacy connections and opportunities for children to explore engineering, design and construction concepts through play. 843-853-8962, explorecml.org

Charleston Night Market

May 1 - Dec 31

Spend your weekends at the market with more than 75 artisans, music, and artists! Open Friday and Saturday nights from through December. The Night Market provides the opportunity to discover unique, local and handcrafted items, and is one of the largest and most diverse Artisan markets stretching 3 blocks! Join us each weekend with live music, exciting artists and a whole lot of Charleston. 6:30-10:30pm. thecharlestoncitymarket.com

Cinco de Mayo Bash at Mex 1

May 5

Enjoy Live Music by Milandro Soul (5-7pm) The Dubplates (8-10pm), Big Hair Productions and more. There will also be Capoeira Dances, Sombra Dancing Girls, Fire Hula Hoopers when it gets dark, a Photo Booth from 5-10pm, Modelo Girls and Milagro Ladies and a taco eating contest! The winner of the taco eating contest will get free tacos for the entire month of May. Grab a beer from the Modelo Especial Beer Cart while you wait for your table when you enter. We'll also have a Rolling Beer Truck with 3 beers on Draft and a Satellite bar out front. 843-751-4001.

Greek Festival

May 6 - 8

Come enjoy the cultural food and sounds at the 45th Charleston Greek Festival. Come join in a celebration of life, music, good food, and friendship! This year’s festival includes: delicious Greek food, Greek wines and beverages, Greek music (two live bands), folk dance performances, cultural exhibits, Church tours highlighting ecclesiastic history, music, art, and prayer. Ample parking area with continuous shuttle service to festival grounds. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 843-577-2063. charlestongreekfestival.com

Palmetto Brewgrass Festival

May 7 - 8

Palmetto Brewing and Awendaw Green present a celebration of great beer and bluegrass. Check website for line-up of bands and more details. awendawgreen.com

13th Annual Mom's Run & Family Fun Day

May 7

On Mother’s Day weekend, honor moms everywhere by supporting a cause that helps women and their families suffering from postpartum mood disorders. Runners and walkers can join the 5K run/walk. A Family Fun Day and awards ceremony will follow the race. Participants can enjoy music, free food and plenty of children’s activities, including a jump castle, face painting, crafts and games. Family Fun Day is included in race registration. 8:30am. MUSC Health Stadium on Daniel Island, 843-732-1772. ppdsupport.org/moms-run

9th Annual Dragon Boat Festival

May 7

This event has it all…a fierce competition, a huge party and a celebration of cancer survivors, all benefiting the cancer survivor programs of Dragon Boat Charleston. This is the Lowcountry’s most unique and fabulous event. It’s hard to describe the creative costumes, colorful tents, strenuous paddling, delicious food and fun all set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Ashley River. Come on out for a crazy day of fun with friends, family and co-workers. Brittlebank Park, 843-324-9505. charlestondragonboatfestival.com

40th Annual Lowcountry Shrimp Festival

May 7

The town of McClellanville rolls out the welcome mat for visitors to enjoy the Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet. Plan on making the short drive off Highway 17 to the end of Pinckney Street to enjoy the Festival. There will be plenty of local shrimp, as well as options for the non-shrimp eaters to enjoy. Beer and other beverages will be available for sale, no coolers please. Craft vendor area with more than 45 local artisans, and a huge children’s play area. Live music from two bands. Bring the whole family and plan to make a day of it. 11am-5pm. 843-887-3323, lowcountryshrimpfestival.com

Sunday Jazz Brunch Riverboat Cruises

May 8, 22 & June 5, 19

Enjoy live jazz music while cruising around the harbor. The TenCap Jazz Combo will be playing on the Carolina Queen as you enjoy a gourmet buffet brunch served with fresh brewed coffee, sweet tea and orange juice. Enjoy one free Bloody Mary or Mimosa per ticket. Board 11am, cruise 11:30-1:30pm. 800-344-4483, charlestonharbortours.com

4th Annual East Cooper Community Outreach Golf Tournament

May 9

Enjoy a relaxing and fun day of golf with your business colleagues or friends on one of the two nationally ranked Daniel Island Club golf courses. The day will include a closest to the pin and longest drive competition as well as a chance to win a brand new Lexus for a hole-in-one. Tickets for the tournament are $250 per person and include a box lunch and complimentary beverages. Proceeds from the day go directly to benefit East Cooper Community Outreach and their mission to serve our low-income neighbors and their families in need. eccocharleston.org

Yoga and Brewsday

May 10

Old Towne Creek County Park invites the Lowcountry to come by after work for a couple of “cold ones” at Brewsday. New this year, tickets are $15 at the gate and include admission, beer from Tradesman Brewing Co., live music and yoga. Beth Cosi, founder of Bendy Brewski Yoga, will present a free all-levels yoga class from 6-6:45 p.m. - allowing participants to get physically and mentally centered then kick back with friends and a beer to get socially centered. Live music will be performed by Mark Jackson, and food will be provided by the Kickin' Chicken food truck. Food truck fare is available for purchase on site. The event runs from 5:30–7:30pm. 843-795-4386.

5th Annual Charleston Beer Garden

May 14

The city's largest pop-up beer festival is at The Grove at Patriots Point for the 5th annual celebration of the suds. The festival features an impressive line-up of over thirty craft brews from the Palmetto state & beyond, with something for absolutely everyone. Beer is available in samples or pints. Craft beer, live music, homebrewers, beer olympics, awesome food and more! 12-7pm. charlestonbeergarden.com

Shaggin' on the Cooper

May 14 & June 11

This popular live beach music and shag dance event series returns. Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with some dancing. Local bands perform live at the end of the Mount Pleasant Pier throughout the season, and the dance floor is open for all ages. Gates open at 7pm for all events, and tickets are $10 per person ($8 in advance for Charleston County residents). 843-795-4386, charlestoncountyparks.com/shaggin

Bulls Bay Nature Festival

May 21

The Bulls Bay Nature Festival is an outdoor celebration of nature and community, and encourages people of all ages to get outside and enjoy nature-based activities during this festive one-day event. Activities will take place at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Francis Marion National Forest, Hampton Plantation State Park, Bishop Jerdan Conference Center, and at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center. The festival offers something for everyone! There will be kayak trips into the black water creeks of the Francis Marion and paddle boarding in freshwater ponds. Accomplished guides will lead groups into the Francis Marion and Cape Romain to spot birds, butterflies, reptiles and other types of wildlife as well as native plants and wildflowers. A family bike trip will be lead on the Awendaw Passage. Live raptor, reptile and Red wolf presentations will occur throughout the day at the Sewee Center and, the Sewee pond will be open for family fishing. Other activities will include a sweet grass basketry workshop, and tours to the ancient Sewee Native American shell ring and the antebellum Hampton Plantation mansion. Especially for the kids, there will be fishing workshops, archery, salt marsh and pond explorations, and nature art. Musical entertainment and food will be provided throughout the day. Event is free. 843-928-3368, bullsbaynaturefestival.org

Bands, Burgers and Brews Burger Throwdown

May 22

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Burgers and Brews Competition. Watch your favorite Lowcountry chefs battle it out in a live cooking competition at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. George Motz, the host of Travel Channel's Burger Land, and our panel of chefs and culinary gurus will decide which restaurant represents the lowcountry as a WFC Preferred Qualifier in the World Food Championships, Burger Competition this November in FL. The teams will be ranked on appearance, taste and execution by a team of judges for their chance to compete in the World Food Championship 2016 in Florida. 1-5pm at the Lookout Pavilion. 843-284-7022, bandsburgersandbrews.com

Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series

May 22 & June 19

The area’s premier swim, bike and run competition, the Charleston Sprint Triathlon is a five-race series that spans May through August. Athletes may sign up for one race, or compete in multiple or all of the five-race series. Winners will be awarded from each individual race as well as the entire series. Races begins at 7:15am with a 600-yard freshwater swim in the park’s lake, continue with a 12-mile bike ride through the park and out and back on Riverland Drive, and finish with a flat 5K run. Participants must be comfortable swimming the distance in open water and riding a bicycle on roads open to traffic. James Island County Park, 843-795-4386. ccprc.com

Atlantic Cup

May 24 - 28

The Atlantic Cup is returning to Charleston! Visit Charleston City Marina where the boats will be docked to prepare for the race. You may even get a chance to talk to some the sailors about the race. On Saturday May 28th, head over to the Charleston Maritime Center or get out on the water to watch the start of the race as the boats head off to New York City. The gun goes off at 12pm so don’t be late! In addition, the Atlantic Cup provides shore-based activities for fans of all ages. atlanticcup.org

Piccolo Spoleto

May 27 - June 12

Focusing primarily on artists of the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to the international scope of Spoleto Festival USA, its parent festival, and its 700 events in 17 days transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of performing, literary and visual arts. Piccolo Spoleto’s traditional program offerings include visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film. Various locations, 843-724-7305. piccolospoleto.com

Spoleto Festival

May 27 - June 12

One of America's major performing arts festivals is full of 17-days worth of events showcasing both established and emerging artists in more than 150 performances of opera, dance, theater, classical music, and jazz. When Italian organizers planned an American festival, they searched for a city that would offer the charm of Spoleto, Italy, and also its wealth of theaters, churches, and other performance spaces and so Charleston it was. Various locations, 843-722-2764. spoletousa.org

Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival

June 4

The highly anticipated Sweetgrass Festival will celebrate the rich Gullah Geechee cultural heritage and provides the most extensive showcase of sweetgrass baskets in the Lowcountry area. This year's event features an assortment of unique handmade arts & crafts, paintings, live performances, and documentary films. Festival-goers will enjoy a day filled with entertainment that includes gospel songs and praise dance, storytelling and Gullah Geechee skits, basket-making demonstrations and the Adande African Drummers and Dancers. Visitors will be treated to a variety of authentic Gullah cuisine, classic barbeque, fish, chicken and beverages offered for sale by more than 15 Lowcountry restaurants and food vendors. Children and adults will enjoy family friendly activities including a waterslide. 12-7pm. Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park. 843-856-9732, sweetgrassfestival.org

Wild Blue Ropes Warrior Camp

June 13 - July 29

Enrollment is Open for Wild Blue Ropes' 2nd annual Wild Blue Warrior Summer Camp. Much like the show "American Ninja Warriors" there will be several challenge courses set up for the kids to tackle. The Camp will run weekly from 9am to 12pm. Four weekly sessions are available. The program is purposefully designed to help promote physical activity and character strengthening. Besides having a ton of Fun -campers will improve on skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, motor planning, agility, stamina, self awareness & confidence. 843-502-4066, wildblueropes.com

BrewHaha Festival of Craft Beer & Comedy

June 18

Laughs and Crafts will be on tap at the 2nd annual Brew HaHa, A Celebration of Carolina Craft Beer & Comedy. Unlike any event in the Lowcountry, Brew HaHa will feature beer tastings from South Carolina breweries, comedy shows by Charleston’s very own Jeremy McLellan, live music provided by Awendaw Green, various food vendors, and beer samples from Charleston homebrewers in the Beer Engineer Supply Homebrewer Garden. General Admission tickets are $40 and include a souvenir sampling glass, 10 drink tickets, entry to the comedy show, live local music, and unlimited samples from the Beer Engineer Homebrewer Garden! Food will be available for purchase. North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 843-529-5000. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

11th Annual Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival

June 23 - 26

Celebrate the wonders, beauty, fun and excitement of the Exotic Dutch, French, Spanish, and English Caribbean Islands. Charleston Carifest is a celebration in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month. It is four days of food, fun, music, and costumes submerged in education and culture. This is the creative and artistic expression of Caribbean people. 843-557-6258, charlestoncarifest.com

4th of July Blast at Patriots Point

July 4

Enjoy a professional fireworks display and shore side party with a beach music band. This year, two different Flight Deck ticket options are available. For $100, visitors can purchase a VIP ticket, that includes complimentary drinks from a full service bar, a barbecue meal, and access to a special area at the ship’s bow where chairs and tables will be provided. The second ticket package is $35. It will include access to the Flight Deck starting at 6:00pm, where food and beverages will be available for purchase and two live bands will provide entertainment. Visitors will also have the option to enjoy the firework display landside, and admission to this area is free.