Art Scene
La Bella Notte Italiana
If you're a young collector and/or art enthusiast in the Charleston area, one of the best ways to cultivate that is to be part of the Gibbes Museum of Art's dynamic young membership group, Society 1858.
You'll attend great parties, which are not only a fun way to meet people your age with similar interests in the arts, but it's a great way to really learn more about the art world.
Join them Friday for "Luce e Colore: La Bella Notte Italiana."
"Society 1858's winter party at the Gibbes celebrates the classical traditions of the Great Masters and spotlights Jill Hooper and her solo exhibition, 'Jill Hooper: Contemporary Realist'," explains communications director Marla Loftus.
Not only is Hooper one of the budding young masters with a significant collection of pieces at the Gibbes, she also is one of the founding members of Society 1858.
Participants can enjoy Italian hors d'oeuvres from Oak Steakhouse and live jazz from Julep and the Lewis/Gregory/Wiltrout trio.
"Classically trained professional artists working in the style of Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci will bring the galleries to life, and classically trained opera singers will fill the museum with song," Loftus said.
Many of the Society 1858 events sell out, so if this is your thing, be sure to get tickets in advance. All guests must be 21.
The event will take place 8-11 p.m. at the Gibbes, 135 Meeting St. Tickets are $40 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Purchase online at www.gibbesmuseum.org or call 722-2706, ext. 22.
Goose Creek artists
One of the best things about the Lowcountry is different groups of people and organizations really working together. From now until the end of the month, be sure to check out the works of the members of the Goose Creek Artists Guild on display at the North Charleston City Gallery.
Founded in 1982, the guild had a great opening reception Feb. 2, according to Ann Simmons, city of North Charleston arts coordinator.
She said the annual judged show featured "two- dimensional works in a variety of subjects and mediums including oil, watercolor, acrylic, drawing, pastel and mixed media.Ribbons for Best of Show as well as first, second and third place" were awarded by guest juror Chris Groves.
The North Charleston City Gallery is in the Charleston Area Convention Center and is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily with free parking. However, the gallery is only staffed on Monday, Friday and Saturday. If you'd like to purchase a piece on a day when there is not a staff member present, contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 740-5854 or www.northcharleston.org.
Shakespeare twist
Some may say there's no truer statement than Shakespeare's "what fools these mortals be" from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary season, the Charleston Ballet Theatre is doing an interesting twist on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" just in time forValentine's Day. The show will be performed Saturday and Sunday at the College of Charleston's Sottile Theatre.
CBT resident choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr is excited about her adaptations to the age-old love story, and audiences should be particularly excited about the performances by new company member Russian-born Alexey Kulpin. Having recently wowed the crowds at his "Nutcracker" performance, Kulpin will be playing the mischievous Puck.
In addition to "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Bahr will oversee the production of "Poetry With a Splash of Red Blood," a piece created in 1987 that embodies "her vision and love of contemporary, expressive ballet," explains administrative director Kyle Barnett.
"Set to the music of minimalist composer Philip Glass and famously featuring a series of nooses suspended above the stage, the piece, completely performed in black and red, has been a popular hallmark for Charleston Ballet Theatre and is back by popular demand.
"Also on the evening's bill is the Charleston debut of one of mastermind George Balanchine's 'Allegro Brillante,' an energetic and precise piece of which Balanchine stated, 'It contains everything I know about the classical ballet in 13 minutes.' Set to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 3, the passionate piece features a corps de ballet of eight dancers, all displaying the difficult technical precision required to bring the ballet to life," Barnett said.
All three of these ballets will be shown as part of the full-length production this weekend, all under the name "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Saturday's show will be at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday's will begin at 3 p.m., both at the Sottile Theatre.
Tickets range from $20 to $45 with students and military personnel receiving a $10 discount with a valid ID. Purchase online at charlestonballet.org, by phone at 723-7334 or in person at the CBT office, 217 Calhoun St., Suite 2.
