SpoletoToday

So, the festivals are wrapping up what appears to be a fabulous year for both Piccolo Spoleto and Spoleto Festival USA. Janet Conover had a chance to chat up the Spoleto staff, and they said things appeared to be going well. Lots of merchandise was sold from the shop at Gaillard and several shows were sell-outs or close to it. The addition of two performances of "Monkey: Journey to the West" solidified its slot in the winner's column of 2008. Piccolo has enjoyed similar success: Numerous performances were sold out, in a wide range of offerings, from the improv of the Big Apple's Harvard Sailing Team to the local sounds of Gradual Lean and Clay Ross at Holy City Homecoming.

Naturally, it's too early for hard numbers, but the buzz around town seems favorable. Most Spoletians willing to talk to SpoletoToday.com enjoyed their time in Charleston and the events they saw.

New on SpoletoToday is poetry from Caroline LeBoeuf inspired by the Piccolo "Painted Palettes" silent art auction. Chucker is all over the place, with a stop at several jazz venues and a close encounter with The Have Nots co-founder Tommy Finch.

And Geoff Marshall will have top-notch video (as always) of the shenanigans for the finales at both Hampton Park and Middleton Place. P.S. Geoff is judging picnics tonight at the Spoleto finale at Middleton Place.