Thunderstorms make performances game of chance

Patrons were sitting under the oak trees Thursday night at The Cistern when Spoleto Festival USA canceled "Noche Flamenca" because of inclement weather.

A free outdoors Piccolo Spoleto jazz concert was also canceled earlier in the afternoon for the same reason.

"We take it day by day, often minute by minute," said Paula Edwards, marketing and public relations director for Spoleto Festival USA. "We won't call it unless we have to."

As thunderstorms moved through the area, "Flamenca" was canceled just as it was about to begin.

The flamenco group has two more outdoor performances, tonight and Saturday night, in the same venue as space is available. Edwards said that the festival will honor tickets from Thursday's performance at either show, or patrons can call the box office and Spoleto will issue a refund.

In other instances this year, the festival has moved the performances to an indoor venue and notified patrons as they entered the Cistern.

The weather forecast for today calls for a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms.

The festival's finale at Middleton Place on Sunday is a rain-or-shine event, so no refunds will be issued if it is rained out.

Piccolo Spoleto canceled a free Jazz in the Street concert at 5 p.m. earlier in the afternoon.

To contact Spoleto Festival, call (843) 579-3100. To contact Piccolo about events, contact 888-374-2656.