VISUAL ARTS — Stars and sons
American Icons: A 30-Year Retrospective
On view Nov. 16-19
Jasmine Ballroom
Market Pavilion Hotel
225 East Bay St.
266-4212
www.brownieharris.com
Photographer Brownie Harris (that’s him in the self-portrait above) may make a living taking photos of celebrities, but he certainly isn’t a member of the paparazzi. The award-winning portrait artist unveils his 70-piece collection, American Icons: A 30-Year Retrospective, during a four-day event at the Market Pavilion Hotel. American Icons features portraits of Sophia Loren, Bob Hope, Carly Simon, Andy Warhol, and more, and attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the artist proofs or first-edition prints. Harris’ award-winning portraits have appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, Town & Country, Forbes, and many other publications, so if you are an art enthusiast (or a recovering celebrity-obsessed Life magazine mourner) be sure to check it out. —Christy Robertson
THURS-SUN
CONCERT MUSIC — They outlasted disco
Charleston Community Band 30th Anniversary Gala
Sun. Nov. 19
3 p.m.
Free
Burke High School Auditorium
244 President St.
856-0186
www.charlestoncommunityband.org
The Charleston Community Band celebrates its 30th anniversary with a gala celebration honoring the band’s past, present, and future. Marine Staff Sergeant Steve Giove will relinquish the baton to past conductors in celebration of the band’s extensive history, while the 75 volunteer musicians will perform a new piece commissioned from Robert Sheldon specifically for the band. In addition, the program will include pieces from the popular repertoire of composer Percy Grainger. The Charleston Community Band has been performing in the tri-county area since 1976 and includes members from all over South Carolina with ages ranging from 18 to 89. —Christy Robertson
SUNDAY
DANCE — Wouldn’t it be nice?
Joffrey Ballet
Wed. Nov. 15
8 p.m.
$15-$55
Gaillard Auditorium
77 Calhoun St.
554-6060
www.charlestonconcerts.com
What began in the 1950s as a touring ballet company undertaking a challenge few others were attempting at the time — dancing original ballets composed by the company’s co-founder, Robert Joffrey — has turned into an over 30-member ensemble that still performs works by Joffrey but also throws a wide variety of other “socially relevant” ballets. During their one-night-only performance, sponsored by the Charleston Concert Association, the Joffrey Ballet will present three pieces spanning decades across the 20th century: Joffrey’s Pas Des Déesses, a four-dancer romantic ballet inspired by a lithograph by Jacques Bouvier and featuring music by John Field; Leonide Massine’s Les Présages, the first-ever symphonic ballet, a 34-dancer piece with music by Tchaikovsky; and Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe, a 19-dancer affair based on and featuring the early, youthfully exuberant songs of the Beach Boys. —Sara Miller
WEDNESDAY
CONCERT MUSIC — Aria in the mood?
Opera Scenes Gala
Sat. Nov. 18
8 p.m.
$5
Recital Hall at The Simons Center for the Arts
54 St. Philip St.
953-8228
Instead of heading out to the movies or the bars this weekend, why not try something different? The College of Charleston Opera presents a night of great music with this fall’s Opera Scenes Gala. Under the direction of Deanna McBroom and Robert Ivey, 21 student singers will perform a series of nine workshop-style scenes with samplings from popular musicals such as Guys and Dolls, Oliver, and West Side Story, as well as opera scenes from The Magic Flute and Cosi fan tutte. At a mere $5 per head, the concert is much cheaper than other standard Saturday night activities, and far more enriching. —Christy Robertson
SATURDAY
EVENT — Lux aeterna
Circle of Light Gala
Thurs. Nov. 16
6:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
$300
Marion Square
Corner of Calhoun and King streets
965-5444
www.darkness2light.org
Darkness to Light, a national nonprofit organization that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, hosts the annual Circle of Light Gala at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. Highlights of the evening will include live performances by Zero TaiKo, a Japanese Taiko Fusion band, as well as the premiere of the Darkness to Light song, which will be performed by local children. In addition, the organization will award CBS and CNN reporter Amy Berg the 2006 Voice of Courage Award for her compelling documentary Deliver Us From Evil. Those unable to attend the event can still participate in the online auction and bid for amazing prizes such as a trip to New York City or California, a spa package in Colorado, and more. —Christy Robertson
THURSDAY
CONCERT MUSIC — Rhapsody in autumn
Masterworks Series Concert: Sunrise America
Sat. Nov. 18
8 p.m.
$15-$50, $5/students
Gaillard Auditorium
77 Calhoun St.
554-6060
www.charlestonsymphony.com
Join the Charleston Symphony Orchestra for an evening of inspirational music featuring celebrated pianist Andrew Armstrong. Under the direction of Music Director David Stahl, the orchestra will perform a variety of popular pieces by American masters Gershwin, Grofe, and Danielpour, while Armstrong will demonstrate his extraordinary skills as a pianist. Armstrong has performed solo recitals with orchestras from around the globe, and has played at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Alice Tully Hall. In addition, Armstrong has performed with a number of renowned conductors and chamber groups and was a member of the Caramoor Virtuosi at the Caramoor International Music Festival. Keep an ear out for Armstrong’s tickling of the ivories during what is arguably Gershwin’s most famous piece of music: Rhapsody in Blue. —Christy Robertson
SATURDAY
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