Performers from Deninufay African Dance & Drum Company engage in a back and forth with the assembled crowd, educating them on Gullah culture | Photos by Desi Gillespie

Hundreds of people turned out for Piccolo Spoleto’s June 1 evening block party centered on the intersection of King and Ann streets. Booths and outdoor seating for area restaurants lined the sides of the streets under rows of palmetto trees.

The younger members of Deninufay step to the center of the street for a featured dance number

The city gave out commemorative wooden train whistles, which joined the sounds of live music throughout the night — including by Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. Local groups Deninufay African Dance & Drum Company and Ziggymoto had kids and adults alike dancing to the music in the intersection.

Tourists, locals, people and dogs seemed to enjoy themselves at the three-hour event, which attracted a fair number of wanderers as well as planned visitors. Several bachelor and bachelorette parties took detours through the block party, while vacationing families ended the day’s activities with food from one of the many vendors. 

A new dancer steps in to take the lead of the nearly 45-minute long performance
Local rock and blues band Ziggymoto takes the stage on the corner of King and Ann Street, opening with “Evil Ways” by Santana
Ziggymoto plays various classic hits that set a good vibe for the open-air event
Dogs and their owners engage in conversation at a restaurant with outdoor seating. Many dozens of dogs roamed the street at the block party
Numbers are sparse for the first hour of the party, though that means more open tables and shorter lines for food
Magician George Younts performs his storytelling magic to a group of skeptics in front of the American Theater
Crowds begin to fill the blocks between Mary Street and John Street as more folks wander in
Mayor John Tecklenburg gives the train whistles a try at the Piccolo booth
…before throwing in the towel
YouTube video
Video by Joyelle Ronan

Desi Gillespie and Joyelle Ronan are arts journalism graduate students at Syracuse University.

Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.

Help support independent journalism by donating today.

[empowerlocal_ad sponsoredarticles]