I had never visited the Village Playhouse before tonight, but upon entering was pleasantly surprised to find it was perfect for a show based on the life and music of jazz/scat artist, Louis Prima. Crushed velvet flowed over walls of purple, red, and sea-foam green. Tables were topped with vases filled with peacock feathers which surrounded the main area filled with lush pleather seats and metal fold-out chairs alike…nice.

The stage was backed by brick walls and in its center a screen. The show itself consisted of a montage of historical monologue, film clips and sound bytes, and enthusiastic performances by four female and two male singers. The best part? The show was accompanied, well rather…based on, a live jazz band.

All in all, I was very pleased with the whole production. At first I felt the acoustics were off, but as soon as the singers began to use hand held microphones it was easier to get into the acts as the lyrics were no longer drowned out by the amazing band. Things really started to get “swinging” after the intermission. The performers came out into the audience and danced and things really livened up.

It was a show that left the audience singing on their way out with smiles on their faces.

The best part for me, were my “table mates”; two couples who were in the midst reminiscing about their younger years when EVERYONE lived downtown (West Ashley was the country), and Louis Prima was still on TV. Rick, Marleen, Louis (who says he’s “King Louis” at the house), and Rosemary all tapped their feet and clapped their hands the entire time. They thought it was great that a young person like myself enjoyed Prima’s work so much. My simple answer was, how could I not when he did a voice over for one of my all time favorite Disney character’s? Almost immediately after I explained my interest, it was brought up in the production. Apparently being “King Louis” in Disney’s The Jungle Book, was one of the last things Prima did before he died of a brain tumor. I feel blessed to have had an opportunity to get to know him through his music…and think it’s amazing that he was able to reach so many generations.

Oh yes, before I forget…Rick asks, “Give a shout out to my peeps.”

How can you not love that? Hooray Spoleto.

The cool sanctuary of Mepkin Abbey was welcome relief from the heat of the day.  Half an hour prior to the concert, the church was almost full.  There were very few seats left at concert time.  I was fortunate to find a seat near the front where I had a good view of the performers.  However, I noticed from the seating arrangement of the sanctuary that most would have struggled to see the quartet.  Despite this, the acoustics were superb.

The St. Petersburg String Quartet captured my attention from the opening chord.  I was amazed at their perfect blend of sound.  Even the dissonant chords were rich and beautiful. 

Their performance of the third Schnittke quartet was mesmerizing.  It was colorful, dark, bright, somber, and at times even eerie.  There was a reverent thread that returned after climactic moments which seemed appropriate for the setting.

I watched as most audience members, like me, stretched their heads to witness the performer’s dramatic moves.  The pizzicato (plucking) shared between the viola and cello in the final movement of the Schnittke was powerful and it demonstrated their high level of showmanship.

The Ravel was also vibrant and pleasant.  I was struck again by the ability of these musicians to match tones.  When the first and second violin traded melodies, they sounded like one violin. 

The musicians received a standing ovation and performed Debussy’s Cake Walk as an encore.  The reception that followed on the lawn was lovely.  The audience members were affable as they ate cheese and sipped wine under the oak trees.

The Cuban Block Party will be covered “officially” by The Post and Courier’s writers and photographers but I wanted to share MY impressions.

The weather was clear and balmy, the music was TOTALLY Latino and I felt transported.

I had briefly visited Cuba many, many years ago and, suddenly I was back there again.

Huge time and culture warp.

All around Marion Square, bodies were moving and swaying, the bass was pulsing and your feet just started moving, slowly at first and then, you caught the beat.

Oh yeah, people watching was excellent for this non-dancer. I plan to be there again next year.

Or next week, if they’ll stage it again.

More Chucker on Spoleto at Chuckography.

Yes, it is all the world to me

Thar dear old city by the sea!

There I was born, there i would die–

My dust with kindred dust must lie ,

In the dear old city by the sea.

–from Charleston by William Gilmore Simms

Yesterday morning, I went on the Charleston Poetry Walk given by The Poetry Society of South Carolina.

The walk started at Washington Square, were we learned about the life and works of Henry Timrod and Paul Hamilton Hayne. From there, we walked to 10 more locations from Waterfront Park to Tommy Condon’s to listen to Poetry Society members discuss poets with South Carolina connections from Josephine Pickney to Edgar Allen Poe (who was stationed at Ft. Moultrie, and may have gotten some of his inspiration for Annabel Lee from his time here.)

The poems of Elizabeth Verner Hamilton stood out to me the most. I need to read more of her works.

I even got into the act when I was asked to read a Gullah work by Dubose Heyward and managed not to embarrass myself.

It was a wonderful (if somewhat hot) day for exercise and education.