Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston.
As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is.
Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.
It was threatening rain off and on all day so typical lay on the beach all day plans were out. So we decided on a road trip to finally go check out the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. We picked up a bag of guacamole chips and a ZZ Ward CD, and we were on our way.
If you head south on 17, just before you hit I-95, you will find Old Sheldon Church.
The church was built between 1745-1755 and was partially burned in 1779 by the British during the Revolutionary War. It was rebuilt in 1826 only to be burned again by General Sherman during his march from in 1865.
Since Sherman’s march, letters have surfaced stating that the church actually did not burn. The letter, written by Miton Leverett in 1866, explained that the inside was merely torn up beyond repair. Supposedly the materials were used to repair other places that were affected by Sherman’s torch.
Now only the brick infrastructure remains, along with a few columns towering around it, the front four still commanding your initial attention as you walk up to the church site. These columns are said to be America’s first attempt at imitating a Greek temple.
As you walk inside the church, there is an altar type stone and the final resting place of Colonel William Bull. Colonel Bull played an integral part in assisting with the development of Savannah’s grid pattern layout.
Lovingly called “Sheldon” after Lt. Gov. William Bull I’s plantation, the church is officially named Prince William’s Parish Church. Lt. Gov. Bull paid for most of Sheldon Church.
Church services are still held here the second Sunday after Easter.
Today’s hidden Charleston treasure is a narrow corridor situated between East Bay and Church Street. This narrow walkway donned with historic homes, statues, flowers and moss offers a romantic and historic view of Charleston. As you walk through, pay close attention to the walls, entryways and driveways. There are tiny gems throughout this one block walk.
Make sure you add this to your personal walking tour of Charleston.
Walk with me for a few moments as we document this quiet Saturday morning stroll down Stoll’s Alley.
Entrance way right off of East Bay Street
Horse knob by the front entrance of a residence
Lamp post against traditional brick
Old original external decor
Church Street entrance
Colonial designed home
Devil on the violin
That is a nice way to enter your home
The light shines bright
Love in Stoll’s Alley
We hope you can all enjoy your own stroll and make some wonderful memories from Stoll’s Alley.
Hint: It is just before White Point Gardens if you are heading toward The Battery.
On Tuesday, September 22, Unspoken Word hosted the Holy City Slam at the Pure Theater. Host and MC Derek Berry opened the evening with comedic banter and an expressive explanation of how poetry knows no judgement or boundaries.
Co-host Matthew Foley subjected himself as the sacrificial lamb doing A Letter to the Poetry Slammers as a test for the judges and the audience. The strength of prose and powerful message of complete emotional release was a driving force to fuel the evening. From dancing on the stage to an explosion of words, Matthew provided a guideline for life.
The evening featured four performing contestants. The rules were simple.
Each poet performs two pieces. Round one and round two.
Each poet has 3 minutes with a 10 second grace period
Five judges rule on a scale of 1 – 10
The top two performers would go on to Round three. Each finalist scores from round one and two are erased and it becomes a one round finale.
The performances were on extreme ends of the life spectrum, ranging from racial relations to relationships to sexting to infant loss. There was nothing held back from this core of contestants than included a performer that had only been on stage for the second time in his life.
As the scores were tallied during a brief intermission, local Charleston performers took the stage in an open mic form. While Marcus Amaker spoke of drowning in a waterfall of love soaked in intimate lust and desirable love, Derek and Matthew cut themselves metaphorically with an ode to a father and a mother. Both poems released truths of emotionally challenging periods of facing failure and death.
From Mickey Mantle to Lupus, I think every one of the 60 plus members of the audience could internalize from these two poignant poems about family.
In the final round Saeed and Liz were left standing. First Saeed and then Liz. The five judges weighed heavily on presentation, content, emotion and impact on the audience. In the end, Liz took the higher score, but all four contestants came out victorious. It was a night of the spoken word. A night where we all sat in a house of worship, with no religion to be found.
From silent concentration to screams from the audience, the extremely active audience participation showed what an important part our lives poetry plays.
For a moment, I closed my eyes and listened to the music play from the stage. Without instruments; just the lyrics of the heart.
As Derek made note early on in the evening, the night was about not holding back. It was about complete and unadulterated freedom
Sometime our greatest fear in life is to hear what we don’t want to know. Expressive emotion is hard; then again so is life.
The Poetry Slam was a night where love and expression came together for all.
By Jessica Edwards – Photography provided by TK-Productions
“I think I add a very outspoken, unafraid female voice, musically and socially. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so that inherently creates a dialogue,” says Lily Slay, 29, local musician and comic, on what she adds to the Charleston music scene. She is certainly unafraid, and has chosen to match her aesthetic to her actions: donning loud wigs, kick-ass outfits, and expressive makeup.
She comments “I love when whimsy, absurdity, and brightness in art are used as a veil over darkness and raw, visceral emotion, which is a common theme and a goal for me in my music.” Among her other talents, Ms. Slay is also a cartoonist, sketching a black and white strip called Sad Badger, which is a more contemporary version of Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame.
When it comes to working in Charleston, Lily does a little bit of everything—from delivering pizza for D’Allesandro’s to working the desk at Roses and Ruins Tattoo Downtown. Perhaps what she is most well known for is singing for local outfit The Royal Tinfoil. A bluesy/gypsy folk band, Tinfoil’s songs soar along with Slay’s alto in a smooth, but thought provoking progression. To put it simply: once you hear them, you can’t stop listening. Try them out—their entire album is available for purchase or streaming online at royaltinfoil.bandcamp.com
I myself stumbled upon Lily Slay at the Recovery Room on upper King St. She was playing a smaller set, trademark kazoo in hand. Once she finished, I knew I had to find out more about her, so I reached out for an interview. Along with being very talented, Lily is also quite friendly, willing to be frank and open about herself.
On her beginnings, Lily said she was always a musical kid, “but a lot of my flair for performing came from the theater in school. With my alto range and larger frame, however, I never landed big roles. I wasn’t a pretty, petite soprano. I think my longing to create my own character and sing my own music was born of the frustration of not having my vocal ability taken seriously by a lot of the adults in my life.”
Photography provided by TK-Productions
As an adult, she has certainly created her own character–a wonderful and whimsical strong woman, unabashed of her own talents, with flawlessly applied eyeliner and a killer wit. On songwriting, she says, “I’m often fairly sarcastic, too, but I love a proverbial wink to the listener that says, ‘you’re in on the joke.”’ When asked to describe her style, she puts it this way: “I always say I’m ‘velcro, molasses, and cigarette ashes.’ It means I’m a little gritty, but still polished; a smidge romantic, but a bit cynical.”
She’s not planning on solely sticking to the same kind of music, either. “It’s important to evolve. I want to keep growing and challenging myself. Currently, I’m working on an electronic dance music project and possibly a du-wop garage rock outfit.” And who doesn’t want to hear what that sounds like?
If you’re interested in seeing Lily Slay, you can catch her at Recovery Room with her drummer, Kain Naylor, October 6th. If you want more consistent Lily, she and Mackie Boles, the original line-up for the Royal Tinfoil, will be doing a residency on the deck at Charleston Pour house on Tuesdays all through November, and she hints at the possibility of some special guests along the way.
How Charlestonian Are You – Ultimate Charleston Daily Quiz
Here is an opportunity to test the strength of your Charleston foundation. Are you truly a member of the finest community in the country or just passing through town? Take this 25 question quiz and see how Charlestonian you really are. Feel free to print the questionnaire and answer sheet and play along with family and friends.
Remember: No Cheating!!!! No internet, library, smartphones, phone a friend or ask a professor.
1. Name two Pat Conroy books, from memory. 2. Name five Charleston County Parks. 3. How many pets have you rescued? 4. What do the following acronyms stand for:
5. Name all three of Charleston’s professional sports teams. 6. What year did Charleston stop using mini bottles? 7. What was the name of the major record store on the corner of King and Calhoun Street prior to it being Walgreens? 8. How many Cooper River Bridge Runs have you participated in?
(Can be run/walk/volunteer) 9. What was the date Hugo hit Charleston? 10. Who is the #1 seller of PBR in the US? Hint: It’s on the Peninsula 11. What current NY Yankees star was a College of Charleston graduate? 12. Where is Barn Jam held? 13. Do tourists bug you? 14. Which state do you hate people from most?
__ Ohio
__ New York
__ Michigan
__ Massachusetts
__ New Jersey
__ All of the Above
15. Clemson, Carolina, or some other team? 16. Do you own a boat, kayak, or jet ski? 17. Do you surf or S.U.P.? 18. Is your air conditioning off between May and October? 19. Do you like shrimp and grits? 20. For a weekend get-a-way, would you rather spend it…
__Walking around the historic streets of Savannah, Ga
__Tanning on the sands of Myrtle Beach
__Hiking in the mountains of Asheville, NC 21. Who is Charleston’s Best Friend?
a. a dog b. a truck
c. a train d. Savannah 22. Are you happy that Boeing came to Charleston?
__ Yes __ No __ Don’t Really Care 23. How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 24. Which Charleston native signed the Declaration of Independence? 25. Did you live in Charleston prior to Joe Riley being mayor?
When drawing up a list of places to eat in downtown Charleston, it is more than likely that a local’s list will differ greatly from that of an out-of-towner. Unfortunately, geography plays an integral role in determining which crowd will visit which establishments. Though there is a great deal of overlap, the Market certainly takes the cake when it comes to attracting the most out of town clientele, and because of that, locals tend to avoid the area at all costs.
One restaurant—with a unique interior reminiscent of a Parisian bistro, stands out amongst its Market Street competition to deliver delicious French food and top-notch customer service. Having only been open for just under a year and a half, Brasserie Gigi is on its way to the top of Charleston’s culinary charts. In fact, Brasserie Gigi is under the same ownership umbrella as some of the town’s long-time favorites, such as Hank’s Seafood and Peninsula Grill.
With a seasoned hospitality team behind the scenes making and implementing service standards and expert menu decisions, Brasserie Gigi sets the bar high in terms of guest satisfaction. To hear a little bit more about the great service and cuisine offered here, I sat down with the General Manager, Johanna Jenkins for an inside scoop:
Q: What are the top three things you aim for guests to take away from their dining experience at Brasserie Gigi?
A: As a manager, I don’t want my guests to ever want for anything. When they leave they should have had impeccable service and delicious food in a lovely and enjoyable atmosphere.
Q: With food culture being so prevalent in Charleston, how do you adjust your menus to remain competitive in the restaurant scene while still giving the public what they want?
A: At Brasserie Gigi we definitely face those challenges being French and on the Market. We have an extraordinarily diverse menu that will cater to almost everyone while keeping a little French flare in every dish.
Q: What changes would you like to see in Brasserie Gigi within the next year of operation?
A: For me Brasserie Gigi is top notch in all areas and because of that we have an amazing return clientele business. I just hope to reach more guests both local and visiting so we can pack the house every night.
Q: Tell me about a recent all-star experience with a guest.
A: I make a point to try and visit each table and make sure they are enjoying everything and learn a little about their visit. More times than not I hear that this is their favorite experience in Charleston. You can’t top that.
Q: What do you think sets Brasserie Gigi apart from Charleston’s other top restaurants?
A: The fact that behind closed doors Brasserie Gigi is steeped in hospitality history from the owner to the chef. It is truly a privilege to be a part of such an establishment and respected team.
As you can see the staff at Brasserie Gigi, from the owner to the front-of-house team, strive to create the best experience for their guests. In addition, the French bistro dining style is fairly unique to the area, making this establishment stand out amongst our local culture of grits and seared pork belly. Though the food is French, the hospitality and service speak with a loud voice to the Southern standard our great city is known for around the world.
By Jennifer Baker – Image courtesy of Run Riot Media
Hart Jeffers first got interested in comics when he’d be sent to his room by his parents. It just so happened that his room included his parents’ old comic book collections. He’d read them by the stack.
He is the author a new comic series set in Charleston. Titled “Sol,” the artistry is unparalleled. Drawn by Anthony Mingacci, who also works as a tattoo artist at Blu Gorilla Tattoo, the images draw you in and offer a kind of thrill ride for your eyes, page after page.
The story is set in the future where robots are meant to be programmed so that they maintain just enough (but not too much) personal agency. The perspectives shift and the main character, Jane, struggles with her having an unusual amount of self-awareness of having been programmed. The issues in science fiction are always philosophical, but in this case, the fantastic story does not shy from engaging with philosophical theories directly.
Hart studied philosophy at the College of Charleston. If comics were once considered “low brow,” that impression won’t be maintained by the many references to philosophical theories in SOL. This is a comic that even recommends academic books as a follow-up.
I ask Jeffers why he makes his work so philosophical.
HJ: I’ve always been in love with ideas and how ideas shape our world. My mom got me hooked on science fiction at an early age, reading the likes of Ursula K. Leguin was like an atom bomb going off in my brain. Later, when I discovered that there is a several millennia old discipline dedicated to this pursuit: that was it. When I write I either start with the story I want to write and find the philosopher that matches, OR I start with an aspect of philosophy that is interesting me at the moment and build a story out of that interest.
There’s a plan and then there’s execution. I couldn’t help but ask Jeffers how one plots out a story as complex as that in SOL.
Image courtesy of Run Riot Media
HJ: “I have a template that I made a few years back of very small comic pages. I constantly go between those as a master plotting guide for the whole issue and the script. There is a list of all the things that have to happen in each issue. So I try to fit all of those plot items into those 32 mini pages. From there I flesh out each scene dialogue wise and draw the individual page layouts on little index cards.”
I asked Jeffers about comics in general. Why do they seem to be dominating pop culture today, for example, when they were once things you had to hide from your parents? He had an answer I didn’t expect (but perhaps should have, from someone so philosophical!)
HJ: I think the shift has been one of generational cultural norms. When I grew up, liking comics was pretty uncool, especially among the ladies. Over the past twenty years, due to the movies and the assimilation of nerd culture into the mainstream. I think that hostility has been replaced with acceptance. Harry Potter helped a lot, and so did comics and nerd culture being less reflexively hostile to women. Comics readership is now almost 50/50 along gender lines. When I was a kid that number was 90/10.
And finally, what it is about Charleston that makes it Jeffers’ home?
HJ: When I moved to Charleston it was the first time in my life that I had ever felt like I was a part of a community and that people that I didn’t necessarily know cared about me. How our amazing city responded to recent tragedies is emblematic of that fact.
The first issue of SOL can be purchased locally at Early Bird Diner and Captain’s Comics. For more on
SOL please visit SOL industries or Run Riot Facebook Media page.
The Charleston Harbor Fish House, located at 32 Patriots Point Road is hidden well for a very specific reason, dare we say many reasons.
Intimate marina ambiance with magical harbor view of the USS Yorktown, sailboats and gorgeous western sunset.
Open outdoor second floor bar and dining area to feel the breeze of the harbor while enjoying a refreshing cocktail
Exquisite menu of fresh seafood, raw, cooked and fried to meet all your needs.
A walk through life on the water, with decor focused on a lifestyle on the water.
A warm and receptive staff from the wait service to management.
Haleigh was a model of sunshine as our waitress and representative face of the restaurant. Her demeanor, pleasantries and warmth as we enjoyed a quiet evening out was presented almost flawlessly. We were given the best table in the restaurant, situated on the far right corner by the back window overlooking the Yorktown and the sun setting just to our left.
As you make your way through the menu, it will come as no surprise that most of the entree selections are seafood based. If you do not take part in seafood dining, there are three incredible options including braised short ribs, Filet Mignon and Buttermilk fried chicken.
If you are with a group and love the idea of raw indulgences, the Chilled Seafood Castle and Tower will be a perfect way to start or maintain all of you. This is priced at market but includes: Gulf and East Coast Oysters, little neck clams, mussels, Gulf Shrimp, snow crab legs, crab claws and lobster tails. I think this sharable list of delights speaks for itself.
Grilled and Chilled Watermelon Salad
I was in a mood for a refreshing salad to whet my palate and I have to say, they have one of the most creative and refreshing spring and early fall salads I have ever enjoyed. The grilled and chilled watermelon salad was a sizable thick slice of watermelon lightly grilled and chilled with a bed of arugula, feta cheese, marinated tomatoes, mint and chili oil on top. With a solid watermelon foundation, a bit of spice and the right mix of tomato and feta, every bite was an enhanced rainbow of flavor. This alone, could have served as a meal for many.
The smoked Salmon flat bread and Cedar Plank Salmon were the main courses of the evening. The flat bread was a healthy 10 inches round made with a house ricotta, dill and preserved lemon and topped with a good portion of very fresh smoked salmon. The richness of the ricotta and tangy smoked salmon made for a very nice combination. Initially, I was not sure how that would fair, but it was a successful play. The dill added for a nice aftertaste.
The salmon came out on a hot cedar plank. Presented as a dark orange-pink and topped with a Sriracha honey-glaze and sided with grilled zucchini and smashed potatoes, the appearance was just as good as the taste. A well designed and prepared coastal entree.
Fish House also offers tuna, grouper, swordfish crab cakes and shrimp & grits so do a little research first. If you go in cold, you may have a difficult time narrowing your selection down.
From the initial setting of the sun to the darkness and Ravenel Bridge lights reflecting on the harbor, the Charleston Harbor Fish House delivered a memorable meal and very comforting dining experience.
Article By Mark A. Leon / Photography by Minta Pavliscsak
If you heard shaking on the peninsula last night, it was not from a mini earthquake hitting the fault line, but a collective movement of jumping, clapping and screaming from the composed direction of ZZ Ward. Last evening, the Charleston Music Farm released a level of musical energy not seen for a long time provided by the Pied Piper ZZ Ward and her friends Marc Scibilia and Young Wild.
We begin the evening early with a meet and greet. As ZZ Ward stepped out in a carefully chosen outfit right from the racks of a designer consignment shop, the few select fans clapped and smiled. Her genuine smile and caring demeanor shined as she took pictures, signed autographs and enjoyed a few quiet moments with her dedicated fans.
Like the drop of a hat, at 7:30 a group of young musicians calling themselves Young Wild gave a spirited 30 minute set. During a musical break, they indicated this had been the furthest from home they had ever toured. That youthful charm, vulnerability and fun upbeat sound was a fine way to introduce a very entertaining evening of music, fan participation and all out celebration of love, heartbreak and life.
Marc Scibilia took the stage next. First glance from the floor and you felt like you were looking at a young Lenny Kravitz with his dark frizzy hair, tight guitar riffs and powerful stage presence. After a powerful opening, Marc slowed the tempo with Wide Open Arms, a love song with references to Rhianna and youth.
During Better Man, he introduced a strong lyrical performance highlighted by the line, “I’m a frail man. I ain’t no fucking fairy tale.” That song lyrically remained with me long after the set was complete.
As the pace was once again turned up a notch, Marc got the house up for a dance party with Everybody is Somebody.
Finally he reminded us that we need each other with How Bad We Need Each Other because “storms never come to stay”. With a performance scheduled for the Today Show on September 18, I think we are going to see great things from this multi-layered talent.
At 9:35, beams of blue, white and red strobe lights scorched into the crowded as a drummer and two guitarists situated themselves around the stage. In her short red dress and black hat and a smile that lit up the stage, ZZ Ward stepped out center stage and immediately played to the screams of the crowd. After a quick and powerful mini set to open, she reminded her fans of their importance in her journey and invited us to take a step back to her roots and go on a musical trip together. She recalled a hot steamy show in Charleston over a year ago and graciously thanked the fans for continuing to stay by her side.
Her cheery soulful angst presence took us through periods of her life with penetrating lyrics and emotional undertones.
“When your strength is not enough, I’ll rescue you” came from Rescue You off her new EP; a powerful reminder of love, friendship and commitment. Shortly after, with her hypnotic eyes and girl next door beauty, ZZ Ward played up the sexiness of Charleston and transitioned into Charlie Ain’t Home, a defining crowd participation song.
The set concluded with the belting power ballet, Blue Eyes Blind. With her powerful soul driven vocals and strong instrumental support the song had the crowd dancing, jumping and wanting more.
For fans of ZZ Ward, lyrics like, “You set me straight, just like an arrow, Until we lay, caught in the afterglow, My world was gray with all the others, Until you came, you showed me colors,” from Blue Eyes Blind are a reminder of that love is fragile, but worth the risk and in the end, it is about those moments shared and the future that make the journey all worth it.
Photography by Minta Pavliscsak
From her opening of Put the Gun Down to her set conclusion, the powerful rock and blues induced set inspired a packed house at the Charleston Music Farm. It didn’t take long for ZZ Ward and the band to return to the fans for an encore. This time they turned it up a notch and took the stage to the crowd. With her lead guitarist, she walked down the steps and walked into the center of the crowd. With a circle forming around and IPhones for all the eye to see, she sang Love3x with the audience in a jubilant delight.
As the encore concluded, I found myself looking around at the crowd clapping and dancing and screaming. It was a level of excitement I have not witnessed at a concert in a long time.
With a rich medley of rock, dance and blues, ZZ Ward and friends brought the house from its knees to reaching for the clouds. From the balconies to the floor, the fans celebrated the passion of music with admiration and a whole lot of fun.
Many of you may know Smoke BBQ from their well travel food truck days. What many may not know is that they have a restaurant situated on Upper King at 487 King Street.
To review this restaurant, I need to take a step back from the food and begin with the drink menu created by local mixologist Russ Friar. Russ has spend time at Zia’s and the Rarebit and has created a carefully crafted selection of drinks that truly hit the palate with a punch and slip down in a cool refreshing slide. Using high quality spirits and a unique blend of ingredients, Smoke offers a true liquid dining experience that stands alone. The Smoke version of the Moscow Mule with some additional additives is worth an hour or two at the bar. The bar staff is as eclectic and fun as they get. I was fortunate enough to engage with a peninsula girl and a James Island guy. Both exceptional bartenders and yet both had different views on hospitality from the standpoint of the downtown and James Island/Folly Beach cultures. This banter along with a nature channel show on bees and insects made for an entertaining evening.
The men’s room is a classy and artistic time machine ride back to the 1960’s and 70’s. The walls are ordained with very tasteful and classy pages from issues of Playboy. It took me back to childhood and my years of curiosity and discovery.
Time for the main attraction, good old wholesome Southern BBQ. You will not go wrong with some Texas Bricket or slow smoked pork. I would like to focus on two specific item: Pastrami Rueben and Cuban.
The Pastrami Rueben is exceptional. The pastrami is cooked for sixteen hours and topped with house sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, Thousand Island Dressing and held together with a marble rye. Not only will the smell and taste take you away as the tender meat slips down your throat, but the portions will make it difficult for you to stand up and leave after.
If that didn’t win you over, the Cuban will. This absolute culinary delight straight from the heart of Miami takes a delicious Aioli spread to complement the slow cooked pork, ham, house pickles and Swiss cheese. The richness of this sandwich will remind you that a sandwich can literary explode with flavor with every bite.
If you are a cole slaw fan, you must try their homemade concoction consisting of red Cabbage, green apple, heirloom carrot and candied walnut. It is a sweet surprise and beautiful accessory to your main course.
Smoke BBQ will win you over once you step in the door with smells of the deep South and a rich reminder of how meat is meant to taste. Make sure you enjoy a cocktail, some really good staff conversation to make for a complete dining experience.
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