Chamber Music Charleston Announces Its 2024-2025 Concert Season: A Celebration of Artistic Excellence

Read More

Season Tickets Now On Sale

Charleston, SC – February 6, 2024 – Chamber Music Charleston (CMC) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2024-2025 season, marking a milestone 19 years of bringing exceptional chamber music to diverse venues across Charleston. With a commitment to showcasing the breadth and depth of chamber music repertoire, this season promises to captivate audiences with 36 concerts featuring works by 31 remarkable composers.

From the timeless compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johannes Brahms to the lesser-known yet equally brilliant creations of Mel Bonis, HT Burleigh, and Gaspar Cassadó, the season offers a rich tapestry of musical experiences. 

Performances take place in the private homes of Downtown Charleston, Kiawah Island, and Bishop Gadsden; the historic ballroom of South Carolina Society Hall; the revered Dock Street and Sottile Theatres; the stunning sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church; and the new West Ashley Theater Center. 

 “Attending a live chamber music concert is a magical, unique experience,” explains CMC President and Artistic Director Sandra Nikolajevs.  “From the first steps into the concert space – be it a private living room or a grand ballroom – you are greeted with warmth and familiarity while excitement for the coming concert builds.  Then the music begins, captivating the senses, sparking the imagination, and creating connections that resonate deeply within us all.”

Highlights of the season include guest violinist Daniel Ching of the Miró Quartet and Alan Rafferty of the Cincinnati Symphony joining musicians of Chamber Music Charleston (CMC) for “Transfigured Night,” a program featuring music for string sextet by Arnold Schoenberg and Johannes Brahms at the Dock Street Theatre on November 3, 2025.

On Sunday, December 8, 2025 violinist Diana Cohen, current concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic and former concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, along with virtuoso pianist Roman Rabinovich join CMC violist Ben Weiss and cellist Timothy O’Malley for Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D Major and Mozart’s Piano Quartet in E flat Major at South Carolina Society Hall.

Flutist Demarre McGill and guest violinist Francisco Fullana join musicians of CMC for Brandenburg’s Concerto No. 4 and Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D Major on March 9, 2025 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.  

Pianist Andrew Armstrong, violinists Stella Chen and Geneva Lewis, violist Matthew Lipman, and cellist Ani Aznavoorian peform Korngold’s virtuosic and exuberant Piano Quintet on March 23, 2025 at the Dock Street Theatre.

On April 4, 2025 musicians of CMC perform Mel Bonis’ “Scènes de la forêt” for Flute, Horn, and Piano

Alongside Johannes Brahms’ glorious Trio for Violin, Horn, and Piano in E flat Major at the West Ashley Theater Center.

The House Concert performances feature a variety of duos and trios, from Dvorak’s Trio in C Major for two violins and viola and Beethoven’s “Ghost” Piano Trio to Francaix Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano and HT Burleigh’s “Southland Sketches” for violin and piano.

Subscription benefits are available for those who purchase tickets to 3 or more concerts, with 3-concert subscriptions beginning as low as $60.  Student, Senior, and Group discounts are available.

For tickets and the complete schedule of performances, please visit chambermusiccharleston.org. Experience the magic of chamber music with Chamber Music Charleston – where every note tells a story, and every performance is a journey of discovery.

Singers of Summerville Announce New Artistic Director for their 20th Anniversary Season!

Read More

Singers of Summerville is pleased to announce our new Artistic Director, Ryan Pagels. We are very excited to have Ryan leading us for the first time in our 20th anniversary concert on Sunday April 28, 2024, at 3:00 pm, entitled “Sentimental Journey.” This anniversary concert will be at Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville, SC. Former directors Paul Fletcher, Dr. Valerie Bullock and David Richardson will be sharing the podium with Mr. Pagels as they guide us through this “Sentimental Journey” of the past twenty years of Singers of Summerville performances.  A reception and silent auction will immediately follow at the Timrod Library across the street.  You don’t want to miss this historic event!

Now for more about our new Artistic Director. Ryan Pagels is a highly sought after conductor, composer, and pianist, and is currently serving as the Director of Music at the Unitarian Church of Charleston. Before moving to Charleston, Ryan was the Director of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Interim and then Assistant Artistic Director for the Cumberland Choral Arts, and Collaborative Pianist at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. Before Fayetteville, Ryan resided in Florida where he served as the Artistic Director and Conductor for the Marion Civic Chorale, Director of Music at Countryside Presbyterian Church, and as Chorusmaster for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the Resident Music Director at the Ocala Civic Theatre and directed throughout Central Florida ranging from community to professional and equity productions.

In 2010, Ryan made his Carnegie Hall debut, collaborated on recitals with faculty from Julliard, and was the pianist for the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games. In 2011, he made his international debut, concertizing in Italy as part of the Orfeo Music Festival. Ryan has been invited as a guest artist and to give masterclasses throughout the U.S. and has also worked and concertized with a wide variety of musicians, including Audra McDonald, Marvin Hamlisch, Arlo Guthrie, and Wynonna Judd. In 2023, Ryan returned to Carnegie Hall to premiere the “Twilight Mass,” by Ola Gjelio, and has also premiered works by Eric Whitacre and John Tichelli.

For more information on our 20th Anniversary Concert, our new Artistic Director Ryan Pagels, or any other Singers of Summerville programs/events, please contact:

Sharon Napoleone, VP of Marketing
Singers of Summerville Board of Directors
Phone: 203-482-7889
email:  singersofsummerville21@gmail.com 

Additional Information: Singers of Summerville is a choral group based in beautiful Summerville, South Carolina. We strive to present the very best sacred and secular music from the past to the present to bring joy, transform lives, and nourish the soul of the greater Summerville community. Made up of thirty to fifty musicians from the greater Charleston area, we present 2-3 performances per year in addition to community events and special performances. Our concerts range from Opera to Broadway, Classical to Pops, and include commissioned works by contemporary composers.

Website  singersofsummerville.org
Email   singersofsummerville21@gmail.com
Music Director: Ryan Pagels, pianist.pagels@gmail.com

Moselle Estate Under Contract: South Carolina Property to Become a Horse Farm

Read More

ISLANDTON, S.C., Feb. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — J.P. King Auction Company in conjunction with Crosby Land Company announces that Moselle Estate, the luxury home and surrounding 21+/- acres on Moselle Road in Islandton, South Carolina, is under contract for $1,000,000.

At the buyer’s request, their name is withheld. The buyer has multiple business offices in South Carolina, and plans to develop the Moselle Estate for use as a horse farm. The custom-built home and land were part of a more than 1,700-acre property sold in March 2023 to James A. Ayer and Jeffrey L. Godley.

The custom-built Moselle Estate house is a sprawling 5,275-square-feet, on a 21-acre property that the buyer plans to repurpose as a horse farm. Located in the heart of Carolina Lowcountry, Islandton, SC, is about an hour and a half drive from Charleston, Savannah, Columbia, and Augusta cities and airports. The online auction was conducted by J.P. King Auction Company.
The custom-built Moselle Estate house is a sprawling 5,275-square-feet, on a 21-acre property that the buyer plans to repurpose as a horse farm. Located in the heart of Carolina Lowcountry, Islandton, SC, is about an hour and a half drive from Charleston, Savannah, Columbia, and Augusta cities and airports. The online auction was conducted by J.P. King Auction Company.

“J.P. King is excited to have secured a buyer who is going to fully utilize and repurpose this wonderful property,” said Trey Perman, CEO, J.P. King Auction Company. “Our online auction process for this luxury property was successful in that it helped find both the market and the market price for the seller and buyer,” explained Perman.

The online auction helped secure a contract with an out-of-town buyer who was familiar with the area. J.P. King has deep experience in equestrian properties to include selling equestrian properties such as the world renown Calumet Horse Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, in addition to others in Florida, Kentucky, California and many other areas.

Islandton is about an hour and a half drive from Charleston, Savannah, Columbia, and Augusta cities and airports, with the Moselle Estate in the heart of the beautiful Carolina Lowcountry.

About J.P. King Auction Company 

J.P. King Auction Company, headquartered in Gadsden, Ala., specializes in selling exclusive and unique properties on a national level for over 100 years. J.P. King is a leading national real estate auctioneer of high value assets, including developer auctions, private estates, ranches, commercial property, land tracts, and more. For more information, call 800-558-5464 or visit www.jpking.com.

About Crosby Land Company

Crosby Land Company, Inc., is a premier land brokerage in the Southeast with extensive background in forestry, agriculture, wildlife management, and conservation. For more information, www.crosbylandco.com

Davenie and her baby Zurielle are heading home after over 2 months at Ronald McDonald House Charleston

Read More

After 69 nights at RMHC Charleston, Davenie and baby Zurielle are homeward-bound!

On a beautiful and celebratory post on Instagram, the happy news was shared. We are so thankful to have the Ronald McDonald House Charleston. Their generosity, encouragement and culture of nourishment is immeasurable.

Also, a very special and endless thank you to the women and men at MUSC Children’s Hospital and MUSC Health whose unwavering care is just one of the many reasons Charleston is such a special place.

Learn more about the Ronald McDonald House Charleston and how you can be a part of something special with volunteer opportunities and more. Click HERE.

New Hulu film ‘Suncoast’ filmed in Charleston, South Carolina

Read More

Searchlight Pictures new film Suncoast, which was filmed in South Carolina, is the first film directed by Laura Chinn. With an autobiographical feel, the bittersweet Hulu coming-of-age comedy is set in the early 2000s and takes us into the world of Doris and her terminally ill brother, and the social ramifications that surround her and her family.

Charleston, South Carolina

According to Wikipedia, principal photography of the movie started in September of 2022 and Charleston, South Carolina was the main location used. The location was chosen as it could easily replicate the areas of Florida where the film was set and has some stunning coastlines and beaches ideal for the production.

Fort Johnson, Charleston

For a scene in the film that required a church, Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, located in Fort Johnson, Charleston, was used. The building used can be found at 424 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, United States.

Moncks Corner, South Carolina

Wikipedia would go on to note that filming in the chosen location had to be stopped due to Hurricane Ian deciding to strike, meaning that the film had to stop production until the weather phenomena had passed. In October of 2022, filming resumed in Moncks Corner.

Suncoast was produced and directed by Laura Chinn, and Chinn used her memoir when making the film. This was the directorial debut for Chinn too. Named producers on the movie also included Jeremy Plager, p.g.a., Francesca Silvestri, p.g.a., Kevin Chinoy, p.g.a., and Oly Obst.

Here’s a brief timeline of how Suncoast came to fruition:

  • Woody Harrelson, Laura Linney, and Nico Parker were all signed to the movie in August of 2022, meaning that production could go ahead under the auspices of Searchlight Pictures.
  • Principal photography started in September 2022.
  • Hurrican Ian halted filming of Suncoast until October 2022.
  • Post-production wrapped in late 2023.
  • Suncoast debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in January 2024.
  • Suncoast was released on Hulu on February 9, 2024.

Sea Tow of Savannah, GA Hired by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to Tow Endangered Right Whale

Read More

 Sea Tow of Savannah, GA was hired by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to tow the carcass of an endangered right whale, the rarest of all large whales, to Tybee Island. 

According to NOAA Fisheries, there are only approximately 360 North Atlantic right whales left in existence.

The right whale carcass is approximately 35 ft and 15,000-20,000 lbs. Due to its size, it took almost eight hours to hull to the right whale to shoreline from the location where it was identified offshore near Tybee Island. Special equipment was needed, including a bridle that was rigged for towing. 

At the forefront of on-water assistance since 1983, Sea Tow marked its 40th anniversary in business in 2023. With more than 500+ ports nationwide including the continental U.S., Alaska and Puerto Rico, Sea Tow is a member-driven, franchise-based business and technological innovation has been a large driver of its evolution and expansion. Having broken barriers in the industry, it is the premier provider of non-emergency on-water assistance including towing, fuel delivery, battery jumps and ungroundings, as well as salvage and recovery services including response to catastrophic events and marine spill response. Sea Tow is “Your Road Service at Sea®.”

The Pass Sandwich Shop in downtown Charleston to reopen Saturday, February 17 less than a week after the devastating crash

Read More

Popular Sandwich Shop Reopens After Devastating Crash

[Charleston, South Carolina] Five days after a Maserati sedan crashed through the front façade of The Pass in downtown Charleston, leaving the business in shambles, owner Anthony Marini vows to open for business on Saturday, February 17th. Marini, along with his six staff members, will operate through a window to the right of the impact zone, which has temporarily closed the dining room. The shop will operate during normal business hours on Saturday from 10AM until 4PM (unless they sell out first, which has happened before). “My personal comfort takes second place to getting my staff back to work and getting our loyal customers fed and taken care of,”

Marini said in regards to the reopening.

Since early Tuesday, the restaurant has been flooded with messages and well wishes over social media expressing both shock and encouragement to reopen the tiny sandwich shop, which first opened in August of 2021. The makeshift frontage has been supported by various passersby with handwritten notes of support and expressions of admiration for popular sandwiches such as the

“Such a Nice Italian Boy.”

Earlier in the week, the city deemed the building (which houses a short term rental above) safe to occupy, which prompted Marini to open so quickly. The timeline for reopening the dining room and repairing the expensive damage to the front of the building is yet to be determined.

It was in the early morning hours on Tuesday, February 13th, that a Maserati sedan ignored a red traffic light, collided with another vehicle and crashed through the downtown storefront. The driver was cited for reckless driving. There were no major injuries. “I am just glad that no one

was hurt,” says Marini.

The Pass, located at the corner of Spring St and St. Philip St, is a 700 sq. ft. Italian sandwich shop that specializes in creative representations of handheld food. Popular items include the aforementioned “Italian Boy,” along with others like the “It’s Always Honey in Philadelphia,” The “ParmaJawn,” and the vegan “Uncle Lou.”

To learn more about how Marini and his team are navigating this unexpected event and the reopening of this beloved sandwich shop, follow the restaurant on Instagram (@thepasschs), where they will be sharing updates throughout the process. For more information about the restaurant, visit their website, www.thepasschs.com.

Adrenaline Monkey, an indoor adventure park set to open its newest location in North Charleston, SC this June, 2024

Read More

Adrenaline Monkey Brings Family Adventure and Entertainment to North Charleston

Scheduled to open June 2024

(North Charleston, SC) February 15, 2024: Adrenaline Monkey, an indoor adventure park will be opening its fourth location across from the Tanger Outlet Mall at 4950 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 100. Once open, it will offer family-friendly active entertainment featuring approachable adventures for all ages and abilities. Adventures will include ninja warrior obstacle courses complete with fog and buzzers, mega boulder wall, gamified ninja runs, ninja monkey soft play, vertical adventures, ninja v ninja trac, warped walls, slides, arcade, and event space presenting adventures that will keep visitors coming back time and time again. The facility will have adventure zones for all ages and abilities to allow every customer (aka warrior) to emancipate their wild child. Event space is also available for birthday parties, corporate events, after proms, fundraisers, field trips, team building and more.

The initial concept for Adrenaline Monkey started with founder Denise Carkhuff’s twin daughters. Inspired by the “Ninja Warrior” obstacle courses as seen in the American Ninja Warrior television program and contestant Kacy Catanzaro’s struggles due to her small size, the girls yearned for a space in their community to allow them to be like the ninja warrior stars featured on the program. Carkhuff was inspired to provide an establishment where people of all shapes, sizes, and ages could enjoy the entertainment side of obstacle courses. “Adrenaline Monkey is not only for children, but for anyone willing to emancipate their wild child on approachable adventures,” says Carkhuff.

Local John’s Island resident, Jamie Haggerty, lobbied for this location for the fourth Adrenaline Monkey. Formerly, the general manager of the original location and after a few years as corporate manager overseeing all locations, she is excited to get back in the action inside of a facility. “We’re here to provide a safe and exciting environment for anyone looking to keep themselves and their children active and off their screens, or just experience an adrenaline rush,” says Haggerty.

The original Adrenaline Monkey opened in June 2018 in Cleveland, OH. Adrenaline Monkey distinguishes itself from other family entertainment centers by providing more than entertainment, and by keeping the whole family active. Always entertaining with purpose, every detail creates a truly unique experience designed to create lifelong memories, develop fundamental movement and sports skills, and create healthy habits that other traditional forms of family entertainment do not. “For the more athletically focused customers or parents of developing athletes, our goal is to not just entertain but to also entertrain you and your children through classes, clinics, and competitions,” Carkhuff explains. “Customers (aka warriors) will be having so much fun in the classes that they won’t notice that they are becoming super-fit super athletes.”

Beginning June 2024, Adrenaline Monkey will be committed to serving the local community through youth programs (inclusive of an after-school program, camps, and clinics), cross-training local athletes, employment, fundraisers, and other opportunities.

###

About Adrenaline Monkey

Inspiring “Adventure For Life”, Adrenaline Monkey is an innovative family adventure park dedicated to empowering guests of all ages, sizes, and abilities through adrenaline-pumping adventures. Located in Cleveland, OH, Dundee, IL, Geneva, OH, and soon to be North Charleston, each facility includes a myriad of active play and entertainment options including a ninja warrior style obstacle courses, aerial courses, climbing walls, and event space.

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.

Brunch in Charleston: Buffet with Mimosa / Bloody Mary Bar included or A La Carte – Either way, Stars has you covered

Read More

On Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Stars Rooftop and Grill Room, located at 495 King Street, offers two options to meet you small or large group brunch needs, a full buffet with Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar included or an A La Carte menu.

While you are enjoy your waffles and bubble or Shrimp and Grits, you will be accompanied by live music at the front of the restaurant.

Make plans to enjoy a brunch soon at Stars!

Weekend Brunch Buffet Menu

Weekend Brunch A La Carte menu

Avelo Airlines Celebrates First Anniversary of its Raleigh / Durham Base with Three New East Coast Routes

Read More

Low introductory one-way fares start at $62 Avelo now offers 48 nonstop destinations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico Avelo extends its selling schedule for travel through Labor Day

HOUSTON, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Avelo Airlines celebrated today the first anniversary of its base at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The airline also announced expanded East Coast service with a new city and three new nonstop routes.

Avelo Airlines East Coast flight departing Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Avelo's first East Coast Base in Southern Connecticut. The low-fare airline, which launched April 2021 in Los Angeles/Burbank, now flies to 43 destinations across the U.S. (PRNewsfoto/Avelo Airlines)
Avelo Airlines East Coast flight departing Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Avelo’s first East Coast Base in Southern Connecticut. The low-fare airline, which launched April 2021 in Los Angeles/Burbank, now flies to 43 destinations across the U.S. (PRNewsfoto/Avelo Airlines)

To mark the one-year anniversary of the launch of Avelo’s RDU operations base, the airline introduced Albany, New York as the newest city in its network with exclusive nonstop service to The Research Triangle.  Avelo also revealed today two new routes to Greenville / Spartanburg, S.C. (via GSP). The airline will offer exclusive nonstop service to GSP from Manchester, New Hampshire / Boston, Massachusetts (via MHT) and Rochester, New York (via ROC).

These three new routes begin in May 2024 and will operate on Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Introductory one-way fares start at $62*. Customers can make reservations at AveloAir.com. Avelo also extended its selling schedule for travel through September 2, 2024.

  • Albany International Airport (ALB) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
    • Begins May 10, and operates twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays
  • Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
    • Begins May 10, and operates twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays
  • Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
    • Begins May 9, and operates twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays

Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said, “We are excited to celebrate one year of base operations at RDU by adding three more popular routes to our East Coast network. Whether visiting friends and family or enjoying a leisurely vacation, Avelo offers time and money-saving convenience for our Customers. And with the extension of our booking schedule through Labor Day, Customers can now start planning their summer vacations and long-weekend getaways.”

Celebrating 1 Year of Base Operations in Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina

Avelo opened its fifth base at RDU on this day February 15, 2023. Since then, the airline has added a second aircraft and now employs approximately 90 RDU-based Crewmembers (employees), including Airport Customers Service, Flight Attendants, Pilots, Aircraft Technical Operations and Maintenance, and Supervisors with more career opportunities still available.

Since taking flight at RDU, Avelo has served more than 230,000 Customers and operated more than 1,700 flights.

Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority President and CEO Michael Landguth said, “Avelo quickly established itself as an airline of choice in the Triangle, now serving six nonstop routes and celebrating its one-year anniversary of base operations at RDU. We’re thrilled to add Albany, New York to RDU’s growing list of nonstop destinations and support Avelo’s continued expansion.”

America’s Most Convenient Airline
Avelo was founded to Inspire Travel by saving its travelers time and money. Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown over 4 million Customers on over 30,000 flights. Today, Avelo serves 48 destinations in 23 states and Puerto Rico.

Along the way, Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. All Avelo flights are nonstop, and on almost every route at least one airport is a small, easy to use airport. This makes every Avelo journey easier and more enjoyable.

Avelo Customers can always change or cancel their itineraries with no extra fees. Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will always be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost.

Additionally, Avelo offers advanced seat assignments for sale. One third of its seats are extra leg room seats, ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches, offering a more comfortable experience for Customers who value more space. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin.

Avelo is distinguished by its industry-leading reliability. In 2023, the airline achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry and ranked #2 in on-time reliability. These results are based on Anuvu’s third-party data platform (the same company and platform utilized by The Wall Street Journal for the publication’s annual best and worst airline ranking, which excluded Avelo as well as other airlines in its coverage that did not meet the publication’s size threshold).

About Avelo Airlines

Avelo Airlines was founded with a simple purpose — to Inspire Travel. The airline offers travelers everyday low fares, time and money-saving convenience, and a refreshingly smooth, caring and reliable travel experience. Operating a fleet of 16 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 48 popular destinations across the United States, including its six bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and opening in May 2024, the Bay Area’s Sonoma County Airport (STS). For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom.