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All you can Art at the Charleston Spoleto Festival

Published by Spencer Spellman, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

Every year around Memorial Day Weekend, crowds flock to Charleston, South Carolina. Yes, for the beach; but more importantly, for one of the largest art festivals in the U.S., known as Spoleto Festival U.S.A. The 17-day Charleston festival that kicks off Memorial Day Weekend features two and a half weeks of the best theater, art and music the world has to offer.

Started in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize composer Gian Carlo Menotti, the Charleston festival is the U.S. version of the "Festival of Two Worlds", which incidentally takes place in Spoleto, Italy. Why Charleston? Organizers wanted a U.S. city that would best embody the charm and ambiance that made the Festival of Two Worlds such a success in Italy. The cobblestone streets, antebellum homes and Victorian architecture make this city by the sea the perfect location. Charleston also features many music and dance halls, theaters and art galleries, making it easy to accommodate a festival of this size.

Guests to Charleston for the Spoleto Festival start planning many weeks, even months, ahead of time. They typically plan their visit around performers they want to see. Some of the performances at Spoleto include world-renowned plays and musicals, ballet and contemporary dance performances, and both national and international musicians. Each day of the festival features several performances at venues around downtown Charleston. The weeks leading up to the festival make it difficult to find accommodations, as most of the hotels and inns in downtown Charleston are at 100% capacity throughout the 17 days.

During the two and a half weeks of Spoleto, the city of Charleston hosts an accompanying festival called Piccolo Spoleto. This uniquely Charleston event is very similar to Spoleto U.S.A., as it also offers a variety of different dramas, concerts and art events each day. Where Piccolo Spoleto is different is that it only highlights local and regional performers. It hosts several hundred performances throughout the 17 days, held at smaller venues in and around Charleston.

Since each day of the festival features at least 10 Piccolo Spoleto and Spoleto events, it's impossible to see any more than two or three per day. Some of the performances start as early as 10 a.m. and many guests choose to attend an early show and then do an 8 or 9 p.m. show after dinner. This splits up the day and allows for time to experience the sights and sounds of historic Charleston.

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When to Go to Spoleto Festival Usa

The Spoleto Festival takes place during the first couple weeks of June every year. The kick-off is on the Friday before Memorial Day. The best time to visit is either the first weekend, as its Memorial Day Weekend which offers a long weekend to get in as many shows as possible, or the last day of the festival, Sunday, which features a big concert and fireworks over the harbor. Although Spoleto is the headliner, many visitors try and go to a couple Piccolo events to experience some of the sights and sounds of the low country culture.

Odds n' Ends

Since accommodations fill pretty quickly for Spoleto, it's a good idea to book lodging a couple months in advance at least. Most hotels, resorts and bed and breakfasts are close to 100% capacity for the 17 days of the festival. Ideally, visitors staying near the historic downtown Charleston area can walk to many of the venues and take one of Charleston's public transportation options for longer distances.

There is no dress code for either festival. In fact, you'll probably see a wide variety of dress from the very formal to the extra casual.

Tickets for performances typically go on sale in January. You can book online through the official website or by phone.

Places to Eat

Hyman's Seafood
Hyman's is your basic fried seafood restaurant, offering fresh seafood out of Charleston. The typical seafood restaurant is busy every night of the week, so guests have to get there earlier in the evening to ensure a short wait period. Located on Meeting Street, it's in the heart of the historic district of Charleston.

Recommended Places to Stay

Charleston Place Hotel
The Charleston Place Hotel represents everything that is fine and beautiful about the charming and historic. Located in the middle of historic Charleston on Meeting Street, it is one of the upscale hotels of Charleston, featuring well-appointed rooms and luxurious accommodations within close walking distance of most of downtown Charleston's restaurants and attractions.

More Experiences Nearby

The Savannah Film Festival, Georgia
Film has become an integral part of life in America and throughout the world. Video stores, IMAX, movie theaters and Netflix have given new meaning to entertainment. Film festivals are a growing trend in the entertainment industry, and give actors, producers and writers a chance to show off their work before it hits theaters. While the Sundance Film Festival has long been the premier film event in the U.S., there are many others that pack a powerful punch. One of which takes place in one of the best travel destinations on the east coast: Savannah, Georgia.  Although unknown to many, ...83 miles away.

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Elsewhere on the Web

Piccolo Spoleto Festival
Focusing primarily on artists of the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to the international scope of its parent festival and its 700 events in 17 days, transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of performing, literary and visual arts.
Spoleto Festival USA Official Site
Review the festival schedule and purchase tickets online.

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