Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Spoleto. A look back....

SPOLETO. A wonderful celebration-of-the-arts festival.

It's also very strict about photography and crowds.

This was a 2nd night performance by the New Orleans group "Rebirth Brass Band."
Sitting in the first row at the Cistern Yard , I could see barricades on both sides of the stage. And the stairs in the center front were blocked with a velvet rope.

About an hour into the program, the barriers were dropped, the dancing crowds surged forward and cameras appeared everywhere.

Including mine as I snapped the nine performers and the happy party that had just erupted.

Sometimes cameras are ignored and sometimes they are not.

The audience at the Sottile Theater for TRACES was amused when the announcer said "Keep your cell phone on so you don't miss a call."

Then he added"Take flash pictures although it might blind the acrobat and cripple him for life. "And "Shoot videos to show your friends and family what you enjoyed here today."

Tongue was firmly in cheek so my camera remained dormant. Well, until the end as we filed out.

I wanted to have a reminder of the former Gloria Theater I remembered from my youth.

(Click on the photos to see more details.)

Piccolo Spoleto is a slightly different story.

Lots of acts and not too much concern about cameras.

I enjoyed quite a few this year and that'll be in another post.

Thanks for stopping by.

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posted by chuckography @ 2:47 PM 0 Comments

Monday, June 04, 2012

i like k.d. lang at spoleto

Man, the Gaillard Auditorium was packed last night with thousands of happy people,

I understand the capacity is listed as 2,730 seats.

At least that many people were there to applaud k.d.lang. Maybe even a few more squeezed in.

This, I believe, is the first time she has performed in Charleston and I hope she plans to come back.

The sound system was fantastic, the lighting was magical and her voice was delightful.

First time for me after hearing about her for many years.

Kleig lights framed the stage and martial music played the interlude before the show started.

Her producer announced that the Sousa-inspired music was selected by Ms. lang.

He added "Now that you know she chose it, I bet you like it even more."

She moved around the stage, favoring all sections, and was on the apron at the front edge a lot.

It was obvious she was enjoying herself and wanted to be even closer to her adoring fans.

The crowd sang along on many of her songs and shouted encouraging words of love and devotion.

I was fortunate to have a seat right in the middle of the front row so had an excellent vantage point to see, hear and take pictures.

Yes. the signs out front stated "No FLASH Photography."

My digital camera works well in low light so no flash is required.

Nobody had mentioned that k.d.lang works barefooted.

I was watching her emotional face as she sang.

It was quite a while before I noticed she was not wearing shoes. "Casual Friday" on a Sunday night.

This was certainly a Spoleto-level performer and a quality production.

However, toward the end of the show, security was suddenly in people's faces, telling them "No cameras allowed."

There was obviously a mix-up in communications.No obnoxious flashes had marred the show but even iPhones were being banned.


There was a nice moment when all the members of the Siss Boom Bang quintet came forward and joined lang for a close harmony number.

Two ladies seated near me were ready with a lang record album cover and a pen. They wanted an autograph and were eager to catch her eye.

We all stood at the end of the show and moved closer to the stage. I reached up and Ms. Lang handed me her guitar pick. Wow.

I hope the ladies got their album signed.

(Click on the photos for more details).

I am sure many in the Auditorium wanted to be in my seat in the front row. The secret is ............

Sometimes you get very, very lucky.

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posted by chuckography @ 9:44 PM 3 Comments

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Musical Countdown To Spoleto...

Todd Wolffe, down from NYC, by way of Pennsylvania, had us rockin' last night at A Dough Re Mi in Mt. Pleasant.

In keeping with my plan to talk mainly about acts you still have a chance to see, it was announced the trio will be on that same stage again in 3 weeks.

So circle Friday June 6 on your calendar now for a great evening that's NOT really part of Spoleto but offers several sets of raucous rocking and rolling.

Rev. Dr. Johnny Mac opened the 4th annual Blues By The Sea down at Kiawah last week but he is VERY active locally and you can catch him at clubs all over town.

Keep an eye out for his high energy music popping up somewhere soon.

My Spoleto/Piccolo/Fringe plans are in the works and 10 tickets have been ordered so far. Naturally I will have my camera with me but many places bar my simple camera - even if I shoot with no flash - but I am surrounded by crowds of people holding up their cell phones.

Must be an important call they want to share.

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posted by chucker @ 7:19 PM 0 Comments