Springtime in Charleston, South Carolina, ushers in the annual Spoleto Festival, a seventeen-day lineup of performances in opera, jazz, dance, theater, and more. At venues such as St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Charleston Music Hall, and the College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, the Holy City’s historic charm and natural beauty set the stage for renowned visiting artists—including these standout acts that caught our eye:
Patterson Hood with MJ Lenderman
College of Charleston Cistern Yard, May 24
I bought my tickets for the MJ Lenderman and Patterson Hood performance as soon as I saw it. I’m digging a little more into Patterson Hood’s Spotify before the show, but I’ve had MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks in my weekly rotation since it came out last September. It’s been especially cool to hear about the influence of Drive-By Truckers on MJ, so I’m excited to see the two share a stage. —Gabriela Gomez-Misserian, digital producer
Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski
College of Charleston Sottile Theater, June 5–8
L.A. Confidential. Good Night, and Good Luck. In my book, Academy Award nominee David Strathairn is one of the most dynamic actors of his generation. And for more than a decade he’s made Jan Karski one of his signature stage roles. This solo performance follows the real-life story of the Polish Karski as he escapes a Gestapo prison only to risk his life repeatedly in order to bring eyewitness reports of the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities to the West. Booking my tickets now. —Amanda Heckert, executive editor
Jeff Tweedy and Lucinda Williams
College of Charleston Cistern Yard, June 6 and 7
Spoleto has outdone itself this year with so many highlights in the Front Row Series—headliner events at 9:00 p.m. in the College of Charleston Cistern Yard. Two that floored me: Jeff Tweedy of Wilco will be sharing some of his iconic Americana songs on Friday, June 6. I hope he does the song “Jesus, Etc.” and sings You were right about the stars // Each one is a setting sun while playing out under the Lowcountry skies. And the incomparable alt-rock/blues songwriting powerhouse Lucinda Williams takes the stage the next night. An anthem from one of my favorites of hers, “Fruits of My Labor,” goes Take the glory any day over the fame. She does! —CJ Lotz Diego, senior editor
Etienne Charles Gullah Roots with Special Guest Quentin Baxter
College of Charleston Cistern Yard, June 4
Any chance to see members of Charleston’s Ranky Tanky perform is a hot ticket, and for this showcase, the Gullah-influenced band’s percussionist, Quentin Baxter, teams up with trumpeter and composer Etienne Charles, a Trinidad native, for what should be a very lively look at Gullah and Caribbean musical traditions and their influence on jazz. A host of other guests are on the bill, too, including Ranky Tanky’s powerhouse frontwoman, Quiana Parler. —Dave Mezz, deputy editor
Music from the Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay
Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston, May 23–26
Ever since I saw Michelle Dorrance perform at Spoleto a few years ago, I have been fascinated and mesmerized by tap dancing. This year I can’t wait to watch Music from the Sole, which combines tap, samba, and other dances from the African diaspora with a five-piece band for what’s sure to be a thrilling party of a performance. —Caroline Clements, associate editor
White Box
Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston, May 29–31
The imaginative retelling of a scientific expedition from 1897 makes its U.S. premiere at Spoleto, detailing the tragic journey of three explorers who flew over the North Pole in a hydrogen balloon and never returned. But over three decades after their disappearance, a camera and rolls of film detailing their journey were found buried in the ice—a collection that would eventually inspire filmmaker Sabine Theunissen to create the theatrical piece that first premiered in Sweden in 2024. Blending dance, music, film, and theater, the performance highlights the power of photography and its impact on humanity. —Danielle Wallace, editorial assistant
Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours
Festival Hall, June 4–8
First premiering in Australia last year, this acrobatic story of discipline and power from acclaimed circus troupe Gravity & Other Myths makes its U.S. debut at Spoleto. Eight acrobats—accompanied by a live musician—showcase their skills and celebrate the countless hours of work and dedication required to master them. —Danielle Wallace, editorial assistant
Manual Cinema: The 4th Witch
Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston, June 4–8
I’ve been interested in artistic and alternative ways of visualizing a story since I can remember. Now as an art director, I spend much of my own time imagining surprising and engaging ways to do just that. That’s why Manual Cinema’s world premiere of The 4th Witch, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with silhouettes and shadow puppets, caught my eye. It is illustration come to life, a distinctly tactile visual experience in this digital age, and the only performance of its kind among this year’s offerings. —Julia Knetzer, art director
