After the azaleas usher in spring, Charleston, South Carolina, bursts into celebratory mode with the annual Spoleto Festival USA (May 22–June 7). This year’s lineup of dance, music, and theater spreads across venues all over town and is sure to delight arts lovers of all sorts. Here are a few of the events G&G editors can’t wait to attend:
Scottish Ballet: Mary, Queen of Scots
Charleston Gaillard Center, May 28–30
After watching everything I can find on the internet about the Scottish Ballet’s Mary, Queen of Scots, I feel extraordinarily lucky that Charleston is playing host to the U.S. premiere of this dazzling, modern ballet at this year’s Spoleto Festival, before its other U.S. tour stop at Lincoln Center. The movement and staging both look gorgeous, contemporary, and theatrical, and this production promises to deliver a surprising exploration of a familiar history. It feels like an opportunity to witness something new, exciting, and incredibly relevant. Ballet is not dead. And this, for certain, is one not to miss.—Julia Knetzer, art director
Dead as a Dodo
Festival Hall, May 29–31
A musical odyssey through the underworld at the hand of puppets (and their puppeteers) that explores the reality of life versus death via a featherless dodo and a human skeleton? That’s also suitable for kids? Sign my family up.—David DiBenedetto, editor in chief
All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain
Festival Hall, June 3, 5, 6, and 7
Baddies have more fun (at least onstage), and few have written better villains than ol’ Willy Shakespeare. I can’t wait to watch the award-winning Broadway actor Patrick Page—he originated such wicked roles as Hades in Hadestown and the Grinch—perform his one-man rogues’-gallery revue of power-hungry manipulators, murderers, and miscreants.—Amanda Heckert, executive editor
Terence Blanchard + The E-Collective: Miles Davis & John Coltrane at 100
Charleston Music Hall, May 26
A current jazz great paying tribute to two giants? I’m in. Honestly, I was sold at Miles Davis and John Coltrane. If I could go back in time, seeing either of them play live would be high on my list. But this is the next best thing, and I’m excited to see—and hear—what insights Blanchard and his band bring to their music.—Dave Mezz, deputy editor
Brandi Carlile
College of Charleston Cistern Yard, June 7
Last fall, when I first talked to Mena Mark Hanna, the director of Spoleto, about what this year’s lineup had in store, he wasn’t giving away any of the big names. But even without knowing who would be playing, he sold me on the seventeen-day festival’s closing show at the Cistern Yard. “You’re in the middle of these mighty oak trees under a canopy of Spanish moss at night in the midst of the heat and humidity, which is heady and intoxicating in and of itself,” he told me. “The performances there are wholly unique and evocative of the Lowcountry spirit.” Now that I know it’s Brandi Carlile who will take the stage…enough said.—Lindsey Liles, digital reporter
Humans 2.0 by Circa
College of Charleston Sottile Theater, May 24–25
I’ll watch elite athletes in just about any event, and these acrobatic performers’ strength, balance, and movement are as amazing as anything I’ll see at any sporting venue. Throw in top-shelf lighting and sound, and I’m all in.—Chris Kraft, head of digital
Martha Graham Dance Company: Graham 100
Festival Hall, May 22–25
A middle school dance class introduced me to the legendary choreographer Martha Graham and her indelible legacy in the dance world. This year, Spoleto will celebrate her company’s hundredth anniversary with three performances in its program, all set to music by Spoleto founder (and one of Graham’s many collaborators) Gian Carlo Menotti and Carolina Chocolate Drops founder Rhiannon Giddens. Seeing Graham on Spoleto’s schedule made the middle-schooler in me smile, remembering how fascinated I was by her movement, costuming, and storytelling, which paved the way for modern dance as we know it.—Danielle Wallace, editorial assistant
Sullivan Fortner
Simons Center Recital Hall at College of Charleston, June 5–6
I’ll bet that Sullivan Fortner’s childhood in New Orleans shaped his sense of rhythm and ability to improvise on the keys. Now, the great jazz pianist’s resume includes three Grammy Awards. I just might have to book a couple tickets to enjoy this one with my piano-playing dad.—CJ Lotz Diego, deputy editor
Molly Tuttle
College of Charleston Cistern Yard, June 4
I’m especially excited to catch Molly Tuttle at Spoleto this year. A two-time Grammy winner, she’s the full package—one of the world’s best bluegrass guitarists, plus a standout vocalist and songwriter. We were lucky enough to have her for one of our in-office Back Porch Sessions (watch it here), and it’s still one of my favorites. With her genre-blurring sound and new band in tow, this one feels like a can’t-miss. Expect virtuosity, sharp songwriting, and plenty of energy.—Emily Daily, newsletter director
Emmylou Harris
College of Charleston Cistern Yard, June 5
My first rule as a self-proclaimed professional concert-goer: Always see a legend while you can, even if she’s not your cup of tea. Emmylou is a legend (and she probably is your cup of tea). I first experienced her talent on vinyl, in harmony with Gram Parsons (another iconic voice in country music), and knew immediately their vocal blend is what made those songs work. I then sought out her solo albums and realized she doesn’t need a partner. A master collaborator, songwriter, singer . . . a legend in every sense. —Eric Capossela, creative director
