–  Dec 31, NEW YEARS EVE! 3rd Annual Platinum Ball, “Where Music, Fashion & Film Merge.” <– Buy Tickets before they sell out. Join Jesse & Lamar, among the hosts & toasts, among the film models & champagne bottles, among the leaders & teachers (net proceeds go to Youth Power Initiative). Charleston & the world’s jet set touch down here, in between NY City & Miami South Beach, into VIP cabanas that are anything but cabanas. Think bigger, think cosmic: fly in under the wide starry skies of the Charleston Harbor Waterfront into The Hippodrome (former IMAX theater screen for wrap-around NASA space spectacles). Get a feast for the eyes; music & dancing for the feet, and treats for the taste buds! Teeth, get ready to sink into Charleston’s one & only Gullah Geechee hors d’oeuvres by Chef Benjamin Dennis.  Hip & happy and tasty & spacey – hello 2013!

– Dec 21 Join the #Unify #AroundTheWorld Event. This is a facet of the mission of DoTheCharleston. Make an impact now: don’t wait on a yoga mat, or yoga clothes, or yoga class in Charleston or France…just do it…go out and unify the world!

copyright 2012 DoTheCharleston.com

 – Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas Charleston (and the World) – same as it ever was! Christmas in July – 70degree bikini weather. Christmas in fall with fall leaves next to palm trees.

Like Pommery Louise, a joy to have anytime of the year.

–  Dec, first 3 weekends,  “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”  Threshold Repertory Theatre, 84 1/2 Society St.  (REVIEW: Home for the Holidays? Maybe not 😮 Go for a campy hammy comic adventure with twists & turns & skip ropes & hop scotch & (uhhemm) martinis & coke & pills & chills & thrills & nectars & vectors & rockets & hangars & hangers…from Mars to the North Pole…and back…?!?! A holiday play for families; for off-off-broadway theater Junkies; and more, “All Eden (playing Betty) wants for Christmas is Hanukkah gelt.“ Share Facebook Event

copyright 2012 RJD Timeless Photography by Rebecca Dersch

- Nov 30, 7-10pm, readCharlie’s 2012 YearBook Signing Party for it’s year-end special issue launch. It’s the scene to see and be scene, dance & smooze, and toast & nosh with progressives and creatives at GrowFood Carolina at 990 Morrison Dr. $20-$25.

- Nov 17, 4-11 Jail Break 4 at The Infamous Old City Jail, home of  ACBA(American College of the Building Arts). This is a bizarre Bazar of local indie arts, music, dance, jewelry, food…expect the best (the Old City Jail is full of bars, but the bar was raised pretty high last year by Jenny & Chloe with DanceFX ;) 

– Nov 12 – 16  Philanthropy Week in the Lowcountry

– Nov 16, 2012 Charleston Magazine’s Giving Back Awards (Tickets):  Celebrate with philanthropists, businesses, individuals, and nonprofits, with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra at the Charleston Music Hall. Red Carpet at 7pm and Awards at 8pm. After-Party at Rue de Jean. Details & Tickets

– Nov 16, 2012 Annual Donor Celebration: Coastal Community Foundation Exec. Dir. George Stevens, “…if we let it…by giving thanks to those who inspire us, we can inspire ourselves…[but remember]…Rule No. 1: Be specific…the easy way out, the shotgun approach, leads us towards thoughtlessly thin thank you’s. Rule No. 2: Thank the right people…One poorly targeted “thanks” and all your other “thank yous” suffer from deflation, forever.” 

– Nov 15  Darkness To Light’s  “Circle of Light GALA…a world-class charity evening of fine dining, spectacular entertainment, an edge-of-your seat auction, and a lively after-party…” The GALA raises $500,000 annually to further protecting children from sexual abuse! The GALA’s 450 benefactors include Charleston-area & national business leaders.

– Nov 15  National Philanthropy Day! Annual Luncheon of The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) awards outstanding individual, foundation, and corporate contributions of philanthropy to enrich us locally and globally.

– Nov 8 -12  They’re coming from all over the land for the 3rd Annual Holy City Blues Xchg - DANCING ALL WEEK, day & night & dance until dawn!! No partner, no problem, come one, come all! Schedule and more Links. Blues Dance Lessons are also easy & available - post here, too.

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– Nov 2- 4, The 14th Annual Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association (CFADA) galleries, plein air painting in Washington Park, Art on Paper Fair at the Gibbes Museum, Gala & Silent Auction, and lectures. Proceeds benefit Charleston County High Schools’ fine arts. Sales of paintings to CFADA patrons has raised > $250,000 for schools since 2004. See DoTheCharleston.com HiArtFilms RAW video below, Copyright 2012.

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– Thur,  Nov 1 “…must attend for collectors and painters…Star Studded Art Extravaganza Demo…benefit for Charleston Library Society…jazz trio for dancing….ornately costumed & propped with Chinese and French Antiques…These Intl painters impart tremendous knowledge…part instruction, part art history….”

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– Sun Oct 28  Awesome Musician and inspirational poet, MATISYAHU, “SPARKS” in Charleston! Acoustic Set at 1pm at Half-Moon Outfitters. Tonite 8pm CONCERT at The Music Farm downtown!

copyright 2012 DoTheCharleston.com

Matisyahu brought us “Sunshine,” when he passed thru Charleston. Super Storm Sandy brought us Moonshine, when it passed by Charleston.

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- Oct 27  The 12th Annual Skinful Halloween. What to expect?? Read last year’s TWO Reviews (Excerpt: “…fire burn and cauldron bubble …Big Hair Productions …DoTheCharleston.com Challenge: “Go …for the music & culture …not a drop to drink; nor drop of acid…no groping…oh behave…high on life; high on endorphins …beyond the bare and buzzed…”) 

copyright 2011 2012 DoTheCharleston.com

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– Oct 9  7:30 -10:30  Party for a Purpose 100% Donations goto SC Special Olympics! What’s Camille got brewing? Not beer, and not her witches brew, because it’s too early for Halloween “weeks.” Not fish stew – it’s at the SC Aquarium for visual stimulation, but there will be light hors d’oeuvres. It’s the Van Gogh Drink Challenge: a taste of 15 of the best Charleston Bartenders. See DoTheCharleston.com HiArtFilms video below, Copyright 2012.

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– 2012 Charleston Fashion Week official After Party – RAIN by Charleston After Dark.  (You know Christmas in July is at most a reminder of what was or what will be…well, behold Fashion Week in October: A look back at what was (and what will come again)… by Merrick Teichman (and guest co-writer, Wendy Wilson, YogaBareHeart Founder, Teacher, & Fashion Designer): “The Mar 24th evening was full of flare, fashionistas, fun, and fish!  Guests caught the fisheye lens of the paparazzi along with designers & celebrities; Chicken Turtles & Slippery D__s (fish); starlets sporting sparkling sea shell swimwear; and even retired world class pros flaming & passing the torch.  Nigel Williams, now in Charleston with Record Quest, attended this soiree to keep up with his love for fashion. Nigel was born in Guyana South America, and he spent the 70s in New York working with icon Willi Smith. Nigel doesn’t keep his wisdom & savoir faire close to the vest, he wears it on his collar (we love his hi-fashion tie clip jewelry). It was easy mining (fishing) for gem stones: studs like Nigel; jewels like Camille and Hilda; and hard rockers like Mark Bryan – all lured by a passion for fashion! The Aquarium was a perfect lure, too, the beauty was inside and out! (Special thanks to Sherrie Mills, Old South Barber Spa. Her Hair Cuts turn an everyday pauper into a Fashion Week Prince! Check out her Fashion For A Cause, too: Sidewalk Chalk) 

Femme Fatale #1: “Ooo la la, parlez-vous français? Allez-vous à Paris Haute Couture ainsi que la Semaine de la mode Charleston? …Femme Fatale #2: “Mais bien sûr, nous sommes à la fois incroyable! N’est-ce pas? …Femme Fatale #1: Voila! Bon Vivant! Copyright 2012 DoTheCharleston.com

Nigel Williams passes his international savoir-faire fashion wisdom to Charleston. Copyright 2012 DoTheCharleston.com

Video Shot and edited by Michael Kadlubkiewicz, CharlestonMultimedia, Music by Armin van Buuren 

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– Sept 21 – Oct 13  (Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun) REVIEW: (Special Guest Review by Wendy Wilson) LADIES, dont wait for another Sunday to pass, without seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Tell Me on a Sunday!”  YOU WILL LAUGH OUT LOUD, watching “Emma” sing her heart out, while she travels through her career path trying to strike it rich.  Immanuel Houston, adds his musical flair and pazazz! Cheers to Sheri Grace Wenger, for Directing Midtown Productions‘ enchanting musical along with an intimate theater experience at The Charleston Acting Studio, 915 Folly Rd.

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Sept 10 -16, 2012  The Inaugural Charleston Dance Festival Video by Rogue Wave//Creative Development, Music by Ben Jacobs:

– Check back for Updates + PLUS Exclusive PREVIEWS & REVIEWS! Follow our Twitter and Facebook.

– Nov 3, Charleston Rugcutters has saved their “Last Dance” for you! Lindy Hop Swing Dance Lesson 7-8. Then dance and dine (refreshments as well as pot luck) until 10. Located at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul at 126 Coming St. FREE!

– Nov 3, 7pm “Revenge of the Electric Car,” Hippodrome Theater, 360 Concord St.

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– Nov 3, 6:30-9:30pm Charleston’s Angels Fundraiser & Film, “Out on a Limb.” Save the Angel Oak Q&A panel discussion. Terrace Theatre, Maybank Hwy. $25

– Nov 4, 5, & 6 Sprouts Musical Theatre Company presents, “Musicians of Bremen.” Very clever lyrics and chase scenes fun for young and old alike. (Watch our last Trailer & review of Pinnochio). Since coming to Charleston 2 years ago, Stan Gill has been on a roll with a continuous string of creative theater that he writes, produces, directs, and acts. He has cultivated a dedicated company of professional actors, young & old, to form a chemistry that is magical. Last weekend: Nov4 @7pm; Nov5 @ 1pm; and Nov6 @ 3pm. At Creative Spark, Long Pt. Rd, Mt.Pleasant $10-$12. 843-881-3780

– Nov 4, 5:30-8:30pm, CFADA Charleston Fine Arts Dealers Association, CFADA, “Fine Art Annual” continues with Friday night Wine & Cheese Gallery Crawl. Free to browse. Donations and net proceeds raised from purchases benefit High School Arts Students.

– Nov 4, –  Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club – It’s a Dream Dance with Stephen Duane, ”Exciting…authentic…we will stop at nothing to bring a time gone by back to reality (start with 2 lessons 7:15 and 8, then swing & blues dance to 11)” $10

copyright 2011 Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club

– Nov 5, CFADA Charleston Fine Arts Dealers Association, CFADA, “Fine Art Annual” continues Sat morning, 9am-noon, FREE Plein Air Demonstrations will have locally & nationally known artists painting in Washington Park (Broad & Meeting). Sat night, 6:30-8:30pm, Silent Art Auction and Smooze with the Artists at Ella Richardson Gallery, 63 Broad St, $55 tickets call 843-819-8006. Donations and net proceeds raised from purchases benefit High School Arts Students.

– Nov 5, –  Charleston Swing Dance Association – Weekly Lessons 6 & 7, and Dance until 11. Hazel Parker Center, East Bay St (SOB). $3-5

– Nov 5 & 6, Charleston Ballet Theatre performs at the legendary Dock Street Theatre, “The Big Easy,” choreographed by Jill Eathorne Bahr with new interpretations celebrating classic sultry jazz along with a rare special performance of her choreography for “A Streetcar Named Desire” to celebrate the 100th birthday of Tennessee Williams. 843-723-7334 Box Office. Nov5 @7:30pm, Nov6 @3. $25-45 (Students get $10 off)

– Nov 9, from 6-10 Charleston Jazz Club presents their fabulously successful Sunset & Moonlight JAM with a multitude of Charleston’s top Musicians. Also look forward to swing and blues dancing as well the best oyster roast at Bowens Island raw natural beautiful marshy low country vistas.

– Nov 10 – 14 Holy City Blues 11/11/11 Blues Dance Exchange Weekend < -- click here for lots of details. It’s a Lonnnnnnggg weekend! $55 for 10 dances mostly downtown (Fri & Sat late nights till 4am) – or a la cart dances $3-15. THE coolest blues musicians, DJs, and dancers from across the country are coming in to dance with you day and night! Very social – you don’t need to bring a partner, you will dance with everyone 🙂

copyright 2011 Holy City Blues

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– Nov 10 The Sustainability Institute presents A Night for our Future. This big party for a purpose gets started at 7:00 with great food, drinks, and live music. Their “must see” special short film is at 8:30. Everything unfolds at the super cool futuristic IMAX Hippodrome, 360 Concord, click for tix, $40.

–  Nov 11-13  Alliance Francaise Of Charleston presents their 2011 AF Francophone Film Festival at MUSC Psychiatry Inst Auditorium, 67 President St. Six contemporary films (2009-2010) all in French with English subtitles. $3-5

– Nov 11, Free! Tivoli Studios & Gardens, Event Two Arts Festival – 656 King St (at/under bridge). Local Indie Artists’ Galleries open at 6pm for all ages, then at 10pm the BYOB adult scene cranks it up until…Vajazzle, DJs & Fire Dancers, oh my!

– Nov 11, Full Moon Annual Party at the Halsey Institute. Guests can join, renew, or upgrade benefits. College of Charleston, 161 Calhoun, 7-10pm.

– Nov 12, noon-11pm, It’s already famous: Jail Break 2 at the Old City Jail with Entropy Ensemble & ACBA(American College of the Building Arts). This is a super unique venue and festival – a cornucopia of local indie arts, music, dance, jewelry, food…Especially look to see Jenny & Chloe with DanceFX; Sarah with Sarah Poe Designs; Rebekah at BlueNess Studios…

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– Nov 12 The mission of DoTheCharleston.com includes, “…to broaden horizons…Charleston and the World…” But come to Charleston and we’ll broaden your horizons beyond this World! Explore the Moon with CofC & NASA, and see a Moon Rock from Apollo 15, at College of Charleston New Science Ctr, 3rd Floor, 205 Calhoun St. Special MoonFest 11-2 in courtyard. Special Opening Reception 7-9pm 2nd Floor.

– Nov 12, –  Charleston Swing Dance Association – Weekly Lessons 6 & 7, and Dance until 11. Hazel Parker Center, East Bay St (SOB). $3-5

– Jack McCray is a legendary Patriarch of Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC) Sadly, he just passed away, which ignited impressive published accounts about his Jazz spirit touching us. It was easy to find him, downtown, and his cool cat passion and encyclopedic history of Charleston and Jazz were pure “edutainment.” He was a remarkable communicator, including prolific writings that enlightened both beginners & stalwart music enthusiasts. He sought out, welcomed, and held the hand of many uncool budding souls and brought them into the fold of the coolest Jazzy cats. Jack McCray’s spirit is visible and lives on strong in many of us – we can hear his history and vision for the future and are inspired to propel Charleston Jazz. You can join us. Video below by Marcus Amaker:

– Nov 17, 6:30 (+ After Party) HAVANA NIGHTS Circle of Light, Darkness To Light‘s annual FUNdraising GALA. This is Charlestons’s world class party for a purpose to raise funds and raise awareness and education surrounding innovative ways to prevent child sexual abuse.

– Nov 18, –  Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club – Goin’ to the Hukilau! Tropical Swing Dance with the V-Tones’ unique jazzy band. “Celebrate hele mei hoohiwahiwa hawaiian style. Mahalo, Stephen Duane” (start with 2 lessons 7:15 and 8, then swing dance to 11)” $10 total @ Spirit Moves.

copyright 2011 Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club

– Nov 18 Giving Back Awards, the annual Charleston Magazine’s Oscars of the Lowcountry. Party with a purpose with Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Leah Suarez, the Coastal Community Foundation, and more! Red Carpet at 7pm, and the Awards’ Non-Profit Nominees are introduced at 8pm, the public then gets to text vote for the winner. Charleston Music Hall.

– Nov 19, 8am – 3pm Charleston’s Downtown Farmers’ Market at Marion Square!

– Nov 19, Occupy Charleston Downtown March from Marion Square, down King, Market, East Bay, Broad, back up Meeting to Marion Sq. Meet @11am for sign making, chants, etc. March @ 12 noon.

– Nov 19, 12-4pm, Girls Rock Charleston’s Artsy Fall Family Festival Fundraiser, “Gourds, Glue, BYO Kazoo” at Brittlebank Park. See our past review with Sarah Bandy, lead singer, “The Local Honeys” & “The Breeders,” cool, fun…amazing enthusiasm, contagious…rousing roars, “Raising awareness to empower both girls & women age 9-16 so they can…ROCK!! Our 9 yr olds get electric guitars, yeh!” Goto  website for details on their summer camp @ Ashley Hall 843-637-1707

– Nov 19, 12noon-8pm, $10, Shucked, Doughed, and Rolled with Remedy Market on Spring (Venue change, now at New Moon Pizzeria & Pub @ 2817 Maybank Hwy, Johns Is. Their special unique drinks and food and 3 bands (especially Slangauge with Elise Testone, known for her tight James Brown killer covers) make for an ecclectic mix emerging strong from downtown Charleston to the islands, “Off Off Broad.” They have 3 wide screens showing football. Below is Clemson @ NC State mirroring today’s annual matchup – even football SWINGS, really, DoTheCharleston.com isn’t making all this up, so bring your dancing shoes.

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– Nov 19, 5:30 – 8pm Blues & BBQ Cruise on the Carolina Belle. Dance & Dine to blues & soul with Wanda Johnson, Shrimp City Slim, Home Team BBQ, Charleston Harbor Tours, and The Bridge at 105.5 casting off from The Maritime Center. $40

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– Nov 19, –  Charleston Swing Dance Association – Weekly Lessons 6 & 7, and Dance until 11. Hazel Parker Center, 70 East Bay St (SOB). $3-5. Feed the Need Dance, Free admission with 4+ canned or other non-perishable food items. For the Dream Center in North Charlesto.

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Happy Thanksgiving from Downtown Charleston! copyright 2011 DoTheCharleston.com

– Nov 25, –  Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club – Black Friday Dance! Stephen Duane says, “Pack up all your care and woe, here we go Swinging low! Don’t let holiday shopping stress you out. And, don’t let your big T-day feast slow you down. You’ve got a place where people are waiting to see you, where the dancing is hot and the music is sweet! Jazz for exercise, jazz for fun, jazz for Swinging, jazz for life!” (start with 2 lessons 7:15 and 8, then swing dance to 11)” $10 total @ Spirit Moves.

copyright 2011 Roaring 20s Hot Jazz Dance Club

– Nov 26 Sat Nite Come Swing Dance with DoTheCharleston.com at Henry’s on Market St, 6-11pm (2nd floor) + who knows what else…

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