Charleston Events May 31-June 2

The Charleston events calendar for 2013 is once again booked with Spoleto treasures as the festival enters its second of three weekends. Below is a selection of Charleston events from this year’s Spoleto USA festival line-up occurring this weekend. For more information on the 2013 festival, including performance video samples and details of events other than this weekend, visit SpoletoUSA.org.

 

• Operas Le Villi and Mese Mariano. Sotille Theatre. These two operas, by Giacomo Puccini and Mese Mariano, respectively, bring the excitement and spectacle of traditional Italian opera to Charleston in back-to-back performances. The operas are sung in Italian, but have English subtitles for patrons. Tickets are available online and begin at $40. May 25, 27, 29, 31 and June 2, 4, 7. Sotille Theatre at the College of Charleston.

• Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía. Travel to the Andalucía section of Spain without ever leaving South Carolina. The Spanish dance company presents “Noche Andeluza,” which features traditional flamenco dancing, including castenets, rhythmic pas de deux, and colorful costuming making this one of the more exotic Charleston events. Tickets are available online and begin at $13.50.  May 31, and June 1 and 2. TD Arena.

• Johnnyswim. Hailing from Los Angeles, this duo combines elements of R&B and rock to create their own unique sound. Abner Ramirez and Amando Sudano, the two singer-songwriters composing Johnnyswim, are a festival premiere and one of the Charleston events you don’t want to miss this weekend. One performance: May 31 at 9 PM. Tickets are available online; general admission is $30 per person. College of Charleston Cistern Yard.

• André Mehmari. This trio, headed by pianist Mehmari, returns to the Spoleto Festival for its second time. Mehmari, along with Ze Alexandre and Sergio Reze, combine elements of jazz, pop, and classical music in their performance. One performance: June 1. College of Charleston Cistern Yard. Tickets are available online and begin at $27.

• Roseanne Cash. Living up to the legacy of her parents, June and Johnny Cash, Roseanne Cash has carved out a name for herself. Join the twelve-time Grammy nominee and one time Grammy award-winner for a show featuring her unique blend of pop, country and rock. One performance only: June 2 at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online; tickets range from $35 – $65. TD Arena.

• Lucky Plush Productions. This inventive theatre group presents “The Better Half,” a play about a woman who is driven to the brink by her husband. Breaking the traditional fourth wall of theatre is just the first of many surprises that this performance has in store; the artists also incorporate music and dance into their play as well, making this one of the more unique Charleston events this weekend. Tickets are available online and begin at $35. May 31, June 1 and 2. Emmett Robinson Theatre at the College of Charleston.