Charleston magazine Society blog

Last Wednesday (September 19), Trident United Way made several white-collar professionals’ rock-n-roll dreams come true with their annual Battle of the Bands at the Gaillard Exhibition Hall. Comprised of bankers, attorneys, and the like, the bands played a melange of musical styles including rock and bluegrass. The exhibition hall was dimly lit save for the stage, which was outfitted with concert-worthy lights that changed color and brightened in intensity during every rafter-shaking power drum solo. Okay, so the ghost of John Bonham didn’t appear and some of the guitar riffs were squeaky, but all in all these people rocked. I fully expected to witness funky garage bands akin to Harry and the Potters, but the musically inclined folks had clearly been practicing. The audience continued to gather throughout the evening, and the presence of corporate name tags suggested that most arrived straight from work.

Thursday ushered in Charleston magazine’s annual Giving Back Awards celebration at the Hibernian. Decorated with a palette of chic verdant shades (a great lead-in to the October “Green” issue), the decor’s zen aura played a perfect pitch to the scores of attendees in swank party attire who turned out in support of the five award recipients: Priscilla McLeod Robinson (Benevolent Spirit), Gil Shuler (Creative Spirit), Dixon Hughes (Philanthropic Spirit), Junior League of Charleston (Community Spirit), and Chef Brett McKee (Reader’s Choice).

This was one cool party. Caterer James Burns provided ample haute hors d’oeuvres and the signature drink was a special mojito. Editor-in-chief Darcy Shankland introduced media clips featuring the winners, which were projected onto a giant scrim, and she presented awards as the recipients joined her onstage. The last recipient to take the stage was Chef McKee who is an ubiquitous tour-de-force on the local charity gala scene. Several of my favorite people joined him at Oak after the party, and I’m sorry to have missed such a fun time, especially since I hear there were so many entertaining divas in the restaurant that night. Alas, my nightlife has been curtailed in recent weeks thanks to my participation in an early-morning Marine Corps boot camp program (check Living on the Edge in the January issue of Charleston to read all about this intense experience).

Saturday’s Chazz Fest was a musical marathon that started early in the day with a shrimp-n-grits contest and wound up in full Celebration mode. Although an early afternoon thunderstorm drenched the Family Circle Tennis Center, the music played on (albeit with one additional rain delay mid afternoon), but it sure was steamy. The marketing folks at Digital Lifestyle Outfitters are geniuses; the passed out vibrant blue paper fans emblazoned with their logo, and the fans really helped combat the humid air.

This year’s lineup offered something for everyone: I watched J.J. Grey & Mofro with some friends; caught the kazoo band with an eight-year-old; danced to The Embers with a couple colleagues; and rocked out to Kool and the Gang with my mother and stepfather. Whew! I hear Jay Reagan wound up on stage with the Chairmen of the Board, and I’m sorry that I missed what was no doubt a memorable spectacle!

Best,
Ida

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The Calhoun Mansion was a portal back in time on Friday night when supporters of Chamber Music Charleston gathered in the garden for cocktails before heading inside to the drawing room for an hour-long concert.

Saturday’s breathtaking sunset was all the decor needed for the S.C. Aquarium’s Turtles on the Town auction, the culmination of a year-long project that placed uniquely painted fiberglass turtles around the Lowcountry. Artists and sponsors gathered on the Aquarium’s wharfside steps for a pre-auction party; people posed with their creations, ate paella, and enjoyed the sound of steel drums.

Around 8 p.m., we were escorted to a large tent in the midst of Liberty Square. Rows of chairs faced a stage that was flanked by two large video screens— an effective auction set-up. The temperature inside the tent quickly rose as people packed inside (and the use of red lights only made it seem hotter), but no one seemed prepared for the hotseat gauntlet that auctioneer and PBS Antiques Roadshow contributor Stuart Whitehurst threw down by opening the auction with a string of high reserves. A gentleman in the front row broke the tension by consistently offering $1,000 opening bids despite Whitehurst’s higher requests, and this back and forth banter set the tone for an active auction that ultimately raised more than $100,000.

I paid particular attention to the bidding on Viva Las Tortugas Marinas because I met the artist, a wonderfully talented illustrator named Brenda Gilliam, at the Sip with Skirt event last week AND because my friend Randall Goldman (managing partner of Patrick Properties) sought to permanently acquire the turtle, which had been on display in the atrium of FISH restaurant.

Stephanie Christensen showed me where all the high school aged TheatreWings Apprentices that she works with at Charleston Stage signed the bottom of their turtle before our conversation turned to their upcoming wine auction set to take place on Thursday, September 27.

I gained even more wine auction inside track when I walked the bridge with auction chairwoman Celeste Patrick the next morning. Building upon the theme of La Bodega, event designer Mitchell Crosby took his cue from the rich Spanish traditions that run concurrent with the vibrancy of life in Spanish-speaking countries. Unlike the refinement of past French themes, this year’s auction promises to be infused with the passion of wine and lots of color. More than 1,000 stems of roses in rich red and orange colors will blanket the room, while luxe patchwork linens will adorn the dinner tables. Capacity for this event is 400, and as of today, only a few seats remain. Visit http://charlestonstage.com/ to learn more.

After nearly being blown off the bridge with Celeste, I made my way down to the Maritime Center for the annual Shrimpin’ and Shaggin’ Festival. The smell of steamed seafood and the sound of beach music met me in the parking lot, and the gusts of wind, which caused little kids to squeal and throw their arms wide open as if to hug the breeze, ratcheted up the level of frenetic festival energy.

A dozen local restaurants and caterers sold bite-sized portions of their best shrimp dishes, everything from plain old peel-n-eat to a shrimp with fig and Marscarpone cheese salad. The S.C. Shrimpers Association cornered a large portion of the action partly because their mobile cook station—a giant bus— dominated the Maritime Center’s waterside sidewalk (plus their shrimp burgers and sweet potato chips were delicious).

My favorite part of the day was buying fresh shrimp off the back of the shrimp boat Carolina ($3 per pound, heads on; $6 per pound, heads off) and listening to a smart-talking eight-year-old explain how to pop the heads off to Lowcountry transplants.

Proceeds from the day benefitted the S.C. Shrimpers’ Association, Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, and the National Association of Catering Executives’ scholarship program.

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It’s been a great week for the women of the Lowcountry! On Sunday, Women Making a Difference hosted its annual BRING clothing drive benefitting Dress for Success. Guests arrived at the event with armloads of freshly laundered suits and bags of shoes, which Women Making a Difference member Elizabeth Sinkler helped pack into the van driven by Margaret Jefferson Johnson (executive director of Dress for Success). All of the donated items will help outfit the 60 women who are currently depending on the program to supply work apparel. Guests then mingled inside Pane E Vino on Warren Street, the popular Italian eatery that is typically closed on Sunday. This was the second year that Natasha and Kate Herron offered to host the event on their day off.

On Wednesday, skirt! magazine hosted a Sip with Skirt wine tasting at Charleston Grill with proceeds benefitting the Lowcountry Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Mickey Baskt (general manager of Charleston Grill) was on point as usual as he welcomed guests into the recently refurbished restaurant, which was completely closed save for the event— that’s two restaurants closing for charitable events in one week!

Although the fundraiser was mostly populated by women, a few gentlemen lent their support to the cause including David Yarborough (Lexus of Charleston), Karl Zerbst (First Reliance Bank), Jeff Kopish (LimeBlue) and ubiquitous jazz drummer Quentin Baxter who looked plenty pleased to be in the company of so many ladies.

Chef Bob Waggoner, who always makes me feel as though I am enjoying a casual dinner in his home, was busy at work behind one of the cook stations. Indeed, mouth-watering aromas filled the air, and tables were laden with hors d’oeuvres. From succulent figs to cooked-on-the-spot scallops, the array of food was impressive.

For those who indulged in the nibbles, the Race of the Cure—the perfect opportunity to burn off that wedge of cheese— will take place on October 20. I’ll be participating again this year with a slew of people from Charleston magazine. To register, visit www.komenlowcountry.org.

Best,
Ida

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