Charleston magazine Society blog

Last Friday at the Charleston Marriot Hotel, the Women of Distinction awards dinner hosted by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Carolina proved to be an inspiring and uplifting evening for me. Nine deserving women were honored for making a positive impact in their communities and in the lives of young women throughout South Carolina. Awards were giving out in categories from the arts to healthcare. Brief bios and warm remarks, emceed by Live 5 news anchor, Amy Lutz were made about each honoree before they accepted their award. A standout moment was seeing how Mayor Keith Summey cheered on his wife, Deborah Summey, who was honored for her outstanding contribution through government initiatives.  I spoke to him during the reception, and he said with a huge smile on his face, “This night is all about honoring my wife and these women.”

One thing that was missing, and correct me if I am wrong, but if you attend an event that is hosted by the Girl Scouts, would you not expect to see a few boxes of Girl Scout cookies laying around? I did not see one box in site. I asked a couple of cute little girls from troop #319 about the cookie situation and they told me that I should have bought them when they were selling them back in February. They were two tough cookies. 
 

The 2008 Women of Distinction Honorees included:

The Arts: Carol Antman, founder of Creative Spark Center
Business: Natalie Parker Bluestein, attorney with Bluestein and Douglas, L.L.C.
Community/Humanitarian: Lynn Young, founder and director of Lowcountry Orphan Relief
Education: Myrtle McDaniel, retired educator
Government: Deborah Summey, partner in Old North Charleston Development LLC
Media/Communications: Heather Holbrook, editor-in-chief of the Island Connection
Medicine/Healthcare: Gwendolyn Brown, D.M.D., private practice owner
Nonprofit: Carol Linville, president and CEO of Pet Helpers Rescue and Adoption Shelter
Girl Scout Lifetime Service: Lois Scott, retired educator

Bookmark to:

The Gibbes Museum of Art hosted a preview party to provide art enthusiasts with a sneak peek of the groundbreaking exhibition entitled Landscape of Slavery: The Plantation in American. The traveling exhibition organized by the museum presents plantation-related images of the American South from the 18th century to the present. Curated by Angela D. Mack, the museum’s deputy director for Curatorial Affairs and newly appointed executive director, the exhibition features more than 100 paintings, works on paper, photographs, mixed media, and installation works. 
 

Upon arrival, guests made their way through the much-anticipated exhibition.  Gibbes Museum board member, Gloria M. Bell thought the collection was inspirational and one of the best exhibitions that have come to the museum in years; and it’s just in time for the Spoleto Festival. She also thinks it would be a great educational tool for teaching African-American art history. Afterwards, everyone gathered in the courtyard to enjoy entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails and celebrate the eight-years-in-the-making show.
 

This party was truly a beautiful sight. Tents, designed by Sara Bradley of Social Event Design, were draped in the same colors as the scrims in the exhibit—deep red, purple, green, and orange (check out the pictures in my photo gallery). In the center was a huge flower arrangement surrounded by tasty duck and collard spring rolls, shrimp on mini grit cakes with remoulade, bourbon chocolate pecan pie, and key lime tarts sandwiched in between benne seed wafers, provided by Crew Carolina. The Charlton Singleton Trio played laid-back jazz tunes which made for a powerful, yet charming evening.
 

Landscape of Slavery: The Plantation in American Art
May 9-August 3, 2008

Bookmark to:

Saturday’s weather was perfect for the third annual Charleston Cinco de Mayo Festival Latin American explosion. A warm breeze flowed through The Visitors Center Bus Terminal that was decked out in Mexican flags, piñatas, and sombreros.
 
Mariachi music got the celebration started on the right note as did the loaded buffets provided by local Mexican, Tex-Mex and Brazilian food vendors. To work off nachos and the Cuervo margaritas that everyone seemed to enjoy, partygoers danced to the old school funky salsa style of Bio Ritmo. The high energy of the piano and Latin congas really got the crowd moving. I even hit the dance floor for a spin.
 

The “Dancing with the Local Stars” dance competition was the highlight of the evening that featured Brooke Ryan, host of 95SX Two Girls and a Guy Morning Show; Tessa Spencer, host of Z93 Jamz Da Breakfuss Club; and Live 5 News reporters Hatzel Vela and Sheldon Dutes. All four contestants prepared throughout the month of April and brought their “A” game.  The most impressive of the night was Tessa Spencer whose technique was almost flawless with the help of her handsome partner Luis Boria. The audience applause decided the winner and Tess and Luis walked (danced) away with the title “Charleston’s Best Salsa Couple.”

CDC, an up-and-coming Latin band based in Charleston, made their debut and closed the show. They reminded me of the group 98 Degrees, but the Latin version. The guys were all attractive and had amazing voices, and really knew how to the work the crowd. I saw a few groupies at the front of the stage singing along to every single song, which by the way were in Spanish.  A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Trident Literacy Association. The executive director of the Trident Literacy Association, Eileen Chepenik stated, “The Charleston Cinco De Mayo Festival brings important attention to the fact that Charleston is a very diverse city and this is a great opportunity to celebrate the vibrant Hispanic culture.”

 
Vea ya el año próximo.
See ya next year.

Bookmark to: