September 2015 About Town – Music, Dance, & Theater

GREATER CHARLESTON LOWCOUNTRY JAZZ FESTIVAL //SEPTEMBER 3-6Hidden within the history of Charleston’s charm is the deeply rooted rhythm of jazz that locks down a listening legacy paralleling New Orleans longtime stake in the southern meets African sound. The Seventh Annual Lowcountry Jazz Festival is “Jazzing with a Purpose” as all proceeds benefit Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc. and the Thaddeus John Bell, M.D. Endowment Fund. From the saxophone sounds of BK Jackson to the electric bass beats of Marcus Miller, each artist chimes in an ode to jazz that thrives a respectable amount of musical appreciation for the bluesy blend and longtime love of this great genre. North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive. Thursday, 6pm; Friday, 6pm; Saturday, 6pm; Sunday, 6pm. Prices vary. (843) 529-5000; www.lowcountryjazzfest.com

ZZ WARD//SEPTEMBER 8With the soul of vintage blues and the flare of modern hip-hop, singer/songwriter ZZ Ward packs a powerhouse performance that storms the stage with her signature “dirty shine” sound. From “Love 3x” to “Put the Gun Down,” the “This Means War Tour” carries a lineup of catchy tunes boasting a beat to perfectly compliment the powerful vocals of the up-and-coming artist. With a sound and style mirroring Etta James and Amy Winehouse, ZZ Wards concert is sure to wow a crowd. Music Farm, 32 Ann St. Tuesday, 7:30pm. $20 DOS; $18 ADV. (843) 577-6989, www.musicfarm.com

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE //SEPTEMBER 1O Stirring a crowd with a symphonic brass blend of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue take over the Music Farm stage with the bluesy funk of New Orleans. Groove to the jazzed up jams of the Grammy nominated band as they play chart-topping hits, such as “Backatown” and “For True.” Having graced the stage with the legendary likes of Mick Jagger, B.B. King, and Booker T. Jones, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue give one splendid show trumpeting the traditions of jazz, rock, and hip-hop with their bold beats and rhythmic sounds. Music Farm, 32 Ann St. Thursday, 8pm. $25. (843) 577-6989, www.musicfarm.com

MOZART IN THE SOUTH FESTIVAL *****Will receive photos in the next week //SEPTEMBER 10-12Find your fancy for the finer music styling of the great classical composers and submit to the sounds that are putting a twist on traditional with the tunes of today at Chamber Music Charleston’s Seventh Annual Mozart in the South Festival. CMC opens the festival with “Rock and Rondo Redux,” a string quartet playing a musical mash up that gives a nod to rock legends, such as Michael Jackson and The Beatles, while in chorus with the classics prolific predecessor, Mozart. Listen to the likes of both students and seasoned performers as they strike a chord in all who flock to the

festival grounds at “Chamber Music at the Cathedral” and “Little Mozart Circus.” Be blown away by the menagerie of music that’s celebrating the musical muses of the modern day and still holding true to the symphonic sounds that are commending the classics with it’s added panache for the past. Locations vary. Thursday, 10pm; Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 8:30am. Prices vary. (843) 763-4941, www.chambermusiccharleston.com

1964 – THE TRIBUTE //SEPTEMBER 11 It takes a certain kind of talent to take on the likeness of the Beatles. However, 1964 – the Tribute manages to master the greatness of John, Paul, George, and Ringo with a concert honoring the rock n’ roll royals. The band dubbed by Rolling Stone Magazine as the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth,” brings a rush of Beatlemania to Charleston Music Hall, as they suit up to whisk fans back to the British Invasion days with covers of “She Loves You” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” Mirroring the legends timeless tunes and celebrity façade, 1964 captures the essence of the beloved Beatles with a time capsule performance to please every Fab Four fan. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Friday, 8pm. Prices vary. (843) 853-2252, www.charlestonmusichall.com

LONNIE HOLLEY //SEPTEMBER 12 In collaboration with the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Arts exhibit showcasing Lonnie Holley’s creative collection of art, the Charleston Music Hall lends the stage for the famed artist to showoff his musical side as well with an ear-pleasing concert. The much-admired “Self-Made Man” gives a unique take on musical performance with improvisation that organically evolves into a creative composition of simple lyrics and electric keyboarding throughout the show. Each concert Holley performs is unlike the next, allowing a fun excitement to carry over the audience the entirety of the night. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Saturday, 8pm. $17 DOS; $15 ADV. (843) 853-2252, www.charlestonmusichall.com

SHAGGIN’ ON THE COOPER //SEPTEMBER 12 Dust off your dancing shoes and swing on down to the Mount Pleasant Pier to shag in the last bit of summer at the final showdown of Shaggin’ on the Cooper. Swing and sway under the Ravenel Bridge, as you hit the dance floor on waters edge and surround yourself with the southern sounds of the Ocean Drive Party Band. Mount Pleasant Pier, 71 Harry Hallman Boulevard. Saturday, 8pm. $10; $8 CCR. (843) 795-4386, www.ccprc.com

BLACKWATER UKULELE FESTIVAL ****Will receive photos in the next week //SEPTEMBER 13 Welcome in the season of fall flora and crisp dewy air with the simple sounds of Hawaii at the Blackwater Ukulele Festival. The benefit for Music Speaks Project, an organization supporting Autism awareness and early access to care through the

power of music, encourages all to grab a uke and head down to the scenic swamp gardens to feel the rhythms of the islands. Don't have a uke? No worries! Shem Creek Music will provide a great selection of ukuleles, so you can still strum, pick, and play in unison with fellow folks at various workshops that cover beginner, intermediate and even dulcimer. If playing the mini acoustic isn’t your forte, then cozy up under the shade of a moss tree and listen contently till festivals end with concerts featuring artists and bands, such as skiffle jazz band Charleston Hot Shots and premiere Charleston “ukester” the V-Tones. Cypress Gardens, 3030 Cypress Gardens Rd, Moncks Corner. Sunday, 10am. $10; $9 Seniors; $5 Children ages 6-12; Free Children 6 & under. (843) 553-0515, festival.charlestonhotshots.com

CHARLESTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA, LATIN NIGHT: MONK, NO CHASER//SEPTEMBER 19Continue the Charleston Jazz Orchestras 7th Season of performing powerful pieces of symphonic grandeur at “Latin Night: Monk, No Chaser.” Led by the musical direction of Charlton Singleton, a troop of talented South Carolina musicians hit the House of Swing with a tribute to the iconic compositions of Thelonious Monk. Enjoy the night’s rendition of his visionary music, as CJO incorporates Cuban rhythms and other elements of Latin Jazz to compliment Monks dramatic combinations and harmonies. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Saturday, 5 & 8pm. $35-45 adult; $30-$40 senior. (843) 853-2252, Jazzartistsofcharleston.org

RHIANNON GIDDENS AT CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL/// SEPTEMBER 29 Join in the welcoming of Rhiannon Giddens to the Charleston Music Hall at her show stopping performance culminating a lineup of original ballads and legendary renditions with such a range of musical genres that dip into the sounds of gospel, jazz, blues, country, and even proto-rock and roll. Rise in applause as the songstress covers the fierce fervor of Dolly Parton in “Don’t Let It Trouble Your Mind,” the powerful vocals of Odetta in “Waterboy,” and the rich tones of Patsy Cline in “She’s Got You.” Following in the footsteps of the great female pioneers in music, the Grammy Award-winning singer solo debut, Tomorrow is My Turn, showcases a repertoire of songs with both powerhouse vocals and liberating conviction, proving the lasting success of the hit songstress. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Tuesday, 8pm. $35 Orchestra; $25 Rear Balcony. (843) 853-2252, charlestonmusichall.com