Welcome to the 42nd Annual North Charleston Arts Fest!

A multi-venue, multi-disciplinary arts festival for every resident & visitor of North Charleston

The North Charleston Arts Fest features five days of events highlighting regional and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Literature. Residents and visitors are invited to experience a diverse array of free performances, exhibitions, and activities in a variety of venues, including libraries, businesses, community centers, and parks. The festival schedule offers something for everyone, including concerts, theatre presentations, dance performances, children’s programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, and more.

Schedule

May 3, 2025

Workshop – A.I and the Content Creator

10:00-11:30am

Park Circle Community Building

4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC 29405

For 40 years Julian Gooding has been working as a television producer, documentary filmmaker, and continuing education program developer for institutions of higher learning in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. In this workshop, he will demonstrate how A.I. is used for starting and managing business for artists, examining ChatGPT for writing and research, text to art, voice cloning for podcasting, video production, and more. The workshop will also explore ethics related to using A.I.

Jazz Concert for Youth

Young People’s Jazz Concert

11:00am-12:00pm

Keith Summey North Charleston Library - 3503 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406

The Javier Vega Jazz Quartet features retired educators and experienced musicians led by jazz trumpeter and Latin percussionist, Javier Vega. In their program, Young People’s Jazz Concert, the group will offer an introduction on how to enjoy Jazz and the Blues. While tailored for young listeners, the concert is sure to entertain music lovers of all ages.

World Dance Showcase

11:30am-4:00pm

Park Circle Community Building - 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC 29405

Experience a mesmerizing display of traditional, folk, and modern dances of cultures from around the world by local performers in vibrant costumes. Roe Roe’s and Kona Ice will be on hand to serve up some tasty food options.

11:30am-Noon – Deninufay African Drum & Dance Co. – Rhythms of the Soul, a fusion of West African drums and Gullah Geechee dance

Noon-12:30pm – Palmetto Oasis – Legacy, celebrating dance styles from Spain, Turkey, Egypt, and more

12:30-1:00pm – Hiyas-Min Philippine Cultural Society of Charleston – folks dances of the Philippines

1:00-1:30pm – Charleston Allegro Dance – Italian folkloric dance

1:30-2:00pm – Lowcountry Pasifiki Dance – authentic Polynesian dances from Tonga, Hawaii, Tahiti, and Somoa

2:00-2:30pm – India Association of Greater Charleston – folk, classical, and fusion dances of India

2:30-3:00pm – Troupe Naya Sama – folkloric fusion dance and belly dance

3:00-3:30pm – Peruvian Folklore – Costa, Sierra y Selva, highlighting folkloric dances from different regions of Peru, including Valicha, Anaconda, Marinera, and Festejo

3:30-4:00pm – Wona Womalan West African Drum & Dance Ensemble – traditional drum rhythms & dances from Guinea

Arty Block Party

5:00-8:30pm

Olde Village area of North Charleston

East Montague Avenue (between Jenkins & Virginia Aves.), North Charleston, SC 29405

Shop local while enjoying live music and roving entertainers! Vendor booths featuring local artists and makers will line the street. Musical entertainment for the evening kicks off with The Fool Hardies (award-winning, North Carolina-based American roots rock band with blazing guitars, a locked-down rhythm section, ripping horns, and vocals that drip with soul) from 5-6:30pm and Amani Smith and the Give Thanks Band (Roots Reggae with a heavy hitting rhythm section, guitar solos with rock flair, and smooth vocals) from 7-8:30pm. Other entertainment includes pedal-powered spin art from Good Clean Fun, Lute, the living statue, unicyclist Mark Lippard, craft activities, and balloon twisters from Island Paradise Balloon Art. It’s an art-filled evening of fun for the whole family!

Exhibition Reception – Intersections

5:00-7:00pm

Park Circle Gallery

4820 Jenkins Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405

Meet the artist behind the 2025 North Charleston Arts Fest poster design and view an exhibition of her recent work. Amy Stewart’s solo exhibition features her winning design Intersections, along with a collection of abstract mixed media paintings that explore the ripple effect of our actions on others and vice versa. Every action we take, every place we go, or even the way we change direction can lead us to encounter someone, even if we don’t realize it at the time. We may never fully comprehend our network of connections, but they are undeniably part of our shared human experience. Refreshments will be served.

Motown Concert – Motown Magic

7:00-8:00pm

Fox Music House - 4248 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29405

The smooth, soulful sounds of The Trané N’Chel Live Experience are sure transport you back in time with classic hits that defined an era. Experience the iconic music of legendary artists like The Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Martha and the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and many more. With energetic performances and stylish flair, this show is the perfect prescription for music lovers of all ages!

Date: April 30 - May 5, 2025