Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Charleston Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalist Grammy Award Winner Charlton Singleton
Season Opener Charleston Jazz Orchestra
Tickets Available Now
Join us for the Arts & Cultural Events season opener with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra's presentation of Ellington at Newport on August 15 at 7:30 p.m. at West Beach Conference Center. Tickets ($25) are available now on the CJO's website.
By the mid-1950s, Big Bands were in a changed world as Bebop took center stage. Even the Duke Ellington Orchestra found itself struggling until the historic gig at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. With an electrifying performance, Duke Ellington and his orchestra transformed the crowd at Freedom Park. This performance revitalized Duke Ellington’s career.
The CJO will recreate that notable night in jazz history. Festival producer George Wein proclaimed this performance as “the greatest performance of Ellington’s career” and one that “stood for everything jazz had been and could be.” Grammy Award Winner Charlton Singleton will join the CJO on vocals for this performance.
2021-2022 Season Update
We are thrilled to be returning to live in-person events and grateful to the area venues and vendors who are making this season possible.
As we navigate the return to normal, you will notice some changes, large and small. Due to unprecedented demand for venue space, we've had to be more flexible with dates and locations to bring our patrons a complete season.
Please review the following information as we prepare to welcome you back:
- Staffing - Patrons can expect to see some new, friendly faces at our events! This season, we will be contracting professional event staff to provide ticket scanning and support to our resident volunteers.
- Ticketing & Kiawah Property Owner Early Access - All tickets will continue to be available online. Property owners within the Town of Kiawah Island municipal boundaries are eligible for a 3-day lead time on tickets to select events. Property owners who previously registered for early access tickets should have already received their 2021-2022 season access code. If you would like to register or did not receive your code, email your name and Kiawah Island address to Stephanie Braswell at sbraswell@kiawahisland.org.
- Safety Precautions - For the time being, events will have reduced capacity. We will continue to evaluate this policy as the season progresses. We recommend face coverings for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.
We look forward to seeing you soon and will release the complete season planner in August.
Cultural Events Application Period Opens August 2
The Town's Cultural Events Fund (CEF) is used to build tourism and economic development by presenting cultural events and activities. The CEF aims to contribute to the cultural reputation of Kiawah Island while providing tourists and residents artistic opportunities without leaving the Town.
Thank You to Our Partners
The Town of Kiawah Arts & Cultural Events Council works to enhance community appreciation and involvement in the visual and performing arts within the Town of Kiawah Island and its environs by providing a diversity of planned programs. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis online at our website here. All events are open to the public. Kiawah property owners have a 3-day lead time on tickets for Arts Council events. Cultural Events only have one ticket release date.