Saturday, March 29, 2014

April 9th: Dr. Phillip Powell to present a piano concert for 'Live @ Central'


On Wednesday, April 9th, 'Live @ Central' is fortunate to have Dr. Philip Powell from Coastal Carolina University to present a recital of classical music.  Dr. Powell has been on the faculty at Coastal since 1988 and presently is Chairman of the Department of Music.  His program will include music by Schubert, van Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Fowler and Liszt.  He has performed with the South Carolina Symphony Orchestra and also performed with the Jupiter Symphony. 

Dr. Powell maintains an active performing schedule with concerts frequently heard on South Carolina Radio.  He has served as President of the Coastal Carolina Concert Association.
 
The program will begin at 6:30.  There is a dinner at 5:30 PM. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children. Make dinner reservations by calling 843-662-3218.  

Friday, March 28, 2014

April 4th: "I Love Beach Music" at the Bishopville Opera House


At the Beach with Dan E. Lockemy will be held April 4th at the Bishopville Opera House. Bring your cooler and beach chair and enjoy a night of Carolina Beach Music and shagging tunes with a legendary DJ. We'll be shagging the night away from 7-11pm.

Tickets are $10. Call 803-484-5090 or email bishopvilleoperahouse@yahoo.com for more information.

The Bishopville Opera House is located at 109 N. Main Street in downtown Bishopville.

March 28th & 29th: "Les Miserables" returns to FLT


Thursday, March 27, 2014

April 4th: Don't miss the opening of Animals at the ATG!


For more information, call the Art Trail Gallery at 843.667.0428.

2014 Indie Grants for Short Films

2014 INDIE GRANTS FOR SHORT FILMS


Since 2010, the SOUTH CAROLINA FILM COMMISSION and TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE have funded and produced twenty short films through their INDIE GRANTS program. Honored by the likes of Sundance Film Festival, Palm Springs Film Festival, FantasticFest, LA Film Festival and DragonCon.
NOW WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN, FUNDING UP TO $15,000 FOR SOUTH CAROLINA SHORT FILMS!
THIS YEAR, THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS ALL ABOUT THE SCRIPT! Applicants only need to submit a short-film screenplay (or treatment for documentary), with the specifications defined in the required application. If your project is selected for funding, INDIE GRANTS staff will work with you in selecting a Producer and Director to work on it.
OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE A SCRIPT WITH A TEAM IN PLACE (e.g., DIRECTOR and PRODUCER) YOU'RE JUST AS ELIGIBLE! The funding application includes instructions on how to include that optional information, and all that work you've already done developing your project will absolutely come into play in the selection process.
But what if you're a Director or Producer raring to go on one of these projects and just haven't found the right material yet? Well, you're another very valuable component to this program, and we want to hear from you too. Fill out the COLLABORATOR'S FORM, and you will join a pool of Producer, Director and other position candidates for the projects. Any writers selected for funding without those positions attached will select from that pool.
All of these elements will work together to give as many South Carolina filmmakers as possible opportunities to participate in the program. And to make great South Carolina short films to show off to the world.
APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 6, 2014. To apply, simply download the application form above and follow the instructions.
Need more info? Email brad@indiegrants.org or sarah@indiegrants.org. And check out a brief video on the program here.
Please visit www.indiegrants.org for more information and FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. Please read the application, the FAQs, and all other materials thoroughly and completely, as some requirements and other elements of the program have changed.

April 2nd: Don't miss Dr. Joe Stukes at Central United Methodist Church


On Wednesday, April 2nd, at 6:30 PM at Central United Methodist Church, (265 West Cheves Street in Florence), 'Live @ Central' will present "History or Mythology."

Dr. Joe Stukes will speak on "History or Mythology" at Live @ Central on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 PM. Well known Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Francis Marion University, frequently speaks on subjects of people and events from throughout the world. Each of his presentations is always eloquent and informative. Dr. Stukes has become an annual speaker in the Live @ Central series. This fascinating program on "History or Mythology" promises to again provide an educational and entertaining evening.

For the “Live @ Central” evening, the Program begins at 6:30. There is a dinner at 5:30 PM. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Reservation for dinner at 843-662-3218.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

April 11th: Florence-Darlington String Association to present 'Circling the World with Tangos, Tunes & Talent'


The Florence/Darlington String Association will present Circling the World with Tangos, Tunes and Talent this year with 80 students and local professionals who will play international and classical music that will stir your hearts. The concert will be held at 7:00 pm Friday, April 11th at First Presbyterian Church at 700 Park Avenue with a reception to follow at 629 Park Avenue . Donations to help fund summer scholarship study will be accepted at the door or you may send them to: Treasurer Mrs. Tiffany Saunders at 1901 Kensington Street, Florence, South Carolina 29505.

If you need any other information please contact Sherry Woods at 669-1156 or swoods911@yahoo.com.

April 5th: Adrian Rhodes to lead Color Theory Workshop in Lake City


April 10th: "Back on Broadway" Arts Gala presented by the Lake City Concert Series


April 10th: Glory Crampton at the Marlboro Civic Center


April 5th: The Artisan Outpost in Johnsonville


Friday, March 21, 2014

March 24th: Vino's Palette at the ATG


March 27th: Vino's Palette at BCAC


March 29th: 'Give It A Go' at Timrod Park


From Stephanie Navarro with the United Way:

We’re making trying something new SUPER SIMPLE on Saturday, March 29th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Give It a Go Day!

Enjoy the scenic environment of beautiful Timrod Park while you try something new and healthy!  Try beginning Yoga or Tai Chi classes at the Amphitheatre, presented by McLeod Health & Fitness Center.  Sample healthy food at the first ever Farmer's Market in Timrod Park with Ovis Hill Farm, SC Real Foods & more!  Take our 1 mi. park trail challenge and visit our Healthy Art in the Park installation at the pavilion hosted by the Painted Gypsies.  Stop by to Give It a Go!

This family-friendly, community event is presented FREE to the public as part of United Way's Burn & Learn initiative.  Attendees who try new fitness classes will receive a FREE beach mat so they can participate comfortably.

Give It A Go is presented by McLeod Health & Fitness Center, Morning News, HillSouth, Miller Communications and United Way.

April 25th - May 3rd: FLT to present 'The Wizard of Oz'


FLORENCE LITTLE THEATRE TO PRESENT

Wizard of Oz

April 25-May 3, 2014
By L. Frank Baum, Adapted by Frank Gabrielson, with music and lyrics of the MGM motion pictures score by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Directed by Scarlett Knight
The Florence Little Theatre will present the ACS Technologies, Habitat 2000 and Knight Software production of Wizard of Oz on April 25-Mary 3, 2014.  This production is being directed by Scarlett Knight and is also made possible through funding from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's Quarterly Grant Program. 
This family classic  returns to close our season with the timeless story of little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, who like so many girls of her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow.  One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world.  Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination.
The Florence Little Theatre is located at 417 S. Dargan Street.    Tickets go on sale Underwriters, Benefactors, Patrons and Sponsors on Monday, April 21, General Membership on Tuesday, April 22 and to the general public on Wednesday, April 23.   For more information, please call 662-3731 or visit our website at www.florencelittletheatre.org.
Wizard of Oz
Production Dates:
Friday, April 25 at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 26 at 11:00am
Saturday, April 26 at 7:30pm
Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm
Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30pm
Thursday, May 1 at 7:30pm
Friday, May 2 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25Adults/$18Students
For more information call:

662-3731

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

March 25th: Taste of Marion County in Mullins


2014 Annual Taste of Marion County to be held on Tuesday March 25 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Come sample foods from over 15 of our local restaurants and caterers. 

Enjoy entertainment, raffles, drawings and prizes!!

The Taste of Marion County will be held at the Academy for Arts and Technology located 2697 E. Hwy 76 Mullins, SC. 

Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for ages 7-12, 6 and under FREE. 

Contact Heather at 430-7770 or Janine at 289-5054 for more info.  You can also visit our event's Facebook page: facebook.com/TasteOfMarionCounty

April 24th: Carolina Crossroads Bluegrass Band at the Marion Opera House



The Arts Council of Marion County is proud to offer a FREE CONCERT featuring "Carolina Crossroads Bluegrass Band" on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 6pm.    

Light refreshments will be served with the performance starting at 6:30pm.  Join us at the Marion Opera House (100 West Court Street) for this fabulous bluegrass concert. 

Call 843 289-5054 for additional information.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March 24th: Coker College Presents "The Music of China"


Internationally acclaimed pianist and Steinway Artist, Sandra Wright Shen, will present a recital at7:30 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Coker College.

The recital will be held in the Watson Theater of the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center and is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the performance.

The program will explore Chinese folksongs, poetic scenery and the Peking opera.

Shen has won first place in numerous international piano competitions, including the 2012 International Piano competition of France, the 1997 Hilton Head International Piano Competition and the Mieczyslaw Munz Piano Competition.

Shen has produced recordings, including a debut CD featuring Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, released by Taiwan Rock Music. She has played at various benefit concerts for disaster relief, orphanages, foster children and underprivileged children’s music education.

Shen received her Bachelors and Masters of Music in Piano Performance from the Peabody Conservatory. She is on the piano faculty at Brevard Music Festival.

Additional information about Shen is available online at http://sandrashen.com. For more information about the music program at Coker College, visit www.coker.edu.

March 25th: Art 101 at ONE - 'Movers, Shakers and Trend Makers in the State Art Collection'


March 31st: Symphony features Young Artist Competition Winners


Kristy L
Spring is here at the Florence Symphony Orchestra and so is fresh young talent! Come join us on March 31st and see the talented young winners of the FSO’s 3rd Annual Young Artist Concerto Competition: 1st place winner Kristy Liao, 2nd place winner Worth Lewallen, and 3rd place winner Benjamin Liu. They will all be performing under the direction of Music Director Dr. Terry Roberts with our incredibly talented orchestra. It will be a night of music you will remember forever.

Worth Lewallen
This night of memorable music will begin with violinist Benjamin Liu performing his winning piece, Concerto No. 3 in G major for Violin, K. 216 by Mozart. Benjamin is an 18 year old senior at Wilson High School and has studied the violin for 14 years. He is currently studying under Dr. Sherry Woods. He has performed from 2008-2012 in the South Carolina All-State Orchestra and in the South Carolina Region IV Orchestra from 2007-2011.

Benjamin Liu
The evening will move forward with the FSO's own Worth Lewallen performing his winning piece, Concerto for Violin in G major, Hob. VIIa:4 written by Haydn. Worth Lewallen is a 17 year old senior at West Florence High School. He has studied violin for 12 years with Mrs. Starr Ward  and has also studied with Ms. Ronda Lee, his high school orchestra teacher. Worth is Concert Master of the West Florence High School Orchestra, he is also a member of the Florence Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Florence Symphony Orchestra.  Last year he was awarded with the title Spoleto Rising Star Competition Winner and was asked to perform in the festival on multiple occasions.

Rounding out the Young Artist Competition winners will be 1st place winner Kristy Liao performing her winning piece Concerto for violin in E minor, op. 64 by Mendelssohn. Kristy is a 17 year old senior at Wilson High School and has studied violin for 9 years. She is currently studying violin with Prof./Dr. William Terwilliger. She was a Ruth Kern Concerto Competition finalist, she placed 3rd in the SC MTNA Competition, and has performed in the SC All-Region and All-State Orchestras.  She has also done solo performances with the Fleur de Lis Chamber Orchestra and the Florence All-City Orchestra.

The evening will end with the Florence Symphony performing Beethoven's Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 3.

This will be a spring concert not to be missed! The talent is amazing, the scores are excellent, and you should definitely go see it! Please call and reserve your seats today. Season Adult tickets start as low as $29 with senior and student discounts available. Contact the FMU Performing Arts Box Office for your tickets by visiting or calling 843.661.4444 today!   

This project is made possible through funding from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's Quarterly Grants Program, which is funded in part by a generous award from Honda of South Carolina, the South Carolina Arts Commission and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC

For more information regarding concerts and the Florence Symphony please visit our website florencesymphony.com and LIKE us on Facebook!

The Deadline for Darby Scholarship Applications is May 16th


The Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program is named in honor of one of South Carolina's most distinguished music educators. A member of the South Carolina Music Educator’s Hall of Fame, Ms. Darby served Florence Public School District One for thirty-nine years as a much beloved and highly revered music administrator and music teacher. Since her retirement in 1987, Ms. Darby has embraced a broad array of volunteer activities in the arts community.

Since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance has awarded 27 Florence County students with the prestigious Betty Ann Darby Scholarship.

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program awards two $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees in an arts discipline or in arts education. To be considered, seniors must reside in Florence County or be graduating from a Florence County public or private high school.

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are merit scholarships awarded predominantly on the basis of demonstrated talent, passion for the arts and intention to pursue a career in an arts discipline or in arts education. All application materials must be received by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance via the applicant’s high school guidance counselor or other administrative official on or before May 16, 2014.

A completed Darby Scholarship Program Application consists of the application, essay, transcript, three recommendation letters and support materials.

To receive an application, email Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Darlington 5000 needs artists to design 10th anniversary logo

Call to Artists

As the Darlington 5000 Run/Walk will celebrate its 10th anniversary this September, the Williamson Park Committee would like to involve the community in the organization of this year’s event in a special way.

Artists are asked to design a logo to celebrate the decade-mark for the annual race that benefits Williamson Park, a 64-acre nature preserve located just a few blocks from downtown. The logo will appear on the race brochure, race T-shirts, and other marketing materials.

Entries should include the Williamson Park logo; the words “Darlington 5000”; the date of the event, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014; the words “Benefiting Williamson Park” or “To Benefit Williamson Park”; and the number “10” or “10th."    

Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, May 9.

Winner’s artwork will adorn all race T-shirts and be used in promotional materials. A link to the artist’s website and photo of the winner with his artwork will appear online and be distributed to media outlets.

There is no cost to enter.

The winning design will be chosen during the May 13 meeting of the Williamson Park committee. The artist will be contacted by Friday, May 16, so he or she can be included in press releases.

Artists may deliver work to the Planning Department at the City Administration Building, 410 Pearl St., or they may email digital files to darlingtonplanner@gmail.com. Vector digital images are preferred for graphic design entries. Image files should be saved at 300 dpi.

All entries should be accompanied by an Entry Form. Without a signed form, your entry will not be processed. You can download the rules and entry form from the park’s website www.williamsonpark.org or the City of Darlington website, www.darlingtonsconline.com.

Mail to: Williamson Park Committee, Planning Department, PO Box 57, Darlington, SC  29540.

For questions, call the Planning Director at 843-398-4000 ext. 103.

Through March 28th: Call for Artwork from the Greater Lake City Artists' Guild


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Two South Florence students finalists in SC's largest student talent competition


Eleven finalists were selected in The Comporium “This School’s Got Talent” competition and now the voting begins in South Carolina’s most exciting, fan-voted, state-wide student talent contest.

The finalists were selected from entries across South Carolina by celebrity judges from GRAMMY Award-winning super-group Hootie & The Blowfish (HBF). HBF bass guitarist Dean Felber, drummer Jim Sonefeld, HBF Business Manager Chris Carney and Paul Graham, Tournament Director for the band's annual golf tournament.

“We are always excited to see young people reach for their dreams,” said Graham, former tour manager for Hootie and the Blowfish.

The winner will be selected by online voting until midnight on March 23. To vote, go to the South Carolina Future Minds Facebook page and click on the “This School’s Got Talent” icon, where you can see a video of their performance. You can vote once every 24 hours.

The finalists are:
  • Anna Cibbarelli from Springfield Middle School in Fort Mill who performs “Let Her Go” by Passenger.
  • Danielle Dease from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill performing one of her original songs “When You Are Mine.”
  • Ali Henderson from Gaffney High School in Gaffney putting her twist on Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us.”
  • Keiffer Ang Mendoza from Greer High School in Greer, who won the Greer Idol title for 2013, performs “Simple Man.”
  • Jolie Marie Nogueira from Blue Ridge Middle School in Landrum performs a song from her first CD “Nice Girl” at age 12.
  • Sammy Cornelius from Fairfield Middle School in Winnsboro performs on the drums.
  • Allison Skipper from Kennedy Middle School in Aiken performs her first original song “Just Me.”
  • John “Jaye” Lowery, Lewisville High School in McConnells is the drummer at Gesthsemane Baptist Church.
  • Zander Morris, from Pendleton High School in Sandy Springs performs “Stuck in a Box,” an original composition.
  • Phillip Rast from South Florence High School in Florence performed “Broadway Here I Come” from the television show Smash.
  • Gracelyn Rast from Southside Middle School in Florence performed “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele.
The winning student will earn the opportunity to perform LIVE before top education, business and government leaders at the “South Carolina Teacher of the Year Celebration” on April 23 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

“South Carolina has some terrific talent in our schools, and this unleashes the very best of it,” said Trip DuBard, SC Future Minds’ executive director. “We’re also very grateful to Comporium, a communications and technology company based in South Carolina, and the Hootie members for helping raise the excitement of this contest to an entirely new level.”

The contest, which is in its fourth year, was open to public school students between first and 12th grades in all South Carolina school districts.

About South Carolina Future Minds

South Carolina Future Minds is a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting excellence in South Carolina’s K-12 public schools by partnering with corporate donors to find and support successful school programs. SCFM promotes innovation for excellence in public education by equipping and advocating for educators as they prepare South Carolina students to thrive in a global community. For more information on South Carolina Future Minds, visit http://www.scfutureminds.org or join the SC Future Minds Facebook page.

About Comporium

Comporium is a privately owned, diversified communications company with businesses that enable convergence of content with screens. Comporium focuses on providing technologically advanced services that its customers demand. Its investments combine data, switching, transport and intellectual property that recognize the emerging importance of the interconnected world. For more information, visit www.comporium.com.

March 15th: Kalmia Gardens to host its annual Oyster Roast in Hartsville


Call Mary Ridgeway at Kalmia Gardens 
(843.383.8145) to get your tickets to the 2014 Oyster Roast! 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

March 29th: Metal Clay Classes at the ATG


March 19th: 'Live @ Central' to host Hunley Historian Randy Burbage

Live @ Central - Submarine Hunley Historian Randy Burbage


 
When the Confederate Submarine H.L. Hunley sank the Union USS Housatonic  in 1964, it was the first recorded submersible to sink an enemy ship in US history.  Randy Burbage in Charleston Historian and chairman of the Hunley Commission has been an annual presenter for Live @ Central.  He will bring us up to date on the Hunley restoration and other present Charleston historical activities.
 
For the “Live @ Central” on March 19th, the program will begin at 6:30.  There is a dinner at 5:30 PM. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children. 
Reservation for dinner at 843-662-3218.  

March 16th: Goodman to speak at the Florence Library


Donna H. Goodman,  Professor Emerita of Art Education at Francis Marion University, will give a presentation on her exhibit, "Morning Walk in the Pee Dee, Discovering the Exceptional," at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16 in the Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library in Florence. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.  The exhibit features photographic works representing the natural beauty of Ridgehope, along the edge of Alligator Back Swamp, on the border of Florence and Darlington Counties.  Sponsored by Friends of Florence County Library. For more information, please call (843) 413-7060 or visit www.florencelibrary.org

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

March 13th: Vino's Palette at the BCAC


ArtFields roots sprouting in Lake City


A five-member panel of judges couldn’t break a run-off tie among several ArtFields 2014 submissions and chose to extend the number of entries beyond the specified 400.

At currently just a few more than 420 pieces, Karen Fowler, executive director of the art fest, said the final number of entries may drop as the event’s April 25 opening day approaches.

“We’ve already had one artist recall her submission after selling the piece,” said Fowler.

Through a good many artists are from South Carolina, there is greater participation from other states this year and 780 artists – at all levels of their careers - submitted an entry.

“We had more participation from the other states this year, and we see that as a positive,” said Fowler. “You want to have a good representation from the entire Southeast.”

The complete list of accepted artists was released March 3 online at ArtFieldsSC.org and represents each of the 12 eligible states. Those accepted include: 12 artists from Alabama, five from Arkansas, 13 from Florida, 34 from Georgia, four from Kentucky, four from Louisiana, four from Mississippi, 50 from North Carolina, 280 from South Carolina, nine from Tennessee, seven from Virginia, and two from West Virginia.

The online gallery of artworks is expected to be published April 1.

This year the $100,000-contest offers four prizes instead of three. The top prize remains $50,000, and the Juried Panel is still $25,000. The People’s Choice award, however, has been split into two $12,500 categories: People’s Choice 2-D and People’s Choice 3-D.

Fowler explained the decision to split the People’s Choice was made to encourage more three-dimensional entries and said it seems to have been successful.

“That was very evident in the art we received,” she said. “We had more three-D entries and that’s exciting.”

The pieces selected for the competition have at least 150 three-dimensional artworks – including about 40 site-specific installations.

The number of venues set to host artworks also increased with more than 50 businesses and organizations coordinating hosting arrangements with artists and more outdoor venues are expected to display large-scale works in ArtFields 2014.

Responding to feedback received from artists, venues and visitors who participated in the inaugural ArtFields, the team responsible for putting the event together has made several changes to this year’s competition.

First signage was addressed to help ensure visitors find their way around the art fest more easily. Temporary wayfinding signage – those ubiquitous green signs pointing the way to towns along every interstate in the country – will be installed pointing the way to Lake City and more permanent signage will be installed within the city limits. Voting will also be simplified and more centrally located with a dedicated voting center at 108 E. Main St.

The team also has reduced the number of after-hours events and will host just five ticketed programs during the 10-day festival: Color Me ArtFields 5K "Be the Canvas," two Plein Air Workshops, the Fields to Fork Dinner, and ArtFields After-Dark ‘Arty.

Tickets for each event are limited and vary in price. Tickets for these events, and more information about all the activities planned for April 25 through May 4, are available at ArtFieldsSC.org.

This article was written by Donna Tracy and originally appeared on SCNow.com.

Monday, March 10, 2014

March 14th: Pot o' Gold Fun at the ATG


May 11th: Lyra to perform at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hartsville


LYRA, an a cappella group of four professional singers from St. Petersburg, Russia, will present a concert of Russian choral music. The first part of the concert - sacred music of Russian Orthodox church, includes ancient songs to works of famous masters and little-known but remarkable Russian composers of the 18th to 20th centuries. The second part of their program is made up of Russian folk songs: comic, lyric, dance, and love songs.

The concert will be held on May 11th at 3 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 145 E. College Ave. in Hartsville.

This is a unique opportunity to share the enormous Russian musical heritage. Come and enjoy the sounds of Russia as interpreted by real Russians. All the singers are professionals singing in different professional choirs and opera houses of St. Petersburg.

March 23rd: International Concert Competition Winner to appear at Art Trail Gallery


Daria Rabotkina, winner of the 2007 Concert Artists Guild International Competition will appear in concert on March 23, 2014 at 5 PM. The one hour program will include piano works from past to present by Bach, Ravel, Couperin, and Rabotkin. The program will be followed by a meet the artist reception. Tickets are $10 at the door, 185 W Evans St in Downtown Florence.

Daria is lauded as “…a pianist full of fire and warmth” (The Plain-Dealer).   Ms. Rabotkina’s ascending career has already led to solo appearances with the San Francisco and New World Symphonies under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas and with the Kirov Orchestra and Valery Gergiev in a four concert North American tour.  Whether in front of an orchestra, in the recital hall or in a chamber music setting, Ms. Rabotkina impresses audiences and critics alike with her “clearly prodigious musical gifts” (The Washington Post).

She began the 2013-14 season with summer festival recitals featuring the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, and regular season highlights include recitals for the Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago and the Atlantic Music Center in Florida, as well as concerto engagements with the Dupage Symphony Orchestra in Illinois (Tchaikovsky No. 1), the Columbus Symphony in Georgia (Schumann), and the Orquesta Sinfonica de ConcepciĆ³n in Chile (Bernstein, Age of Anxiety).

Ms. Rabotkina’s second solo CD on CAG Records (August 2012), featuring Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, has been very well received: “Her subtle phrasing and lyrical playing are the highlight of the disc” (Fanfare).  This follows her debut recital disc, spotlighting the Tchaikovsky Grand Sonata and Prokofiev’s Ten Pieces from Romeo and Juliet, which also garnered universal critical praise:  “Her fearless virtuosity makes the most of the exciting passages.” (American Record Guide). 

Concerto highlights include the Montreal Symphony, Moscow State Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, Midland Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Orchestra London of Canada, Kazan State Symphony and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, collaborating with conductors such as Vladimir Feltsman, Fabio Mechetti and Giancarlo Guerrero.  Ms. Rabotkina has given recitals at the Kennedy Center (Washington Performing Arts Society), Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

Daria Rabotkina was born in Kazan, Russia, in to a family of musicians and gave her first solo recital at the age of ten.  Her first musical steps were guided by her parents, Guzel Abdoullina and Sergei Rabotkin, both outstanding pianists, and Nora Kazachkova at the Special Music School in Kazan.  She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees from Mannes College of Music in New York City where she studied with Vladimir Feltsman and was coached by Leon Pommers, Pamela Frank, Todd Phillips, Timothy Eddy and Jacob Lateiner.  She has participated in master classes with Earl Wild, Edward Aldwell, Eteri Andjaparidze, Andras Schiff and Richard Goode.  Ms. Rabotkina recently completed a doctorate degree from the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Natalya Antonova.

April 5th: Pee Dee Woodcarvers Meeting in Florence


The Pee Dee Woodcarvers monthly meeting will be held on April 5th from 9am to noon at Greenwood Baptist Church in Florence.  Bring your current project and enjoy the company of fellow woodcarvers.

Greenwood Baptist Church is located at 2401 Claussen Road in Florence.

For more information about the Pee Dee Woodcarvers, contact Wayne Beard at g.waynebeard@me.com. 

March 27th - 29th: 'Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming' in Bennettsville



The Marlboro Players present 
SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING 
Written by Connie Ray 
Conceived by Alan Bailey 
Musical Arrangements by Mike Craver

The Marlboro Players production of the bluegrass, gospel musical SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING at the Marlboro Civic Center will be presented on the evenings of March 27-29, 2014. Each show will start at 7:00 P.M. 

Tickets: $12.00 per adult $6.00 per child (12 years and younger)

Contact the box office at (843) 454-9496.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

The Countdown to ArtFields has begun!




Click here to visit the ArtFields website and learn more about this epic art event happening from April 25th to May 4th in Lake City, SC. 

Call to Artists: Animals at the ATG


March 16th: Goodman to speak at the Florence Library


Francis Marion University's Professor Emerita of Art Education, Donna H. Goodman, will give a presentation on her work at 3pm on Sunday, March 16 in the Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery at the Florence Library. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

Morning Walk in the Pee Dee, Discovering the Exceptional, an exhibit featuring the photographic works by Goodman, will also be on display through March 26 at the Florence Library. These pieces represent the natural beauty of Ridgehope, along the edge of Alligator Back Swamp, on the border of Florence and Darlington Counties. 

For more information, contact the Florence Library at (843) 292-7382