FestivALL in the Spotlight
What presented 120 different performances, events and exhibitions over a four-day stretch, in June of this year? It included 60 hours of free music, 50 visual artists and 20 theater, dance and film events. It also featured a dozen other activities, including a mobile studio producing oral history recordings, the first exhibit of the new West Virginia Music Hall of Fame and a public art project that colored the city's festive mood for the weekend. If you haven't guessed by now, we're talking FestivALL!
If you missed it, ask one of the thousands of attendees how they would describe Charleston 's first citywide arts festival. Numbers can't convey the excitement, delight and diversity of the crowds who came out to see what this new festival was about.
Some area residents were concerned that the multitude of events might lead to under attended events, but most audiences met or exceeded expectations. On Friday night, Live at the Levee saw its largest crowd ever for The Bob Thompson Unit. At the same time, George Benson blew away a big audience at The Clay Center and Fund for the Arts' Blues, Brews and Barbecues -a new event expected to draw a few hundred-brought over two thousand riverside revelers. On the same night, the Charleston Light Opera Guild drew a near capacity house for its staging of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
Near record heat may have kept some people at home, but the Capitol Street Art Fair did brisk business, while the popular free water taxi, the Spirit of South Charleston, took a record crowd to Wine and All That Jazz with six round trips between Haddad Park and the University of Charleston.
But, you may ask, why another festival?
FestivALL Charleston was started for several reasons:
First, it was designed to showcase our city. Charleston is a charming, accessible city that is underappreciated. Yet we have an impressive number of good performance venues and a surprisingly deep stock of artistic talent for our modest size.
Second, it was made to highlight many kinds of performing and visual arts. Although you can never please everyone, organizers are trying to include as many styles and genres as possible, thus the name, FestivALL.
Finally, FestivALL Charleston is intended to be an economic development tool. We aim to attract people who might not otherwise visit Charleston . We're targeting those who might return, relocate, retire or start a business here: the educated, the decision-makers, the entrepreneurs.
Mayor Danny Jones understands that you can't simply hope people will discover your city. As a former restaurateur, he knows that hard work is the answer to getting people in the door and keeping them coming back. More than anyone else, Mayor Jones made FestivALL Charleston possible. He raised the $250,000 budget-donating $50,000 personally-and directed his senior staff to help get it done. His leadership also encouraged a dedicated group of volunteers to bring FestivALL Charleston to life over the past two years.
Thanks to those volunteers, the many generous patrons and sponsors, FestivALL Charleston has gone from dream to reality. I truly believe that it's a good idea coming at the right time. We have the talent, the venues and a city that seems made for a downtown festival. Now, let's plan FestivALL Charleston 2006!
