HAPPY NEW YEAR CHARLESTON!

December 31, 2009: 4:00pm-10:30pm
Marion Square and surrounding locations
Admission: Free

This community celebration offers a non-alcoholic and family-oriented alternative program to celebrate the New Year in Charleston. This city wide, admission-free program has something wonderful for everyone: comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children’s activities and so much more. Food vendors will be on hand to tempt your appetite and add to the celebration. Presented by the City of Charleston with additional financial support from the County of Charleston. 

2009 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ON THE MAIN STAGE IN MARION SQUARE
EMCEE - ART GILLIARD
4:00pm - 4:10pm Adande-Drum Circle
4:15pm - 4:40pm Opening Ceremonies with Art Gilliard-Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
4:45pm - 5:05pm Kathy Livingston-Music and sing-a-longs
5:15pm - 5:45pm LaRon Peace-Country Music
6:45pm - 7:15pm Adande-African Drum and Dance
7:15pm - 7:40pm LaRon Peace-Country Music
8:00pm - 10:15pm Total Package-Headliner Band
10:15pm FIREWORKS!!!

KIDSFEST UNDER THE TENT IN MARION SQUARE
4:30pm - 8:00pm
Under a tent at Marion Square in the heart of historic Charleston, children are invited to enjoy a Kidsfest at Happy New Year, Charleston! Enjoy an array of activities including arts and crafts, face painting, balloon art and sing-a-longs under the big top. RBM African Dancers and Drummers and other fun activities will entertain children of all ages. Don’t miss this entertaining extravaganza!

4:30pm - 4:40pm Kathy Livingston-Music and sing-a-longs
5:30pm - 6:00pm RBM African Dancers and Drummers
6:05pm - 6:35pm Russell Anderson-Magician
6:50pm - 7:15pm Kathy Livingston-Music and sing-a-longs
7:20pm - 8:00pm RBM African Dancers and Drummers

ARTS & CRAFTS UNDER THE TENT IN MARION SQUARE
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry & Office of Cultural Affairs Staff
(Under a Separate Tent)
Merry Making Face Painting-Kathryn Johns

GOSPEL UNDER THE TENT IN MARION SQUARE
5:35pm - 6:20pm Voices of Deliverance

SMOOTH JAZZ UNDER THE TENT IN MARION SQUARE
4:30pm - 5:30pm Great Horns of Charleston: Lonnie Hamilton & Charlton Singleton accompanied by the John Tecklenburg Trio
6:25pm - 7:30pm (see description above)

CLASSICAL CONCERTS IN SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 342 MEETING ST.
Presented by Chamber Music Charleston
4:50pm - 4:55pm Bagpiper will lead children and parents from the Kidsfest Tent on Marion Square to Second Presbyterian Church
5:00pm - 5:30pm Classical Kids Concert: The Velveteen Rabbit
6:30pm - 7:00pm Baroque Splendor: Music of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi
8:00pm - 8:30pm Chamber Music Charleston: Music of Beethoven, Piazzolla, Schubert and Strauss
9:00pm - 9:30pm Brass Concert performed by Charles Towne Brass with Julia Harlow, organist

PARKING FOR THE EVENT
Avoid parking hassles and traffic this New Year, Let CARTA take you to the Happy New Year, Charleston event instead! For more information about all of CARTA’s routes, including the DASH trolley service that stops at the Visitor’s Center at least every 20 minutes and features convenient parking, visit www.RideCARTA.com or call (843) 724-7420. Passes are available online at www.ridecarta.com, at the Visitor’s Center on John Street or on any CARTA bus or trolley.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Call Elease Amos-Goodwin, Program Coordinator (843) 724-7308 or (843) 724-7305 or or email GoodwinE@ci.charleston.sc.us