The start of Spoleto
The 17-day festival that brightens the city with all kinds of music, dance, and art performances and exhibits is finally opening Friday. Highlights of Spoleto Festival USA's opening weekend include a Friday performance of the opera Louise - called the French version of La Boheme - at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium; the Don Juan tale Don John, opening at Memminger Auditorium (pictured); the opening gala Saturday night and an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance. Lots of other events fill out the weekend. Ticket prices vary. 
Island concert
Head to Gold Bug Island on Saturday for the fifth annual Suzy McGrane Memorial, a fundraiser for Share Our Suzy, which benefits breast cancer patients in South Carolina. This year, Virginia-based band Indecision , whose sound is described as a mix of the Allman Brothers, Little Feat and Steely Dan, will be performing. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 day of and include beer and food from Charleston Bay Gourmet and Home Team BBQ. VIP tickets for $75 include a private viewing area with seating, private restroom, liquor bar, expedited entry into the event and event poster. Tickets can be purchased online, at any Cat's Music or Monster Music location and by calling 800-514-ETIX. Parking will be $10, or take the shuttle for no charge from the parking lot adjacent to the Goodwill at Sea Island Shopping Center.
Piccolo picks 
Charleston's own shining talent is showcased during the 31st annual Piccolo Spoleto festival, which takes place in conjunction with Spoleto Festival USA. Local musicians come together for the Charleston Jazz Legacy concert, featuring acclaimed jazz artist Wycliff Gordon, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Custom House. There is no charge to attend. Other highlights this weekend include the Sunset Serenade concert from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Custom House and the children's festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Marion Square. Many Piccolo events are no charge, but tickets to other events may be purchased at 888-374-2656, online, at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium box office or at Publix. (Pictured is the 2009 Piccolo poster)
Pop in for the kickoff 
Nine local designers and artists are proffering their wares in a new venue - Pop Up Shop Charleston - and they're kicking it off today with a shopping party, complete with sangria, from 4 to 8 p.m. The Pop Up Shop is a concept that has migrated to Charleston from larger cities. Retailers set up a shop, generate interest and then shut it down. The local shop will be taking over 501 King St. and will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through June 22, excluding Memorial Day. The designers include Charleston Fashion Week designer Lindsey Carter, handbag designer Julie Wheat (pictured is her work) and jewelry designer Jenny Thompson.
Brown Bag and Ballet
Charleston Ballet Theatre is presenting its Brown Bag and Ballet series starting Saturday. Bring your lunch and enjoy a different hourlong Piccolo performance each day as the ballet highlights the best of the season. Saturday's performance revisits the popular Afternoon with the Faun - following Marilyn Monroe in her romantic pursuits - as well as dances from Nine Lives and Tango X-sposed. It starts at noon on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, with performances the following two weeks as well. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or by calling 843-554-6060.
Afternoon Tea
St. Matthews Lutheran Church's annual Afternoon Tea fundraiser starts today with a cooking kickoff at 3 and 6:30 p.m. Enjoy demonstrations by Caviar & Bananas chefs, live music and samplings from this year's tea menu, including green salad, gazpacho, scones, desserts and, of course, a selection of teas. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online. Starting Friday and running through May 31, the Tea Room will be open from noon-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30-4 p.m. on Sundays.
Charleston's own jazz
Jazz Artists of Charleston is presenting its Jazz Series from May 22 to June 5 at Mistral Restaurant and Charleston Music Hall . Upstairs at Mistral will turn into an intimate jazz club, with shows at 7:30 and 10:30 nightly. Doors open 30 minutes before each set. Friday's artist is The Rudy Waltz, Saturday's is the Hedgepeth & Holstein Duo and Sunday is Leah Suarez. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at 843-641-0011.
Memorial Day movie
Catch a screening of the locally produced and filmed All for Liberty, which gives a nod to the stories behind Memorial Day. The movie is based on the life of Capt. Henry Felder and tracks the stories of those who fought in the Revolutionary War. It recently was the audience choice for a feature film at the Charleston International Film Festival. It will be screened at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and again next week, at 3 and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at the Terrace Theater.
Piccolo at the Ponds
Pack a picnic and bring out the lawn chairs for a Lowcountry concert featuring folk and bluegrass bands Tammerlin and Sugar Hill. Tammerlin brings a fresh sound to traditional folk music, and Sugar Hill's performance will honor veterans. The day will also feature arts and crafts activities, plus food and beverages for purchase. Piccolo Spoleto's Bluegrass Cookout is from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Farmhouse Pavilion at The Ponds in Summerville. There is no charge to attend. For more information, go online.
New classics
Composer and pianist Christopher O'Riley fuses his classical training with modern compositions, delivering fresh arrangements of current songs. He will be making his Charleston debut at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Music Farm, where he will be playing his arrangements of songs by Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Pink Floyd, Tori Amos, Nick Drake and others. He recently performed Nirvana's Heart-Shaped Box on the Late Show with David Letterman . Tickets are $20 standing and $25 seated in advance, or $30 standing and $35 seated at the door. Purchase tickets online or at Merch Underground at 499 King St.
Eastside Surfblog
Tune in this week to see what adventures Grady has in store. Check out the surfblogger's latest post here, drop him a note ... or, better yet, go surf!
Coming soon:
Elliot Yamin in concert: 5 p.m. Monday at The Windjammer. American Idol alumnus Elliot Yamin will be playing a show at the Isle of Palms oceanfront venue. There's no charge to attend. Afterward, Charleston's own Two 3 Ways takes the stage, at about 7 p.m.
Block Party: 7-11 p.m. May 30 at the U.S. Custom House. Piccolo Spoleto is hosting an eco-friendly block party with live music, a "green" carpet, interactive art display and food vendors. There is no charge to attend.
Ascend Foundation Golf Tournament: 11 a.m. June 1 at the Cassique golf course on Kiawah Island. Proceeds benefit Ascend Foundation 's Cancer Companion program. Tickets: Individuals $300, company sponsorship $1,700. For more information or to register, call 843-225-4055.
