In these days of COVID, it’s good to look for the silver linings - one of which is access to free concerts. Performing artists are having to get particularly creative in these days of social distancing and quarantine. As I covered in that last blog, Spoleto is offering virtual performances during these 17 days that the festival was supposed to be taking place. Similarly, the Post & Courier has been sponsoring the No Intermission series online. Now the Gaillard is getting in on the act. The Charleston Gaillard Center, the preeminent arts venue in the Lowcountry, has partnered with PNC Bank, 105.5 The Bridge and Charleston City Paper to bring us all a series of terrific free concerts. Entitles, "Lowcountry Listens," they'll happen each Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. beginning on June 3rd and continuing through the next four weeks. Each one of the five free concerts will feature a gifted artist with Lowcountry roots. They’ll perform three to four songs. Richard Todd, host of “The Morning Buzz” on The Bridge will perform introductions as well as a brief interview with each artist. You can watch the free concerts in multiple ways - on the Gaillard’s website, Facebook Live, or YouTube Live. As a nice bonus, videos of the free concerts will remain online afterwards for you to watch at your leisure.
Upcoming Free Concerts from The Gaillard
Here’s the scoop from the Gaillard’s website on the lineup for the five free concerts that are coming up.
Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:00 p.m. - Contemporary Violinist Daniel D., Featuring DJ Calculations Of and Keyboardist Beatman Fresh (Shelton Desaussure)
Daniel D. is a three-time 1st Place Apollo Theater Winner, Daniel D. graduated from Charleston County School of the Arts and studied at NYC’s Julliard School of Music. Daniel D. has opened for Kim Waters, Boney James, Jamye Fox, Kanye West, Najee, K’Jon, Lelah Hathaway, and performed for Oprah Winfrey, the late Michael Jackson as well as President Barack Obama.
Wednesday, June 10th, 6:00 p.m. - Brendan James
Brendan James is an American singer-songwriter in the pop/folk genre, akin to Jason Mraz, David Gray, and Elton John. Signed to Capitol Records at age 25, Universal Records at 28, James has reached the #1 spot on iTunes multiple times, accrued more than one million fans in 65 countries on Spotify. He has collaborated or toured with the likes of John Mayer, John Legend, Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Keb’ Mo’, and Andy Grammar.
Wednesday, June 17th, 6:00 p.m. - She Returns from War
Charleston’s Hunter Park is She Returns From War. With two full-length albums under her belt and another one coming together in the studio, it’s easy to say she has established herself as one of the strongest songwriters coming out of the modern south. She has shared the stage with bands like St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Shovels and Rope, and recently completed a west coast tour as the opening act for Band of Horses. She was asked to open for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as a part of his rally in Charleston.
Concerts (cont.)
Wednesday, June 24th, 6:00 p.m. - Grace Joyner
Where Grace Joyner’s EP Young Fools served as an introduction to songwriting and a chance to explore her musical muse while treading her own artistic path, her debut LP, Maybe Sometimes in C, revealed what she has found along the way. Joyner weaves a beautiful and delicate balance between reflecting on the trials of young love and showing a remarkable commitment to self-development. Teaming up for the third time with producer and engineer Wolfgang Zimmerman (Band of Horses, SUSTO), Grace Joyner looks to further her musical journey with her sophomore album Settle In.
Wednesday, July 1st, 6:00 p.m. - Will Blackburn
With a voice that recalls a timeless blend of Ray Charles, Van Morrison, and Jeff Buckley, William Blackburn joins such artists as Frank Ocean in crafting modern soul songs that are alternately lush and intimately earthy. The singer songwriter was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Captivated by vocalists such as Ray Charles, William went on to become the front man and lead singer of national touring act Stop Light Observations. Growing up on black gospel and soul, he has taken his profoundly expressive voice and moved fans with stand-out performances at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Firefly. William is setting out to record and release his first ever solo project this Winter.
Find out even more about Lowcountry Listens here. So enjoy some free concerts from the comfort of your own home, or maybe from one of our Isle of Palms luxury rentals. When you are ready to book, just give us a call at Exclusive Properties. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger