Ticker: News Bits from Charleston’s Music Scene

Spectra Music Group Hosts ‘Talent Search’

One of the big local showcases of the season at the Music Farm is the Spectra Music Group’s “Talent Search” show set for next weekend. Spectra is an independent record label “specializing in the management, recording, recording distribution and representation of musical artists.” They’ll welcome local bands Savage Tongues, Morgan’s Road, the Midnight Slander, Madmotor Uzi, Volusia, Heartfelt Hinges, Bully Pulpit, Tidal Jive, the Cole Collins Band, the Travis Allison Band, and the Mac Collins Band to the Music Farm stage at 7 p.m. on Fri. May 24. It’s an all-ages show. Admission is $10. Visit spectrarecords.com for more.

Girls Rock Charleston! Hosts Benefit Auction

Local organization Girls Rock Charleston! have hosted a number of summer camps, classes, programs, and concert events over the last few years as part of the international Girls Rock Camp Alliance. On Thurs. May 23 at 8 p.m., there’ll be dinner, drinks, and “a rockin’ auction” at Saffron Café and Bakery to raise money for the Girls Rock Charleston Summer Camp, which will be held July 8-13 at Palmetto Scholars Academy. Admission is a donation of between $15 and $25. Visit girlsrockcharleston.org for more.

Music Farm Upgrades Site

Last week, Downtown concert hall the Music Farm thoroughly upgraded its official web site for the first time in years. It’s a clean design, and the main calendar features easier access to information about individual shows, from the full event rosters and show times to artist info, ticket prices and sales, and social media links. It looks like they’ve added a new blog, a “Farm Team” page, and other features well. Check it at musicfarm.com.

CofC Students Publish Pluff

A group of College of Charleston students recently collaborated on a one-time online magazine called Pluff. They published a collection of interviews, features, and essays online last week covering an array of local arts, music, cultural events, lifestyle issues.

Melissa Delaney, a member of the adjunct faculty at the CofC’s Department of Communication, helped organize the effort. They’ll aim for another segment next spring. Check out pluffmagazine.com for the full scoop.

Mary J. Blige to Bring Holleration to the P-A-C

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center announced several big concerts this week. The original Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, and her “Liberation Tour” will be making their way toward the Lowcountry this summer. Blige, a much loved and lauded singer-songwriter, record producer, sometimes rapper, and occasional actress, is confirmed to bring her trademark intense performance to the Performing Arts Center on Fri. June 28.

Although Blige has won countless awards and earned many accolades, including eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus 29 nominations), and four American Music Awards, she remains loyal to touring to bond with her fans. “Being connected with their lives is what keeps me going,” she says in a recent press release. “They’re the reason why I am where I am.”

Joining Blige in North Charleston will be Grammy Award-winning singer Chrisette Michelle, Grammy Nominated singer Eric Benet (a.k.a. the former Mr. Halle Berry), singer/song-writer Bridgette Kelley, and comedian Jay Lamont. Tickets go on sale for between $56 and $111 on Friday, May 17 at 10 a.m. via ticketmaster.com. Additional show information will be posted to northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com as they become available.

Lincoln Square Business Improvement District's 12th Annual Winter's Eve

Arlo Guthrie (provided)

Arlo Guthrie, Lewis Black, and Jerry Seinfield on the Way

Looking ahead to the winter schedule, the North Charleston Performing Arts Center recently announced that it will welcome folk legend Arlo Guthrie (son of Woody Guthrie) to the stage on Fri. Feb. 14. Guthrie will be traveling across North Americana on the “The Here Come The Kids Tour,” featuring songs and stories from members of the Guthrie family. Tickets go on sale for $45 on Fri. May 17 at 10 a.m. Check out arlo.net and risingsonrecords.com for more.

Veteran comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Lewis Black are solid for upcoming performances at the PAC, too. Seinfeld will bring stand-up to the PAC stage on Fri. July 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently available for between $77 and $47.

Comedian Lewis Black brought his “In God We Rust” tour to the PAC last year during the height of the election year activities. He’ll return on Fri. Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. with his latest set, “The Rant Is Due” tour. Fans of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show know Black’s recurring segment “Back in Black” commentary well. “Back in Black” started running in 1996 and continues today. Tickets for Black’s show go on sale for $59.50 and $39.50 on Fri. May 17 at 10 a.m.

Visit jerryseinfeld.com and lewisblack.com for the latest info. Tickets are handy at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Office, Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at ticketmaster.com. Visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com for more.

Summer Shows at the Family Circle Stadium: The Killers and Widespread Panic

The summer concert series at the Family Circle Stadium on Daniel Island has heated up. Las Vegas-based pop-rock quartet the Killers — Brandon Flowers, David Keuning, Mark Stoermer, and Ronnie Vannucci — are solid for a show at the Family Circle Stadium on Tues. August 13. Released last year, the band’s latest album is a lavish production titled Battle Born. Tickets for the show are currently available for between $61.50 and $21.50 via Ticketmaster.

Well-rested after a year-long break, Athens, Ga.-based jam-rock band Widespread Panic will hit the road this spring and fall. They’ll return to the Lowcountry for a two-nighter at the Family Circle Stadium on Oct. 4 and 5. Umphrey’s McGee are scheduled to open both shows. Tickets go on sale for $42.50 on Fri. May 17.

The Family Circle Stadium’s summer concert series also features The Lumineers with Cold War Kids on Fri. June 14, O.A.R. with Andrew McMahon and Allen Stone on Wed. July 27, the Barenaked Ladies with Ben Folds Five and Guster on Sat. July 27, Hootie and the Blowfish’s “Homegrown Weekend” on Aug. 23-24, and FUN. with Tegan and Sara on Tues. Sept. 24. Visit familycircletenniscenter.com/concerts for full details.

Piccolo Spoleto’s Blues, Jazz, and More

Piccolo Spoleto recently posted its full 2013 season and calendar, including a series of jazz, blues, classical concerts and special events. The festival runs from May 24 to June 9. Highlights on the musical side of the roster include the Jazz at Halls Chophouse series, several jazz- and blues-themed cruises on the harbor, Celtic recitals, a Young Artists series, Piccolo Fringe musical comedy events, music-related film events with A World of Jewish Culture, and several outdoor festivals and concerts. Visit piccolospoleto.com for the full schedule and ticket information.

Top photo by Ballard Lesemann.