• Take a musical tour of the history of the Blues with Acoustic Musician Scott Ainslie: The University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts presents Scott Ainslie, a master of American Acoustic Blues, to its stage on Thursday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. Ainslie is an expert in the Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo tradition, as well as the Piedmont and Delta Blues. He specializes in performing and presenting programs on the African roots of American music and culture. He is a traditional acoustic Blues singer, guitarist, historian and songwriter with personal roots in the Civil Rights era and a great affection for cross-cultural exchange. In addition to his active performance schedule, Ainslie has a decade of experience teaching elements of African and African-American music to students of all ages, both in the classroom and from the stage. Admission to see Scott Ainslie’s perform is Adults, $25; Senior, $20; Students, $15. Detailed information about this and upcoming events at the center can be found at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com. Tickets can be ordered online at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com or by calling the box office at 843-521-4145.
• Free Fall Series of Friday Organ Concerts:
John Stender of Indiana University will present the second in the free fall series of Friday organ concerts at noon on Friday, Oct. 10 at the Parish Church of St. Helena, 505 Church St. in downtown Beaufort. John Stender is a second-year graduate student at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music pursuing an M.M. in organ and sacred music. He is a student of Bruce Neswick. In 2012 he graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a B.A. in organ and church music and religion. He traveled to Namibia and South Africa with a chamber choir for choral and cultural exchange, and participated in a monthlong French organ seminar. He currently serves as Minister of Music at Servants of Christ Lutheran Church in Indianapolis. He will perform on the church’s historic Taylor & Boody organ as the Featured Young Organist in the fall series. Concerts are free and open to the public. Details: Patricia Gould, 843-522-1712, ext. 214 or pgould@sthelenas1712.org; or Kelly Newnham, 843-522-1712 or knewnham@sthelenas1712; or visit www.sthelenas1712.org.
• Beaufort Symphony Orchestra begins 29th season with ‘Journey to Austria’: The Beaufort Symphony Orchestra will feature guest artist John Samuel Roper in its first concert of the 2014-2015 season, “Journey to Austria,” at the orchestra’s new venue at Sea Island Presbyterian Church at 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island, on Thursday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 19. Based in Charleston, Roper has performed in solo and chamber music recitals across the United States and Canada. He will play Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1 in G Major. The orchestra’s featured work will be Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” They will be performing in the orchestra’s new home, Sea Island Presbyterian Church on Lady’s Island. Maestro Frederick Devyatkin, BSO’s Musical Director and Conductor, is very enthusiastic about the orchestra’s new setting. Thursday evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. All tickets are $37.50 at the door, with the exception of student tickets which are $5. For a savings with Season Tickets, go to the orchestra’s website at www.beaufortorchestra.org and print out the subscription form or order online at TIX.com or call 1-800-595-4849.
• Craig Butterfield & Bert Ligon, Jazz at Fripp:
Fripp Island Friends of Music opens its 31st season of bringing music to the Sea Islands with an impressive jazz duo. The very best of the uniquely American musical idiom we call “jazz” is exemplified by Bert Ligon and Craig Butterfield. Craig Butterfield makes his double bass dance and sing as seldom seen or heard. He shares the stage with Bert Ligon, celebrated not only for his remarkable piano skills but as the authoritative writer of several standard references on jazz theory and technique. This means the lucky Fripp audience will experience jazz as it was meant to be played on Sunday, October 26 at 5 p.m. at the Fripp Island Community Center, 205 Tarpon Boulevard, Fripp Island, SC, 29920. Tickets at the door: Adults $25 per person/$10 for students. All attendees get a free pass at the Fripp Gate and are invited to join the artists at an included catered event following the performance. Visit www.islc.net/friendsofmusic or call 843-838-6655.
• Open House Quilt Exhibit: Eighteen biblical pattern quilts from Kentucky will be on display for viewing during exhibits, accompanied by an informative brochure. An inspirational 30-minute lecture will be delivered at each open house at The Baptist Church of Beaufort Fellowship Hall, 601 Charles St., Beaufort, on Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lecture at 11 a.m.) and Sunday, October 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. (lecture at 5 p.m.). The owner of the quilts, Rev. Dr. Donald Graham, will be giving the lectures and also preaching at the Baptist Church of Beaufort on Sunday morning, October 26, at 11 a.m. No admission, but donations will be encouraged. Contact Dr. Melanie Williams, Minister of Worship Arts, at The Baptist Church of Beaufort, at 843-252-4104 or mwilliams@bcob.org.
• 7th Annual Lowcountry Arts Festival: Frogmore’s Lowcountry Store, located at 736 Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena Island, SC, is hosting the 7th Annual Lowcountry Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. Many of the Lowcountry’s finest artisans will be on site with their art, photography, woodwork, sculptures, fine crafts, quilting, pottery, basket weaving, stained glass, jewelry, local foods and other fine arts. The festival is a unique opportunity to meet and talk to the artists, craftsmen, growers and producers and view demonstrations as well as discuss and purchase unique works of art. Local musicians will be performing and foods with Gumbo, Tomato Pie, Frogmore Stew, Pimento Cheese and other favorites will be available. Applications for local artists to participate are available at The Lowcountry Store, via e-mail at info@lowcountrystore.com or by calling 843-838-4646.
