<b>Garden &amp; Gates exhibit:</b> The University of South Carolina Beaufort Center For the Arts is presenting “Gardens &amp; Gates,” a new exhibit by local artists Sandra Baggette and Gloria Dalvini, from January 3 through March 31, 2014. “Gardens and Gates” showcases the different styles and shared excitement of two artists and friends for painting the inviting scenes of the Lowcountry. Both artists enjoy painting plein air, capturing their reactions to the colors, structures, sunlight, and shadows at play in the scenes that attract them. Their shared inspiration in this area’s beautiful natural and architectural features is the backdrop for their different artistic focal points and interpretations on display in this exhibit. The artists invite you to share the pleasure they take in exploring their favorite Lowcountry subjects and enjoy the creative energy produced by their different styles and artistic focal points. Please join Sandra and Gloria for the opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 10 at the USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC.

For more information, contact Sandra Baggette at 843-522-8911 or www.sandrabaggette.com, or Gloria Dalvini at 843-521-9776 or online at www.gloriadalvini.com.

<b>Auditions being held for Disney’s ‘My Son Pinocchio Jr.’:</b> If you are between the ages of 7 and 18, Beaufort Children’s Theatre need you! Auditions for Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio Jr.” have been set for Tuesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 15, at USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. In Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio Jr.,” the classic tale of toymaker Geppetto’s little wooden puppet is given new life. This new musical, which retells the classic Disney story from Geppetto’s perspective, features the beloved classic songs “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” alongside a host of new songs by Oscar- and Grammy Award-winner and master melodist Stephen Schwartz, tackling timely issues about what it means to be “the perfect child” — and what it means to be “a real father.” Production dates for “My Son Pinocchio Jr.” have been set for April 4-6 at the USCB Center for the Arts. If you are interested in auditioning, please arrive 15 minutes prior to the audition time to complete the registration information.  Please bring a non-returnable recent photograph of the person auditioning.  No experience is required, only a positive attitude. Auditions will be held Tuesday, January 14, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. for ages 6-9; and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for ages 10-12. Wednesday, January 15, 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. for ages 13-18; Call backs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There is no fee to audition. If cast, there is a $110 fee per participant. For questions, please contact 843-521-4145 or email tgates@uscb.edu.

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<b>Savannah photographer will speak at Photography Club of Beaufort meeting:</b><b> </b>Award-winning Savannah-based photographer John Carrington will speak on his life as a photojournalist, at home and at war, and commercial photography. Working at a daily newspaper exposed John to an endless variety of subjects and events that has developed in him the versatility to handle most any photo assignment. In 2003 he was embedded with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. Back home, John provided all the photos for chef and author Damon Lee Fowler’s latest cookbooks, “The Savannah Cookbook” and “Classical Southern Cooking.” John has contributed to numerous publications including The New York Times, Los Angels Times, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Journal Constitution and many others. In addition he has provided work for countless trade journals and specialty publications, and websites. John has wide experience covering corporate, civic, and political events. The Photography Club of Beaufort meets Monday, January 13 at 7 p.m. at ARTworks in Beaufort Town Center on Boundary Street. Visit www.PhotoClubBeaufort.com.

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<b>Fat Tuesday at Fat Patties:</b> The Beaufort Art Association announces its Fat Tuesday at Fat Patties fundraiser. Each Tuesday this local restaurant sponsors a “Community Give Back” program. Ten percent of the sales that evening are donated to a local charity, school or nonprofit. On Tuesday, January 21, the proceeds will be donated to the Beaufort Art Association. The funds will help with the group’s 2014 project to bring art to children and afterschool programs held at Thumbs Up will be the main focus this coming year. Eat at Fat Patties on January 21 and support the arts.

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<b>Writers in the Round: Stories we tell and songs we made up:</b> On Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. at ARTworks, expect a delightful evening and bring along someone to share a good laugh. Carroll Brown, Big Frank Waddell and Michael Reno Harrell are accomplished writers, born and raised in the Carolinas, from the North Carolina Mountains to the South Carolina Lowcountry. They each tell engaging real-life stories, in rhyme and

[caption id="attachment_14626" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Arts-CarrollBrownFrankWAddeell.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-14626" alt="Carroll Brown and Frank Waddell are singers and storytellers." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Arts-CarrollBrownFrankWAddeell-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Carroll Brown and Frank Waddell are singers and storytellers.[/caption]

song and in knee-slapping prose. Some are humorous, and some will tug at your own memories. This gifted trio has performed around the country and across the world, together and separately, in festivals and concert venues, churches, pubs and house concerts. Come enjoy an evening of original music and knee-slappin’ Carolina story-telling. Tickets are $17 per person, $12 for students (13+), $7 for children (12 and under) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. ARTworks is located in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902. Visit www.artworksinbeaufort.org or call 843-379-2787.

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<b>An evening with Cassandra King:</b> Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry presents a special evening with New York Times best-selling author Cassandra King. She will make a special appearance on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Chart House, 2 Hudson Road on Hilton Head Island from 4 to 6 p.m. King will talk about her latest book, “Moonrise” and share her insights about her inspiration, craft and more. Tickets are $60 per person and include hors d’ oeuvres and a signed copy of “Moonrise.” A cash bar will be available Seating is limited and all proceeds will benefit Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry. The deadline to order tickets is Friday January 10. No tickets will be sold at the door.  To RSVP, call 843-815-6616 or email Dodi at daeschenbach1@lowcountryliteracy.org.

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<b>Vega String Quartet performs at Fripp:</b> After their Lincoln Center debut in 2001, The New York Times raved about the Vega String Quartet’s “playing that had a kind of clean intoxication to it, pulling the listener along ... the musicians took real risks in their music making.” And The Los Angles Times praised its “triumphant L.A. debut”. They tour throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, and have recently performed in Brussels,

[caption id="attachment_14627" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Arts-Vega-Quartet.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-14627" alt="The Vega String Quartet" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Arts-Vega-Quartet-150x150.jpeg" width="150" height="150" /></a> The Vega String Quartet[/caption]

Paris, Cologne, Mexico City, New York, Tokyo, and Vancouver. They have been quartet-in-residence at the Van Cliburn Institute and on the artist roster of Carnegie Hall’s New York City Neighborhood Concert series. The quartet will perform Sunday, January 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 receive an entry pass at the Fripp Gate and are invited to join the artists at a catered event following the performance. For more information, call 843-838-6655 or visit www.islc.net/friendsofmusic.

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<b>Auditions being held for ‘A Piece of My Heart’:</b> Open auditions will be held on February 4 and 5 for the award-winning “A Piece of My Heart,” a powerful, true drama that follows six women before, during, and after they serve in Vietnam. Roles are available for at least six women and one man. Director Gail Westerfield may expand the cast. No experience is necessary, and actors in their 20s to 60s are encouraged to audition. Particularly needed are an African American woman, an Asian or Amer-Asian woman, and a woman who can sing and play guitar. Auditions will begin at 7 p.m. at USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the audition time to fill out audition sheets and read through a side. Bring a non-returnable current photo or headshot and a theatrical resume, if you have one. For more information on the play or auditions, contact Gail Westerfield at e.gail.w@gmail.com.
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