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Spoleto Festival USA Kicks Off with Diverse Performances

Performances at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston.

News Summary

The Spoleto Festival USA will begin its 49th season on May 23 and runs through June 8, featuring over 100 performances that celebrate music, dance, and theater across Charleston’s historic venues. Highlights include a gala opening, grand operas, dynamic dance shows, and insightful discussions. The festival promises to be a vibrant cultural event, enriched by community participation and culminating with a free finale at Hampton Park.

Charleston, SC – The renowned Spoleto Festival USA will commence its 49th season on Friday, May 23, 2025, and continue through Sunday, June 8, 2025. This highly anticipated annual event boasts more than 100 performances across various disciplines, including music, dance, and theater, held in historic theaters, churches, and outdoor venues throughout Charleston.

Kicking off the festivities, an Opening Gala will take place on Thursday, May 22, featuring cocktails, a seated dinner, a live auction, and performances by artists participating in this year’s festival. The Opening Ceremony on May 23 will be hosted at City Hall, providing a free and open invitation for the public to celebrate the festival’s beginning.

This year’s festival features a diverse array of performances. Notable highlights include:

“Thaïs”: This grand staging of Jules Massenet’s romantic opera will be performed with the Festival Orchestra and Chorus.
“Music from the Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay”: A dynamic performance that fuses tap dance with Afro-Brazilian rhythms and funk, showcasing the cultural roots of tap.
“Manual Cinema: The 4th Witch”: This world premiere presents a reimagined version of Macbeth using shadow puppets and live-action silhouettes.
“Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours”: A US premiere showcasing eight elite acrobats in a breathtaking performance.
Bank of America Chamber Music Series: An 11-part series featuring a roster of world-class musicians.
Cécile McLorin Salvant: Performing with her jazz trio and the Festival Orchestra.
Corinne Bailey Rae: Kicking off the Front Row Series with an intimate performance.
Jazz Talk: Insightful conversations with artists participating in the 2025 Wells Fargo Jazz Series.

The New York City tap troupe, Music from the Sole, will present six shows of “I Didn’t Come to Stay” at the Emmett Robinson Theatre from May 23 to May 26. The performance features a five-piece band and highlights the cultural roots of tap dance.

Additionally, the Limón Dance Company will present a newly premiered work alongside the acclaimed “Missa Brevis,” a signature piece created in the aftermath of World War II. This performance will be held at Festival Hall on May 31 and June 1.

The festival aims to create a vibrant celebration of the arts, incorporating various community-focused events and performances. A free finale at Hampton Park on June 7 will mark the conclusion of the festival season.

For those seeking a broader cultural experience, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival will begin on May 23 as a celebration within Spoleto Festival USA. This event features a rich range of arts and community events that enrich the festival experience.

An annual highlight of Piccolo Spoleto is the Sunset Serenade, which showcases the Charleston Symphony Orchestra alongside guest soloists. This performance tradition draws audiences and participants from all over the region.

The Spoleto Festival USA promises an exciting mix of arts, entertainment, and community engagement, reaffirming Charleston’s position as a vibrant cultural hub. With a packed schedule and a variety of events, attendees can look forward to an engaging experience throughout the festival’s run from May 23 to June 8, 2025.