by Susan Lucas
From The Charleston Mercury
February 15-17 the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition brings one of the most unique events in the country to Charleston and invites us all to participate. Now thirty years old, SEWE has a rich history of chasing away our post-holiday doldrums while they bring over 35,000 people downtown to celebrate art, parties, cooking, eating, animals, nature and fun. There will be a SEWE Tent at 2ndSunday on King Street February 9th to get everyone jazzed up, sell and give away tickets and provide general information, so be sure to join them there for a sneak preview of things to come.
SEWE also begins a festival and event season that includes the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, Baker Motor Company’s Charleston Fashion Week, the Cooper River Bridge Run, Upper King Design District Spring Design Walk, Spoleto and Piccolo.
The SEWE King Street Stroll is now in its fifth year. It’s fun, free and partners local shops with SEWE Artists for a great Friday night event. There are nine artist receptions beginning at the Reinert LePrince Gallery, 179 King Street and including Savannah Bee Company, Brooks Brothers, Le Creuset, Sam’s Closet, Copper Penny, Christophe Chocolatier, Affordables and Scout and Molly’s of Charleston. The receptions are from 5:00-8:00 PM, with the artists popping in soon after the Exhibition closes to meet, greet and demonstrate their talents.
This year’s SEWE King Street Stroll artists will include Rick Reinert, Kevin LePrince, Milo Stephens, Maureen Riley, Vivian Jendzio, Millie Gosch, Beverly Evans, Ralph McDonald, Marti Millington and Lita Gatlin. Come out, meet the artists, shop, enjoy refreshments, stroll King Street and be part of the local flavor of SEWE. If I know my King Street shops, there will be others taking advantage of the beautiful evening, staying open late and offering a perk or two to shoppers on their way to dinner. Visit www.kingstreetstrolls.com for more information.
Congratulations to Copper Penny on their beautifully revamped Shooz at 317 King Street. They’ll celebrate with a reception at the February 9 2nd Sunday on King Street (do I sense the beginning of a trend?) so be sure to pop in and congratulate them.
Keep watching Ted Dennard, Owner of Savannah Bee Company and darling of the media including CNN’s Small Business Spotlight, Oprah’s O Magazine, Vogue, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living and too many Inc. Magazine mentions to mention. His honey is deliciously harvested nearby and Savannah Bee’s ever-expanding line of body care products is inspired. Ted is a true evangelist; he sparkles with offbeat wit, charm and passion. Within five minutes of meeting you he’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about bees and a few things you didn’t. The store at 216 King Street is beautiful and as unique as its founder who will, we hope, keep returning to Charleston to keep us inspired, entertained and loving Ted’s bees.
