Art Notes: 'Tis the season for new art, music and more
'Tis the season for new art to see, shows to enjoy and music to hear.
And for those looking to stroll through some galleries and hear some holiday music, Beaufort's 30th annual "A Night on the Town" offers the perfect opportunity.
The annual holiday event is from 6-9 tonight Dec.4.
The event will feature a tree lighting ceremony, performances by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band and area choral groups.
Many businesses and galleries will stay open late since the festivities also coincide with the town's usual "First Friday After 5."
Cool Contemporary
Speaking of First Friday, Mary Jane Martin, will be the featured artist for the month of December at the Thibault Gallery, at 815 Bay St., Beaufort.
A contemporary artist, Martin works in mixed media and often incorporates texture or collage into her paintings.
Her latest work, inspired by the Lowcountry, features palm fronds and trees in natural hues or bright bold colors.
Martin will be at the gallery during tonight's festivities to discuss her work.
Refreshments will be served.
For details visit www.thibaultgallery.com.
Then, bead and jewelry enthusiasts won't want to miss a new exhibit coming up at the Art League of Hilton Head Gallery Tuesday Dec. 8.
"For the Love of Beads" features the artistry and craftsmanship of Caroline Alderman, Nancy Apy, Lydia Chojnacki, Carol Geraghty, Maxine Oliver and Linda Raih.
From beaded sculpture to jewelry and embroidered works, the exhibit showcases the imaginative work of these league artists.
A reception with the artists is from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 10.
The show runs through Jan. 2 at the gallery inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.
Additional pieces of member artwork will also be on exhibit and for sale.
For details call 843-681-5060 or visit www.artleaguehhi.org.
Also, a new photography exhibit at the Beaufort History Museum takes a fascinating look at St. Helena Island and the sea islands as they were over a hundred years ago and through the early to mid-20th Century.
"A Place Called Home" is based on a book of the same name by St. Helena Island residents Sonny Bishop and his daughter, Elizabeth Bishop Later.
Through Bishop's photos and Later's writing, "A Place Called Home" explores themes of growth, change and the meaning of home.
The exhibit -- opened now -- runs through Jan. 31 at the museum, inside the Arsenal at 713 Craven St., Beaufort.
Tickets, available on the first floor of the Arsenal, are $5 with discounts for seniors. Free for children and active members of the military.
For details call 843-379-3079 or visit www.beauforthistorymuseum.com.
Finally, if you haven't checked out the Stanley Meltzoff traveling exhibit at The Coastal Discovery Museum, a new program coming up might spark your interest.
Wallace Jenkins, from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, will talk about billfish and what researchers have learned about these interesting fish, as part of a number of programs running in conjunction with the late artist's exhibit "The Great Sporting Fish."
The program is at 3 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 8, at the museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head.
The program is free but reservations are required.
To reserve your spot call 843-689-6767 ext. 223.
The exhibit runs through Dec. 31.
Have a Laugh
If laughter is the best medicine, then you may be feeling fine after Charleston comedian Brian T. Shirley leaves town.
Shirley will make a one-night appearance at The Spaghetti Club at 8 p.m. Dec. 11.
Tickets for the performance are $10.
Shirley is the author of three books of comedy and often incorporates anecdotes from his third book, "A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to the Club," in his act.
The club is at 27 Market St., Beaufort.
For more information or reservations call (843) 466-3663.
Music Notes
Looking to add a little swing or R&B to your holidays?
Reggie Deas and Deas Guyz will fix you right up.
The band will be at The Jazz Corner tonight Dec. 4 and Saturday Dec. 5 for "A Motown Holiday Spectacular."
Led by Deas, the band plays an entertaining mix of Motown, rhythm and blues, pop, rock, reggae and dance music.
Deas Guyz are regulars at The Jazz Corner and also tour regionally.
The music charge for the show is $15.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the shows are at 8 p.m.
The club is in The Village at Wexford, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head.
For details call 843-842-8620 or visit www.thejazzcorner.com.
Or if you're looking for something a little spicier, you should check out Salsa Night at The Rooftop Bar at Poseidon on Saturday Dec. 5.
Featuring the salsa band, Son Del Coqui, Salsa Night will also include a DJ and lots of music to dance to. Beginners are welcomed.
The fun kicks off at 10 p.m. at the bar, at 38 Shelter Cove, Hilton Head.
A cover charge of $3 gets you in.
For details call 843-341-3838 or visit www.poseidonhhi.com
Then, for classical music lovers, a free concert featuring pianist Solomon Eichner is at 4 p.m. Thursday Dec. 10, at TidePointe's clubhouse ballroom, 700 Tidepointe Way, Hilton Head.
Hosted by The Performing Arts Consortium, a Hilton Head-based nonprofit which provides performance and educational opportunities for young classical musicians, the concert will feature selections by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Scarlatti.
A versatile young musician, Eichner has already given solo, chamber and concerto performances and has performed at Steinway Hall, Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City.
For details or reservations call Mieke Smit 843-341-7876 or visit www.theperformingartsconsortium.org.
Also, two concerts coming up at the end of next week will feature holiday music including the Fellowship Concert Choir's Annual Christmas Concert featuring familiar Christmas Spirituals and some new twists.
The free concert is at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, at the United Church of Jesus Christ for all People, at 1801 Duke St., Beaufort.
For details call 843-812-6111.
The Hilton Head Choral Society will also ring in the holidays with "A Merrie Olde Christmas" at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head.
The concert will feature traditional holiday carols and selections as well as a few surprises.
In the spirit of giving, each choral member is donating a musical toy and invites concertgoers to do the same.
The toys will be collected at the event and distributed to children in the community.
Ticket prices range from $20 to $35. All seating is reserved.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door, if available.
For details, call 843-341-3818 or visit www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.
Literary Leanings
Allegra Jordan is the latest author to visit the Lowcountry as part of the University of South Carolina Beaufort's popular "Lunch with Author" series.
A graduate of Harvard Business School, Jordan lives in Chapel Hill, N.C., where she is a board member of the Harvard Club and vice-chair of the Southern Documentary Fund.
Her novel "The End of Innocence" introduces readers to the society world of Edith Wharton in this enthralling story of love, loss and divided loyalties set during the onset of World War I.
The luncheon is at noon Thursday Dec. 10 at the Country Club of Hilton Head, 70 Skull Creek Drive, Hilton Head.
The program cost is $42. Reservations are required.
To schedule, call 843-521-4145 or visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com.
Art News
In art news, Studio B Marketplace will hold a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Dec. 9, at self-described "furniture facelifter" artist Pam Gabso's new store at 1476 Fording Island Road in Bluffton.
Studio B features a mix of art including pottery, paintings, stained glass and other works by local artists.
The store also sells furniture, gift and home decor items.
For details call 843-290-7010.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content: Art Notes: Jazz up your Thanksgiving -- plus new art and theater news, Nov. 27, 2015 Beaufort County performances will ring in the holidays with music and song, Nov. 28, 2015
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 10:38 AM with the headline "Art Notes: 'Tis the season for new art, music and more."