Members of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra are paired with emerging composers, artists, and activists during this concert that examines the relationship between music and our perception of time and space. Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston, 54 St. Philip St. Wednesday, 7pm. Free. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Presented by the International African American Museum as its first traveling exhibition, this multimedia display examines historic events, such as the Montgomery bus boycotts, related to African Americans’ search for freedom and “the promised land” through the lenses of transportation, The Great Migration, and spirituality. International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside St. Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. $22-$10. (843)872-5352, www.iaamuseum.org
Watch the late actor (and South Carolina native) Chadwick Boseman as baseball legend Jackie Robinson knock the ball out of the park for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the first showing of the International African American Museum’s summer film series. Movies will be screened in the African Ancestors Memorial Garden, and tickets include popcorn and other refreshments. Later this month, see Hope of Escape, based on the true story of enslaved mother Diana Williams and her daughter, Cornelia, who try to flee after the patriarch of the rice plantation where they are forced to work dies. Coming soon: Pixar’s Soul. International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside St. Thursday, 6 p.m. $10, $5 for ages six to 16. www.iaam.org
View vibrant works, including large-scale narrative oil paintings and coffee watercolors, from Cuban artist Reynier Llanes at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Llanes combines scenes from nature and daily life with an imaginative twist, drawing from his memories and experiences as an artist and immigrant. Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St. Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Sunday 1-5pm. $12-$6. (843)722-2706, www.gibbesmuseum.org
One of Spoleto’s signature series, this classical music presentation offers 11 programs with pieces ranging from the pre-17th century to modern works. Musical artists include pianist Inon Barnatan; violinists Livia Sohn, Owen Dalby, and Alexi Kenney; and clarinetist Todd Palmer. Highlights of the program include a world premiere string quartet by Spoleto’s 2024 Chamber Music composer-in-residence Reena Esmail. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Daily, 11am & 1pm. $94-$59. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Loosely based on the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, this full-length original chamber opera examines the traumatic impact of displacement on refugee children, following a 12-year-old girl’s journey through an underworld-inspired dreamscape. A world premiere event, Ruinous Gods includes sung and spoken-word sections and a genre-bending score that weaves Arabic maqam and Western classical music with Middle Eastern jazz and improvisation. Learn more about the creative process of the productions at the College of Charleston Sottile Theatre during an intimate talk with CBS News correspondent Martha Teichner on May 25 at 3:30 p.m. College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. Wednesday & Friday, 7pm; Monday, 2pm. $184-$59. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Written by Maureen McGranaghan and presented by The Void Theatre Company, this play explores the moral and emotional challenges of parenthood as experienced by lesbian couple, Em and Belle. Following the birth of their son, Rory, the women must decide the fate of five remaining embryos. Hed Hi Studio, 654 King St., Ste. D. Friday-Sunday, 7:30pm. $30. (843)410-8639, www.thevoidtheatre.org
The Grammy Award-winning six-piece American roots revival band kicks off Spoleto’s Front Row series, playing two concerts under the stars in the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard. The band, which made its first Spoleto appearance in 2016, celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. College of Charleston Cistern Yard, 66 George St. Friday & Saturday, 9pm. $88-$38. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Actor Denis O’Hare and playwright Lisa Peterson return to Spoleto after last year’s hit An Iliad with The Song of Rome, which begins with Virgil’s Aeneid and the fall of the democratic republic and continues through the fall of the Roman Empire. In this world premiere, O’Hare and Peterson examine how people build a civilization, shifting between the past and present to reveal power dynamics that remain relevant thousands of years later and raise questions about who is allowed to tell stories and what remains obscured. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Saturday-Monday & Friday-Sunday, times vary. $34-78. (843) 579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
This world premiere cowritten and codirected by actor Denis O’Hare and writer Lisa Peterson explores the fall of the democratic republic in ancient Rome. The play serves as a companion piece to last year’s popular reimagining of an An Iliad, serving as an exploration into Virgil’s Aeneid and moving between the past and present. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Days & times vary. $88-$34. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
During Spoleto’s opening weekend, Dune and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied leads his LA Dance Project in this revisioning of Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers, which combines dance, live video, and a state-of-the-art projection system. In this modern retelling, the cast rotates between different pairings of young adults. Sergei Prokofiev’s score will be performed by the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, directed by Timothy Myers, the first time the production has been accompanied by live music. Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St., Saturday & Sunday 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. $47-158. (843) 579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Tony Award-winner John Cameron Mitchell and internationally renowned cabaret star Amber Martin share the stage in a show described as “unscripted, genuine, and pure genius” by Broadway World. Guided by audience-spun roulette wheels, Mitchell and Martin perform an eclectic selection of covers from the likes of David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac, as well as original songs. Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. Saturday & Sunday, 6 & 9pm. $108-$64. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Hailing from Seneca, South Carolina, this American rock band was initially recognized for its Christian-themed music before achieving mainstream popularity with secular tunes. Currently touring in promotion of its 10th studio album, the group is joined by project collaborators Judah & the Lion, a Nashville-based folk band. Credit One Stadium, 161 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island. Saturday, 7:30pm. $213-$20. (843)856-7900, www.creditonestadium.com
Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington is joined by vocalist Dianne Reeves to perform a selection of works by female jazz composers spanning from blues to bebop, taking inspiration from Carrington’s Grammy Award-winning 2022 album, New Standards. College of Charleston Cistern Yard, 66 George St. Sunday, 9pm. $57-$34. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Violinist and Ruinous Gods composer Layale Chaker takes the stage with her musical ensemble, Sarafand, playing a mix of classical contemporary music, jazz, Arabic maqam scales, and improvisation during two programs. Emmett Robinson Theatre, College of Charleston, 54 St Philip St. Monday & Tuesday, 5 & 7pm. $38. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Having released his latest album, Lifted, last month, this New Orleans-based Grammy winner leads his legendary ensemble in a high-octane performance that blends jazz with rock, funk, and hip-hop. Hailing from New Orleans, Trombone Shorty has collaborated with talents ranging from Bruno Mars to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. College of Charleston Cistern Yard, 66 George St. Monday, 9pm. $77. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
The singer-songwriter behind hits such as “Windows are Rolled Down,” “Sweet Pea,” and “Worry No More” performs an intimate solo acoustic show. Amos Lee has been praised by NPR for his “soulful voice and evocative lyrics” and is known for his dreamy folk, rock, and soul influences. College of Charleston Cistern Yard, 66 George St. Tuesday, 8:45pm. $88-$38. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
Hit the lawn of Firefly Distillery for an electric double set from musical acts Modest Mouse and Pixies, with special guest Cat Power. Leaning toward indie and alt rock respectively, Modest Mouse is best known for its Billboard-topping 2004 single “Float On,” and the Pixies for their certified-gold album, Surfer Rosa. Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston. Friday, 5:30pm. $272-$105. (843)557-1405, www.fireflydistillery.com
The breakaway hit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe makes its US debut, offering an outsider’s perspective on the darker side of American history, with themes of violence, genocide, and oppression. A troupe of seven South African actors in a fictional film production embody traditional American archetypes, from cowboys and Indians to prospectors and missionaries, in a quest for conquest and resources. CBS News correspondent Martha Teichner will lead a discussion on the production’s development at Festival Hall on June 1 at 3 p.m., elaborating on the play’s themes. Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. Friday, 7pm. $91-$45. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
On the heels of celebrating his 86th birthday, this jazz artist returns to Spoleto with an all-star ensemble that includes pianist and Kennedy Center artistic director for jazz Jason Moran, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Brian Blade. College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. Friday, 7:30pm. $91-$35. (843)579-3100, www.spoletousa.org
This performance kicks off James Island County Park’s summer concert series featuring evenings of traditional “old-school” reggae, as well as new sounds of the same genre. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr., James Island. Friday, 8pm. $30-$20. (843)795-4386, www.ccprc.com
