As a community, we here on Hilton Head Island have certainly never been afraid to express ourselves. This was evident in the early days of the island’s resort history, when celebrated artists from around the world came to a sleepy little island whose quiet atmosphere made it easier to hear their muses. As the island’s reputation grew, we began to attract incredible musicians and even cultivate a few of our own homegrown talents.
These days, you can’t throw a stick without hitting a dozen artists, whether they’re putting paint to canvas, soul to music, or food on your plate. This is probably why Crescendo, our annual celebration of every artistic muse there is, has become a staple of the local events calendar.
It certainly helps that one of its most visible elements, the Lantern Parade, has quickly asserted itself as an island institution on par with any golf tournament. You certainly don’t need to tell Director of Cultural Affairs Natalie Harvey what a huge event the parade is. Her first year’s parade came just two weeks after she started the job.
“Thank goodness Jenn McEwen left everything packaged up in a neat little package for me,” Harvey said. “She was on speed dial for weeks, because we had Crescendo kickoff, and then I officially started the next Monday.”
While the Lantern Parade is the most visible element of the festivities, it is far from the only can’t-miss ticket. Between the opening celebration featuring Charleton Singleton and Contemporary Flow and the grand finale of the parade, you’ll find poetry readings, Bob Masteller’s Jazz For All Ages, the Hilton Head Dance Theater’s Nutcracker, historical tours and much more. Harvey will be the first to admit that just because it’s the town’s name on the banner doesn’t mean they’re the only ones making this magic happen.
“It’s really kind of grown to where we’re starting to see a lot more collaboration between different groups. We have so many things happening at so many different venues – the poetry readings, for example, started a couple of years ago at Tio’s. That relationship helped start their monthly open mic night,” she said. “And then you have the Heritage Library getting involved to talk about the town’s history… there is a lot of collaboration.”
Grammy Award-winner Charlton Singleton will kick off Crescendo at Shelter Cove Community Park on October 15.
And those are just a few of the organizations getting involved. Sea Glass Stage Company, Lean Ensemble, and the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina will all put their performers center stage during the events. The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra will once again serenade the night sky with Symphony Under the Stars.
Even the epicurean muse will enjoy a turn in the spotlight, thanks to a showcase of Gullah cuisine and a chili cook off. And a special event held by the Island School Council for the Arts will put the spotlight on our own local talent.
“We’ve had so many people move here in the last few years, and I think that’s where a big part of my focus is, in really reaching some of these new residents and getting them looped in with all of the different cultural opportunities we have here,” Harvey said.
But of course, the entire thing will reach a … what’s the word we’re looking for? Culmination? Finale? Conclusion? Oh, right. It will reach a crescendo with the Lantern Parade.
“We’re doing a little bit different route this year, where we’re still going to end at Lowcountry Celebration Park, but we’re not going to walk through the Coligny beach access … we’re going to walk down to Avocet,” Harvey said.
Bob Masteller’s Jazz For All Ages Jazz Fest happens October 29 & 30 at the Sonesta Resort.
From there, the parade will turn onto Lagoon Road and wind behind the Piggly Wiggly. “When we approached them, Coligny Plaza said, ‘Absolutely. Whatever you need.’ So, there will be some fun activities and an extended viewing route by the Pig,” Harvey said.
The Office of Cultural Affairs for the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Arts Council of Hilton Head will hold its seventh annual Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture Oct. 10-23 at venues all across the island. Check out culturehhi.org for the full schedule.
The 2024 Hilton Head Lantern Parade will occur on November 23. The parade will begin at the Alder Lane Beach access at dusk and proceed north along the beach. The parade will end at Lowcountry Celebration Park.
