The unofficial motto for the nearby resort town of Pawleys Island — “Arrogantly Shabby” — refers to the laid-back lifestyle of those who call it home. For three weeks in the fall, the islanders open up their normally tight circle and unique culture at the Sept. 24-Oct. 15 Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art.
The tiny town of Pawleys Island, located about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach’s Compass Cove Resort, hosts a series of events during the three-week festival to kick off the fall season and share the joy of the audio, visual and culinary arts. Featuring local, regional and national artists displaying their talents and works, the festivities are held at some of the most beautiful settings in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
That includes the waterfront district of the historic port city of Georgetown, where the festival gets underway with the Sept. 24 Seaside Palette and Chalk Under the Oaks events. Featuring local artists plying their skills in front of the gathering crowds on the downtown waterfront, Seaside Palette attendees get to see paintings, sculptures and other works of art created before their very eyes, with a chance to purchase and take home a piece of art they saw come to life from scratch.
Visitors also can show off their own creativity by taking part in Chalk Under the Oaks at Francis Marion Park. Grab a bucket of colored chalk and make your own masterpiece on the sidewalk along Front Street while live music by African drum band The Healing Force serves as a source of inspiration to sketch a colorful sidewalk-scape. Seaside Palette kicks off at 10 a.m., while Chalk Under the Oaks starts at 9 a.m. Both events run through 5 p.m.
The highlight of the culinary portion of the festival takes place at the 17th Annual Pawleys Island Wine & Food Gala at the Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island. Featuring dishes made by some of the top chefs in town, the gala provides patrons a full spread of local food and wine. Held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, the gala also features a silent auction, reverse drawings and the popular dessert-tasting event to satisfy even the sweetest sweet tooth.
The musical portion of the program welcomes some of the biggest names from a diverse range of genres. On Sept. 30, singer, songwriter and cellist Shana Tucker performs her unique brand of jazz and classical music with a soulful twist, followed by two-time Grammy Award winner Peabo Bryson on Oct. 1. On Oct. 6, multi-talented symphony frontman Zuill Bailey brings his mastery of musical instruments to the main stage, followed by the quartet The Company Men performing their style of pop vocals for the crowd on Oct. 7. Barrett Baber, a finalist on NBC’s hit TV show “The Voice,” closes the weekend with his unique style of country music on Oct. 8.
The festival’s final weekend sees South Carolina’s own Marcus Anderson, a former saxophonist for the late legend Prince, show off his diverse musical skills on Oct. 13, followed by John Brown’s Little Big Band performing popular big-band hits on Oct. 14. The Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Arts saves the best for last, as The Doo Wop Project plays the final show with a tabled event. Visitors can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the incredible vocals of this award-winning quintet. All concerts are held at the Reserve Golf Club and begin at 7 p.m.
For Compass Cove Resort guests, the short drive is well worth the trip to experience the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art. After a full day and night of music, food and fun, head back home to Compass Cove and relax in luxury beside the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Book your reservations at ccredesign.wpengine.com and your tickets to the event at www.pawleysmusic.com today — we look forward to having you.
