The holiday weekend is in full force here and the rains seemed to know it was time to stop to let the festivities begin.

There is no better way to start the day than in the presence of the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community band.
This zany group of talented musicians has been a part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival for the last 24 years. After listening to them, we totally know why.
This all-volunteer organization has electrified audiences with its trademark style of explosive sound and colorful street theater and is well known for its fancifully costumed performers as well as its high-energy music. I loved their rendition of Rock Lobster by the B-52s.
The US Custom House was the perfect setting for this patriotic musical melee.




HOLY CITY: Art of Love, Unity & Resurrection is a very different memorial. It is a tribute to the Charleston Nine, victims of tragedy almost one year ago.
This historic exhibition, born of the raw emotions of the immediate hours following the Mother Emanuel shooting, is located in a gallery space turned into a sanctuary.
It wasn't until we spent time here that we truly understood what the exhibit was all about- healing, thoughtful discourse, promoting peace and coming together as a community.
Kurtis Lamkin, a local poet, sang and made people laugh and cry. It was so powerful and uplifting.
Dr. Ed Madden, Columbia's first Poet Laureate, read new works composed for this gathering.
In this diverse gathering, all seemed to be one. Everyone was moved. All shared the emotions together. There is no way for me to express the feelings, but being there, we felt the unity, peace and love that was the goal of the exhibit. It was like nothing we have experienced before and we left so happy to have been a part of this special night.
Our last history lesson of the day, was at the photo exhibit King Street— The 500 Block. Local photographer Jack Alterman presents portraits of the merchants of Charleston’s Upper King Street. The exhibit of over 40 large scale portraits, transforms the street once again, highlighting some of the people who have been a part of this rapidly changing block and are a vital part of the City’s history. Interestingly, the photos are displayed on the Morris Sokol Furniture Store windows, a business that just closed after 94 years in business.

Charleston offers unique opportunities to delve deep into its complicated history, allowing discoveries to be made that surprise, shock and delight. This is a town that has touched me deeply and whose people have shared freely their joys and their sorrows. This has been truly an unforgettable journey.