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December Issue 2002

Nights of a Thousand Candles Scheduled for Three December Weekends at Brookgreen Gardens in Pawleys Island, SC

In Pawleys Island, SC, Brookgreen Garden's popular Nights of a Thousand Candles is being offered six nights this holiday season, and advance tickets are now being sold.

For three December weekends, the popular candlelight celebration will be held Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21, 2002, from 4:30 to 9pm. The event is ticketed this year, and only 2,000 people per night will be admitted to prevent overcrowding.

Hundreds of luminaria will light the paths of Brookgreen Gardens as twinkle lights hang from the boughs of live oak trees, carolers sing and oysters are roasted.

Favorite local actor Bill Oberst, Jr. will return with his one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. While this traditional favorite boasts a cast of characters, Oberst himself brings them to life through his use of voices and expression. Children and adults will enjoy the retelling of this classic tale that ends as the spirit of Christmas enters the heart of even Mr. Scrooge.

A Christmas Carol with Bill Oberst will run each night, starting at 8pm, outdoors at the Lowcountry Center; the performance will last about 45 minutes.

The festive spirit of the occasion will come alive with seasonal music throughout the evening from Vocal Edition, musicians from the Long Bay Symphony, classical guitar, bagpipes, organ and more.

Acoustic Eidolon, a contemporary duo who play instrumental music on a double-neck guitar and cello, will perform at 8pm Dec. 20 only.

Other musicians include: B.E.A.C.H. Singers, a children's choir; Annie & Friends, a Jazz Christmas; the Long Bay Class Brass; Corky Corcoran on piano; Peggy Leonard on bagpipes throughout the gardens; as well as Michael Hétzer and Joel Johnson as 500 Years of Romance, a classical guitar duo; and Susan Vinson Sherlock on hammered dulcimer.

Strand Ballet Theatre will perform excerpts from The Nutcracker on Dec. 6 only at 5, 6 and 7pm.

A Lowcountry feast of roasted oysters, chicken bog, clam chowder, tomato tortellini and other seasonal favorites will also be available for purchase each evening from 5 - 8:30pm. Beverages for sale will include beer, wine, soft drinks, iced tea and coffee. Soups and gourmet desserts can be purchased at the Old Kitchen and Courtyard Cafe.

During the celebration, children of all ages can enjoy the vintage carousel animals on exhibit in the Rainey Sculpture Pavilion. Round and Round: American Carousel Figures is in a charming holiday setting sure to evoke fond childhood memories. The exhibition is available for viewing at no added charge.

At Keepsakes, the Brookgreen gift shop, an array of distinctive gift ideas awaits holiday shoppers to satisfy any gift list. And, at the Old Kitchen, guests can enjoy a hot cider, a welcoming fire, warm winter cheer, and plenty of holiday spirit!

The gardens will be open from 9:30 am - 9pm on these six days. Nights of a Thousand Candles festivities begin at 4:30pm. Tickets are $8 nonmembers, $6 members, $1 off ticket prices when purchased in advance. Children 12 and under are free. Advance tickets are on sale at the Lowcountry Center Information Desk, and by calling 843/235-6025 or 235-6016.

Schedule of Entertainment: Nights of a Thousand Candles

Dec. 6-7

Music
Class Brass - 5:45, 7:15pm, Brown Sculpture Court
Hetzer & Johnson, guitar - 5-8:30pm, Old Kitchen
Peggy Leonard, bagpipes - 4-9:30pm, throughout gardens
Corky Corcoran, piano - 4-9:30pm, food tent
Martin Boehling, organ - 5,6:30, 8pm, Brown court
Vocal Edition chorus - 5,6:15, 7:30pm, Anne's Garden
Annie & Friends, Christmas Jazz - 5:15, 6:15pm, Lowcountry Center
Project B.E.A.C.H. Singers
Children's chorus - 5:45pm (Dec. 7 only), Lowcountry Center

Drama, Dance
Bill Oberst, A Christmas Carol - 8pm, Lowcountry Center
Strand Ballet Theatre, Nutcracker excerpts - 5,6,7pm (Dec. 6 only), Lowcountry Center

Authors and Artists
Richard Cote, author - 5-9pm (Dec. 6 only), Keepsakes
Heather Martinez, artist - 5-9pm (Dec. 7 only), Keepsakes

Dec. 13-14

Music

Hetzer & Johnson, guitar - 5-8:30pm, Old Kitchen
Peggy Leonard, bagpipes - 4-9:30pm, throughout gardens
Corky Corcoran, piano - 4-9:30pm, food tent
Martin Boehling, organ - 5,6:30, 8pm, Brown court
Vocal Edition - 5,6:15, 7:30pm, Anne's Garden
Annie & Friends, Christmas Jazz - 5, 6:30pm, Lowcountry Center
Susan Vinson Sherlock, Hammered dulcimer - 5:45, 7:15pm (Fri. and Sat.) Brown Sculpture Court

Drama
Bill Oberst, A Christmas Carol - 8pm, Lowcountry Center

Authors and Artists
Richard Cote, author - 5-9pm, Keepsakes
Clyssandra Lynn, artist - 5-9pm, Keepsakes

Dec. 20-21

MusicAcoustic Eidolon, instrumental - 5, 6:30pm (Dec. 20 only), Lowcountry Center
Hetzer & Johnson, guitar - 5-8:30pm (Dec. 21 only), Old Kitchen
Peggy Leonard, bagpipes - 4-9:30pm, throughout gardens
Corky Corcoran, piano - 4-9:30pm, food tent
Martin Boehling, organ - 5,6:30, 8pm, Brown court
Annie & Friends, Christmas Jazz - 5:30, 7pm (Dec. 20), 5, 6:30pm (Dec. 21), Lowcountry Center
Susan Vinson Sherlock, Hammered dulcimer - 5:45, 7:15pm (Dec. 20 only), Brown Court
Class Brass - 5-8:30pm(Dec. 20), 5, 6:15, 7:30pm (Dec. 21), Anne's Garden
Ken & Allyson Carrington, Harp and winds - 5:45, 7:15pm (Dec. 21 only), Brown Court

Drama
Bill Oberst, A Christmas Carol - 8pm, Lowcountry Center

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