This principal event, introduced in 2019, is a celebration of visual and performing arts from cultures around the world! Enjoy the spring weather and experience a diverse array of music and dance performances by local and regional cultural groups, live art demonstrations and displays, multi-cultural food offerings, art & craft vendors, hands-on art activities, roving entertainment, and a kid’s zone. There’s even a pop-up Medieval Village!

Where & When

North Charleston Riverfront Park
1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405

Saturday, May 2, 2020 • 10:00am-5:00pm
EVENT CANCELLED

Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. No outside food and drinks permitted. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle! Charleston Water System’s water buffalo will be on site to keep guests hydrated. Bag check station will be in place at event entrance.

World Arts Expo Stage Descriptions

Stage A – Music

Get your toes tapping, your head nodding, and your hips shaking to different styles of music from around the globe! Whether it’s the beat of the bongos or the strum of a mandolin, you’re sure to hear sounds and rhythms that are both new and familiar.

Stage B – Dance

Experience a mesmerizing display of traditional, folk, and modern dances of cultures from around the world by local and regional performers in vibrant costumes. You may even be invited on stage to learn a step or two!

Stage C – Youth Presentations

Spanning cultures from Africa to Australia, these storytelling and musical presentations will educate and entertain the young and young at heart.

Other Activities & Attractions

Live Art Demonstrations

Watch artists at work and learn about the traditions and techniques of their craft. From decorative Indian rangoli to festive Mexican piñatas to African headwrap techniques, these enlightening demonstrations are sure to impress and inspire.

Kid’s Zone

The World Arts Expo offers many opportunities for children to be creative! Creation stations, led by local artists, feature hands-on art activities and include African mask-making with Charles Perrineau, origami with Setsuko Lawson, and Italian-inspired mosaics with Anna Vechionne. In addition to the permanent playground on site, the kid’s zone also features two jump castles, the Rainbownator, a 40-foot inflatable obstacle course with a slide, bubble therapy with Good Clean Fun, and balloon twisting with Island Paradise Balloon Art!

Art, Fine Craft, and Information Vendors

Multi-cultural artists and fine craft artisans will have original items on display and available for sale. These items include fine art, folk art, and finely crafted artisanal works created using traditional techniques of cultures from around the world. The selection is vast with options for every style and budget. In addition, local and regional cultural organizations, community groups, associations, and clubs will have booth displays to share information, promote understanding, and celebrate the culture and heritage of their countries.

Medieval Village

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization dedicated to the study and re-enactment of life in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Canton of Tear-Sea’s Shore of the Barony of Hidden Mountain of the Kingdom of Atlantia is the most local branch of the SCA, and they will be offering a glimpse into a Medieval Village at the WAE. Step back in time to pre-17th century and witness demonstrations of armored combat, dancing, weaving, glass blowing, displays of period weapons, chainmail assembly, and more!

Multi-Cultural Food Truck Rodeo + Beer Garden

Enjoy the aroma and flavors of a variety of cultural cuisines – food truck rodeo style! Several trucks will be serving traditional and fusion dishes from countries around the world. Costs vary by item and vendor. ICEBOX will also be on hand serving up tasty international brews from the beer garden.