Blackbeard the Pirate's legendary blockade of the Port of Charles Town in 1718 will be observed and celebrated on May 18 in the Courtyard at Patriots Point Stadium in Mount Pleasant in a festival known as The 306th Annual Blockade of Charleston Festival, from 1-8 p.m.
The "306th" descriptor for the inaugural extravaganza was added tongue-in-cheek, according to event coordinator Ben Bounds, who owns and operates Follywood Productions.
A $20 admission buys the public an opportunity to partake in adult and children activities, as well as enjoy the local art on hand, peruse the 40-plus apparel vendors and sample tasty grub provided by several food trucks. Live entertainment will also be part of the mix in the form of five music performances by the following acts, each featuring a Mount Pleasant native or resident.
Congress: Described as "the fastest growing party band in the Carolinas," Congress brings the highest energy possible to rock, indie and pop covers spanning the past five decades. The versatile ensemble has spent the past two years touring Charleston, Columbia and Clemson, as well as North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Flatspell: Recognized as one of the youngest rock bands in South Carolina, Charleston's own Flatspell is a highly skilled improvisational four-piece that straddles the line between rock, jam and beach music. Over the past two years, Flatspell has been touring and playing clubs, festivals and large Greek / University events around the Southeast from Alabama to Tennessee, North Carolina and all points in-between.
Electric Sparrows: This six-piece original Southern Rock / Jamband from Charleston brings a sound that draws from their influences in Rock, Blues, Soul, Funk and all varieties of Improvisational music. Their songwriting highlights deep hooks and lyrics reminiscent of 90s era Southern Rock and Jam, and they have worked up a handful of choice, obscure covers to intertwine throughout each set.
OMIWIMO: This renowned psychedelic pulls inspiration from the Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Phish and more they seek to create a music experience that will leave a lasting impression on the current ethos.
Kennedy Burnett: This Mount Pleasant native, Porter Gaud alum and Clemson University junior majoring in communication with a minor in brand communications reportedly picked up the guitar nine years ago and hasn't put it down since. Her favorite artists to cover are Zach Bryan, Turnpike Troubadours, Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert.
"Our goal is to make this an annual event that the Town of Mount Pleasant and local residents and businesses can be proud of and look forward to every year for many years to come," said the Mississippi-born Bounds, who currently resides in Mount Pleasant.
As for those who may not be familiar with Blackbeard the Pirate's connection to the Lowcountry, Edward Teach (aka Edward Black of Goose Creek) set up a blockade in the Port of Charles Town (now Charleston) in 1718 demanding medicine to treat an STD (sexually transmitted disease).
