SC News

Paul Wiancko started playing cello at age five. By age eight, he had composed his first piece of music.

“If you can call it a piece,” Wiancko says. “I think it was maybe a thirty-two measure little tune, mostly in C major, mostly consisting of a couple of triads. And I believe it was called “Breeze.” I had one of my parents’ friends print out the sheet music for it."

But for a long time following that early effort, Wiancko would shift his musical talents elsewhere.

It’s loud in here. That’s unusual, given that ‘here’ is a self-storage facility. Those are usually quiet; somber, even.

This afternoon, though, a riot of pulsing music, random mwa-ha-haaaas, and various sci-fi bleeps and bloops make this place sound like a really fun vacation spot.

And, for the most part, these cacophonous machines will end up someplace people will go to just have fun. Some will end up in basements or dens or man caves, but most will land at a seaside arcade or a retail restaurant like Dave & Busters.

It’ll just be a minute before they get there. Hunter Lawrence needs to fix them first.

Chamber music and children may seem like an unusual combination.  But don't tell that to Geoff Nuttall.  The director of Spoleto’s Chamber Music Series works a room of fourth and fifth graders like the strings of his violin, with charisma and class.

“Music has been such a huge part of my life, said Nuttall.  “If there’s any way we can just open the ears and the eyes of a few of these kids it would be a great thing.”

On this episode of Spoleto Backstage, host Adam Parker speaks with mandolinist and singer-songwriter Chris Thile of the progressive bluegrass group Punch Brothers about their history of performing at Spoleto Festival USA. The two also discuss Thile's experiences as host of the public radio program Live From Here.

On this episode of Spoleto Backstage, host Adam Parker interviews singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jarosz about I'm With Her, a folk trio consisting of Jarosz, Sara Watkins, and Aoife O’Donovan.

Sonatas and Soundscapes host Bradley Fuller speaks with Lillian Heley and Paul Barrit of the 1927 Theatre Company about the world premiere of their latest work, "Roots," at Spoleto Festival USA.

On this edition of South Carolina Lede, host Gavin Jackson is joined by South Carolina Public Radio's Russ McKinney to look back on the end of the 2019 South Carolina state legislative session. They discuss a number of finalized bills from the session, including how lawmakers will handle Santee Cooper's future, what is officially in the $9 billion state budget, and more.

South Carolina is famous for many of its structures, especially the houses of worship that dot the varied landscape of the Palmetto State. The existence of many of these structures go back over a hundred years or more. But, whether grand and ornate, or small and simple, they all require a regular amount of maintenance. However, some of those houses of worship have fallen into disrepair due to dwindling membership, or a lack of finances, causing those structures to become at risk of possibly being lost and forgotten forever.

The Marlboro County Courthouse is a pretty unique place. The building itself is essentially a replica of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, right down to the clock tower.

The courthouse grounds are also host to a stalwart set of palm trees – and to the flags of six nations, former and current, that have had a major influence on South Carolina. Listen to a conversation with Jeff Dudley, past president of the Marlboro County Historical Society (and member of several other area historical organizations) and learn how and why Marlboro County’s six flags came to be.

Leading up to the 2020 election, South Carolina Lede is keeping you up to speed on what the candidates are saying on the campaign trail in the Palmetto State with these "Trail Bites" mini-episodes.

On this edition for the week of May 23, 2019, host Gavin Jackson takes you to an Orangeburg, SC, campaign stop by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

On this episode of Spoleto Backstage, we learn about this year's Piccolo Spoleto Festival from Scott Watson, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs for the city of Charleston, and violinist Yuriy Bekker, concertmaster for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

Host Adam Parker speaks with stage director David Herskovitz about his innovative new play, "Pay No Attention to the Girl."

And filmmaker Amos Gitai joins us with a preview of his multimedia performance "Letter to a Friend in Gaza."

On this edition of South Carolina Lede, host Gavin Jackson is joined by the Associated Press's Meg Kinnard to discuss the latest news about the South Carolina Statehouse corruption probe and Richard Quinn, who at one time was considered one of the state's top political consultants.

Quinn has been charged with 11 counts of lying to the state grand jury, despite pledging cooperation as part of a plea deal involving his son, former Rep. Rick Quinn (R-Lexington), who last year was found guilty of misconduct in office.

The Spoleto Backstage podcast returns for 2019 to introduce you to the artists and people who make things happen at Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston.

Join host Adam Parker of the Post and Courier as we speak to key figures and artists about their performances before they go live. On this episode, Adam gets an inside scoop on this year's festival from Spoleto Festival USA General Director Nigel Redden, Sonatas & Soundscapes host Bradley Fuller speaks with Chamber Music series director/host Geoff Nuttall, and we hear from acclaimed Cuban jazz pianist David Virelles.