The Get Away – Greenville’s Artistsphere

June 12, 2012

Visitors view some of the many types of art available at Artisphere.

For those who were born and raised in Greenville, a once dormant, somewhat forgotten Southern city located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the change over the past two decades has been almost impossible to comprehend. This city, once home to little more than textiles, has become an International sensation—a destination for businesses, artists, foodies, outdoor lovers, and much more.

Perhaps most exciting is simply the spirit of this downtown, one that can be captured in Main Street at dusk—when the trees lining the sidewalks are lit with white twinkling lights and a buzz of energy fills the air.  People stroll down Main Street, in and out of the galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars, headed to catch a Broadway show at the Peace Center or a ballgame at Fluor Field, or early on a Saturday morning during the season, headed to the Farmer’s Market where the streets are so packed with people trying to get Split Creek Farm goat cheese before it sells out that it’s hard to walk.

Artists demonstrate their talents throughout the festival.

As home to BMW and Michelin, the city now hosts multiple acclaimed festivals and events, bringing in people from all over the world, events like USA Pro-Cycling, Artisphere, Euphoria, and the BMW Pro-Am, all giving Greenville a place on the map. And the city continues to grow and thrive with each passing day. It’s a constant evolution.

One of the street muralists puts the finishing touches on his work.

Highlights for the Spring season this year in Greenville include a variety of events:

At The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Disney’s The Lion King during  June and July, the premier Broadway showing in the state of South Carolina.

TD Saturday Market – On Main Street downtown Greenville; Saturdays, 8am-noon; May to October.  More than 50 local farmers, producers and more.

Greenville is Bikeville! Ride the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Tram Trail -a 13.55 mile walking/biking trail that runs along the Reedy River connecting Travelers Rest with the City of Greenville.

USA Pro Cycling Championships-held each May in Greenville

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Catch the home team, the Greenville Drive, a division of the Boston Red Sox, at Fluor Field. For $20 a family of 4 can spend the afternoon at the old ball game.

Fans have all kinds of music to enjoy.

From Big Band to beach music, you can find it in Greenville outdoors in summer. So grab a blanket and sway to your favorite tunes.

Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive – You might hear pop, jazz, acoustic or reggae on the Hyatt Regency Plaza deck on Thursday evenings, 5:30-9:30pm.

Larkin’s Rhythm on the River– Swing to the beat of beach music throughout July and August on Thursday nights at the Peace Center Amphitheater behind Larkin’s on the River restaurant. Concerts start at 7pm; gates open at 5:45pm.

BB&T Main Street Fridays– Jazz, blues, oldies and soul ring out from 5:30-9:30pm in front of the Hyatt Regency hotel during these free concerts that run through September.

The Liberty Bridge over the Reedy River as seen from below and above.

Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series– BYO lawn chairs and libations to this free family event. Wednesdays, 7-9 pm through August 25.

The BMW Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament held in May.

Artisphere. This year’s festival will be May 11-13.  The festival will have over 120 artists and will feature musicians, street performers, Kidsphere, and the Culinary Arts Café which features eight of Greenville’s favorite restaurants.  More than 50,000 visitors stroll through Artisphere throughout the course of the weekend.

For more information on upcoming events in the Greenville area, visit greenvillecvb.com.


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