Complete Agenda Package - Town of Hilton Head Island

HILTON HEAD ISLAND
Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration events incorporate the many facets of the Gullah culture.
Visitors have an opportunity to experience the food and music, receive firsthand, historical infor -
mation and take a journey through the culture via the visual arts. The Taste of Gullah, sponsored in
part by the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina offers classic Gullah favorites and cultural entertainment.
The Arts, Crafts and Food Expo offers cultural demonstrations, i.e., sweet grass baskets sewing, and
fishnet weaving. Vendors participate in this event selling authentic Gullah and African crafts as well as
an offering of all traditional Gullah foods. Entertainment includes storytellers, African dance and
Gospel music. Gospel concerts feature gospel music, Negro spirituals and highlight the history of
music as it developed among the Gullah people.
HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
www.hhipc.org
History – The Hilton Head International Piano Competition held its first competition in 1996 and, since
that date, has held a competition each year. The competition is one of the leading international piano
competitions in the U.S., with an adult competition for pianists 18–30 years of age in the even
numbered years, and a young artist competition for pianists 13–17 years of age in the odd-numbered
years, one draws its audience from countries the world over.
Event Details – The HHIPC presented its 18th competition on the Island, March 4–9, 2013 with the
young artist competition. Twenty of the world’s best pianists, ages 13–17, compete in three exciting
rounds of competition, for $11,500 in cash prizes, plus a Summer Music School Scholarship in 2013 or
2014 valued at up to $5,000, a return performance with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and other
performance opportunities. The prestigious 2013 international jury is composed of five internationally
acclaimed pianists from four different countries.
Volunteers – Competitors and an adult chaperone stay in the homes of Host Families; 180-200
volunteers staff all Competition events; Island residents invite the judges into their homes for dinner
during the week of Competition and others offer their grand pianos to the judges for personal practice.
Most of the 20 competitors serve as Ambassadors to our local schools. Ambassadors perform at one
of the public or private local schools and dialogue with students about life in their home country.
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