ArtsNotes: April 18-24

Soft Shell Crab Fest returns Saturday

The 2008 edition of the Soft Shell Crab Fest takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday on Paris Avenue in Old Town Port Royal.

Live entertainment will be provided by the Original Showmen ("It Will Stand," "Shaggin' the Night Away"), and the event will also feature a classic car and truck show, handcrafted arts and, of course, soft shell crabs. Admission is free.

It's 'A Cappella Night' on the island

Tonight, the First Presbyterian Church will host an evening of harmony as local Lowcountry groups sing without instrumental support. "A Cappella Harmony Night -- Sing Well For Deep Well" will feature a diverse array of groups singing gospel, barbershop, Broadway, folk, pop and many other styles of vocal music.

Doors open at 6:45 p.m., and the program starts at 7:30.

The early arrival audience will "tune up" (in a cappella style) by singing some recognizable favorites.

Performers include the Hilton Head Barbershoppers, groups from First Presbyterian, Grace Community and First African Baptist churches, the May River Theatre, Hilton Head High School's "Out of the Blue" ensemble, "God's Messengers," several local barbershop groups and other local gospel ensembles and a number of assorted duets, trios and quartets.

All net proceeds will go to the local Deep Well Project.

Admission is $10 at the door only. For further details, call 843-681-9480.

May River readies its side of 'Jekyll'

The May River Theatre's new production of the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" will run from May 2-18 at the theater, located at Ulmer Auditorium in Bluffton Town Hall. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. All tickets are $20. For tickets, call 843-815-5581 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Lowcountry Chorale goes to Broadway

The Lowcountry Chorale will present a program of Broadway and movie tunes in a free show at 7:30 p.m. April 25 and 4 p.m. April 26 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Lady's Island. The theme is "Some Enchanted Evening."The 40-plus voices in the Lowcountry Chorale now are in their 11th year of bringing choral music to Beaufort County.

Programs for the chorale's twice-annual concerts range from classical music to everyday favorites.

HHSO readies its 'Dream of America'

The final regular concert of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra regular season under the direction of Mary Woodmansee Green will wrap up the orchestra's American theme with a performance of Peter Boyer's "Ellis Island: The Dream of America." Charles Ives' "Variations on America," George Gershwin's "An American in Paris" and Adolphus Hailstork's "Celebration!" will complete the program.

The concert will take place at 8 p.m. May 5 at Hilton Head's First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway.

For tickets and information, call the HHSO box office at 843-842-2055 or go to www.hhso.org.

Arts festival BRAVO reappears in May

Art lovers will have many options to choose from in the Lowcountry this spring. April and May will play host to the BRAVO Arts and Cultural Celebration, in which visual, performing and even the culinary arts will be featured at events throughout the area each day.

More than 25 area arts organizations have come together to bring the arts celebration to the Lowcountry.This year's BRAVO lineup will offer plays, concerts, juried art shows and art classes for every age.

The BRAVO Arts and Cultural Celebration is organized by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce's Arts and Cultural Committee. Area hotels, restaurants, the Hospitality Association, schools and historical organizations also are among the groups participating. For a full schedule, go to www.hiltonheadisland.org/bravo or stop by the chamber's welcome center.

Yard sale benefits Relay for Life

A Yard Sale/Fish Fry will be held to benefit Relay For Life from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Central Oak Grove Baptist Church at 161 Mathews Dr. Individuals can purchase a selling spot for $20. (bring your own table.) Household and furniture donations needed. Call forpickup.

For more information, call 843-338-9024.

Palmetto Theater holding auditions

The Palmetto Theater will be holding auditions for the musical "The Best Little Theater in Town" from 6:30-8 p.m. May 19 and 20. Cast needs are:two mature adults (one male and one female) for some singing and dancing; two young adults (one male and one female) for some singing and dancing; 10 teens (five males and five females) between the ages of 13 and 18 for singing and dancing; and 25 children between the ages of 6 and 12 for singing and dancing. For more information, call 803-943-3100 or 803-943-4731.

MSYT auditioning for 'Beauty'

Auditions for "Beauty and the Beast," presented by the Main Street Youth Theatre, will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26 for children between the ages of 8 and 12, and 2-5 p.m. April 26 for those aged 13 and up at the Main Street Theater, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head Island. Men are especially needed.

There will also be an additional audition time from 5:30-9 p.m. April 28 for those unable to attend on April 26. Those auditioning are asked to be prepared to sing 16 bars of a song, perform a memorized 60-second monologue and wear shoes appropriate for dancing. Please call the theater at 843- 689-6246 to obtain an appointment time. (Also needed are a paid sound person, volunteer stitchers for costumes, volunteer builders and backstage hands.)