What happens when it rains at an outdoor Spoleto show? (2024)

Rainy season is upon us in Charleston, and that doesn’t always bode well for the bevy of outdoor events slated to take place this time of year. Leading into summertime, afternoon thunderstorms can ruin afternoon or evening plans, and not even the Lowcountry’s most prominent festival can escape Mother Nature’s clutches.

Spoleto Festival USA has a contingency plan in place for its outdoor shows. That plan includes limiting the number of different outdoor venues utilized this year after a rainstorm with lightning ended up postponing and inevitably canceling the concert finale at Firefly Distillery last June.

“The finale was intended to be a rain or shine event, but with electrical activity in the area, we couldn’t safely allow the concert to continue,” said Dexter Foxworth, Spoleto’s chief operating officer.

This year, Foxworth said the only outdoor venue the festival will be utilizing is the Cistern at the College of Charleston, 66 George St., where the festival’s Front Row Series will take place. Old Crow Medicine Show, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Amos Lee, Brandy Clark, Watchhouse, Aoife O’Donovan and Jason Isbell are all set to perform there this year.

The Cistern is just a few blocks away from the backup location — TD Arena at 301 Meeting St. — if inclement weather arises. A decision is made three hours before the scheduled showtime and communicated with all patrons who have opted to receive the festival’s emails and texts, added Foxworth.

“It’s a seamless transition,” said Foxworth, noting the venue can seat everyone, though it may not provide the same configuration or ambiance.

Deciding whether the venue needs to be relocated is a process that starts early in the day with the guidance of an external weather vendor and meteorologist service.

“As a team, we group up early in the day and make a call early afternoon so we can stay ahead of communication,” said Foxworth. “We’re trying to make calls early enough so that performers, audience members and staff all know well enough in advance.”

Sudden severe weather rolling in is part of living in Charleston, said Foxworth, but patrons of the festival should know it’s being constantly monitored.

In addition to weather, Spoleto Festival USA has plans and responses in place for many hypothetical situations involving security, venue partners and internal staff, said Foxworth.

New this year is a clear bag policy. Before, Spoleto has adhered to the specific policies of each different venue involved. To minimize confusion and expedite entry, a clear bag policy is now being applied across the board for all of Spoleto’s venues.

“Of course, as it’s our first year doing that, it can be difficult to adopt,” said Foxworth.

Clear bags will be available for purchase at the Spoleto Ticket Kiosk at Charleston Visitor Center beginning May 20. Foxworth is hoping patrons will prepare in advance by reading up on the policy, which includes clear bags or small clutches of a limited size, to make for a smooth transition.