Lowcountry Forever: CSOL Arts Serenade & SC Youth Challenge Academy – July 6, 2025

SEGMENT #1: Charleston Symphony Orchestra League
GUEST: Sophia Perlee, CSOL Board Member
ISSUE: Arts & Entertainment
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League is the fundraising arm of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. This summer, the CSOL is introducing a new event, “Arts Serenade” on Saturday, Aug. 16. Sophia Perlee, a CSOL Board member describes as an afternoon of live performances with interactive experiences celebrating the Lowcountry Arts Community. Taking place at North Charleston’s Park Circle, Arts Serenade will feature not only live music performances, but live art performances as artists will create works at the event. Plus, there’ll be interactive sessions where visitors can speak with the artists and performers. Arts Serenade is to both introduce attendees to portions of the arts they otherwise may not experience, and to fundraise for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

________________________________________________

SEGMENT #2: South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy
GUEST: Ronnie Scott, Executive Director
ISSUE: Youth Issues
According to its website, the S-C Youth ChalleNGe Academy is in Eastover and is a place where change happens. The academy is for youths that have had some challenges and need assistance to get back on the right path. Ronnie Scott, the Academy’s Executive Director explained the Academy is not a military academy, but it does have established systems that cadets must adhere to. It is also not a place where troubled youth are automatically sent. The Academy accepts cadets in two cycles, one in January and one in July for the six-month long program. Teenage residents of South Carolina can attend the Academy for free. Plus, there is an opportunity, and need, for adults to join the program and become mentors to the cadets, which is the way Scott was introduced to the Academy.

Recent Headlines

2 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Judge nixes conviction of one of two men found guilty of killing Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

A judge Friday voided the conviction of one of the two men found guilty of the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C. star Jam Master Jay, ruling that there wasn't enough evidence that the man had a motive to kill the hip-hop luminary.

9 hours ago in Entertainment

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt welcome their ‘perfect angel girl’

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt have announced the birth of their "perfect angel girl." They took to Instagram on Thursday to herald the Dec. 12 birth of Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, accompanied by several photos of the couple cradling and caring for their newborn.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Romanian court sentences US rapper Wiz Khalifa to 9 months for drug possession

American rapper Wiz Khalifa was sentenced by a court in Romania on Thursday to nine months in jail for drug possession, more than a year after he took part in a music festival in the Eastern European country.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Trending

Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll, who has sought redemption from criminal past

Tennessee's governor pardoned country star Jelly Roll on Thursday for his criminal past in the state, acknowledging the Nashville native's long road back from drugs and prison through soul-searching, songwriting and advocacy for second chances.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Add expectant father to Allen’s list of achievements in Buffalo, after Steinfeld announces pregnancy

Marriage, fatherhood and an NFL MVP honor were the furthest things on Josh Allen's mind when he arrived in Buffalo as a raw but promising quarterback prospect in April 2018.