December 8, 2015: According to Tuesday’s lunch speaker at the Historic Downtown Rotary luncheon on December 8, Charleston is “fully festive and ready to share the holidays!”
Scott Walker, the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Charleston, shared his excitement with Rotarians over the past, current and upcoming holiday festivities in our beautiful city. He encouraged us all to participate and spread the word about the fun, inspiring and heart-warming events in Charleston.
Scott began his tenure in Charleston city government in 2013 and is another example of an out-of stater fortunate enough to marry a native Charlestonian who wanted to come home. Before taking over the Cultural Affairs office, Scott was the marketing director of the New York-based Gluckman Mayner Architects. He is no stranger to international events and multifaceted arts programs, having served as executive producer of the Dublin Fringe Festival and having worked with both the New York Theatre Workshop and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in long-range program planning and development.
Clearly, Scott has a demanding job and says he is fortunate to have a staff of 9 to help him carry out his many responsibilities. But it’s his boss, he says, who makes the job easier. Having worked with Mayor Joe Riley for nearly three years, Scott told us that everything he does, every aspect of his job, derives “from having clear direction from Joe.” Everything the Office of Cultural Affairs does “reflects Joe’s vision.” As a small example, he noted that at the recent Marion Square Christmas tree lighting on December 5 and the Hanukkah lighting ceremony December 6, Mayor Riley was engaged in the details, double-checking that the lights would go on at precisely the right time, not a minute before or after.
Scott served of the “ringmaster” of the Marion Square event and will reprise that role in Saturday’s Parade of Boats. Noting other holiday happenings, Scott described the joy and awe expressed by the many children who attended the “The Nutcracker” ballet as they watched over 100 performers on the beautiful fantasy-filled stage. Students from around the city had the chance to shine on Student Performance Day. Scott reminded us that our Charleston events are free, non-alcoholic and family-friendly. He is proud that the events are designed to appeal to all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities and believes that these kinds of joyful, fun activities enhance and celebrate Charleston’s growing cultural diversity. He is especially looking forward to the New Year’s Eve celebration in Marion Square which he describes as the culmination of all of the holiday events.
Scott encouraged all Rotarians not only to attend but to share information about all of the City’s fabulous cultural events and “continue to give the gift of Charleston to the world.”
— Cheryl Kaynard, Keyway Committee