The Importance of Community Gathering Space
– Cameron Clements, Landscape Architect
I recently had the opportunity to visit a “Barn Jam” at AwendawGreen, a community get together located behind the Sewee Outpost in Awendaw. The setting was amazing; a fixer-up barn nestled under two towering live oaks that created a micro-climate from the hot summer temperatures. People brought their lawn chairs and coolers stocked with beer and ice-cold beverages and sat back to enjoy the evening. It was a gathering of friends and neighbors who share a common interest in live, local music (mostly of the folk variety). I can’t say enough about the diverse talent I saw, not to mention the tasty kabobs cooked up by friends from the Sewee Outpost. It was one of those magical evenings where you realize just how important it is to have public spaces for people to meet and interact with one another, and we owe our thanks to Eddie White, the man who conceived the idea. Eddie, for his part, mingles through the crowd introducing himself so that strangers become friends, and newcomers feel as welcome as any seasoned veterans perched under the trees. The admission is free; although AwendawGreen does do a great amount of charity events, so if you’re interested in going, check out the website to see what they’ve got going on. Places like the AwendawGreen make you feel proud to be a Charlestonian, and they help us all to understand the difference we can make, in creating a space for people to come together.I just want to thank the volunteers that put this together; they are doing such a wonderful thing for their community. Having places like these have made this town feel like home.
The event occurs every Wednesday throughout the summer, so be sure to come by sometime!
http://awendawgreen.com/about/awendaw-green
Photo Quote: “The band “Brother’s Outlaw” kicking off the night with their guitar and mandolin duos paired with fun lyrics.”
