Image by Spoleto Festival USAImage by 20090426-spoleto.jpg Come learn about the history of the events and what's in store for this year. -- Image from "Don John."

A sneak preview of the Spoleto USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals is coming on Tuesday, May 12th.

The hour-long event will be presented by music professors Edward Hart and Robert Taylor, theatre professor Todd McNerney, artist-in-residence (in dance) Robert Ivey, and director of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art Mark Sloan. The lecture will highlight various, must-see arts events, as well as give a brief history of both Festivals.

The event starts at 6 p.m.in the recital hall of the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip Street. The event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP to Jenny Fowler at (843) 953-6526.

You can learn more about the event in this College of Charleston press release.

The College of Charleston's Friends of the Library and Friends of the School of the Arts are presenting the event.

And don't forget we have a special section dedicated to Spoleto 2009.