Charleston has become a playground for the rich and retired. Whenever a corporation gets involved, it sucks the life out of everything that was once cool. It’s all about the money right now and it’s a big problem for the arts in general.

You don’t name festivals but the experience you’re describing is universal. The events have gotten too big and lost track of what made them special. The discussion on this forum about High Water showed this, and so did the fact that Shovels & Rope backed out of the festival they helped to found.

Another problem is that Charleston stands on shaky foundation in the first place. The community needs to be built from the ground up, with genuine connections made between real people who live here and experience this city.

I think you’re right that many people in positions of power would like to maintain the status quo. They are not interested in change, growth, or community. There is definitely a grassroots movement bubbling up as you say. Extra Chill is participating in this for sure.

Here is a satirical video from the local comedy group Nameless Numberhead, which pokes fun at Spoleto.

As for coming together to create a large festival, the biggest barrier to that, unfortunately, is the money. It simply costs a ton of money to put one of these events on and the reality is that only corporations can truly afford it at this point in time. Banding together with the community is an intriguing idea but it is easier said than done. I think a lot of small business owners in Charleston are just trying to make ends meet right now.