Running Wild in Charleston!

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation. Along with the 2010 featured artist Luke Frazier, SEWE will host approximately 120 artists and 350 exhibitors from across the country and around the world.

This year’s event has several exciting new additions.  Order your tickets in advance by calling 843-723-1748 or online at www.sewe.com.

A special gourmet wild game dinner is being served ($115 per person) on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Halls Chophouse on King Street. You’ll enjoy an incredible five-course meal with wine pairings in the intimate upstairs dining room at Halls. Mmmmmm.

During “An Evening with Jack Hanna”   at the South Carolina Aquarium you’ll have the rare photo op with Jack as you listen firsthand to his animal adventures and travel stories. Tickets are $85 per person ($75 for SCA members) and include the evening’s live music and hors d’oeuvres spread. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12.

Learn to prepare fish and wild game in a fun, hands-on cooking class presented by Charleston Cooks! The menu incudes picked wild shrimp salad, duck hash with spicy potatoes and poached eggs, bourbon gazed quail, venison medallions and pecan crusted founder. This was on its way to being sold out, but you might want to check for any cancellations! (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Feb. 12 - 14, $75 per person)

A very special buffet luncheon is being offered at the event’s newest venue, the Francis Marion Hotel:  Brunch With the Center for Birds of Prey. Executive director, Jim Elliott will be on hand, along with some exciting feathered companions from the Center ($42 per person). Tickets may be purchased at the door.

SEWE is also partnering with the S.C. Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to present a brand new event with exhibit: Wild In the Kitchen. The event is associated with the Certified South Carolina program, which is a new cooperative effort among chefs, restauranteurs and purveyors to brand and promote S.C. agriculturals produces.  Chefs from some of Charleston’s finest restaurants will be conducting cooking demos in the Certified South Carolina tent at the Gaillard Auditorium throughout the weekend. As part of the Fresh on the Menu program, they are committed to provide restaurant customers the freshest products and produce available, using at least 25% Certified South Carolina Grown foods and products in season.

Participating chefs include Frank McMahon, Hank’s; Frank Lee, Old Village Post House; Marc Collins, Circa 1886; Simon Andrews, Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion; Jeremiah Bacon, Carolina’s; Steve Lusvy, 82 Queen; Jason Houser, Muse; Bob Waggoner, U Cook with Chef Bob; Michelle Weaver, Charleston Grill; Fred Neuville, Fat Hen; and David Pell, Coast.

The Francis Marion Hotel will feature an exhibit of landscapes by SEWE artists and the work of Lowcountry artists, while the nature photographers will showcase their work at Embassy Suites.  The Mills House Hotel will exhibit sculpture and carvings. In addition to world-class original art, Charleston Place will house high end giclees, Skins for Conservation, jewelry designers, and book signings.

Animal expert Jack Hanna will return to host educational live animal presentations at the Gaillard Auditorium, as will the team from the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. The Gaillard will also house wildlife collectibles, limited edition prints, handmade knives, sporting arms, and decoys.  Conservation exhibits, retriever and Center for Birds of Prey demonstrations, and children’s activities will be in Marion Square.

The Dock Dogs competitions will return to Brittlebank Park; this venue will also include the Sporting Village, featuring outdoor outfitters, safari and hunting guides, retriever demonstrations, demonstrations by Charleston Angler, and live bluegrass music.

Tickets start at $10/day and children ten and under are free. SEWE provides free shuttle service between venues during show hours with a ticket or badge.  VIP packages offer extra perks and after-hours activities including an artist-reception, black-tie gala/auction, the SEWE Soiree with a Lowcountry feast and live music, and access to the hospitality suites throughout the weekend.

For more information or to order tickets, call 843-723-1748 or visit www.sewe.com.

Expo Event Schedule

Friday, February 12

9:30 a.m. Dock Dogs registration opens; competition “waves” throughout the day  Brittlebank Park

10 a.m.-6 p.m. ALL EXHIBITS OPEN

10:30 a.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

11 a.m. Retriever Demonstration Brittlebank Park

11 a.m. Lecture: “Intro to Plein Air Painting” by Heiner Hertling Art Institute MultiMedia Studio

11 a.m. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Show Gaillard Auditorium

11:30 a.m. Birds of Prey Flight Demo Marion Square

12 p.m. Fly Fishing Demonstration Brittlebank Park

12:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

1 p.m. Lecture: “Legends of the Hunt” by John Seerey-Lester Charleston County Library

2:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

3 p.m.  Jack Hanna Presentation Gaillard Auditorium

3 p.m. Cast Net Demonstration Brittlebank Park

3 p.m. Quick Draw/Speed Sculpt Charleston Place

4 p.m. Retriever Demonstration Brittlebank Park

3:30 p.m. Birds of Prey Flight Demo Marion Square

4:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

4:30 p.m. Auction following QuickDraw/Speed Sculpt Charleston Place

6-8 p.m.  SEWE King Street Stroll (ticket not required)

Saturday, February 13

9:30 a.m.  Dock Dogs® – registration opens; competition “waves” throughout the day Brittlebank Park

10 a.m.-6 p.m.  ALL EXHIBITS OPEN

10:30 a.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

11 a.m. Retriever Demonstration Brittlebank Park

11:30 a.m. Birds of Prey Flight Demo Marion Square

11:45 a.m. Registration for Casting Rodeo Brittlebank Park

12:00 p.m. Casting Rodeo Brittlebank Park

12:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

1 p.m. Jack Hanna Presentation Gaillard Auditorium

1 p.m. Celebrity Story

Reading Charleston County Library

2:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

3 p.m. Lecture: “Animal Sculpture in America” by Robin Salmon/Brookgreen Gardens Charleston County Library

3 p.m. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Show Gaillard Auditorium

4 p.m. Fly Fishing Demonstration Brittlebank Park

3:30 p.m. Birds of Prey Flight Demo Marion Square

4 p.m. Retriever Demonstration Brittlebank Park

4:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

Sunday, February 14

9:30 a.m.  Dock Dogs – registration opens; competition “waves” throughout the day with finals in the afternoon Brittlebank Park

10 a.m.-5 p.m.  ALL EXHIBITS OPEN

10:30 a.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

11:30 a.m. Retriever Demonstration Brittlebank Park

12 p.m. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Show Gaillard Auditorium

12:30 p.m. Cast Net Demo Brittlebank Park

12:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

1 p.m. Birds of Prey Demo Marion Square

2 p.m. Fly Fishing Demonstration Brittlebank Park

2:30 p.m. “Wild in the Kitchen” Cooking Demo Gaillard Auditorium

3 p.m.  Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Show Gaillard Auditorium

3 p.m. Retriever Demonstrations Brittlebank Park