EXPERIENCE CHARLESTON'S FIRST EVER RESPLENDENT SPIEGELTENT
December 2022
Be transported to an early 1900s, much loved European attraction without ever leaving Charleston’s Historic District – a glittering and awe-inspiring Spiegeltent -- only on the grounds of the Charleston Gaillard Center!
The Spiegeltent (“mirror tent”) is a unique and utterly enchanting venue with deep russet colored mahagony, plush surroundings, a sultry vibe and intimate setting, premiering in the Southeast for the first time in its history.
Built in Belgium in the first half of the 20th Century, this elaborately ornate venue was originally created as a traveling dance and music hall, and fewer than 40 of the original tents are still in existence worldwide. Don’t miss your chance to experience this opulent piece of history, meticulously comprised of magical faceted mirrors, colorful stained-glass windows, a velvet draped ceiling, and hand-painted wood VIP booths.
Join us for an experience of genuine nostalgia!
"There is something about the tent’s convergence of twinkle and intimacy that lends a conspiratorial comfort to the performances therein. [...] You might feel that what happens in a Spiegeltent stays in the Spiegeltent — or at very least could only have happened there at all."
Maura Hogan, Post & Courier
Charleston Gaillard Center Members receive a 10% discount on member nights,
December 1 and 14. Become a Gaillard Center Member today!
HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE THE SPIEGELTENT’S OTHERWORLDLY AND SPELLBINDING INTERIOR?
With a ticket to one of our spectacular shows below. Come celebrate the holidays with us inside the tent.
VIP OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION
SOLD OUT
The fabulous Spiegeltent Opening Night Party kicks off this incredible month-long journey to another place and time. Enjoy creative cocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, spectacular tree lighting, and more.
Be the first to experience the magical world of the Gaillard Center's Speigeltent.
CRACKED NUTS!
Come inside this unique destination and enjoy a joyous ride fit for a Nutcracker King! Cracked Nuts! will deliver thrills, laughs, and mind-blowing feats that will leave you inspired and delighted this holiday season featuring ACROBATS, AERIALISTS, JUGGLERS AND A FEROCIOUS LION IN SPANDEX! Don’t miss this eye-popping, jaw-dropping variety and comedy spectacular staring Vegas legends Matt and Heidi Morgan.
Cracked Nuts! performances are ideally recommended for ages 8 and above. For the December 4th performance at 5pm, the age recommendation is ages 5 and above.
GRITTY GLITTER BURLESQUE SHOW FEATURING PRINCESS WENDY
Feeling like you’re on the Naughty List? Don’t Miss The Gritty Glitter Burlesque Show featuring Princess Wendy. Join us for a delightfully raucous evening of comedy, burlesque, and sexy circus hosted by a sassy, wine drinking party princess! Princess Wendy will charm your socks off while her band of beautiful and bizarre bandits take off more than just their socks! Come celebrate at The Gritty Glitter Burlesque Show — it’s all sugar, all spice, and everything naughty AND nice!
For Mature Audiences, 18 years or older. Please note, the show will include partial nudity.
AMAZING LOCAL PERFORMANCES
Fulfilling its promise to provide a home for local and regional artists on its stages, the Gaillard Center is excited showcase performances from local artists on the Spiegeltent’s unique stage. Don't miss amazing performances from country-folk band She Returns from War, fronted by Charleston music staple Hunter Park; and Homegrown and Nationally Known featuring jazz musician Charlton Singleton, guitarist and singer-songwriter Emily Curtis, and vocalist, composer, and lyricist Quiana Parler.
AN EVENING OF MUSIC & COMEDY WITH SANDRA BERNHARD
A pioneer of the one-woman show, Bernhard brings a completely unique and raucous mix of cabaret, stand-up, rock-n-roll, and social commentary to her live stage performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Spiegeltent is equipped with both heating and air conditioning to keep the tent a comfortable temperature for all shows.
If you have a General Admission ticket for Cracked Nuts! or a burlesque performance, seating is first-come, first-served. Arrive early!
She Returns From War is standing room only.
Homegrown and Nationally Known has cabaret-style seating.
All attendees seated in booths will receive wristbands instead of tickets. Please visit the Will Call window at the Ticket Office inside the main lobby the day of the show. For your own safety, please be cautious of grabbing or leaning on poles when entering the booth seats.
Cracked Nuts will have an approximate run time of 90 minutes with a short intermission.
The Gritty Glitter Burlesque Show featuring Princess Wendy will have an approximate run time of 70 minutes with a short intermission.
An Evening with Sandra Bernhard, She Returns From War, and Homegrown and Nationally Known will have an approximate run time of 75 minutes with no intermission.
Cracked Nuts! performances are ideally recommended for ages 8 and above.
The Gritty Glitter Burlesque Show featuring Princess Wendy will be for Mature Audiences, 18 years or older. Please note, the performance does include partial nudity.
There are no other age requirements for the Spiegeltent.
Photography and videography are encouraged, without flash for the safety of our performers. Tag @gaillardcenter and use #gaillardcenter in your posts!
Prohibited items include gum, weapons of any kind (including pocket knives and firearms), projectiles, and illegal substances.
Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase at the bar inside the Spiegeltent. On Friday and Saturday nights, an outdoor Beer Garden will open one hour before the performance. The bar inside the tent will be open during the performance.
The Spiegeltent will be a cashless venue for beverage purchases. We will only be accepting credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay mobile payments.
There are no restrooms inside the Spiegeltent. You may use the restroom inside the Gaillard Center.
Yes! You may leave the Spiegeltent and reenter. Guests will be given a sticker upon exit that will be used to re-enter.
Cracked Nuts! & Gritty Glitter Burlesque Show Seating Map
Additional Spiegeltent programming will be announced in the coming weeks
Admission to the Spiegeltent is by ticket purchase only. To gain entry, please purchase a ticket to one the BEST show in Charleston.
LOCATION: The Spiegeltent is located on the grounds of the Charleston Gaillard Center.
SEATING OPTIONS
- General Admission Tickets: General Admission tickets are seated in the round (identified in purple) You can practically touch the stage! Psst, we don't recommend that. All seats are first-come, first-served. Arrive early!
- Booths: The Spiegeltent has a handful of VIP booths available per performance, which all sit 6 individuals. These fabulous wooden booths, surrounded in faceted mirrors must be purchased as a whole.
ACCESSIBILITY: If you or a guest need assistance with wheelchair access, please email our ticket office at ticketing@gaillardcenter.org. The Spiegeltent is wheelchair accessible.
SPIEGELTENT CREDITS
Owner: West Coast Spiegeltents
Spiegeltent performances are sponsored by
