Night of a Thousand Soggy Bags
Note: I found this on Shane's computer where I had composed it in December. Thought it was worth including on my blog. I can't wait for this year's Night of a Thousand Candles!!!!!!
written December 15, 2007

The day was cloudy – a gray chilly day that one expects to see in December – and so it was – December 15. Ten days before Christmas. There was rain; much needed rain that showered a time of serious drought in our region. But also, Night of a Thousand Candles. . .always a heartwarming, festive occasion, replete with literally thousands of lights and candles across acres and acres of Brookgreen Gardens.
Brookgreen is a sculpture garden, so there are always plenty of folks there to greet you. The gentleman reading a newspaper on a bench often startles me when I realize he is only stone, after all. Among the other stone inhabitants are a group of children pledging to the flag, muses dancing about on the water, and the two founders, locked in a loving embrace. There are the nudes, whom I always pity when I’m perusing the gardens in the freezing temperatures of December. There are fairies and cherubs and animals, all silent audience to the visitors’ time in the garden. I wonder if they tire of the seasons of the garden –do they resent the constant intrusion into their domain?
Nonetheless, our annual visit to Night of a Thousand Candles is one of the highlights of the holiday season for my husband and me. This was our fifth year in attendance, if our arithmetic is correct (and our memories, which are even less likely to be in working order). We were ambiguous about going this time. It had rained off and on all day, and although it was less frigid than our former forays into the garden, we were unsure if it would be worth the time and money to go. Unwilling to forego the tradition, we braved the weather, umbrella in tow. Indeed the rain continued and ours was not the only open umbrella we saw for the evening.
As we entered the gates, electric lights greeted us with signs of hope for a festive evening after all. As we got closer, however, it became increasingly apparent that the crowds were slim and the candles were dark. Still, we trudged on, receiving our program and making our schedule of how to see and hear everything we hoped to. . .This is always the hard part – music spread throughout the gardens – not wanting to miss anything.
We began our evening hearing the ending of a set by Vocal Edition – a local choir who sing a traditional Victorian caroling set and a more contemporary Christmas set. We heard the latter half of their contemporary gig, which they obviously enjoyed, and so did we – although the benches designed for our comfort were soaking, sopping wet, so most of us stood, umbrellas sheltering us from the glad rain. The applause was sparse, as everyone’s hands were busy holding programs and umbrellas, but our hearts were clapping and rejoicing as they serenaded us with sounds of the season.
We stepped across the lawn to hear the flute choir. I’m reminded how I love the mix of music the event planners include. Even as a musician, I wasn’t aware there WAS such a thing as a bass flute – or an alto. . . .still, their ethereal sounds ushered us into moments of peace and tranquility. This was my first experience hearing a flute choir – an experience I hope I have the opportunity to repeat.
As we strolled the garden between sets, it was darkly obvious that the candles had all been doused by the glorious rain – a small price to pay for the needful precipitation, yet and still lacking the joyous festive atmosphere usually present. Occasionally we saw a lone solitary candle, making brave attempts to let his light shine. Several of these courageous beacons had burned a hole right through the bag as it had crumpled beneath the weight of the moisture. My husband stooped for each and straightened the bag, making it easier for the little candle, and I’m sure much more pleasant for the bag.
The evening brought further performances by Vocal Edition – their traditional Victorian set, all a cappella, is like taking a step back in time, complete with period costumes and music appropriate to the time. They made us laugh with their saga of Uncle John, and I, at least teared up with their amazing arrangement of “Mary Did You Know?” “Carol of the Bells” was a beautiful rendering of a traditional carol. Later, we caught the first half of their contemporary set, and found ourselves “having church” as they delivered a moving spiritual full of hallelujahs for the newborn king, born in a manger.
Another delight of the evening was a new (to us, at least) group called Grand Strand Harmony. This all-female group cut across all age barriers and, with their festive Christmas sweatshirts and Santa hats brought us full force into the Christmas spirit. Their barbershop harmonies and shining personalities were a joy! Particularly memorable were a winning arrangement of Jailhouse Rock (one of a couple of decidedly non-Christmas songs in their set) and fantastic versions of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Santa Baby” by a quartet within the larger group.
The mix of musical styles during Night of a Thousand Candles is one of the boons of the event. And while I truly missed the bagpiper and the gentleman who plays the Uillean pipes this year, we were still blessed by a thumb-harpist.
Not only are the lights a tremendous attraction, but there are two venues where you can explore inventive Christmas decorations. This year’s theme was the colors of Christmas and these colors and decorations certainly lifted my spirits and inspired my artistic side – a Christmas tree dotted with balls of yarn was a non-traditional twist. Textiles and fibers made a huge appearance in the decorations this year, including yarn-covered wreaths and dreamcatcher-esque circles woven of yarns. A pink tree woven with live orchids was certainly eye-popping as well, as was another tree beribboned, no holds barred with yards and yards of various shades of turquoise ribbons. A feast for the eyes, these!
We always try to end our evening with Rocky – Rocky Fretz that is. A regular at the Night of a Thousand Candles, his piano skills are unrivaled, and his arrangements have a freshness that is appealing. Perhaps even beyond his piano skills are his fantastic personality, his interactions with the audience, and his gracious attitude, as well as his silly sense of humor. What a treat he is! He lauded our die-hard attendance amidst the nasty weather (after telling us we were mental!) Later, as he was talking with this “record crowd” (There were maybe 50 of us in this huge tent. . . .), he was asking us what we had seen, and his bassist (Patrick O’Leary – another shining light in the evening!) remarked, “A thousand soggy bags!”
How true! I thought, but those bags are a testament – a testament to our need for venues like this, a testament to our need for music in our lives, a testament to our need to look at and hear beautiful things, a testament to the fact that all of us can appreciate good music, well-played, a testament to the tenacity of our American spirit, and most importantly, a testament to our desire to celebrate an event 2,000 years old that brought the world’s greatest light into our midst, a testament to his birth, his life, and his death, that allow us to come before Him in worship, and a testament to our American philosophy, which allows us the opportunity to gather for worship and celebration!
The candles may have been doused, and the bags may have been soggy, but our Christmas spirit was kindled. And while candles were in short supply, there was plenty of Light at last night’s “Night of a Thousand Candles.”