Charleston Event Photography: Gatsby Gala 2023

If you looked at my event photography from last year's Gatsby Gala at the South Carolina Aquarium and wondered what could ever top that extravaganza, the answer is: back-to-back nights of Gatsby Gala.

Charleston Event Photography of the Gatsby Gala by Reese Moore

This year the team at Blue Steel Promotions worked overtime to bring two epic nights of Roaring 20s grandeur to Festival Hall in historic downtown. Friday night featured beloved Charleston band Midnight City, and Greg Keys and Company headlined Saturday night.

Guests arrived to find acrobats from Out on a Limb Charleston pouring champagne from aerial hoops and performing on giant swaths of silk hanging from the ceiling. The giant illuminated marquee letters are always a must-hit photo op, as were the Slate 360 Charleston booths.

Those with VIP access kicked the party off an hour earlier than the general public again this year, enjoying wine, beer, cocktails, and specialty food from Hamby's Catering starting at 7 pm. The general public joined the festivities at 8 pm on both nights.

As a Charleston event photographer, I get to attend a lot of parties under the guise of work, and the Gatsby Gala is always one of my favorites because the people-watching is absolutely fabulous and the entertainment is top-notch. As if champagne-pouring acrobats, live music, and circus performers weren't enough to pique your interest, the Dance Space surprised the audiences with an amazing choreographed flash mob halfway through the night.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next year's event, and keep an eye out for upcoming Blue Steel Promotions parties, bar crawls, and events around the Lowcountry!