Even though South Carolina will take down the Confederate flag above its statehouse June 1, a boycott of Charleston’s Spoleto Festival is being felt. Ticket sales are down and some artists won’t be attending. “The arts generally are another way of addressing social questions, and ultimately a more effective way than politics,” said festival general director Nigel Redden. “Not hearing artists is an immense loss, and one I personally feel is extremely painful.” – The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (AP)