For more than 30 years, scores of spectators have flocked to Charleston’s oak-lined streets in May and June to soak in more than the warm Southern air.

They come to immerse themselves in culture during Spoleto USA, a festival smorgasbord of more than 120 performances of the world’s best opera, dance, music and theater.

For the first time, this year’s festival, set for May 25-June 10, will allow patrons to purchase tickets live online and select their seats at www.spoletousa.org. Tickets also may be purchased by calling 843-579-3100.

This year’s shows vary from a French circus physical theater performance by Aurélia Thierrée to songs sung by the Westminster Choir.

Additionally, there will be an act of W. Somerset Maugham’s The Constant Wife, a comedy about female independence in 1920s London performed by the often sold out Gate Theatre of Dublin.

Some of the more physical shows include those of Batsheva Dance Company and the Shen Wei Dance Arts.

Batsheva Dance Company is a contemporary dance company with 20 dancers powering their way through Deca Dance, a vibrant collage of excerpts from artistic director/choreographer Ohad Natharin’s celebrated works.

Shen Wei Dance Arts, with Chinese-born choreographer Shen Wei, perform as human paintbrushes, tracing patterns on a canvas floor to mesmerizing effect.

If you appreciate phenomenal music, graceful dance or riveting theater, Spoleto is one of the easiest ways to get a taste of international culture without having to travel around the world.  If you crave an original setting, the sister festival is called Festival of Two Worlds and takes place in Spoleto, Italy.

If you want to stay in the USA, you’ll have plenty of great hotel and dining options because Charleston has the highest concentration of Four Diamond facilities in the Carolinas, including Charleston Place Hotel, sponsor of Shen Wei Dance Arts. If Spoleto, Italy is more to your liking, contact your AAA Carolinas travel agent.