Porgy & Bess Legacy to be celebrated at Island Heritage Festival
For Immediate Release, March 2007htp://www.islandheritagefestival.com
A 1924 article in the Charleston daily newspaper told the story of a notorious, crippled Gullah man who rode around the city in a cart pulled by a goat. This contentious figure, no stranger to love and war on his own terms, inspired DuBose Heyward to write the novel Porgy, and co-write the opera Porgy & Bess. 83 years later Island Heritage Festival will pay tribute to “Goat” Sammie Smalls, a native island son, and the Porgy & Bess legacy in a celebration billed as Comin’ Home to Porgy – a tribute to the man whose life became legend.
For five (5) exciting days, June 28-July 2, James Island will experience an explosion of history, culture, education, commemoration and celebration at Island Heritage Festival with twelve (12) programs at various venues on James Island, and Folly Beach. An Opening Reception will be held at the historic Heyward house on Folly Beach, where the the novel and the opera by Gershwin, was written. A Conversations program with generations of the relatives of “Goat Sammie” will be held as well as a gala, musical presentation of Porgy & Bess Under the Stars under the oaks at McLeod Plantation.
“James Island is one of Charleston’s true historic treasures, with extraordinary chapters of history that we are proud to honor”, noted native James Islander, Founder and Executive Director, Eleanor Kinlaw-Ross. “The island has an enduring legacy and a rich culture, as well as a historic infrastructure of valuable buildings and cultural institutions that deserve appropriate commemoration”, she added.
“With the explosion of growth and development on James Island, we want to ensure the historic and cultural integrity of a community that was once a quiet, country place with arteries of dirt roads with no names, and people whose families, black and white share a history that is inextricably bound, beyond the Antebellum years. Additionally we want to be sure that our children, and the coming generations learn and understand this tremendous history,” Kinlaw-Ross explained.
An entertaining and educational line-up of festival events includes an outdoor showing of the 1929 classic movie, Porgy & Bess, An Island Heritage Tour, A Symposium on Heyward, Gershwin & Porgy, A Sunset Gullah Cruise, A Children’s Cultural Literacy Festival, among others will be showcased. Retuning this year is the annual Taste of Gullah Celebration, featuring food, cultural entertainment and vendors. Having earned a national reputation as a destination for cultural tourism, the Festival expects visitors from across the U.S. again this year. For information on programs, Vendor opportunity and the cultural talent showcase, contact the Festival Office at 843-727-1875 or visit the website at www.islandheritagefestival.com. Tickets for Festival events are available at www.tix.com or at 1-800-595-4TIX.
