Symposium to Explore Porgy & Bess Legacy Island Heritage Festival
For Immediate Release, March 2007http://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. Now, 83 years later Island Heritage Festival will pay tribute to “Goat” Sammie Smalls, a native island son, and explore the lives of the men who created the phenomenon with the theme, Comin’ Home to Porgy. A Symposium Smalls, Heyward & Gershwin - the Myth & the Men, will be hosted Friday, June 29th at the Septima Clarke Corporate Academy on Grimball Road, James Island.
Dr. James Hutchisson, Professor of English and Literature at the Citadel, and author of DuBose Heyward, A Charleston Gentlemen, will be joined by Julian Wiles, playwright of Gershwin on Folly and other notable scholars to host a stimulating discussion on the motivation, impact and lives of these men and the artistic phenomenon they created.
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 novel and the opera by Gershwin, were written. A Conversations program with generations of the relatives of Smalls” will be held as well as a gala, musical presentation of Porgy & Bess Under the Stars on the grounds of 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. “
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, 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 to Festival events are available at www.tix.com or at 1-800-595-4TIX.
