Tag Archives: holiday

Holiday Sea Island Gullah Celebration

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Holiday Sea Island Gullah Celebration

Date: December 4, 2015
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
Production by Anita Singleton-Prather and The Gullah Kinfolk in historic Beaufort, South Carolina, at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus Center for the Arts. The evening includes a taste of Gullah soul food buffet, artist showcase and marketplace, full stage musical with Aunt Pearlie Sue and Gullah Kinfolk: Christmas Wish Freedom Coming.

Gullah Christmas art by Diane Britton Dunham

Gullah Christmas art by Diane Britton Dunham

Meet Diane Britton Dunham and many more featured artists exhibiting before the show. Sample local Gullah foods and mingle with local chefs.

Freedom Coming is a significant performance that shares the Sea Island Gullah tradition with audiences in a new way, performed by Anita Singleton-Prather and her singing ensemble The Gullah Kinfolk from Beaufort, South Carolina.aunt pearlie sue

It is Christmas 1860, the last Christmas before the Civil War begins. The scene is a Sea Island slave cabin where enslaved Africans are anticipating Christmas day and talking about freedom. Gullah songs and storytelling include everything from spirituals, work songs and play songs to rhythmic, foot stomping ring shout songs that are unique to the Gullah praise house traditions.DSC_9314

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Book tickets at this link or call the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce 843-986-1102 to reserve your tickets for the Gullah performance, feast and art show or to arrange a weekend tour including history, culture and entertainment. Tickets are $35 at the door, $30 advance and $10 for children. Special group rates are available.

Gullah Caribbean Christmas Program Announced

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Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk will entertain with “Gullah Caribbean Christmas” Saturday, December 7 at 7 pm at Penn Center. in Beaufort, SC. The special event includes contemporary Christmas music, a bit of comedy, dancing and a Caribbean cuisine feast.

art by Diane Britton Dunham

art by
Diane Britton Dunham

Aunt Pearlie Sue, the character developed by Anita Singleton Prather, is a nationally acclaimed storyteller, and her Gullah Kinfolk is a professional singing cast. Together they deliver messages of the Gullah culture of the South Carolina Sea Islands to bring history alive on stage.

Prather is an ordained minister, historian, teacher, musician, writer and story teller. She is known for her work preserving the Gullah culture through songs and stories and has toured the United State and Canada with her group of professional singers and musicians. Her performances employ an interactive technique that she believes offers audience members a deep experience as they are invited to become part of the Gullah story.

Advance adult tickets are $40 at the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center or the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce. For group booking or package specials please contact beaufortblack@gmail.com.

Gullah Christmas Weekend Package Specials

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Gullah Christmas art by Diane Britton Dunham

Gullah Christmas
art by Diane Britton Dunham

Dramatic and delicious celebration opens the Christmas holiday season featuring tours, art and entertainment with luxurious accommodations in historic waterfront bed and breakfast or group specials in modern hotel.

Enrich your holiday spirit with three days and two nights in Beaufort, South Carolina. Gullah Christmas weekend opens Friday, December 6 in historic downtown with free entertainment and shopping which is the traditional Night on the Town. Tree lighting, music and dance welcome Santa, while shops and galleries invite late visits, and the Parris Island Marine Corps Band performs.

The evening highlight is “A Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish” which is a full stage musical drama at the University of South Carolina Beaufort theater plus feasting on luscious homemade cuisine and shopping with popular artists. Revisit the culture of the original Gullah slaves who were brought to America from West Africa. Anita Singleton Prather performs as Aunt Pearlie Sue emphasizing the hope and spirituality of a dynamic people.

aunt pearlie sueThe Lowcountry Gullah feature on Saturday is a van tour with a narrated view of Gullah Geechee heritage including plantation stories and songs under the live oaks and through ruins of churches and plantations. A visit to the York W. Bailey Museum interprets the history of Penn Center and the Gullah Geechee community of the Sea Islands showcasing early photography, art and artifacts. Penn School was established in 1862 as one of the first institutions to educate freed slaves. The 50-acre campus is a National Historic Landmark.

York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center

York W. Bailey Museum
at Penn Center

Light Up the Night Saturday evening in historic downtown with the annual boat parade bringing the magic of the season to Waterfront Park.  The traditional Christmas parade through the downtown streets on Sunday afternoon announces the official opening of the holiday season.

Experience friendly Southern hospitality with history, heritage, art and culture. It’s a holiday getaway offering relaxation, entertainment and fresh local menus enhancing a mild island climate.  Book a luxurious suite in a historic bed and breakfast or schedule a group in a modern hotel.

Contacts for package or booking details:

Cuthbert House Inn

Cuthbert House Inn

Bed and breakfast — Cuthbert House Inn
cuthberthouseinn.com
info@CuthbertHouseInn.com

Group contact – Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce
bcbcc.org
BeaufortBlack@gmail.com