The 22nd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival kicks off its celebration on February 1, 2011, and will continue through Sunday, February 13th with some pre- and post-festival events. The festival is presented by The City of Savannah and Savannah State University, and all events and activities are free of admission* and open to the public. Each year, the festival presents activities for every age and every interest. Cultural education and exposure to the performing and visual arts, as well as ethnic cuisine, crafts, fun and family are emphasized throughout the celebration. Great music of every genre and dance performances by national recording artists and dancers, local youth talent showcases, historic tours, visual art exhibitions by internationally acclaimed and local artists and sculptors, lectures, spoken word and dramatic productions are all included on the schedule. In addition, educational opportunities are provided during the festival through a Health and Wellness Fair, Culinary Arts activities and Youth Programs. Grand Festival Day, family fun day of top entertainment, is one of the highlights of the festival and is held in the Savannah Civic Center’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Arena on a Saturday, February 12th from morning into the evening. In addition to the variety of activities and performances, food and retail vendors are also on hand with a wide variety of food, goods and services.
For more information on the Savannah Black Heritage Festival, please visit their official website.
Festival highlights include:
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
The Savannah Black Heritage Festival presents the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. The 2011 Black Heritage Festival Honorees, Dr. Prince A. Jackson, Jr., and Clinton Powell, both posthumously, and the Rev. Bennie Mitchell and John Finney will be presented prior to the performance. Feb 1st
Annual W. W. Law Lecture by Atlanta-based author Pearl Cleage followed by a Book Signing
Local artist, Amiri Geuka Farris , will unveil the official poster of the 22nd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival prior to the lecture.Feb 4th
The Footprints of Savannah Walking Tour
“The Footprints of Savannah Walking Tour” will take participants along the forgotten paths of Savannah where the institution of slavery made its mark in the 1850s leading up to the Civil War. FEB 5,12,19,26
The Chitlin’ Circuit Review
Opening reception and visual arts exhibition for “The Chitlin’ Circuit Review” by Rik Freeman Presented by the Savannah Black Heritage Festival and the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation/Beach Institute. Feb 6th
Return of Men and Boys and Horns and Voices
A concert featuring jazz trombonist Teddy Adams and showcasing young jazz instrumentalists, some of whom are now professional musicians. Voices slated to perform include Markeya Relaford, the Coastal Youth Theatre of Voices, and more. Feb 7th
African Medea
The SSU Players by the Sea present African Medea , written by Jim Magnuson and Guest Directed by Mical Whitaker. Magnuson and Whitaker will reunite in Savannah for this special production. African Medea is an adaptation of the Greek Euripides’ tragedy of Medea, and tells the horrific story of a woman scorned. Feb 10th
Grand Festival Day, Savannah Civic Center
The highlight of the annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival, Grand Festival Day includes an array of family-oriented activities, concluding with a star-studded concert. Feb 12th
Grand Festival Day Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Activities and local performances begin in the MLK Jr. Arena (Hosted by Magic Marc and featuring the Savannah Children’s Choir, RJ & the Upbeats, and others. Feb 12th
Live Concert
Live concert featuring Jeanette Illidge, Alexis Jordan, and headliner, Donell Jones. Feb 13th
Annual Gospel Concert
Annual Gospel Concert featuring “Two Sisters” Huxsie Scott and the Rev. Deborah Ann Butts, with performances by local artists the SSU Wesleyan Gospel Choir, the AASU Gospel Choir, and St. John Baptist Church Choir. Feb 13th
Spoken Word/Open Mic Tribute to Clinton Powell
A Tribute in Memory of Clinton Powell, Poet and Co-Founder of Spit Fire Poetry; Coordinated by Sista “V.” Presented by the Savannah Black Heritage Festival and the Savannah Book Festival. Feb 19th
“Dem Fish, Dey’s Biting”
The Third Annual Festival “Gathering” Presented in part by the SSU-NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) African American Oral History Project. Featuring storytelling, demonstrations and recipe tastings focusing on families and descendants of African Americans in the fisheries from East Savannah and Thunderbolt. Feb 19th
For more information on the Black Heritage Festival, please visit Savannah State University or Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau websites.
