The Savannah Black Heritage Festival kicks off Feb. 1

This Year’s Theme is "Legacy and Innovation: Framing the Future of Our Culture."

Savannah, GA - The 35th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF) will take place February 1 - 25 with the central theme, “Legacy and Innovation: Framing the Future of our Culture.” Committed to emphasizing the importance of celebrating Black culture, the festival brings to the community cultural events, live performances, art exhibits and historical explorations of the African-American legacy.

“We are excited to kick off our 35 annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival,” said Festival Director Teresa-Michelle Jackson. “This is a long-standing festival filled with performances, lectures, and exhibitions presented by Savannah State University with investment from the City of Savannah.”

The festival opens with the 82nd National Freedom Day Observance at Savannah State University (SSU) on Feb. 1. A campus wreath-laying ceremony will be held at 12 p.m. at the Richard R. Wright Sr. bust in front of Wright Hall. A keynote address and a student panel discussion will follow at 6:30 p.m. in the King Frazier Student Center. Dr. Melva L. Sampson, professor of preaching and practical theology at Wake Forest University, will deliver the keynote address.

This year’s program includes the 2nd Annual Savannah Black Art Expo presented by the Savannah Cultural Arts Center on Feb. 3 from 12 – 4 p.m. The expo will feature art on display and for sale with performances by local talent.

On Feb. 8, a Master Ring Shout Class will be presented at Georgia Southern University (GSU) by one of the nation’s leading instructors, Griffin Lotson of the Geechee Gullah Ringshouters. The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center on the GSU Armstrong campus.

The Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee will host a celebration of the newly renamed Taylor Square at Abercorn Street and East Wayne Street. The celebration takes place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10.

The Annual Future of Jazz Concert featuring local and regional young jazz vocalists and instrumentalists will be held at 6 p.m., Feb. 13 at the Jewish Educational Alliance.

Savannah State University’s Department of Fine Arts Humanities and Wellness in partnership with Telfair Museums’ Friends of African American Art will host an exhibition opening reception at the Kennedy Fine Arts Building on the SSU campus at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 15. The exhibit will be open from Feb. 6 – March 31.

The Savannah Black Heritage Festival is presented by Savannah State University and the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Resources. All festival events and activities are free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of community sponsors and donors.

For up-to-date details and a complete schedule, visit www.savannahblackheritagefestival.org or call 912-358-4309.

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