• “The Life and Times of Robert Smalls Traveling Exhibit”: The Life of a South Carolinian who was born in slavery and eventually became a United States Congressman is examined in a new exhibit opening April 5 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort. The exhibit’s celebration will occur on Robert Smalls’ birthday, Friday, April 5, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. Congressman James Clyburn, the first African-American elected to Congress from South Carolina after Reconstruction, will be the keynote speaker. The celebration will also include remarks from SC State Senator Clementa Pinckney and SC State Representative Kenneth Hodges. The exhibit is a part of the Tabernacle Baptist Church’s 150th Anniversary Celebration and can be seen at the Tabernacle annex located at 907 Craven Street through June 19.
•Modern vs. Traditional Quilts: a panel discussion with noted sewists and you, at ARTWorks: Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m.: this discussion accompanies a two month exhibition of Modern quilts, all instigated by the Beaufort Modern Quilt Guild, which meets at Tabby Fabric & Studio in downtown Beaufort. The Guild is 24 members who strive to achieve and build the Modern aesthetic. They are having their first exhibition in the gallery at ARTworks in Beaufort Town Center in April and May, and they’ve invited quilters from Greenville and Charleston to join in too. The gallery is free to browse Tuesdays through Saturdays and special events. 2127 Boundary Street, 29902, www.ArtWorksInBeaufort.org, 843-379-2787.
• Ken Burger will be signing copies of his latest book “Salkehatchie Soup,” on Saturday, April 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at McIntosh Book Shoppe. Mr. Burger will also be signing his other books: “Swallow Savannah,” “Sister Santee,” and “Baptized In Sweet Tea.” McIntosh Book Shoppe is located on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. Call 843-524-1119.
•Attention, novelists and aspiring fiction writers: Callawassie resident Jim Jordan, author of the novel “Savannah Grey: A Tale of Antebellum Georgia,” will speak about the novel-writing process at the next meeting of Beaufort ProWriters on April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Short Story America office at 2121 Boundary St., Suite 204, in Beaufort. The event is free and open to the public. Told from the viewpoint of a planter’s son and a slave brickmaker working toward his freedom, this thoroughly-researched novel uses actual and fictional Savannah residents to recreate the venerable city and its journey toward war from the 1830s through 1861. Jim Jordan spent his professional career in the Northeast working as a financial analyst and financial systems consultant. After moving to Callawassie Island in 1995, he embarked on a second career as an author, historian, and public speaker. “Savannah Grey” was nominated for the 2007 Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction.
•An impromptu harmony songfest by The Beaufort Harbormasters:
We’ll be singing you all the songs that your heart embraces this April. The Beaufort Harbormasters and Belles present “When They All Come Marching Home,” A rousing, melodic tribute to all who serve and have served. Hear familiar tunes from Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, Francis Scott Keye, etc, performed in four-part harmony on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Beaufort High School Auditorium. Tickets are available through www.beaufortharbormasters.org or your melodic Harbormaster or Belle.
Four-part harmony, commonly called “Barbershop” is a truly American art form tracing its history back to the early 19th century. The “Old Songs” were familiar to all and a popular economical pastime with the human voice as the only instrument required. Come and enjoy an American treasure and enjoy the spring evening. For more information contact Gary Gebhardt at 843-368-6544.
