Staff reports
USC Beaufort is bringing several events to the Center for the Arts for African American History Month:
Porgy and Bess
12:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts
This is a theater showing of a Met Opera Live broadcast in high definition. George Gershwin, inspired by a novel written by Charleston native DuBose Heyward, focused on the Gullah community on the Carolina Lowcountry coast, and the community’s life, speech and music were reflected in “Porgy and Bess.”
All seats are general admission. Adults are $20, and students are admitted for free. Tickets are available at the box office; online at www.centerforthearts.com or by calling 843-521-4145.
Eyes on the Prize
5-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts Auditorium
There will be a screening and community discussion of two episodes – “Awakenings” and “Two Societies” – of PBS’ acclaimed documentary Eyes on the Prize. The documentary covered 30 years of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and brought home two Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards.
The backdrop of USC Beaufort’s African American History Month 2020 Series, Eyes on the Prize will be followed by a “candid community dialogue about our collective vision for the future.”
Orangeburg Massacre
6-8 p.m.. Saturday, Feb. 8, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts Auditorium
Three young, black students were killed by police gunfire on the South Carolina State University campus on the night of Feb. 8, 1968; 27 others were wounded. None of the students were armed.
This presentation includes a viewing of the documentary “Scarred Justice,” a discussion of the events and a candlelight vigil.
Two former S.C. State students who witnessed the 1968 event – Jacquelyn Fields and Jenetha Hollis – will present candid accounts of what happened that night. Joining them is Cecil Williams, the S.C. State photographer during this period.
A candlelight vigil to remember the victims and survivors will follow on the lawn in front of the CFA.
The Best of Enemies
7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts
All seats are $7 for the screening of this film. Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, the Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan in 1971 in Durham N.C. over the issue of school integration.
The movie, starring Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell, is based on the true story of an unlikely relationship between Atwater and Ellis. The two eventually came together to serve as co-chairs of a community summit on desegregating public schools.
