Gullah Experience Comes to Maryland
What could an insular 18th century community located on a barrier Island have to teach us? The value of community, art, culture, great food, and fun. Thats what.
(PRWEB) June 1, 2005 -- FacetsWoman brings a special series of events to Maryland in June --The Gullah Experience" - Annapolis, June 6, 2005, Gullah, A World Apart"- Baltimore, June 7, 2005, and Dinner in the Low Country"- June 20 at the Nantucket-on-the-Severn Decorator Showhouse in Severna Park, Maryland. These programs will include the dazzling art of Mary Whyte, the story-telling art of Gullah senior citizen, Alfreda LaBoard, and Penny Hopkins, former Annapolitan now living on Kiawah Island, a volunteer who assists the Gullah ladies. Their program is entitled Gullah: The Force Behind a Unique Friendship." Featured will be the spectacular low country cuisine as prepared by Carolines -- The Taste of Tradition as well as stunning spiritual music by local church groups infusing these events with the spirit and music of the people. (see below for details.)
DISPLAY of authentic Gullah quilts, crafts, sweetgrass baskets, wrought iron and Mary Whytes art. Selected local crafts for sale to benefit the Hebron St. Francis Senior Center, Johns Island. A portion of the June 6 and 7 event proceeds will also benefit the Senior Center restoration. Limited autographed copies of Alfredas World" and Mary Whytes childrens books will be available for sale June 6 and 7 only.
Just who were the Gullah people and how did they get here and what do they have to do with the twenty first century? Black immigrants from the West Coast of Africa were brought to the damp, warm area of South Carolina and Georgia to cultivate rice. Living on Barrier Islands including Hilton Head, through enslavement, wars, and the progression of time, the Gullah people have kept their culture alive. The flavors of Gullah can be seen today: rice based dishes that use the ubiquitous shrimp, oysters and conch. Hoppin John -- their version of rice and peas, Gumbo, Sweet Potato Pie. These and other Gullah dishes are prepared today much the same as they have been for 250 years and as they are today in West Africa.
Gullah refers to the blend of English and African dialects to create a unique language and culture where family and community came first. The musically pleasing language is almost unintelligible to the uninitiated, but an immersion in the Gullah experience in Maryland, will soon have you saying goober, gumbo, and hoodoo with a new and glorious understanding.
The interaction and cooperation among the indigenous Islanders and the newcomers represents well the values of the newly formed FacetsWoman, an organization that brings together accomplished women seeking a circle of friendship within an intellectually stimulating and rewarding cyber community as well as series of events.
Join us for an evening of uplifting art and entertainment. Great food, lively music, a chance to see and purchase native crafts of the Gullah, and an island of pleasure that we can come back and back to in future FacetsWoman programs.
FacetsWoman is a community of women, enriching and energizing their lives through intellectually stimulating and FUN events. Each woman can live a sparkling life by polishing her many facets. Accomplished women enjoy each others company and can even make powerful business connections through shared memorable experiences. All our events benefit our national charity Stop the Silence as well as specific local charities. See www.Facetswoman.com for more information.
Booking details for Junes FacetsWoman events
Date: June 6, 2005
Event: The Gullah Experience"
Featuring Alfreda LaBoard, Mary Whyte, and Penny Hopkins - Low Country Fare
Time: starts at 6:30pm
Location: Banneker Douglas Museum, 84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD.
Formerly the historic Mt. Moriah AME Church, the museum has been recently renovated and serves as the official repository of African American culture for the state of Maryland. http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/bdm.html. Click here to view map.
Charity benefits: YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Cost: $55 per person
Date: June 7, 2005
Event: Gullah: A World Apart"
Featuring Alfreda LaBoard, Mary Whyte, and Penny Hopkins - South Carolina Style Food and Drink
Time: starts at 6:30 pm
Location: Gramercy Mansion Carriage House, 1400 Greenspring Valley Rd., Baltimore, MD
Built in 1902 by Alexander Cassatt, brother of Mary Cassatt, later became home to Koinonia Foundation, a predecessor to the Peace Corps. Our event will be held in the CarriageHouse, but visitors may also tour the Tudor-style mansion. http://www.gramercymansion.com Click here to view map.
Charity benefits: South Baltimore Learning Center
Cost: $48 per person
Date: June 20, 2005
Event: Dinner in the Low Country"
Featuring a Cooking Demonstration and Recollections by Caroline Reutter of Carolines, Inc. - The Taste of Tradition
Seated Dinner
Time: starts at 6:00 pm
Location: Nantucket-on-the-Severn Designer Showhouse, 517 Scrimshaw Lane, Severna Park, MD
Nantucket-on-the Severn is a designer showhouse benefiting the Community Foundation of the Chesapeake Community with funds going to Anne Arundel Medical Center, DeCesaris Cancer Center, and Hospice of the Chesapeake. A portion of your admission goes to these charities and you are free to tour the house. http://www.nantucketonthesevern.org Click here to view map.
Charity benefits: Arundel Habitat for Humanity
Cost: $65 per person
Menus for the 6th and 7th will include such authentic foods as: Cheese Biscuits, Pickled Shrimp, Ham Biscuits, Crab Dip, Sweet Tea and wine, Salted pecans, Chicken Magnolia, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches and crudite with Low Country Dip.
The exclusive sit-down dinner on June 20th will include the famed Shrimp and Grits, Blanched Asparagus, Bean Salad, Low Country Potatoes and a special Gullah Dessert.
National Charity - Stop the Silence
Contact: Edith Sakell
410 643 7328
Or Linda Eckhardt 973 313 9705
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