Join us for a one-night-only exploration of the little-known history behind Porgy & Bess. This special evening features excerpts from the forthcoming documentary When Porgy Came Home by Lauren Waring Douglas, live musical performances, and a panel discussion hosted by WCBD-TV anchor Carolyn Murray, illuminating a fascinating story of art, conflict, and redemption.

Porgy & Bess is deeply connected to Charleston and Gullah culture, yet its history is indelibly marked by the racism of the Jim Crow era. Despite—and because of—its troubled past, the opera became both highly controversial and uniquely beloved. Charleston audiences first experienced Porgy & Bess in 1970 in a landmark production featuring local singers — many of whom were Gullah — presented before the first integrated audience in the city’s history.  In 2016, the production returned to Spoleto, celebrating the opera’s legacy while also reviving important questions about its connection to the people of Charleston. This is the story of how the Gullah people inspired the world’s most popular opera, became defined by it, and ultimately reclaimed it.

About Carolyn Murray
Carolyn Murray is co-anchor of WCBD-TV’s evening newscasts in Charleston and a recognized journalist with multiple Southeast Regional Emmy Awards. A Charleston native, she has covered local, national, and international stories and interviewed leaders, entertainers, and athletes including President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and Congressman John Lewis. Carolyn is also active in the Charleston community, serving on boards such as The International African American Museum and The Charleston Animal Society.

About Lauren Waring
Lauren Waring Douglas is a filmmaker and a proud native of Charleston, South Carolina. Her 20-year career projects include credits from public television to Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, and more. She has dedicated her career to celebrating Southern stories.

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.

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