Traditional Folk(s)

The afternoon will begin with a screening of The Ballad of Shirley Collins, the story of one of the greatest British folk singers of the 20th century who mysteriously lost her voice in 1980. The documentary tells of her seminal road trip around the Deep South alongside her then lover and the preeminent ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax and balances her early life with her later struggle to find her voice and her will to sing again. After the screening, Mr. Chip Wilson, a man taught the songs and inspired by the Georgia Sea Island Singers whose music was “discovered and preserved” by Lomax, will speak and perhaps perform a number or two. Archival clips of Alan Lomax will also be screened and light refreshments, beverages and popcorn will be included in the ticket price.  

“I was approached by the documentary’s filmmaker, Rob Curry, last year when they were setting up a tour of the film to follow the route that Alan Lomax and Shirley Collins took,” said Heather Heath, Executive Director. “I contacted Helen Ladson with the St Simons African-American Heritage Coalition about the possibility of us partnering on this event to showcase even more the traditional folk music of the Georgia Sea Islands. This should be a fascinating afternoon of music and the importance of the cultural folk tradition.” Ms. Amy Roberts, CEO of St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition, added, “We are very excited about this event! The Georgia Sea Island Singers would rehearse at Historic Harrington School. This is also the building that Alan Lomax recorded them singing. We look forward to this collaboration with Golden Isles Arts & Humanities for this wonderful occasion!” Proceeds will be split between both organizations. 

Tickets $20/person in advance or $25/person at the door. Available at The Historic Ritz Theatre or by calling 912-262-6934. For more information, contact Golden Isles Arts & Humanities at info@goldenislesarts.org or Saint Simons African American Heritage Coalition at ssiheritagecoalition.org or 912-634-0330.

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Traditional Folk(s)