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ETV Presents "A Gullah Kinfolk Wish: Freedom Comin' "

Special Holiday Performance to Air Statewide on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

For Immediate Release
November 22, 2006

Columbia, SC...On Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., ETV presents A Gullah Kinfolk Wish: Freedom Comin’.  This holiday musical features Gullah songs and storytelling that recount the African-American historical experience. 

A Gullah Kinfolk Wish: Freedom Comin’ is an emotionally rich dramatic presentation that begins in the Republic of Sierra Leone, West Africa, and follows the journey of a group of Africans through the Middle Passage and initial debarkation in the Caribbean, to plantation life in Beaufort County, South Carolina.  There, the enslaved Africans anticipate Christmas Day and talk about freedom.

Show producer and ETV Director of Cultural Programming Beryl Dakers says, "The Gullah Kinfolk, through their music and their ministry, represent the good in all of us. As a community of loving, caring individuals, they remind us of what is truly important in life--especially during this holiday season. The Gullah Kinfolk are the embodiment of family--the family of man."

Narrated by Anita Singleton-Prather as the beloved “Aunt Pearlie-Sue,” the show opens with a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace,” followed by equally stirring musical selections ranging from spirituals and work songs to rhythmic foot-stomping ring shout songs that are unique to the Gullah praise house traditions.

"This program is important because it brings a message of hope and love.  Despite the difficult situations Africans found themselves in, they still had hope,” says Singleton-Prather, Gullah Kinfolk founder and artistic director.  “And despite the circumstances, they still had love in their hearts.  This was the one time when the masters and slaves got together to share a special occasion.  During this time of year, it’s important to see and remember all we’ve been through and still have something good to look forward to.”

The Gullah Kinfolk is a singing group formed by Anita Singleton-Prather in an effort to preserve Gullah history and the Gullah dialect.

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

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For more information, contact Rob Schaller at (803) 737-6556 or rschaller@scetv.org.