The Colour of Music Festival’s Black History Month Concert Series is a vibrant celebration highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of the Lowcountry. Here’s a guide to making the most of your visit, focusing on Gullah cuisine, accommodations, black history museums, and black-owned shopping.
How to Experience The Lowcountry During the 2025 Colour of Music Festival
Gullah Food
The Gullah culture is an integral part of the Lowcountry, and its cuisine offers a unique taste of history and tradition. Here are some must-try dishes and places:
- Shrimp and Grits: A classic dish featuring fresh local shrimp served over creamy grits.
- Red Rice: A flavorful side dish made with rice, tomatoes, and sausage.
- Lowcountry Boil: A hearty meal of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes boiled together with spices.
Recommended Restaurants
- Bertha’s Kitchen: Known for its authentic Gullah dishes and warm hospitality.
- Hannibal’s Kitchen: Offers a cozy atmosphere with traditional Gullah meals that capture the essence of the region.
Accommodations
Finding the right place to stay can enhance your experience in the Lowcountry. Consider these options that offer comfort and a touch of local charm:
- Boutique Hotels: Choose from a range of charming boutique hotels that reflect the Lowcountry’s unique style.
- Historic Inns: Stay in a historic inn to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the area.
Notable Accommodations
- The Dewberry Charleston: Offers luxury with a hint of Southern charm, located conveniently near festival venues.
- 21 East Battery Bed & Breakfast: Nestled in a historic area, providing a perfect blend of comfort and history.
Black History Museums
Exploring black history museums will deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the Lowcountry.
Key Museums to Visit
- The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture: Offers exhibits and archives that illuminate the African American experience in the South.
- The International African American Museum: Scheduled to open in 2025, it will feature compelling stories and artifacts showcasing the African American journey.
Black-Owned Shopping
Supporting black-owned businesses is a fantastic way to engage with the local community and discover unique products.
Shopping Recommendations
- Artisans and Galleries: Look for local artisans and galleries that showcase African American art and crafts.
- Fashion Boutiques: Explore fashion boutiques for unique clothing and accessories designed by black designers.
Notable Stores
- The Tiny Tassel: A fashion boutique offering chic styles and a variety of accessories.
- Charleston City Market: Visit the market to find vendors selling handcrafted Gullah baskets and Gullah Art from Chuma Gallery.
By exploring these facets of the Lowcountry during the 2025 Colour of Music Festival, you’ll not only enjoy the concert series but also gain a deeper appreciation for the region’s rich cultural heritage. Enjoy the music, taste the food, and take home memories that celebrate the spirit of the Lowcountry.
February 2025 Colour of Music Festival Highlights
Four days of performances in intimate settings will feature a mix of vocal and piano recitals including Zoltán Kodály’s Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7 presented by violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport and cellist Kenneth Law February 5. The evening will showcase Paris-based violinist Romuald Grimbert-Barré leading the Colour of Music Festival Sextet presenting Reinhold Glière’s String Sextet, No. 3 in C Major, Op. 11, and Edmund Thornton Jenkins’ Reverie Phantasy.
Known as the father of Charleston’s Black classical achievements, February 6 features duets with violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport and pianist Elizabeth Hill premiering Edmund Thornton Jenkins’ Sonata for Violin and Piano. Violinist Romuald Grimbert-Barré will also be joined by Elizabeth Hill in the Charleston premiere of Fantasy on Themes from ‘Carmen’ for Violin & Piano by Frantz Waxman and Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe’s Poème élégiaque in D minor, Op. 12 For Violin & Piano.
A grand evening of strings at Grace Cathedral February 8 will include the Charleston premiere of Tomaso Albinoni Adagio’s G Minor for Strings and Organ, Claude Debussy’s Clair de lune, Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata da Chiesa, and Jessie Montgomery’s Strum and conclude with crowd pleaser Igor Frolov’s Divertimento for Two Violins & Strings.
“The Festival’s Black history programming anchors our new season. We are honored to present a multitude of classical gems once again in a region that values the arts in all its diversity as we also enjoy our recent designation as a Southern Cultural Treasure,” said Lee Pringle, Founder and Artistic Director of the Colour of Music Festival.
COLOUR OF MUSIC FESTIVAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 5-8, 2025
Murray Center | Edmondston-Alston House | Grace Cathedral | Charleston Library Society
Wednesday, February 5 | Murray Center Salon – 14 George Street, Charleston
Voice Recital I • 2 p.m.
Janinah Burnett, soprano and Elizabeth Hill, pianist
Sacred signatures-inspired recital showcasing Ms. Burnett’s vocal versatile range and texture
Works include Jasmine Barnes’ Invocation Peace, Carlos Simon’s Prayer, Undine Smith Moore’s Love Let the Wind Cry…How I Adore Thee, Duke Ellington’s Too Good to Title and Hall Johnson’s My God is So High.
Wednesday, February 5 | Edmondston-Alston House – 21 East Battery Street, Charleston
Chamber Spotlight I Violin Duo and Sextet Chamber Setting • 7 p.m.
Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, Romuald Grimbert-Barré, James Keene, Keith Lawrence, Ryellen Joaquim, Kenneth Law, and Nathaniel P. Taylor
Zoltán Kodály Duo for Violin and Cello, Op.7, Reinhold Glière, String Sextet No. 3 in C Major, Op. 11, Edmund Thornton Jenkins’ Reverie Phantasy for Sextet
Thursday, February 6 | Murray Center Salon – 14 George Street, Charleston
Piano Recital I • 2 p.m.
Kayden Kelly, piano
A child prodigy turned young adult virtuosic pianist: A piano recital spotlight showcasing his unique talent with works by Coleridge-Taylor, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and Liszt
Thursday, February 6 | Murray Center Salon – 14 George Street, Charleston
Chamber Duo & Trio Spotlight I Violin and Piano Feature • 7 p.m.
Anyango Yarbo-Davenport and Romuald Grimbert-Barré with pianist, Elizabeth Hill cellist, Kenneth Law and soprano, Janinah Burnett perform Jules Massenet Élégie for soprano, cello & piano; Edmund Thornton Jenkins’ Sonata for Violin and Piano; Fantasy on Themes from Carmen for Violin and Piano, Frantz Waxman, Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe Poème élégiaque in D minor, Op. 12 for Violin and Piano, and Florence Price’s Fantasy No.2 for Violin and Piano
Friday, February 7 | Charleston Library Society – 164 King Street, Charleston
Literary Spotlight I HBCU Luminary • 2 p.m.
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, Claflin University President Emeritus will discuss his newly released book Beyond the Western Wall: Audacious Transformation of a Small Liberal Arts College that explores his comprehensive roadmap for implementing transformational leadership as a strategic tool for institutional change.
Saturday, February 8 | Grace Cathedral – 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston
Organ Recital I • 12 p.m.
Mickey Terry Thomas, organist
Works include Louis Vierne’s Organ Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, op. 20, Louis Vierne, Organ Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, op. 20, to Mark Fax, The Quiet Church will create a lasting feeling of joy and comfort in the grandeur of Grace Church Cathedral and its history of glorious musical experiences.
Saturday, February 8 | Grace Cathedral – 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston
Colour of Music Festival String Serenade Finale I • 7 p.m.
Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, conductor and violin
Tomaso Albinoni Adagio in G Minor for Strings and Organ, Claude Debussy’s Clair de lune, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Deep River For Strings Arr. Shirley J. Thompson, Adolphus Hailstork, Sonata da Chiesa and Jessie Montgomery’s Strum.
2025 Colour of Music Festival Tickets and Information: $15-$38
By phone: (888) 512-9835
Online: colourofmusic.org
At door: (credit card, cash, or check) before each performance
The Colour of Music Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Endowment for the Arts
Colour of Music Festival was named one of South Arts’ Southern Cultural Treasures, a program made possible with support from the Ford Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Support from South Carolina Arts Commission, The City of Charleston, and Charleston County
About the Colour of Music Festival
Based in Charleston, South Carolina and organized in 2013, the Colour of Music Festival, Inc. presents a diverse classical repertoire of baroque, classical and 20th century music at the highest of musical standards to diverse audiences throughout the Lowcountry, regionally, and nationally. The festival has also presented performances in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, Houston, TX, Nashville, TN, Richmond, VA, Pittsburgh, PA, Columbia, SC, Tulsa, OK, and Sacramento CA
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