Fort Pierce - Monday February 13, 2023: In celebration of Black History Month, Indian River State College (IRSC) presents “African Skies,” featuring an interactive presentation of the African-American folk song “Follow the Drinking Gourd.”
It takes place next week at 6 p.m. on Thursday February 16 and Friday February 17 at the Hallstrom Planetarium on the IRSC Massey Campus in Fort Pierce.
The event is open to the public without charge. Free tickets will be given out at the Planetarium one hour before the show at 5 pm, next week Thursday and Friday. The performances are first come, first serve, and seating is limited to 75.
“The Drinking Gourd is another name for the Big Dipper grouping of stars, so it is appropriate to reprise the storytelling in our own Hallstrom Planetarium,” said Adriene Jefferson, IRSC Dean of Northwest Center, Equity Officer/Title IX Coordinator and organizer of the February events. “According to legend, the song was used by a conductor of the Underground Railroad to guide slaves to freedom.”
“Follow the Drinking Gourd” will be narrated in a recording by actor Morgan Freeman. Planetarium Director Jon U. Bell will provide commentary and perspective.
Additionally, stories about the stars and constellations as seen by various people across the African continent, including the Gwara Renzou, or Pathway of the Elephants—marked by the Milky Way across the heavens—will complete this unique Black History Month experience.
The Hallstrom Planetarium at Indian River State College will celebrate its 30th-anniversary opening on February 28. The Planetarium features a 360-degree immersive digital full-dome projection system and a state-of-the-art Spitz automated planetarium projector to recreate the sky, sun, moon and planets among the stars on a 40-foot domed ceiling.
The IRSC students staging the event are holding a dress rehearsal on Thursday, February 16, at 12:30 p.m. which is open to IRSC employees and students only.
