Performances & Presentations
Gullah Studies Series
Presented by Ron Daise,
Author, Educator, Performer, Cultural Interpreter
“Down by the Riverside’ & Other Spirituals”
Sing along with Ron Daise and learn Gullah songs that shaped the culture. From sorrow songs to baptism, code message, children’s, work, and funeral songs, participants will gain an understanding and an appreciation for Gullah Geechee heritage. Information from groundbreaking books about Gullah culture, Charles Joyner’s Down by the Riverside: A South Carolina Slave Community (1984), and Daise’s Reminiscences of Sea Island Heritage (1986), as well as personal insights will be featured.
Gullah Geechee Connections
Daise presents stories, songs, and original poetry that will lead viewers on a journey exploring the connections of West African heritage with Gullah Geechee culture and the ties that bind cultures of the African Diaspora. Breathtaking photographs of Ghanaian lifestyles, children, culture, slave dungeons and scenic beauty showcase cultural connections with Gullah Geechee communities of the southeastern United States.
“Gullah Geechee Rhythms”
Utilizing audience-participation in singing and storytelling, Gullah performer, author, and historian Ron Daise identifies 10 memorable ways to recall the importance and significance of Gullah Geechee heritage. Cultural touchstones about which he informs include the origins of Gullah Geechee heritage, beliefs, songs, language, and folkways. Pictures, music, personal reflections, and lecture are interwoven throughout stanzas to the tune of a well-known Gullah coded message song. Audience members affirm each touchstone by responding “Dats right, I am Gullah Geechee/I’m a saltwata Gullah Geechee”, lyrics from an original Daise tune that celebrates the importance of music to Gullah Geechee heritage.
“Gullah Lessons on Family, History, and Respect”
Ron Daise captivates listeners as he informs about Gullah Geechee history and narrates his book, Little Muddy Waters, a Gullah Folk Tale. The story unwinds as hardheaded Little Muddy Waters gets into everything and does everything he is told not to do. Although his grandmother tries to teach him Gullah traditions and beliefs, Little Muddy Waters learns a lesson he will never forget. In call-and-response delivery, Daise engages viewers to “respect yo elders and do what’s right!” Daise informs about Gullah customs, folkways, language, and values in an entertaining, endearing, and educational format.
“O, Freedom Ova Me!”
A compelling program of Selected Readings, Songs & Photographs from Daise’s book Gullah Branches, West African Roots intrigues viewers to investigate the themes of “Home,” “Horror,” “Heritage,” and “Hope” as they reflect on and learn about the journey of enslaved Africans to Gullah Geechee communities. Each theme chronicles Daise’s visits to the West African countries of Ghana and Sierra Leone and the similarities he witnessed with his birthplace of St. Helena Island, SC, and surrounding Gullah Geechee communities. His experiences are retold through original lyrics to the tunes of old spirituals learned during Daise’s childhood.
“Taak Dat Taak (Talk That Talk)”
Daise examines four values and qualities that give meaning to why Gullah Geechee people talk the way they talk, live the lives they live, and value sustaining their culture. Aspects of Gullah Geechee wisdom are relayed through songs, poetry, excerpts from cultural writings, and personal insights. “Cotch de laarnin,” that is, receive awareness about the significance of a living culture that exists in communities along the southeastern coast of the United States and connects with communities of the African Diaspora. Activities and art are from “Gullah Geechee Wisdom Cards and Guidebook” by Ron and Natalie Daise.
Interactive Lecture Presentations
Each Interactive Lecture Presentation is 60-minutes and requires the following TECHNICAL NEEDS: Laptop computer and projector (with remote control), Film screen, Stand or Lapel microphone, Lectern or podium
“Down by the Riverside,
Songs of the Gullah Geechee People”
Sing along with Ron Daise during an interactive and informative concert. Learn Gullah Geechee songs of faith, resilience, and fortitude that shaped a culture. Gullah Geechee people live along this country’s southeast coast and have the most numerous cultural retentions of West African heritage among other African Americans. Daise shares this work with excerpts from books of his Geechee Literature Series, other writings, and personal insights. Come ready to sing, clap, stomp, enjoy!
“Gullah Geechee-mania!”
Entertaining and educational, each “Gullah Geechee—mania!” program is an interactive, cultural game show that informs viewers about the unique Gullah Geechee culture and heritage of the southeastern coastal United States. Each guest becomes a “contestant” who will gain “points” for answering questions about Gullah Geechee people, songs, history, culture, foods, and trivia. “Participants may discover they know more about the topic than they have given themselves credit for,” Daise said. “Nonetheless, they will realize how greatly Gullah Geechee culture has impacted the American cultural landscape.”
“Gullah Geechee Skrent (Strength)”
As relayed through songs, poetry, excerpts from cultural writings, and personal insights, Ron Daise presents an insightful, interactive program that informs about values and qualities that are inherent to Gullah Geechee heritage. “Cotch de laarnin,” that is, receive awareness about aspects of wisdom concerning the significance of a living culture that exists in communities along the southeastern coast of the United States. Activities and art are from “Gullah Geechee Wisdom Cards and Guidebook” by Ron and Natalie Daise.
“Nottin bot de Rice!” (Nothing but Rice!)
Entertaining and educational, this interactive, cultural game show informs viewers about the rice culture lived and passed down by Gullah Geechee people of the southeastern coastal United States. Each guest becomes a “contestant” who will gain “points” for answering questions about aspects of rice production, Gullah Geechee people, songs, history, culture, foods, and trivia. “Participants may discover they know more about the topics than they have given themselves credit for,” Daise said. “Nonetheless, they will realize how greatly Gullah Geechee culture has impacted the American cultural landscape.”
“Priscilla’s Posse:
A Press Conference about Gullah Heritage”
Through songs, lectures and photographs, Daise recounts the historical visit of Thomalind Martin Polite of North Charleston to Sierra Leone, West Africa in May 2005. Polite is the 7th-generation descendant of “Priscilla,” a 10-year-old Sierra Leonean who was captured as a slave in 1756 and brought to a rice plantation in South Carolina. Cultural links with Gullah and Sierra Leone are explored: language, dietary practices, crafts, rice production, and the Bunce Island Slave Castle. The performance cites exhibits along the Brookgreen Gardens Lowcountry Trail and recounts the historic “Priscilla’s Homecoming” journey of 2005.NOTE: Upon arrival, five (5) patrons arbitrarily will be given questions to ask during the presentation and to participate as “reporters” during the “scripted” Press Conference.
Talkin Bout a Good Time,
Ring Shouts and Praise Houses
An interactive lecture presentation by Ron Daise, Talkin Bout a Good Time, Ring Shouts and Praise Houses, informs about the history and importance of two cultural touchstones of Lowcountry Gullah Geechee communities. Participants engage in sing-alongs and respond to fill-in-the-blank options. They also will leave with an understanding of how the two cultural practices connect with other communities of the African Diaspora.
Performances
“Down by the Riverside,
Songs of the Gullah Geechee People”
Sing along with Ron Daise during an interactive and informative concert. Learn Gullah Geechee songs of faith, resilience, and fortitude that shaped a culture. Gullah Geechee people live along this country’s southeast coast and have the most numerous cultural retentions of West African heritage among other African Americans. Daise shares this work with excerpts from books of his Geechee Literature Series, other writings, and personal insights. Come ready to sing, clap, stomp, enjoy!
“My Soul Been Bless! Gullah Roots,
Branches, Blossoms”
Ron Daise utilizes reader’s theater to present original poetry, songs and short stories that lead viewers on a journey exploring the connections of West African heritage with Gullah culture and the ties that bind cultures of the African Diaspora. Breathtaking photographs of Ghanaian lifestyles, children, culture, slave dungeons and scenic beauty, along with audience participation in singing and storytelling, add to the viewers’ sense that once the 75-minute theatrical journey has ended, their souls, too, have been blessed!
“Dream Weaving, Gullah Geechee
Stories and Songs”
Created and performed by Ron and Natalie Daise, who hosted the popular Nick Jr. series Gullah Gullah Island, the production is a spellbinding presentation of the customs, beliefs, folkways, language, and heritage of the Gullah people. It intricately blends stories and songs from their nearly 40-year performance repertoire. The dreams, joys, and spirit of Gullah Geechee people are woven with humor, harmony, and humanity. As impeccable as an artistically sewn sweetgrass basket, Dream Weaving offers a perspective and energy that is captivating and treasured!
“Gullah Tings fa Tink Bout”
Ron Daise performs a concert of songs and readings from his CD of the same title. (Gullah Tings Fa Tink Bout by Ronald Daise on iTunes (apple.com).Through a musical journey of rich imagery and evocative rhythms and instrumentation, viewers celebrate Gullah Geechee culture in the genres of traditional spiritual, blues, gospel stomp and clap, Gullah Geechee/West African pop, and a Gullah Geechee/West African/Caribbean blend. Inspired by Daise’s travels to Ghana and Sierra Leone, the highlighted program themes are African Diaspora; the common cultural connections of food ways, language, rice heritage, crafts, music; the tragedy of enslavement; the importance of family; and theresilience of survival.
“Sankofa: Return and Get It”
Accompanied by a symphony orchestra, Ron Daise performs a concert of spirituals and
stories that showcase the history, strength, and legacy of Gullah Geechee people. Written by Daise, with score by Steven Errante, the concert debuted February 4, 2023, with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, Wilmington, NC. Readings and songs are culled from Daise’s nearly 40-year history of research, cultural documentation, and performance. Powerful. Magical. Affirming.
Conductor’s Notes, February 4, Part 2
Performances with
Natalie Daise
“A Gullah Family Christmas”
In a mesmerizing concert of spirituals, Christmas hymns and carols, contemporary Christian selections, and original songs, Ron and Natalie Daise delight listeners. Recollections of cultural practices are interspersed with the narration of the Christmas story from the Gullah Bible. The husband-and-wife team provides English translations for those who are Gullah-challenged and provides historical information about Gullah Geechee culture.
