February 8
SOUL-TO-SOUL (1971 concert, Ghana/USA., 96 min.)
Time/Location: 7:00 p.m., Communications Museum, 58 George Street
Considered one of the greatest concert films of all time, Soul-to-Soul chronicles the historic, 14-hour concert of March 6, 1971 which played in Ghana, West Africa to over 100,000 people. The occasion is Ghana's 14th anniversary of independence from British rule. American artists on pilgrimage -- including Ike & Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett, the Staple Singers, Santana, and others -- join African artists. In doing so, performers from two continents begin to form a creative synthesis, and the Americans gain a deeper connection with the roots of American Soul music.

February 15
WATTSTAX (1973, music documentary, USA, 103 min., rated R for language)
Time/Location: 7:00 p.m., Communications Museum, 58 George Street
On August 20, 1972, the 7th anniversary of the riots that shook the Los Angeles ghetto of Watts, residents marked the event with a 7-hour concert sponsored by Stax Records and hosted by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Featured were musical performances by the Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, the Emotions, and others, along with some comic observations from a young Richard Pryor. This documentary by Mel Stuart intersperses Wattstax performances with interviews and scenes of daily life in Watts that provides and interesting look at life and attitudes in Black America of 1972.

February 22
HEARTLAND REGGAE (1981, 105 min.)
Time/Location: 7:00 p.m., Maybank Hall 100, 165 Calhoun Street
In 1978, Jamaica was wracked with political violence and gang warfare. Jamaican musicians such as Inner Circle and Peter Tosh performed at Kingston's "One Love Peace Concert" to help end the hostilities. In a powerful symbolic gesture for national peace, reggae legend Bob Marley brought together on stage the two leaders of opposing political parties. This event serves as an amazing testament to the power of music. This film also features Bob Marley's return to Jamaica following an attempt on his life.

About the Presenter
Damon Fordham received his Master's Degree at the University of Charleston. He has taught U.S. History and African American Studies at the College of Charleston. A journalist and radio commentator, he was a weekly columnist for the Charleston Coastal Times from 1994-1998. Currently, he works as a researcher and teaching associate through the Avery Research Institute as well as working in the Education Department of Drayton Hall.

If you missed Amandla! and want to buy a copy, click on the graphic to get to the website.
Tuesday, February 1, 7:00 p.m.
College of Charleston Communications Museum, 58 George Street

AMANDLA!: A REVOLUTION IN FOUR-PART HARMONY (2002 music documentary, South Africa, 108 min.)