As part of Portsmouth’s 5th annual African American Heritage Series, in conjunction with the city’s Black History Now 2020 initiative, the public is invited to witness the metamorphosis of an enslaved woman and learn about the sacrifices and contributions black women made during combat.
On Jan. 25 from 2 until 4 p.m., the Portsmouth Main Library, 601 Court St., will present “Come Freedom Come” to be performed by storyteller, playwright, producer and actress Valerie Davis.
Davis will take on the persona of historical character Martha Ann Fields, an enslaved cook at the Nutshell plantation in Hanover County. Davis will showcase Fields’ ascendence from bondage and servitude to freedom by presenting her “physical, historical, and spiritual essence,” according to a Portsmouth event flyer.
Davis’ portrayal of Fields is part of “From Tragedy to Triumph: The Martha Ann Fields Story,” a program she’s presented numerous times at schools and churches throughout the Richmond area. The program tells of how Fields fled enslavement with her children to forge a new life as a free woman.
Davis “uses her talents to teach values and promote awareness of lesser known historical events and people,” according to yav.org/valerie-davis. She also teaches morals through the telling of African folktales.
She has written and starred in several one-woman shows focused on domestic violence and courageous historical women. Her historical personages include Fields, Coretta Scott King and Nancy Prosser, wife of Gabriel Prosser who planned a slave rebellion in Richmond in 1800.
The program is free and open to all ages. Call 393-8501.
Find out about the contributions that black women made during some of the greatest conflicts in history at the photographic and video program “Women on the Warfront: African American Women on the Battlefields of History.” The program is from noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, 400 High St.
Taniki Richard — co-founder of JT (Jump To) Inspire, motivational speaker, mentor, life coach and television, radio and media personality and producer — will look at the roles played by black women on the battlefield throughout history. She will also include her own experiences from the Marine Corps.
Call 393-8543 for more details about this free program.
RINGING WEDDING BELLS
Planning a spring or June or lovely autumn wedding? Time to start planning now.
Find out how to organize a wedding and get tips, ideas and trends at the inaugural Suffolk Wedding Showcase from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave.
Presented by the center and Big Top Entertainment, this bridal-palooza will feature a faux wedding ceremony at the center’s BB&T Gallery along with a cocktail hour at its Norfolk Foundation Gallery and a wedding reception in the Taylor Ballroom.
An array of wedding planners and professionals will offer insights, suggestions and ideas for new trends. There will be food and cake to taste, wedding photographers to meet, musicians and DJs to hire and wedding fashions to view.
The first 300 people will receive goodie bags. Door prizes will be awarded.
Tickets are $10. For more information or tickets, call 923-0003, ext. 112, email darlene.keyt@suffolkcenter.org or visit suffolkcenter.org.
EATING PORTSMOUTH, ONE RESTAURANT AT A TIME
Portsmouth is more than proud history and communities, it’s also a mecca for foodies.
Find out what the city can cook up during Portsmouth Restaurant Week from Jan. 26 through Feb. 1.
The tasty event is presented by Portsmouth Hospitality, the Olde Towne Business Association and the city of Portsmouth.
One does not need to purchase coupons or special tickets; each participating food establishment will offer special two-course lunches for $10 and $15 and three-course dinners for $25 and $35. Whatever you fancy — Mexican, German, Italian, haute cuisine, down-home cooking, Southern fare, gourmet coffees, craft beers and wines, pub eats, vegan dishes and seafood — this edible event will serve it up.
The participating restaurants include Roger Brown’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, Gosport Tavern, Amicis, Olde Towne Public House, Baron’s Pub, The Bier Garden, JoJack’s Espresso Bar & Cafe, Lobscouser Seafood Restaurant, Cafe Europa Bistro & Wine Bar, Dock of Bay Seafood Restaurant, Griff’s Restaurant and Sports Lounge, Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill, Beyond Vegan Cell Food, Still, Corner Cafe, The Coffee Shoppe, Stellar Wine Co., Bubba ‘n’ Frank Smokehouse BBQ, Longboards and Guads Mexican Restaurant.
For more details, visit portsmouthhospitality.com/restaurantweek and good eating.
Weekend Scoop
GO FOR THE SOUL
Who’s your favorite soul master group? James Brown & The Famous Flames, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell or Diana Ross & The Supremes? Whomever, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts will have it on its stage during the Motown and Soul concert performed by the Masters of Soul (formerly the Masters of Motown).
Showtime is 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the center, 110 W. Finney Ave.
The 90-minute soul revue will be performed by the 10-person Virginia Beach-based ensemble, featuring three male and three female lead singers backed by a four-piece band.
Get on this Suffolk soul train; tickets are $25, $28, $35 and $40.
For more information and tickets, call 923-0003 or visit suffolkcenter.org.
Eric W. Feber, ewjfeber@gmail.com