Cocktails Before THE UNTOLD STORY OF PORGY AND BESS

Friends,

We hope you’ll join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before Spoleto’s The Untold Story of Porgy and Bess, a special preview evening in support of the documentary When Porgy Came Home about the South Carolina roots and history of the seminal work Porgy & Bess.

As a Charleston native, I am making this film because an opera rooted in Gullah Geechee culture helped unite Charleston, fueled economic growth, and proved that when minds began to open to their neighbors, our community-at-large thrived — something that needs to continue.

Our Spoleto event offers an early look at the project and the story at its heart—a powerful chapter of cultural history that speaks to community, resilience, and the enduring truth that we are stronger together than apart.

But the reality is that in order to bring this film to fruition, we need the community's support. Our goal for the evening is to raise $50,000 to complete the final round of interviews and create a compelling pitch that will allow us to secure additional funding and bring the film through final editing.

With your support, we can ensure that this story—and the voices at its center—are preserved and passed on to the next generation.

All contributions are tax-deductible through our non-profit partner, The Southern Documentary Fund. And support of $1000 or more means your name will be in our film’s end credits.

If you haven’t reserved a ticket for the Spoleto event at 7pm - we also have tickets available - so do let us know.

We would be honored to have you with us for this intimate evening of cocktails and conversation—and to invite you to help bring this story to life.

If you have questions, please contact the filmmakers at info@whenporgycamehome.com.

Warmly,

Lauren Waring Douglas, Director of When Porgy Came Home