The 28th Annual SC Humanities Festival will take place in Orangeburg County on October 19 – 22, 2023. The 2023 festival will highlight the rich cultural history of Orangeburg and celebrate the arts and humanities.
Every year, South Carolina Humanities sponsors a Humanities Festival in a community in South Carolina. Established in 1993 in honor of South Carolina Humanities’ 20th Anniversary, the Humanities Festival has been held in 22 different communities. Each festival celebrates the local history and culture of the host community, engaging the citizens in lectures, discussions, films, and exhibits and facilitating partnerships among cultural organizations and community groups.
Dr. Randy Akers, Executive Director of SC Humanities, said: “I am very happy that our annual South Carolina Humanities Festival is in Orangeburg this year. Orangeburg has a rich and important history and a dynamic cultural community buttressed by historic educational institutions and active arts organizations. The local resident and out of town visitor will enjoy getting to know what makes Orangeburg a special place in our state.”
The schedule is below. More updates might be made over the next several weeks. The majority of the events are free and open to the public.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19
Opening Night Reception
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, 649 Riverside Dr, Orangeburg, SC 29115. 803-536-4074 Celebrate the Humanities Festival in Orangeburg County with the Opening Night Reception. Join Randy Akers, SC Humanities Executive Director, for refreshments and festival program overview, as well as the opening of the exhibition, The Art of Teacher Artists.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *Every Half Hour – Rose Garden Tour at Edisto Memorial Gardens
200 Riverside Dr SW, Orangeburg, SC 29115
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – The Art of Teacher Artists Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, 649 Riverside Dr, Orangeburg, SC 29115
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – LUNCH BREAK – Support Local Restaurants
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Historic Church Tours
Tour Trinity United Methodist Church, 185 Boulevard Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115, 803-534-7759; Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 310 Green Street, Orangeburg SC 29115, 803-536-1510; and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1356 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115. 803-534-1071.
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Subarashii Teen Anime Night
Orangeburg County Library, 1645 Russell St, Orangeburg, SC 29115
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Spoken Word Concert
Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, 649 Riverside Drive, Orangeburg, SC 29115. 803-536-4074
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Trunk or Treat
Edisto Memorial Gardens, 200 Riverside Dr SW, Orangeburg, SC 29115
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Jazz at the Pavilion, The Terrence Young Band
DORA Downtown Market Pavilion, 1326 Russell Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Author Exhibition
Orangeburg County Library Breezeway, 1645 Russell St, Orangeburg, SC 29115. 803-531-4636
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Children’s Storytime
Orangeburg County Library, 1645 Russell St, Orangeburg, SC 29115
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – ON MA’ JOURNEY, NOW
An Orangeburg Oral History Project Documentary
Featuring Dr. Yvette McDaniel * A Family’s Journey From Enslavement to Artivism. Light refreshments will follow the showing, and the audience will have the opportunity to meet and interact with Dr. McDaniel, and the oral history project leaders.
Trinity United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 185 Blvd NE, Orangeburg, SC 29115. 803-534-7759
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Cooking Class
Orangeburg County Library, 1645 Russell St, Orangeburg, SC 29115
**Reservations Needed
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – The Part Time Players Theater Showcase
The Blue Bird Theater
1141 Russell St, Orangeburg, SC 29115. 803-536-5454
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
12:00 – 3:00 p.m. – A Taste of Orangeburg
Sponsored by DORA
Enjoy the cultural cuisine of Orangeburg and live music with the Gaspumpers
DORA Downtown Market Pavilion, 1326 Russell St, Orangeburg, SC 29115
For more information about the SC Humanities Festival in Orangeburg, reach out to the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, 803-536-4074.
