Editors' Picks: Stories told, art strolls and soupy bowls on tap for Savannah this weekend

Staff Reports
·4 min read

Despite the slight chill still lingering in the air as pollen strafes our cars with dust ― what season are we in, anyway? ― it is abundantly clear Savannah's social calendar is picking up. Just look at all the things scheduled for Friday! Good thing is, you can still make it to three or four spots before sitting down with friends for dinner.

Here are some ideas to fill your dance card this weekend >>

Happenings

Lillian Grant-Baptiste pours water out in honor of "those who came before" during the opening libation ceremony for the 35th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 3, 2024 on River Street.
Lillian Grant-Baptiste pours water out in honor of "those who came before" during the opening libation ceremony for the 35th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 3, 2024 on River Street.

Down by the Riverside

6 p.m., Feb. 29, Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River St.

Master storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste will weave deeply personal stories from the Gullah Geechee tradition at this event to mark the final day of Black History Month. Leaning on Savannah's rich history and against a backdrop of African American song and dance, Grant-Baptiste will talk of the "Weeping Time" and Sherman's Field Order No. 15 that granted freed Black families throughout the Sea Islands and coast 40 acres and a mule. Free and open to the public.

Runners leave the starting line in City Market at the beginning of the March of Dimes 5K Shamrock Run on Friday.
Runners leave the starting line in City Market at the beginning of the March of Dimes 5K Shamrock Run on Friday.

26th annual March of Dimes Shamrock Run 5K

5 p.m., March 1, Ellis Square, $40 registration fee, runsignup.com/Race/Events/GA/Savannah/ShamrockRunSavannah

By far the most fun run among Savannah's races. Not only are canine companions and St. Patrick's Day-inspired costumes welcomed, they are encouraged! The party begins even before runners take off from Ellis Square, near City Market, with a Kids Run and other activities. All proceeds benefit the March of Dimes' efforts to improve the health of babies through research, education, services and advocacy.

First Friday Art March filled up Bull Street and Desoto Row in the Starland District.
First Friday Art March filled up Bull Street and Desoto Row in the Starland District.

First Friday/Sulfur Street Fair

5 p.m., March 1, Sulfur Studios, 2301 Bull St., artssoutheast.org

It's the first Friday of the month and that means Bull Street will be brimming with creatives throughout the Starland District. Sulfur Studios will host a street fair with food, drink, entertainment and arts vendors. Inside the studios, Gabrielle Torres' 'Wilton Street Rhythm' will open with a reception in the Main Gallery. The 20-artist extravaganza, "Same As It Ever Was," will still be on display in the Supporter Gallery, and ON::View Artist-in-Residence Libbi Ponce will be working in her studio for a meet-and-greet. All events are free and open to the public.

Fibers Open Studio

5 p.m., March 1, SCAD Fibers Dept., Pepe Hall, 212 W. Taylor St., myevents.scad.edu

The Savannah College of Art and Design's Fibers Department celebrates 20 years at its Open Studio 2024. Students demonstrate their craft in textile art and design, using both ancient techniques and state-of-the-art technology ― from indigo dyeing and weaving to screen printing. Free and open to the public.

'One by One' exhibition and opening reception

5 p.m., March 1, Gallery 2424, 2424 Drayton St., gallery2424.com

Twenty-five local artists are participating in this expansive group show, on view until April 5. Among those exhibiting their works: Ivy Anderson, Casey Blandford, Savana Burdick-Perez, Monica Cioppettini, Hannah Cunningham, Harry DeLorme, Abby Edwards, Tate Ellington, Maria Garces, Joshua Gary, Derek Larson, Grace Lawson, Charles Mack, Jordan Fitch Mooney, Chris Moss, Kristin Myers, Jennylyn Pawelski, Phoebe Plank, Julio Cotto Rivera, Peter Roberts, Kamryn Shawron, Marcela Sinnett, Nathaniel Thompson, Kare Williams and Duff Woon Yong. Free and open to the public.

Cinema Savannah presents “Promised Land”

6 p.m. doors open/7 p.m. showing, March 1, Savannah Cultural Arts Center, 201 Montgomery St., savannahga.gov

This Danish film takes viewers back to the eighteenth century where Mads Mikkelsen as Capt. Ludvig Kahlen travels to an uninhabitable place to prove he can cultivate valuable crops and finally earn a royal title. The award-winning film has been called "epic" and "ravishing." "Promised Land" runs 127 minutes; $10 at the door.

'Jersey Boys'

March 1, Historic Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St., savannahtheatre.com

The Historic Savannah Theatre brings the enduring story of 1960s doo-wop kings Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the stage for a one-month run in the Tony Award-winning musical, "Jersey Boys."

9th Annual Savannah Blues Festival

8 p.m., March 1, Savannah Civic Center, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave., johnnymercertheatre.com

'The Blues is Alright Tour' lands in Savannah on Friday night, featuring Tucka, King George, Pokey Bear, J'wonn and others.

Students at A.B. Williams Elementary School take in the story of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" during a Looping Literacy Together lesson with Loop It Up Savannah.
Students at A.B. Williams Elementary School take in the story of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" during a Looping Literacy Together lesson with Loop It Up Savannah.

Soup It Up for Loop It Up!

6:30 p.m., March 2, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tickets and event sponsorships can be purchased at loopitupsavannah.com. 

This event is the much-anticipated annual fundraiser for local nonprofit Loop It Up, which provides Mindfulness Zones, Looping Literacy Together and STEAM Dream programs in more than 40 schools through Savannah-Chatham Public Schools, and 21st Century After School programs at 24 public schools. And Loop It Up is growing, expanding into other counties in Georgia and South Carolina, and helping to grow school gardens at 30 schools in Chatham County through a partnership with Big Green.

Collins Quarter, B. Matthew’s Eatery, Franklin’s, Late Air, and Dottie’s Market will be serving up a variety of different soups. Coffee.Deli and Casa Guava Cuban Café will provide appetizers and light fare, and sweet treats will come from Lulu’s Chocolate Bar. Cecilia Arango will serve as master of ceremonies, with DJ Jose Ray providing the soundtrack for a mash-up of good eats that does good for kids in our community.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What to do in Savannah the first weekend in March 2024