OST Full Show: Racial Dilemmas Behind ‘Porgy And Bess,’ Beauty Standards In The Black Community

While few operas were written in English, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is one of the most celebrated — and perhaps the most controversial. Criticism of the opera's representation of black culture and dialect have followed the 1935 libretto for decades. As the Atlanta Opera prepares to present a production of Gershwin’s famous opera in early March, On Second Thought caught up with Morris Robinson, the singer playing Porgy in the upcoming production, and Dr. Naomi André, professor at the University of Michigan, to learn more about the classic music, story, and dilemmas presented by the Porgy and Bess. "On Second Thought" for Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.

A Nielsen report from 2018 shows that black women and men spend disproportionately more on beauty products than other groups. However, the hair and beauty industry has not always been there to meet that demand. On Second Thought hosted a roundtable discussion with Denene Millner, author and host of the podcast Speakeasy with Denene; A’Lelia Bundles, a journalist and beauty historian; and Brandon Patton, co-founder of Evan Alexander Grooming in Atlanta. They shared reflections on the ideals, realities, and new definitions of beauty in the black community.

Savannah is known for its ghost tours, rich history, and bustling Saint Patrick’s Day parade. This weekend, the city will host the 2nd Annual Savannah Local Arts Market, also known as SLAM, which allows artists to show off and sell their creative work. The event is Saturday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center’s Baseball Field. Organizer Charles Ellis shared more.

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