Touch the Elbow - Blogging the Civil War

I received the press release for the premiere weekend events for America’s Iliad: The Siege of Charleston and it follows below.

Some real interesting events happening in the Charleston area and if at all possible, I would highly recommend taking part of it if possible. For contact information, check out this website.

I would also like to thank the producer Mike Kirk, who made sure to get this to me, even after a very busy night.



This Thursday evening, April 12th 2007, blasts will ring out from a four cannon salute on Ft. Johnson. Cannons will echo in the Charleston Harbor commemorating the anniversary of the first shots fired on Ft. Sumter 146 years ago. The flashing of the cannons and the ringing of the shots are also an explosive start to the premier weekend of Mike Kirk's feature length documentary starring, Charleston, SC.

On Saturday, April 14th, Mike Kirk and Gilded Age Films will premier, America's Iliad: The Siege of Charleston , at the Sottile Theater. This film is an educational documentary, objectively depicting the pivotal role of Charleston in The Civil War. This film will air on ETV on Thursday May 10th, 2007 from 9pm-11pm.

Events celebrating the premier weekend include:

Thursday, April 12:
Ft. Johnson @ 7:00pm: a guest speaker, and the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Waccamaw Light Artillery will blast a four cannon salute on this historical date. Public welcome. Night Cannon Fire is a rare and magnificent event.

Friday, April 13:
The Spirit of Charleston, 6:00pm – 9:00pm: A 3-hour harbor tour stopping at Ft. Sumter. This is a rare happening to be at Ft. Sumter in the evening. On the harbor, 3 guest speakers, Dr. Stephen R. Wise, Dr. Larry Rowland and Historian Rick Hatcher will tell stories about the Civil War in Charleston. The boat will land on Ft. Sumter for a Civil War Living History Event. The night will be MC’d by Dr. Eric Emerson, Director of The Charleston Library Society. Very limited seating available. Dock is located at the Aquarium.

Saturday, April 14:
The Sottile Theater (44 George Street), 7:00pm – 10:00 pm: THE PREMIER
Music will begin the evening. Senator Glenn McConnell will talk about the importance of documentary film making. State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex will talk about documentary films and education; and Mike Kirk will talk briefly about the making of the film. There will be seating available to the public. Box office opens at 6pm. Cost $15. Proceeds to benefit the South Carolina Historical Society, The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust and The Friends of the Hunley.

Sunday, April 15:
The Sottile Theater, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: A free public screening of the film sponsored by the Documentary Department of the College of Charleston. Come early and enjoy refreshments and hear a guest speaker.