Celebrating Portia White, A Touring Exhibition Reaches Portia’s Birthplace of Truro May 11 – Oct 11, 2019.

On the 75th Anniversary of Portia White’s breakthrough concert at New York Town hall, her niece Sheila White bring her touring exhibition to Portia White’s birthplace.

May 11 - October 11

Opening May 11, 2pm.

Colchester Historeum
29 Young Street, Truro, NS

The Celebrating Portia White exhibition features a collection of photographs and portraits, vintage recordings, and treasured personal items, many which are rare, one of a kind and generously shared by Portia White’s family.

Portia White symbolizes the catalyst for the Talent Trust. In 1944, members of the Halifax Ladies Club, along with voice teacher Ernesto Vinci, successfully advocated to the city of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia for unprecedented financial support towards White's studies in New York. White ascended to become one of the best singers of the 20th century.

Learn more about the exhibition on CBC  

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/portia-white-exhibit-1.4529401

Sylvia Hamilton Screens Portia White: Think On Me at the Government House on April 23, 2019.

75 years ago, in 1944, Portia White became the first Canadian to debut at New York’s famed Town Hall, and the first Black Canadian concert singer to win international acclaim, widely known as Canada’s Singing Sensation. 

To commemorate, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC will be hosting a public screening of Sylvia D. Hamilton's documentary:

Portia White: Think On Me.

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019

7:00pm-8:30pm  

Government House, 

1451 Barrington Street, Halifax. 

Free & open to the public.

Call 902-424-7001 

Or register online

The film uncovers the unique life of Portia White who achieved unparalleled international success during the tumultuous 1940's. The documentary uses archival film and TV footage, excerpts from recordings, and interviews with family, pupils and her accompanists to portray a talented and dignified woman.

Born in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1911 and raised in Halifax, Portia White began her singing career at age six at the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church (now the New Horizons Baptist Church) where her father was minister. She attended Dalhousie University in 1929 and in the 1930s she taught in Africville and Lucasville while also taking voice lessons. It was apparent from an early age that she had extraordinary musical talent and in 1939 she won a scholarship to continue her training at the Halifax Conservatory of Music. Portia White made her singing debut at age 30 in Toronto.

The Portia White Trust, which became the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, was established to help foster her career; it was the first of its kind in Canada. A Canadian postage stamp was issued in her honour and she was named “a person of national historic interest” by the Government of Canada.

Sylvia D. Hamilton is a Nova Scotian filmmaker, writer and artist whose work explores the lives and experiences of people of African descent. Her special focus is on African Nova Scotians, and especially women. In particular, her work takes the form of documentary films, writing, public presentations, teaching, mentoring, extensive volunteer work and community involvement. She has uncovered stories of struggles and contributions of African Canadians and introduced them to mainstream audiences.

As seating is limited to 90, people wishing to attend must register by calling 902-424-7001 or by registering online.

Blog content summarized from the official events notice.

Invitation to Portia White Gala Concert on Dec 8, 2017 in Halifax

We hope you join us for the 

Portia White Gala Concert

Friday, December 8, 2017

7: 30 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle 
6225 Summit Street, Halifax

Tickets are $15 for all.
Use our Eventbrite online ticketing service: http://tiny.cc/Portia2017
 or printed tickets can be obtained from chorale and band members, or reserved
through the Medical Humanities office at (902) 494-1533 or at medhuman(at)dal.ca.

The Portia White Gala concert will feature the Dalhousie Health Professions Choral and Ensembles and the Sackville Concert Band. Our 12th Portia White Gala showcases a repertoire that includes a special Passchendaele remembrance piece, a final tribute to Canada 150, and a  selection of seasonal favorites.

A part of the proceeds of this concert will support a young Nova Scotian musician through the Talent Trust. The NSTT was started in 1944 to assist the career of Portia White and has continued in its support of talented Nova Scotian artists in their formative years. The Dalhousie University Humanities-HEALS Program is pleased to be able to make a yearly contribution to this worthy cause.

We would like to thank Dr. Wendy Stewart, Ana Bela Sardinha, David Elliott, Bryan Crocker, Jim Forde, the choir members, the Sackville band members, and the many volunteers that will make the concert yet another memorable event.

During the intermission you will be able to treat yourself again to Bill Chaddock's fine fudge in support of the NSTT's Scholarship Program. Portia White's family has donated 100 CDs of 'Portia White - First You Dream to the NSTT. The CD is a compilation of three concerts featuring contralto Portia White. They can be purchased for $20 with all proceeds going towards the Portia White Award. Thank you Bill Chaddock, Chris White and the whole White family for your generous support.

Nocturne 2016 - October 15, 2016 features several NSTT former Scholarship Recipients

Nocturne Halifax, October 15 from 6 p.m. - midnight

Nocturne is a wonderful event in itself but it is even better to see so many former scholarship recipients involved in it. 

This year you can see:
105. Lukas Pearse at Halifax City Hall

103. and 127. Mike Hirschbach's Halifax Circus at Barrington Street - St. Matthew's Church

113. Charley Young at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in a hands-on activity in the AGNS studio

117. Lukas Pearse with SuddenlyListen at 1313 Hollis Street

132. The portrait of Portia White at Government House, Barrington Street (smile)

212. Pamela Ritchie and Dorothée B. Rosen at Mary E. Black Gallery, 1061 Marginal Road

320. Robert Calnen at the Hidden Gallery, 1469 Birmingham Street

325. Shauntay Grant at Dalhousie Art Gallery

402. Jason Skinner at Propeller Brewery, 2015 Gottingen Street

The numbers are in reference to the Nocturne's map/location. 

To see the Nocturne online guide or download the program please go to: http://nocturnehalifax.ca/guide

Portia White one of the inductee to the Music Hall of Fame at Casino Nova Scotia

Portia White, contralto and Nova Scotia Talent Trust's first scholarship recipient in 1944 will be one of the five inductee into the Music Hall of Fame at Casino Nova Scotia.

Reeny Smith who won the NSTT Portia White Award in 2010 will be on stage at the Inductee Gala to pay tribute to Portia White as well as the other inductee which are Rita MacNeil, Anne Murray, John Allan Cameron, and Brookes Diamond Productions (Brookes and Fiona Diamond).
 
Inductee Gala at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax
November 1, 2015 at 8:00 p.m.
Schooner Showroom

Tickets:Casino Nova Scotia Price:$50 (plus tax & service charge)

From Casino NS website:
The Music Hall of Fame will celebrate Atlantic Canadian musicians and industry leaders who have attained commercial success and continue to have a positive impact on the Atlantic Canadian music scene locally, nationally and internationally. The Music Hall of Fame will be a place where Nova Scotians, tourists, fans and history buffs can learn about the history of music from Atlantic Canada and the significance of our music and artists (past and present) on the world stage.

Credit to Casino Nova Scotia at http://www.casinonovascotia.com/event/music-hall-of-fame-inductee-gala/

http://www.casinonovascotia.com/event/music-hall-of-fame-inductee-gala/