Remembering Portia White
Much-loved Canadian icon from Truro honoured
TRURO, N.S. — Truro-born opera star Portia White is being honoured in Truro during African Heritage Month.
The Colchester Historeum is running a special preview exhibition on White’s life and career in February, before running a display about her from May to October.
“She was, at the time, one of the most famous opera singers – and certainly the most famous in Canada,” said museum curator Margaret Mulrooney.
White, born to Baptist minister William Andrew White and Izie Dora in 1911, began her career as a choir singer.
A highlight of her career was performing for the Queen and Prince Philip in 1964, when the royals visited Charlottetown. White also toured across the Americas before her death in 1968.
Mulrooney said the Portia White exhibit and another, asyet undisclosed second exhibit to mark Truro’s African history, will be opened “in time for Heritage Day, Feb. 18.”
As well, the Colchester-east Hants Public Library is hosting a group from the Maritime Centre for African Dance on Feb. 9.
They will showcase both traditional and modern African dance and the event is open to everyone.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said librarian Lesley Brann.
“We’ve had them before, they were very successful at the old library.”
The Feb. 9 dance performance starts at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s children’s area.
The Town of Truro plans to mark the launch of African Heritage Month on Monday, Feb. 4. It is scheduled for noon in the council chambers and will feature music, speakers and a proclamation read by Mayor Bill Mills.
The public is welcome to attend, and refreshments will be served.