Two weeks from today I’ll begin hosting a series of three acclaimed music documentaries at the Chelsea District Library! We’ll begin on Wednesday, Oct. 30th at 6:30 pm with the Oscar & Grammy winning film “Summer of Soul,” directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. This must-see picture features incredible musical performances that took place at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival along with modern-day interviews with attendees, musicians, and other commentators to provide historical background. Despite its large attendance and star acts including Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, The 5th Dimension, The Staple Singers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mavis Staples, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Chambers Brothers, the festival is much less well known in the 21st century than Woodstock, which took place that same year.
Admission is FREE, and I will be giving away ultra-limited Martin Bandyke swag (coffee mugs & wall clocks) to the first twenty attendees. Check out the trailer and I hope to see you in Chelsea on October 30th!
