Musically Speaking – Thunder Soul

Please join Press Street for MUSICALLY SPEAKING – A new series of music-themed movies and documentaries curated and hosted by DJ Soul Sister.

Mondays in August at 7:00pm

Café Istanbul – in the New Orleans Healing Center
2372 St. Claude Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70117

FREE Admission/Refreshments. Cash bar.  Seating is limited.

Co-presented with Press Street, Cafe Istanbul and Charitable Film Network.  For more information contact info@press-street.com.

SCREENING SCHEDULE:
Monday, August 6th
THUNDER SOUL by Craig Baldwin & Craig Green
Alumni from Houston’s storied Kashmere High School Stage Band return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for their beloved bandleader who turned the struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s.  As his students prepare to pay tribute to the now 92-year old “Prof.” who changed their lives  (some haven’t played their horns in decades), they dust off their instruments, determined to retake the stage to show Prof and the world that they’ve still got it.  Despite backing from executive producer Jamie Foxx, rave reviews, a 2011 NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Documentary, and screenings at major film festivals around the world, Thunder Soul has not yet been shown in New Orleans.  (83 minutes, 2010)  There will be a short Q&A with special guests Craig Baldwin and Reginald Rollins following the screening.  

The Thunder Soul screening is also presented in conjunction with the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation.  Please visit ponderosastomp.com for more details, and follow Thunder Soul on Facebook.

Monday, August 13th
THAT’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD by Sig Shore
While many are familiar with the chart-topping Earth, Wind & Fire album and song of the same name, not many know that the album was actually a soundtrack for this film, which starred Harvey Keitel. The film, which also prominently features Earth, Wind & Fire, depicts the music business and a record executive who is forced to put “The Group’s” project on the back-burner in favor of a soulless group that represents wholesome family values.  Directed by Sig Shore (Superfly). (100 minutes, 1975)

Monday, August 20th
WILD STYLE  by Charlie Ahearn
Regarded as the first hip hop motion picture, this definitive movie features seminal MCs, DJs, grafitti artists, and b-boys such as Fab Five Freddy, Lee Quinones, Lady Pink, the Rock Steady Crew, The Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Flash, and many more. Voted as one of the top ten rock and roll films of all time by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  (82 minutes, 1983)

Monday, August 27
DOWN THE RHODES: THE FENDER RHODES STORY by Benjamin Bove & Gerald McCauley
Producers Gerald McCauley and Ben Bove present a new film about the invention, evolution, and popularization of the Fender Rhodes Piano, narrated by Dorian Harewood.  One of the most foremost and pioneering electric pianos of all time, this documentary captures compelling interviews from Herbie Hancock, Vince Wilburn Jr., Lalah Hathaway, Patrice Rushen, James Poyser, Maurice White, Greg Phillinganes, Marcus Miller, Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, George Benson, Chick Corea,  D’Angelo and many more.  Bringing light to the movements of the Rhodes starting from jazz, up until present day pop music.  (2011)