Our African Roots, American Voices season-long focus on the blues includes four free film screenings from The Blues™ series, each with a post-show discussion. Originally aired on PBS and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, The Blues™ consists of several films that capture the essence of the blues and explore its profound influence on music and people the world over.
In The Road to Memphis, director Richard Pearce (The Long Walk Home, Leap of Faith, A Family Thing) traces the musical odyssey of blues legend B.B. King while paying tribute to the city that gave birth to a new style of blues. Pearce's homage to Memphis features original performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Rufus Thomas.
Stay after the screening for a discussion with blues musician Georgie Bonds and Jonny Meister, host of The Blues Show on WXPN.
Run Time: 89 minutes (film) + 30 minutes (post-show discussion)
This event is FREE! Registration is requested, but seating is first come, first served. Registration does not guarantee you a seat. Click here to register.
Upcoming The Blues Film Screenings + Discussions:
2/1 Warming by the
Devil's Fire // Directed by Charles Burnett
3/1 Red, White &
Blues // Directed by Mike Figgis
This event is co-presented with Penn's Cinema and Media Studies Department.
Line-up subject to change.
Photo credit: Michel Verlinden
