I Watch Films, You Can Too: Summer Music

My name is Dominic and I’m the Film Programmer here at Rooftop. I have the awesome job of watching and finding films and putting together the events and programs for the Summer Series. With so many films and events this summer it can be difficult to find paths through our programming. I’ll be devoting a weekly blog post to themes in our films to help guide your viewing.

Opening weekend was a ton of fun! Hope you enjoyed some of the found footage/home movies that I talked about last week. This week I want to point out some of the awesome audio landscapes we’ll explore this summer. Tickets to these screenings are going fast, so be sure to buy tickets or RSVP ASAP. Danny Brown: Live at the Majestic is already sold out!

Los Punks: We Are All We Have
Thursday, May 26
House of Vans

All thrash, noise, and pits; meet the fans and bands of the thriving backyard punk scene in Los Angeles. Join us for the screening and the Q&A with director Angela Boatwright and several of the featured L.A. backyard punks. Following the premiere, there will be a live concert with featured bands The Casualties, South Central Riot Squad, and Age of Fear!

The Fits
Tuesday, May 31
Elevated Acre

Tomboy Toni’s desire for a dance team’s acceptance warps when a mysterious outbreak of fainting spells plagues the dancers in this marvelous portrait of adolescence and recipient of the 2015 Rooftop Films and Brigade Marketing Festival Publicity Grant. It was had an awesome festival run from Venice to Sundance and New Directors/New Films. The event is Free with an RSVP and includes a live performance by Cincinnati’s Q-kidz, a group featured prominently in the film.

The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
Tuesday, June 7
Old American Can Factory

A little noise on a global scale, The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble tells the extraordinary story of the international musical collective of diverse instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers that was created by Yo-Yo Ma.

Playing in the Short Program: Ties That Bind: Short Films About Family
| Wednesday, June 15
MetroTech Commons

In 1973, Patrick Haggerty, released the first and only gay-themed country music album. But with only 1000 copies made, the album soon disappeared and became a gay urban myth. 40 years later and much to Haggerty’s surprise, Lavender Country was rediscovered and lauded by critics as ‘resonant and wonderful…a rare act of bravery and honesty.’ THESE C*CKSUCKING TEARS revisits Haggerty — now in his 70s and singing ‘old songs to old folks’ at senior living facilities — as he deals with the resurgence of a musical dream.