SUMMER 2003 MUSIC AND MOVIES: PULLING PUNCHES
Mondays, July 21–August 25 in Loring Park Free
Music begins at 7 pm; Films begin at dusk
This year the films in the perennially popular Summer Music and Movies series focus on boxing. The films are being presented in conjunction with the exhibition The Squared Circle: Boxing in Contemporary Art on view in the Walker galleries starting July 12. All Music and Movies events are free. Concerts begin at 7 pm, and films follow at sunset (approximately 8:45 pm). In case of rain, events are canceled, not rescheduled unless noted.
Summer Music & Movies is co presented by the Walker and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Major promotional support is provided by City Pages. Technical support for the presentation of the films is provided by Oak Street Cinema.
Monday, July 21 *
Music: The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers with Mark Olson and Victoria Williams
Settle down and breathe deep the rich homespun harmony and sweetly ambling Americana of the Creekdippers. Escaping the dust of Joshua Tree, CA for this special Loring Park gig, ex-Jayhawk Mark Olson and acclaimed singer-songwriter Victoria Williams possess two of the most distinctive and complementary voices in the entire alt-country field. Mark Olson (guitar, bass, piano, dulcimer), Victoria Williams (guitar, banjo, conga), Mike Russell (bass, violin, mandolin), and Ray Woods (drums).
DJ: Chris Riemenschneider
Movie: Requiem for a Heavyweight
Directed by Ralph Nelson
Rod Sterling adapted his celebrated teleplay written for the live television show Playhouse 90 into this gritty feature film. Mountain Rivera (Anthony Quinn) is at the end of his boxing career after a knockout by Cassius Clay in the seventh round. It’s all downhill from there as he is forced to hold his head up high in the face of degradation, disappointments, and pressure from the mob. Quinn lends much tenderness to the role and director Nelson’s camera angles make the villians look tougher. With Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris, and Muhammad Ali. 1962, U.S., BW, U.S., 16mm, 90 minutes.
* In case of rain, this event will be moved to the Walker Auditorium.
Monday, July 28
Music: ’Llec’trano’freebuzz New school vibes from the local godfather of avant jazz. Pianist/composer Carei Thomas’ storied career includes gigs with Sun Ra in the late 50s, joining up with the AACM, and over 40 years of creative flow. Look for Carei and crew to brew up a sonic elixir that bubbles and steams with free combustion and seamless intuition. Carei Thomas (Synthesizer), George Cartwright (Sound Design/Saxes), Tom Barbeau (Electric Guitar), Eric Strom (Bass Marimba), and JT Bates (Percussion).
DJ: Mankwe Ndosi
Movie: Kid Galahad
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Fight promoter Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson) transforms a quiet bellhop (Wayne Morris) with a talent for boxing into Kid Galahad, a prizefighter. Donati’s girlfriend (Bette Davis) and sister (Jane Bryan) both fall for the clean-cut boxer. Kid’s life becomes more complicated in a grudge match between him and a fighter promoted by Donati’s rival, Turkey Morgan (Humprey Bogart). The film was later remade starring Elvis Presley in 1962. 1937, U.S., BW, 16mm, 102 minutes.
Monday, August 4
Music: The Soviettes and Sweet J.A.P.
Punk rock is alive and well in Minneapolis and we have it two for one in Loring Park! The Soviettes are comprised of local ne’er do wells Susy Sharp (bass), Maren Mocosko (vocals, guitar), Annie Holoien (vocals, guitar), and Danny Henry (drums). A throwback to the rough’n’tumble punk energy of days gone by, their potent riffs mix catchy and melodic with just a touch of the sinister.
Sweet J.A.P. (Japanese American Princesses) practice a brand of rock that have them affectionately labeled "club destroyers" - garage punk as highly volatile as it is playfully aggressive. Sho (vocals), Takashi (guitar, vocals), Tsutomu (bass). Yuichiro (drums), Hideo (guitar, vocals).
DJ: Ron Gerber
Movie: The Great White Hope
Directed by Martin Ritt
Jack Jefferson (James Earl Jones) must deal with racism and hatred when he becomes the first black heavyweight contender in mid-century America. When he falls in love with a white woman played by Jane Alexander, he is ostracized by some members of the black community as well. Jones and Alexander revive their roles of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Broadway play. 1970, U.S., color, 16mm, 103 minutes.
Monday, August 11
Music: TVBC
Local legends TVBC bring their distinct brand of (sometimes) improvisational prog-rock wizardry to the masses. At turns jazzed-up and fuzzed-out, TVBC mix equal parts raw garage power with precision instrumentation to create expansive rock drama on par with Beefheart’s loopy meanderings. A mathematical melange of melodious disorder, they’re not nearly as respectable as they appear. Freddy Votel (drums), Paul Metzger (guitar), and Scott Evans (bass).
DJ: Mark Trehus
Movie: The Main Event
Directed by Howard Zeiff
After being duped by her accountant, former perfume executive Hilary Kramer (Barbara Steisand) discovers her remaining asset is a boxer, purchased as a tax write-off. Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon (Ryan O’Neal) is her only chance to recoup her former wealth and she decides to whip this mild-mannered boxer’s career herself with hilarious results. Streisand even sings the title song of this blockbuster. 1979, U.S., color, 16mm, 112 minutes.
Monday, August 18
Music: Puro Cubano
Soak in the summery sounds of Puro Cubano. Cuba’s renowned pianist-composer and former musical director of Cubanismo! Nachito Herrera, heads his five-member international ensemble which is redefining the local Latin Jazz scene with original arrangements that blend roots Afro-Cuban music with the steamy percussion of tropical jazz. Nachito Herrera (keyboards), LeAnn Lindgren (sax, flute, vocals), Shai Hayo (percussion), Gordy Knudtson (drums), and Jorge Bringas (bass).
DJ: Tim Campbell
Movie: Champion
Directed by Mark Robson
Punching his way ot the top, boxer Midge Kelly (Kirk Douglas) doesn’t care who or what gets in his way. While down and out Kelly is hustled into a pro boxing match and takes a beating. A manager takes him on, but Kelly works menial jobs to get by. Forced into a shotgun marriage with a young waitress, Kelly turns to boxing with renewed vigor in orer to support his family. Fame, fortune, and fast women prove to be too seductive for Kelly at the expense of his family. With Ruth Roman. 1944, U.S., BW, 16mm, 99 minutes.
Monday, August 25
Music: Deerhoof
Candy and fruit. Pandas and war. Love and magic. Just some of the enigmatic points of inspiration on Apple O ’ (5RC/Kill Rock Stars), the new release from San Francisco’s Deerhoof. This is damaged avant pop’s zenith, with quirky hooks and manic instrumental/vocal overtures that belie a bittersweet soul. Strangely beautiful in its alternately melodic and spastic dreamworld, the quartet continue their quietly emphatic stand against convention and ask the question: where is beauty? The answer: everywhere. Greg Saunier (percussion), Satomi Matsuzaki (vocals/bass), Chris Cohen (guitar), and John Dieterich (guitar). Come see them now, ‘cause it’s only gonna get harder later.
DJs: Dara Moskowitz and Nathan Grumdahl
Movie: Rocky
Directed by John G. Avildsen
A small time boxer, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champ Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in a bout in which he strives to go the distance in order to win back his self-respect. Rocky starts off down on his luck working at a Philadelphia meat packing factory and fighting at a local club. When Apollo challenges him to the championship bicentennial fight, his grumpy manager, Mickey (Burgess Meredith), sets him on a training schedule fuel by raw eggs and a running regime that includes a stop on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. One of the great boxing films of all time and the start of a franchise of sequels. 1976, U.S., BW, 16mm, 119 minutes.