Featured Library Spotlight: Musical Documentaries / Biopics

Library Featured Spotlight: Music Documentaries, Biopics and Live Performances

Music festival season is in full swing! We have missed them just as much as you have. If your favorite festival has been canceled this year or can’t go see them in person, we have found some live performances that will make you feel like you are right there!

We also have found some Biopic’s and Music Documentaries for those of you who want to know a bit more behind the scenes knowledge of your favorite musician or band. 

Monterey Pop

On a beautiful June weekend in 1967, at the beginning of the Summer of Love, the Monterey International Pop Festival roared forward, capturing a decade’s spirit and ushering in a new era of rock and roll.

Monterey featured career-making performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Otis Redding, but they were just a few of the performers in a wildly diverse lineup that included Simon and Garfunkel, the Mamas and the Papas, the Who, the Byrds, Hugh Masekela, and the extraordinary Ravi Shankar.

With his characteristic verite style–and a camera crew that included the likes of Albert Maysles and Richard Leacock–D. A. Pennebaker captured it all, immortalizing moments that have become legend: Pete Townshend smashing his guitar, Jimi Hendrix burning his, Mama Cass watching Janis Joplin’s performance in awe.

A Hard Day's Night

Meet the Beatles! Just one month after they exploded onto the U.S. scene with their Ed Sullivan Show appearance, John, Paul, George, and Ringo began working on a project that would bring their revolutionary talent to the big screen, earning them a 1965 BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.

A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, in which the bandmates play cheeky comic versions of themselves, captured the astonishing moment when they officially became the singular, irreverent idols of their generation and changed music forever.

Nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen, Scoring of Music – Adaptation or Treatment) and a Grammy (Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media).

Woodstock: 3 Days that Changed Everything

Even now Woodstock has deep, lasting meaning. Its mix of music, culture and idealism resonates across the years. It gave youth a voice, changing the music business and social movements forever. Its legacy is strong half a century later. Get inside the story with host Mark Goodman, Ritchie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, John Sebastian, organizer Michael Lang, and Woodstock historian Wade Lawrence.

Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened

The history of the Fyre Music Festival, from its creation through its unraveling. The Fyre Festival was billed as a luxury music experience on a posh private island, but failed spectacularly in the hands of a cocky entrepreneur. 

The Doors Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1968)

Live at the Hollywood Bowl is the third official live album by the American rock band the Doors, released in May 1987 by Elektra Records. The concert was recorded on July 5, 1968, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Doors’ hometown

Summer of Soul

Over the course of six weeks during the summer of 1969, thousands of people attend the Harlem Cultural Festival to celebrate Black history, culture, music and fashion.

LARS LIVE: DJ Night!

LARS LIVE: DJ Night!

Kick off the summer with our June LARS Live – featuring THREE talented DJs/Producers! This virtual performance showcases some of our Audio Program students best work! Tune in and chill to the cool summer vibes.

Bring the Beat In: With Leon “Kwikstiks” Kittrell II

Bring the Beat In: With Leon "Kwikstiks" Kittrell II

The beat breakdown is one of the most important elements of a hit song— performing artist Leon Kittrell II will breakdown famous beats over the years, as well as a few student submitted songs. Infused with fun games like “Guess the Groove”, Leon will take us on a musical journey where we strip away the vocals and other instruments and focus solely on the drums & percussion of some of today’s biggest hits.”

Juneteenth: Celebrating the Culinary Experience in Black Cinema

Juneteenth: Celebrating the Culinary Experience in Black Cinema

To coincide with Juneteenth, we’re hosting a virtual culinary session that will not only walk us through popular movies about the black experience, but it will teach us how to make some of the delicious food featured in these movies. Hosted by Culinary Historian & Author Deah Berry Mitchell, you’ll enjoy making Hibiscus Lemonade from the Oscar® nominated movie, The Color Purple, Brenda’s ribs from the Oscar® Nominated Boyz in the Hood and delicious salad inspired by the Oscar® winning movie, If Beale Street Could Talk.

L.E.A.D. Presents: Breaking into The Business – An Actress Perspective

L.E.A.D. Presents: Breaking into The Business - An Actress Perspective

Join us for this virtual panel featuring Grammy® nominated actress and singer Antonique Smith, actress, and writer Nia Fairweather, Emmy® nominated actress Crystal Lee Brown and multi-talented Keena Ferguson! The event will focus on not only breaking into the business but the art of building multiple creative streams of income while making a name for yourself in the industry.

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