Melvin Van News

Ana Gasteyer, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Pascal and Kerry Butler will join the December line-up of talent slated for The Seth Concert Series.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The American Cinematheque are proud to present the HFPA Restoration Summit 2020 – two days of exciting film rediscoveries, onstage dialogues and clip shows that celebrate the art and science of film preservation and restoration. The events will take place at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre on February 15 and 16. Demonstrating its passionate commitment to saving and reviving films from around the world, the HFPA is becoming one of the leading institutions in the field of film restoration. Its recent contributions include sponsoring the restoration of “The Black Pirate” (1926), spearheaded by director Alexander Payne and currently in progress; and Fellini's “Roma” (1972), from the Cineteca di Bologna in Italy.

Apollo Theater Celebrates Classic Girl Groups with Martha Reeves, Sarah Dash, & Joshie Jo Armstead. The Apollo Theater's Education Program brought together three legendary artists for She's A Rebel! A Tribute to Girl Groups of the 50s, 60s, & 70s on November 14, 2019. Presented as part of Apollo Education's 'Apollo Live Wire' discussion series, led by Senior Director of Education Shirley Taylor, the evening featured a lively panel discussion with founding members of groundbreaking girl groups, including Martha Reeves (Martha Reeves & the Vandellas), Sarah Dash (Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles), and Joshie Jo Armstead (The Ikettes).

Rooftop Films is proud to announce select feature films for their 2019 Summer Series, presented by SundanceTV! This year's series will take place from May 17th to August 23rd, featuring more than 45 outdoor screenings in more than a dozen spectacular outdoor venues, with live music, filmmaker appearances, and special enhanced screenings of the best, new, independent films from around the world.

1969 marked a year that was full of both trepidation and excitement for Stax Records. Just one year before, the Memphis soul outlet ended its relationship with musical giant Atlantic Records, effectively leaving the label as an independent entity, without a music catalog (which had previously included a formidable collection of hits by Otis Redding, Carla Thomas and Sam & Dave, among others). Under the guidance of co-owner Al Bell, the label proceeded to rebuild and release an impressive collection of 27 albums and 30 singles in just a handful of months—a period known as “Soul Explosion.” The gamble paid off, and at the 1969 Stax sales summit—themed “Getting It All Together”—the label reaffirmed its place as a soul powerhouse. Craft Recordings celebrates the 50th anniversary of this prolific, make-or-break moment for Stax—and its enduring legacy—with a wide selection of physical and digital reissues. Additionally, Craft will pay tribute to the label throughout the year with a series of playlists, original content, contests and more.

Below please find the full list of titles that will be begin streaming on Sundance Now starting in May and June. Should you need more information, or screeners to review, please let us know.

La Maison Française, the Institute of French Studies, and the Department of Cinema Studies at NYU will present The Black Experience in French Cinema, a three-day film festival exploring changing cinematic representations of black identity, April 11-13 (free and open to the public).

Red Bull Music Festival Los Angeles (RBMF LA) returns to the City of Angels next Thursday, February 7. Today, additional programming for the ambitious Center Channel film series--taking place at the historic Ukrainian Culture Center from February 8 - 20--has been announced. Tickets for all RBMF LA events are now available via www.redbullmusic.com/los-angeles.

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry Presents African American Puppetry in New York City with Nehprii Amenii and Brad Brewer Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

From Friday, August 17 through Thursday, August 30 BAMcinematek presents Say It Loud: Cinema in the Age of Black Power, 1966-1981. A cinematic companion to the Brooklyn Museum's exhibit Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, the series explores revolutionary and relevant records of a struggle that continues to this day. As black consciousness spread across the globe in the mid-1960s, it gave rise to a radical cinema that both reflected and worked to further the cause of African-American liberation. "These films are confrontational, experimental, and ripe for (re)discovery, powerfully evoking their own time, and unarguably speaking to today's fractious social and political climate," explains series programmer Ashley Clark.

Mostly Musicals Ltd presents the reimagined musical Renew Ya Hallelujah by Teddy Hayes from Monday 29 October to Saturday 3 November, 7.30pm at Theatro Technis Theatre in Camden, London.

The 2018 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival has announced the award winners for its sixth annual event which featured exclusive premieres, panel discussions and virtual reality experiences. The festival took place from February 23-25 and featured special guest appearances by Armand Assante, Charles Baker,

The work and life of legendary artist and activist Harry Belafonte will be celebrated during a concert at Aaron Davis Hall on Thursday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. "Turn the World Around: The Music and Legacy of Harry Belafonte" will present audiences with a special evening of songs and stories in honor of and on the icon's 91st birthday.

 We have film down to a science at The 2018 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival, which will present a full lineup of critically acclaimed films, exclusive premieres, panel discussions, virtual reality installations and international animation. The electrifying sixth annual event will also feature appearances by show business heavyweights Armand Assante, Charles Baker, ?Jonny Beauchamp, Nicki Clyne, Nana Gouvea, Michael Ironside, ?Vincent Pastore, Tom Sizemore, Melvin Van Peebles, Chuck Zito and more special guests. Screening in the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, the festival will run from February 23-25, 2018.

Craft Recordings, the Catalog Division of Concord Music, is pleased to announce the release of Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best Of The Rest, a 6-CD box set that delves deep into the Stax Records archives, and explores the label's efforts to diversify their output.

Audiences and critics alike swooned over relatively unknown Leslie Uggams when she made her Broadway debut starring in Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Arthur Laurents and Jule Styne's progressively-minded 1967 Broadway musical HALLELUJAH, BABY!

The Unique Panel Discussion will celebrate a new book by Ronald Rand, "CREATE! How Extraordinary Artists Live to Create and Create to Live" at the historical theatrical club, The Lambs 3 West 51st Street, New York City, Monday, March 12th, 2018, 7:00-8:00pm. There is no charge for the Event. Seating is limited - reservations are necessary at: (212) 586-0306 or RSVP@The-Lambs.org     

The 2018 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival has added to its celebrity participants at the sixth annual event. Internationally renowned actor Michael Ironside joins the lineup of previously announced guests Armand Assante, Charles Baker, Vincent Pastore, Tom Sizemore, Melvin Van Peebles and Chuck Zito.

On February 23rd, Craft Recordings will reissue the definitive version of one of the most ambitious, groundbreaking records in the Stax catalog: The 24-Carat Black Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth.

We have film down to a science at The 2018 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival, which announced today the full lineup of critically acclaimed films, exclusive premieres, panel discussions and virtual reality installations.