Movies & Music Series Debuts at The Block

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The Block in Muskegon
The Block in Muskegon

Acknowledging the connection between music and film that began with the first talkies, The Block announced its new film series, Movies+Music.

Movies+Music is a new Wednesday night series at The Block, 360 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon, debuting this winter that will explore the relationship between movies and music through a series of three acclaimed films.

These will include “I’m Not There,” in which six actors depict the public persona of Bob Dylan from different perspectives; “Once,” a poignant “guy meets girl” story of a budding Dublin songwriter; and “Searching for Sugar Man,” a documentary about Detroit folksinger Sixto Rodriguez.

Each film showing will feature a notable panel of film scholars and music experts to introduce the films and lead follow-up discussions.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the panel line-up, each one perfectly suited to help explore the themes and share insight on these intriguing films,” said Block board member Kerri VanderHoff, who helped develop the series.

Films start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early to mingle, grab a drink, and settle in for the movie and conversation. Films are intended for mature audiences. General admission tickets are priced at $8. To order, call 231.726.3231 or visit The Block.

Information About the Films

“I’m Not There,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9

Directed by Todd Haynes and co-written with Oren Moverman, this film presents six incarnations of Bob Dylan: actor, folk singer, electrified troubadour, Rimbaud, Billy the Kid, and Woody Guthrie. Each incarnation is played by a different actor: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Ben Whishaw; with narration by Kris Kristofferson. Rated R for language, some sexuality and nudity.

Kerri VanderHoff and Blue Lake Public Radio’s Foley Schuler will be the featured panelists. 

“Once,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13

This romantic drama was written and directed by John Carney and stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The film takes place within the backdrop of working-class Dublin; the unnamed lead male is Irish and the lead female is Czech, offering a glimpse into the Eastern European immigrant population in Ireland.  She helps him put together a music demo disc that he can take to London in hopes of landing a recording contract. Rated R for language.

Andrew Zahrt, cultural director of the Michigan Irish Music Festival, and Dr. Toni Perrine, GVSU professor of film and video production, will lead the panel.

“Searching for Sugar Man,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13

Sixto Rodriguez was a Detroit folksinger who had a short-lived recording career with only two well-received but non-selling albums. Unknown to Rodriguez, his musical story continued in South Africa where he became a pop music icon and inspiration for generations, though long rumored to be dead through suicide. Directed and written by Malik Bendjelloul, this film documents the efforts of two obsessed fans who set out to learn the man’s true fate.  Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some drug reference.

Black Circle Radio’s Mitch Anderson and John Schmit, GVSU associate professor of film and video production, will be the panelists.

*Photo courtesy of The Block

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