SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE (1980) + SPACEWAYS (1968)

The great interstellar visionary SUN RA and his Arkestra on film in Robert Mugge's remarkable 1980 doc + a rare experimental 1968 short film

About this Event


Praise for SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE

One of Time Out London’s “50 Greatest Music Films Ever”
“Sun Ra in all his flamboyance, wit, and wonder…captures this wildly original man and his vision like an LP never has.” - Kevin Lynch, Downbeat
“Marks a decisive use of the art of film to illuminate the often enigmatic art of jazz, and I urge those of you committed to film to see it.” - Francis Davis, NPR’s Fresh Air
“The film captures the enigmatic band leader’s exceptional personal magnetism. Fascinating!” - Robert Palmer, The New York Times

As part of their August series “SEE•SOUND.” 7th House is proud to present an evening of the mighty, cosmic jazz voyager SUN RA on film! Featuring Robert Mugge’s remarkable, electric, and illuminating SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE (1980) and a rare screening of Edward English’s 1968 vibrant experimental documentary short SPACEWAYS . This special evening will conclude with a discussion with SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE's director Robert Mugge (live via satellite!).

Decades ahead of his time, composer, keyboard player, bandleader, singer, poet, and philosopher Sun Ra coupled sci-fi images of outer space with those of ancient Egypt, acoustic instruments with electronic ones, and modern American musical genres (jazz, soul, gospel, blues, swing) with traditional sounds of Africa and the Caribbean. He also combined his music with dance, poetry, colorful costumes and backdrops, and pure theatricality, influencing other innovative musical groups as diverse as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, and Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. He was also among the first musicians to use electronic keyboards and portable synthesizers in public performance.

For his documentary, SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE, filmmaker Robert Mugge and his crew spent two years (1978 to 1980) shooting Sun Ra and members of his distinctive jazz Arkestra at various locations in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Lovingly restored from its original 16mm master, Mugge’s fantastic film features transcendentally interstellar performances of such Sun Ra classics as “Astro Black,” “Mister Mystery,” “We Travel the Spaceways,” “Along Came Ra/The Living Myth,” “Spaceship Earth (Destination Unknown),” and many more.

ACCOMPANIED BY:

Filmed in NYC and commissioned by the legendary ESP-Disk record label, experimental underground filmmaker Edward English’s SPACEWAYS (1968) captures Sun Ra and an absolutely blazing, percussion heavy Arkestra lineup as they prepare for and perform to a massive crowd at Carnegie Hall. Rarely screened and absolute catnip for any fan, English’s psyched-out short captures the group when they were soaring to new celestial creative heights and pushing the so boundaries of music in the late 60s.

SUN RA: A JOYFUL NOISE

Dir. Robert Mugge, 1980, 60 mins, United States, English, Unrated, Digital.

SPACEWAYS

Dir. Edward English, 1968, 18 mins, United States, English, Unrated, Digital.

Tickets: $15 (In Person Event Only)

Please email ZXZlbnRzIHwgcHJzICEgb3Jn or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

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ADVISORY DISCLAIMER

With some exception, The Philosophical Research Society’s 7th House Screenings does not typically provide advisory warnings about potentially upsetting content or subject matter, as sensitivities are particular to each viewer. Please be sure to read event listings, research on the web, or visit Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com for thorough info on content and age-appropriateness. If you have any specific content advisory questions, please email ZXZlbnRzIHwgcHJzICEgb3Jn.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to ZXZlbnRzIHwgcHJzICEgb3Jn before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds for PRS events , except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test. Ticket exchanges may be granted on a case by case basis, pending circumstances.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

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