Old School Philly: Reminiscing with Dottie Smith Gayle's Jazz Community

Scribe Video Center in partnership with Ryan Saunders and Malkia K. Lydia presents “Old School Philly: Reminiscing with Dottie Smith Gayle's Jazz Community”, a multichannel video installation.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

In 2001-2002, Philadelphia filmmakers Ryan Saunders and Malkia Lydia produced a half-hour documentary in collaboration with local jazz icon Dottie Smith Gayle. Mother Dot's Philadelphia recorded conversations with several elder jazz musicians of the day, as well as informal performances, jam sessions, and social gatherings. On Sunday nights, North Philadelphia's Barber's Hall was the gathering spot for many of Smith Gayle's cohort and their stories helped revive the memory of the legendary postwar jazz scene along North Philly's Columbia Avenue (now Cecil B. Moore.) Over 20 years later, as part of the North Philadelphia History Festival, the filmmakers present this multichannel video installation of excerpts from their raw analog tapes. The original Mother Dot's Philadelphia aired on WYBE's Philadelphia Stories, a series executive produced by Hébert Peck. The film was also supported by the Leeway Foundation.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE CULTURAL WORKERS:

Ryan Saunders, born in Trinidad & Tobago, creates short films and videos about Caribbean immigrant experiences in North America. In 2002, he co-produced 'Mother Dot’s Philadelphia' on Philadelphia's historic jazz clubs with filmmaker Malkia Lydia. His 2003 documentary, 'Bacchanal Time: The People’s Carnival', won Best Caribbean Themed Film at the Jamerican Film Festival. His latest project is 'Steel Pan Now! Notes on Where Pan Gone', co-produced with Aaron Astillero.

Malkia K. Lydia is an “interdependent” filmmaker who recovers authentic stories about Black community life. She has produced films for the Smithsonian Institution, National Civil Rights Museum, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and a Knight Foundation Cities Challenge. She has been an awardee of both Black Public Media and ITVS, and is a seasoned Archival Producer. Malkia is in post-production on two feature documentaries as Director/Producer. She is a proud graduate of DC Public Schools as well as Duke University and Temple University.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

The North Philadelphia History Festival (NPHF) is a cultural celebration of the African American and Puerto Rican communities in North Philadelphia. Across four days, historic sites along Ridge Avenue, North Broad Street, and other locales will be transformed into living exhibits created by artists, historians, curators, and other cultural workers. These multimedia projects and events explore the emergence and impact of these communities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

All events will be free and open to the public. Visit Scribe’s website to learn more here.

Lead support for the North Philadelphia History Festival is provided by the William Penn Foundation.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

RSVP & Entry:

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP does not guarantee admission if the venue is at capacity.

Accessibility Information:

A short set of steps with a handrail is located at the entrance of the venue. Once inside, the venue has step-free access throughout.

Parking:

Paid parking is available at 1602 N Carlisle St Parking, next to the AMC.

Metered street parking is also available.

Restrooms:

Restrooms are available inside the venue.

Public Transportation:

• Broad St & Oxford St (16 Bus)
• 16th St & Oxford St (2 Bus)
• Broad St & Cecil B Moore Av (B1 Subway)

Inclement Weather / Rain Date:

N/A

Also check out other Entertainment events in Philadelphia, Music events in Philadelphia, Festivals in Philadelphia.