Silent Films/Live Music 2020

Arts Brookfield brings back the acclaimed “Silent Films/Live Music” series, curated by John Schaefer. Experience three unforgettable evenings of classic silent film screenings accompanied by live music! Free - no tickets needed. Please note that seating is first come, first serve, while space is available.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 7:30PM:
Alice Guy-Blaché’s The Consequences of Feminism scored by Alexis Cuadrado (World Premiere) and Algie the Miner scored by Alexis Cuadrado (World Premiere)
Harold M. Shaw’s The Land Beyond the Sunset scored by Alexis Cuadrado (World Premiere)
Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant scored by Alexis Cuadrado (2015)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 7:30PM:
Frankenstein, score by Vernon Reid (World Premiere)
The Fall Of The House of Usher, score by Vernon Reid (World Premiere)
Tod Browning’s masterpiece The Unknown, score by Vernon Reid (World Premiere)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 7:30PM:
Godrey Reggio’s Koyaanisqatsi scored by GoGo Penguin (New York Premiere)
Please Note: Seating for these popular performances is first come, first served and early arrival is strongly suggested.

POPCORN GIVEAWAY:
+ Tuesday, Jan 21, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
+ Wednesday, Jan 22 – Friday, Jan 24,
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:30 – 7:30 PM

CURATOR’S NOTES:
Of this year’s Silent Film/Live Music series, curator John Schaefer remarks, ” … these films, some of them over a century old, are still relevant today. This of course is the property of art, to transcend the time in which it was made. But it’s also a measure of how the themes in these movies keep recurring through the years. Take this year’s program, for example. Alexis Cuadrado has chosen films that deal with immigration (Chaplin’s The Immigrant), income inequality (The Land Beyond The Sunset), and gender roles (in two very short films by Alice Guy-Blache, the first female director). Vernon Reid became fascinated by the theme of “the other” – a theme that has long manifested itself in horror stories, so he’s chosen the 1910 version of Frankenstein, the short American film The Fall Of The House of Usher, and the remarkable Tod Browning masterpiece The Unknown. … Finally, the UK trio GoGo Penguin has re-scored a contemporary silent film classic, Godfrey Reggio’s Koyaanisqatsi. Originally created with composer Philip Glass (whose score is one of his best-known works), Koyaanisqatsi deals with mankind’s questionable stewardship of the earth, and the choices we’ve made with regard to technology.”

ABOUT ALEXIS CUADRADO:
Barcelona-born and Brooklyn-based Alexis Cuadrado is an award-winning composer, producer, bandleader, bassist and educator. He has become one of the most sought-after musicians in the New York scene. NPR music says: “Listen to Cuadrado’s compositions and you’ll find every reason to take him seriously.” NY magazine: “His intricate and sharply defined compositions show that he’s tapped into something much deeper.” Cuadrado’s work draws from the crossover of jazz, world, flamenco and new music, exploring the confluence of the Hispanic and American cultures, as well as embracing a deep commitment to comment on social issues. His recent output is a restless exploration of cross-disciplinary works that embrace poetry, film, radio-podcasts, dance and design. For further information about Alexis Cuadrado, visit www.alexiscuadrado.com.

ABOUT GOGO PENGUIN:
Manchester-based lettfield piano trio GoGo Penguin are Chris Illingworth piano, Nick Blacka bass and Rob Turner drums. Their music has been described as acoustic-electronica, but they draw equally on rock, jazz and minimalism, computer game soundtracks and glitchy-electronica to create their unique music. Their 2014 album v2.0 (Gondwana Records) was named a Mercury Prize album of the year alongside albums from Damon Albran, Young Fathers and Jungle. In 2015, they signed to Blue Note Records and released the albums Man Made Object in 2016 and A Humdrum Star in 2018. Their EP, Ocean in a Drop (Music for Film) is released in October 2019 and they are currently recording a new album for release in 2020. For further information about GoGo Penguin, visit www.gogopenguin.co.uk.