The MPR Movie Party: Stormy Weather with Lena Horne on Feb. 26

Jan 31, 2011

WHAT: In honor of Black History Month, Minnesota Public Radio presents a special installment of its wildly popular "Movie Party" series. MPR's Movie Maven Stephanie Curtis emcees a screening of "Stormy Weather," one the first major studio films to feature an all-black cast. Sanford Moore, Dennis Spears and other hep cats will help transform the Fitz into a jazzy party hall for the occasion. Sarah Bellamy, director of education at Penumbra Theater, will join the Movie Maven for a straight-ahead look at cultural stereotypes and the evolution of black performance.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 26.

WHERE: The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, MN 55101.

TICKETS: $15 Tickets at the Fitzgerald Box Office, 651-290-1200, or through Ticketmaster.

ABOUT STORMY WEATHER
Produced by 20th Century Fox in 1943, "Stormy Weather" stars chanteuse Lena Horne, and features luminaries of music and dance: Cab Calloway, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins on sax, and the Nicholas Brothers in a performance Fred Astaire called the best tap dance on film. The film is a rollicking party, packed with brilliant, opulent production numbers and streetwise banter.

ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Sanford Moore is the director of the University of Minnesota Gospel Choir. He is the founder of the acclaimed jazz ensemble Moore by Four, and has performed internationally with Bobby McFerrin, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Harry Connick,, Jr. and the late Dizzy Gillespie, among many others.

Dennis Spears is an actor, dancer and jazz singer who is the artistic director of the Legends Series at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis. He was an original vocalist with Moore by Four. He's made three solo albums and performed here and abroad with such legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Carmen McRae and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Sarah Bellamy is director of education at the Penumbra Theater. Her essays accompany Penumbra main-stage performances. She also helps educators bring cultural awareness to the classroom. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, with an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and she's working on a doctorate at the University of Minnesota.

ABOUT THE MOVIE MAVEN
Host Stephanie Curtis is MPR's Movie Maven and senior producer for live events. Her special charm brings insight and intimacy to what are always fun-filled mash-ups of old-time movies, contemporary performance and sparkling insight.

Come for pre-show tunes and free popcorn. Don't be afraid to dress up and help turn the Fitz into a frolic pad. This is a one-night-only event.

This Movie Party is supported in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.