Singer Aloe Blacc visits Victoria for the launch of MacGillivray Freeman Films’ newest documentary hitting IMAX.
America’s Musical Journey premieres at the IMAX Victoria March 23. The film, featuring Blacc and narrated by Morgan Freeman, celebrates the diversity of cultures and creative innovation, as told through the story of music.
Blacc will speak with audiences at premeire screenings on March 20 and will entertain at a private, invitation only event on March 21. There are no tickets for sale to this event but you can enter to win at Facebook.com/OakBayNews; Facebook.com/SaanichNews or Facebook.com/VictoriaNews. Contest ends Monday, March 19.
America’s Musical Journey follows Grammy Award-nominated singer and songwriter Blacc as he traces the roots of America’s music, following the footsteps of Louis Armstrong through the colorful locales and cultures where America’s music was born. Visiting such iconic cities as New Orleans, Chicago, New York City, Nashville, Memphis, Miami and more, America’s Musical Journey explores the collision of cultures that gave birth to such electrifying American art forms as jazz, the blues, country, rock and roll, hip-hop and more. As audiences join Blacc on this joyful, tune-filled tour, they’ll experience unique adventures such as paddle-wheel boating up the Mississippi Delta, flash mob dancing in Chicago and skydiving with Elvis impersonators over Memphis in scenes shot exclusively for the giant screen.
“Music is an essential part of the human experience, and I look forward to helping audiences discover the unique cultural influences that gave rise to jazz, the blues, folk and other American musical genres,” says Blacc. “I love the freedom of expression in this country, which is a source of creativity and innovation unlike anywhere else.”
Academy Award nominated director Greg MacGillivray threads the images together to create an experience of cultural diversity with a soundtrack that showcases the national passion for creative innovation at its purest.
“America’s music has its roots in the diverse cultures that came together from different parts of the world, culminating in a unique blend of sound, culture and innovation unlike anywhere else in the world,” says MacGillivray. “This creativity and trailblazing spirit is what makes American music such a treasured experience around the world. I hope people are inspired to explore their own creativity after seeing the film.”
Audiences meet other iconic artists, musicians and innovators, including Latin music stars Gloria and Emilio Estefan, New Orleans music hero Dr. John, Chicago jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, teenage banjo-playing phenomenon Willow Osborne, the Beale Street Flippers, skydiving Elvis impersonators and more.
America’s Musical Journey is family friendly and has a running time of 40 minutes. The film opens at IMAX Victoria at the Royal BC Museum on March 23.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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