Silent Film Spectacular Series at APL
The Albany Public Library has brought its silent film series back. During October it will be showing four Halloween-appropriate silent films at the main branch on Washington Ave -- with a live score performed by local musicians.
This year's slate starts with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on October 10, and runs every Wednesday through October 31. The screenings all start at 7 pm -- and they're free.
Full schedule and descriptions post jump.
Murder of Cherry Hill: Speaking of the macabre, the APL has also has two talks about the Cherry Hill murder lined up. Historian Jane Ladouceur will be talking about the story surrounding the infamous 1827 murder in Albany's South End -- it involves a prominent family, love, cheating, trials, and a public hanging (if it happened today, Nancy Grace would probably self combusted with excitement). The talks are October 6 at 1 pm at the main library, and October 10 at 2 pm at the Pine Hills branch.
Descriptions from APL.
October 10: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with live, original music by Ryan Slowey and Sean Fortune
This 1920 film is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel and stars John Barrymore as the title character(s). Musicians Slowey and Fortune are active in metal band Maggot Brain. Fortune also plays in the local hip-hop act Goldtooth. Slowey, one of APL's own, also performs solo acoustic and electric music under the name Hangman.
October 17: A Throw of Dice with live, original music by Chris Neuhaus, Nathan Glass, and Sarah Clark
This cautionary tale about the evils of gambling was shot in India in 1929 and features more than 10,000 extras, 1,000 horses, and 50 elephants. Musicians Neuhaus, Glass, and Clark create a raga-inspired soundscape using a variety of melody and percussion instruments. Clark, who also spearheads APL's "Garage Bands in the Garage" music series, is a librarian who manages readers' services at the Main Library.
October 24: The Wind with live, original music by Shape Shifting Shepherds with special guest Laura Frare
Lillian Gish stars in this 1928 western as a naïve Virginia woman who moves to West Texas where she confronts suspicious family members, questionable suitors, an inhospitable environment, and the unrelenting wind. The Shape Shifting Shepherds mobilize their analog and digital arsenal to create a live sonic soundscape.
October 31: "Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages" with live, original music by Helicoprion
This 1922 Swedish film uses a variety of styles to document the history of witchcraft from the Middle Ages through the 20th Century. Helicoprion is a soul smashing, riff and improv based baritone guitar and drum duo out of Albany featuring Eric Halder (from Charmboy) and James Felter (from Space Lounge).
The APL advertises on AOA.
still from Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde via Wikipedia
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Comments
I will never understand why APL insists on showing silent films with ths kind of music. It doesn't compliment the films at all.They should just have concerts and get a proper skilled pianist in for the films.
... said Eric Scheirer Stott on Oct 4, 2012 at 12:17 PM | link
I really enjoyed these combinations! It's really fun to listen to local musicians who've create their own score for a movie. Some bands spend weeks practicing, others go with the film a the time. I've always enjoyed how some bands really break out of their usual style and play something completely different.
... said Albany Jane on Oct 4, 2012 at 5:09 PM | link