For those within driving distance of central New Jersey, documentary, “How They Got Over: Gospel Quartets and the Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll,” will be screened this Sunday, January 27th, on the Rutgers New Brunswick Campus as part of the New Jersey Film Festival. 7:00 PM. Director Robert Clem and producer Jerry Zolten will be there to naswe questions in a Q&A after the film.
“How They Got Over” is a stirring documentary about African-American gospel quartets like the Soul Stirrers, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and the Blind Boys who developed a hugely influential musical spirit and style. Gospel quartets synthesized an energy and beat that evolved into doo-wop, rhythm and blues, soul music, and rock and roll. Quartet music also became a lifeline for African Americans who took to the road as radio and records became popular, popularizing an energetic musical form that was both infectious and moving. Featuring interviews with legendary singers, the film documents how quartets choreographed their gestures — shouting, bending over backwards, dancing, jumping off the stage – to move their audiences. Pioneers of rock and roll, they created the unforgettable music that animates this film. 2018; 87 min. Q+A Session with Director Robert Clem and Producer Jerry Zolten! Co-sponsored by the Rutgers University American Studies Department!
The film festival starts at 7 PM with a couple other short films before the documentary. Tickets are $12 and are available in advance and at the door on a first come basis. The location is Room #105 Voorhees Hall on Rutgers University Campus. Directions to Voorhees Hall and parking info are as follows:
Voorhees Hall #105: Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 9 and then take Route 18N (New Brunswick direction) and go for 2 1/2 miles to the College Avenue Campus/George Street exit and make a left at the light at the end of the exit ramp onto George Street, then go to the next light and make a right onto Hamilton Street, then go to the next light and make a right onto College Avenue. Almost immediately on your right hand side there is an University Parking Lot (#9) which is made available for our patrons to park in. Voorhees Hall is adjacent to the Zimmerli Art Museum and is 100 paces across the Voorhees Mall from Parking Lot 9. Patrons can also park in Rutgers Lots #1 (next to Kirkpatrick Chapel) and #16 (next to Murray and Milledoler Hall)
Map and Directions are also here.
Event contact: Phone (848) 932-8482 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
Tickets can be purchased through the Website: www.njfilmfest.com