KOOP Radio 91.7 FM announces the launch of a monthly music-themed film series at the recently reopened Eastside Cinema. The KOOP Radio Nightbeat Film Series kicks off Thursday, Feb. 29, with the 1973 concert film WATTSTAX, in observation of Black History Month, followed by the documentary SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS on Thursday, March 28, and the coming-of-age dramedy SING STREET on Thursday, April 25.
Each screening will begin at 7 p.m. and will be preceded by a KOOP DJ pre-screening set from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
The Feb. 29 screening of WATTSTAX is held in conjunction with KOOP Radio’s spring membership drive, which will run Friday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, March 3.
The KOOP Radio: Nightbeat Film Series is curated by the programmers and members of the primarily volunteer-run community radio station. Each selected film reflects the format of the programmer’s show on KOOP Radio and the artists they play and is inclusive of the station’s mission to serve Austin’s diverse community.
“We are proud of KOOP Radio presenting the Nightbeat Film Series at Eastside Cinema. Supporting this series is not just about contributing to entertainment; it’s about reinforcing KOOP Radio’s role as a community-oriented station. This series aligns with our mission to engage, connect with, and enrich the local culture, education, and diverse artistic expressions of our community. It strengthens the station’s position as a valuable resource and contributor to the enrichment of Austin’s people,” said KOOP Radio 91.7 FM general manager Federico Pacheco.
The Eastside Cinema is at 1156 Hargrave St. at the City of Austin-owned Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex. The single-screen, 100-seat cinema, which opened in 1999 and closed in 2011, reopened in December 2023 under the operation of the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In owner/operator Josh Frank. More information about the Eastside Cinema is available at https://www.eastsidecinema.com/.
More information about the KOOP Radio: Nightbeat Film Series’ February, March, and April 2024 screenings:
WATTSTAX (1973)
Curated by: DJ Marc of Ear Candy 2.0 and Darkside Daddy of Darkside Daddy
DJ: A Quiet Lion
Screens: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, in observance of Black History Month, the pre-screening DJ set runs 6-6:45 p.m.
Official Synopsis: This amazing documentary from director Mel Stuart features highlights from the now legendary 1972 Wattstax concert at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, including performances by Isaac Hayes, Albert King, The Staple Singers, and The Dramatics. Interspersed with the incendiary and soul-lifting music are on-the-street interviews as well as uproarious and as relevant as ever interstitial comments from then-up-and-coming comedian the great Richard Pryor.
Directed by Mel Stuart
Tickets: https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/purchase/10894?siteToken=vjqjpfvnrefgj5bnpv9vpt7t9m
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS (2020)
Curated by: DJ Flower Punk of The Microchip Revolution
Screens: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in observance of International Women’s Day, the pre-screening DJ set runs 6-6:45 p.m.
Official Synopsis: Sisters With Transistors is the remarkable untold story of electronic music’s female pioneers, composers who embraced machines and their liberating technologies to utterly transform how we produce and listen to music today. The film maps a new history of electronic music through the visionary women whose radical experimentations with machines redefined the boundaries of music, including Clara Rockmore, Daphne Oram, Bebe Barron, Pauline Oliveros, Delia Derbyshire, Maryanne Amacher, Eliane Radigue, Suzanne Ciani, and Laurie Spiegel. Selected for the 2020 SXSW Film Festival.
Directed by Lisa Rovner
Tickets: https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/purchase/10962?siteToken=vjqjpfvnrefgj5bnpv9vpt7t9m
SING STREET (2016)
Curated by: Robert Sims of Lights Camera Austin and Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Screens: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25; pre-screening DJ set runs 6-6:45 p.m.
Official Synopsis: With the recession hitting people hard in Dublin during the 80s, Conor is moved from his private school to a tough inner-city alternative. As he tries to adjust to a new way of life, he decides to start his own band to impress a mysterious girl. Selected for the 2016 SXSW Film Festival.
Directed by John Carney
Tickets: https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/purchase/10963?siteToken=vjqjpfvnrefgj5bnpv9vpt7t9m
For more information about the KOOP Radio Nightbeat Film Series, contact Lights Camera Austin/Original Motion Picture Soundtrack programmer Robert Sims at lightscameraaustin@gmail.com.
For more information about KOOP Radio’s mission and how you can support KOOP during their Spring Membership Drive and beyond, contact Melinda Belles at melinda@koop.org.