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From writer, producer and director Mick Csaky, The Godmother of Rock & Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe is a documentary that chronicles the life, music and influence of African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Sister Rosetta Tharpe played a highly significant role in the creation of rock & roll, inspiring musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Little Richard and Chuck Berry. She may not be a household name, but this flamboyant African-American gospel singing superstar, with her spectacular virtuosity on the newly-electrified guitar, was one of the most influential popular musicians of the 20th century.
Tharpe was born in 1915, close to the Mississippi in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. At the age of six she was taken by her evangelist mother Katie Bell to Chicago to join Roberts Temple, Church of God in Christ, where she developed her distinctive style of singing and guitar playing. At the age of 23 she left the church and went to New York to join the world of show business, signing with Decca Records. For the following 30 years she performed extensively to packed houses in the USA and subsequently Europe, before her death in 1973.
In 2008 the state governor of Pennsylvania declared that henceforth January 11th will be Sister Rosetta Tharpe Day in recognition of her remarkable musical legacy.
Film screening starts at 6:30PM and is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by Arkansas PBS.
AGE GROUP: | All ages | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Society & Culture | Music |
TAGS: | WomensHistoryMonth | FilmScreening |
Today's hours
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Nestled in the heart of the beautiful city of Maumelle, the library is surrounded by Lake Valencia and numerous popular walking trails. The newly renovated building boasts an extensive collection of DVDs, audiobooks, fiction, non-fiction, and bestsellers for all ages. Enjoy the natural setting of our library by checking out our fishing poles for a relaxing day of fishing with the family, or checking out our telescope to view the wonders of the night sky. Book clubs for adults, cooking classes for kids, and storytime for babies are just a few of the many programs offered every month that the entire family can enjoy. For individuals and small groups we provide several study rooms, and if you have a larger group give us a call or stop by to discuss having your next get-together in our meeting room.
