The Granada Theatre Film Series Presents SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY

The Jurkowitz Center for Community Engagement is pleased to announce the next film in the "Movies That Matter with Hal Conklin" film series, Say Amen, Somebody, will screen on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 7:00pm, accompanied by a special performance from the Inner Light Gospel Choir. Say Amen, Somebody is a compelling look at the colorful history of Gospel music in the United States, featuring real-life accounts from some of the earliest founders of this form of praise.

Before the film screening, guests can look forward to a performance by the Inner Light Gospel Choir, plus a special discussion with Inner Light Lead Artistic Director Dauri Kennedy, Assistant Artistic Director Peter Hernandez, President Terri Cruz, and series curator Hal Conklin. The Inner Light Gospel Choir was founded in 1980 by Bishop Mama Pat Patrick based on her belief that the messages in gospel songs were for everyone to sing and to hear. Mama Pat founded Inner Light Choir for anyone and everyone who has the desire to sing.

Under the leadership of Dauri Kennedy, Inner Light Choir is a multicultural, multi-racial, multi-denominational community choir open to new members of all ages and all backgrounds. Its purpose is to touch hearts and lift spirits through the medium of Gospel music, and to further the knowledge of gospel music as a true form of American art.

Until the 20th Century, gospel music was passed down through generations without any written form - its style and rhythms serving as the basis for other uniquely American music including jazz and blues. Featuring some of the earliest founders of gospel music, Say Amen, Somebody captures this form of praise on film like never before. The story touches on the real life experiences of early unknown singers including Willie Mae Ford Smith and Thomas A. Dorsey whose lament "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" sung at his wife and daughters' funeral became one of the greatest Gospel songs of all time.

Tickets range in price from $10 - $20, and are available through The Granada Theatre's Box Office - please click here to purchase or call the Box Office at (805) 899-2222. Dates and film titles are subject to change.

For the complete schedule of Granada Theatre Film Series films, please click here. To learn more about how to support The Granada Theatre, please contact Hayley Firestone Jessup, Vice President for Advancement, at 805-899-3000 orhjessup@granadasb.org.

About The Granada Theatre

The Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts (SBCPA), a privately-funded 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1983, is dedicated to providing best-in-class production, sales and administrative support to arts organizations from throughout the Santa Barbara region, including its Historic Theatre District partners (Lobero Theatre and the New Vic Theatre) as well as its eight resident companies (CAMA, Music Academy of the West, Opera Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Choral Society, Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, Theater League and UCSB Arts & Lectures).

The SBCPA's most visible service is operation of The Granada Theatre. Purchased by the SBCPA in 2003, restored and reopened in 2008, The Granada Theatre has state-of-the-art electrical, sound, lighting and fly systems, large and up-to-date dressing rooms, as well as contemporary audience amenities. By providing a world-class venue with skilled house management staff, production staff, marketing and ticketing services staff, the SBCPA is making it possible for many of Santa Barbara's finest performing arts organizations to present their programs with the highest level of contemporary production support and audience comfort.

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