June 29, 7 pm (Newark Museum)
NIGHT CATCHES US
After years of mysterious absence, Marcus (Anthony Mackie) returns to the Philadelphia neighborhood where he came of age in the midst of the Black Power movement. While his arrival raises suspicion among his family and former neighbors, he finds acceptance from his old friend Patricia (Kerry Washington) and her daughter. In a sequence of events, Marcus must protect a secret that could shatter everyone's beliefs. (90 minutes)

Speaker: Tanya Hamilton, Director

Hollywood’s first all-black film since The Green Pastures (1936), Cabin in the Sky tells the vibrant fable of Little Joe (Eddie “Rochester” Anderson) who is torn between the love of his good wife, Petunia (Ethel Waters), and the wiles of bad girl Georgia Brown (Lena Horne) Caught in a tug-of-war between emissaries from the Lord and Satan, the ultimate question is how can virtue triumph over evil? (98 minutes)

Speaker: Donald Bogle, Film Historian and Author
(Book Signing)

Come early for a 5:45 pm private viewing
of Ajiaco: Stirring of the Cuban Soul

July 13, 7 pm (Newark Museum)
WHEN THE SPIRITS DANCE MAMBO
CUANDO LOS ESPIRITUS BAILAN MAMBO

The film has been described as a triumphant voyage of faith and power, as well as a testament to the strength and triumph of the human spirit. Tracing the role of sacred African thought and practices into the formation of Cuban society, culture and music, the documentary pays tribute to the mirror-image ritual energy that traveled from West Africa over to Cuba and New York.  The film is a celebration of the tradition of ancestor worship, and it documents the roots of the sacred African religion, La Regla de Ocha (known as Santeria) as practiced in Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba and Havana.  Audience Q & A with the filmmaker will follow the screening.
Spanish with English subtitles. (90 minutes)

Speaker: Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Executive Producer

July 20, 7 pm
(New Jersey Institute of Technology - NJIT)
ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS:
THE STORY OF THE GREATEST TEAM
YOU NEVER HEARD OF (2010) – KAREEM ABDUL–JABAAR
The NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer and Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, presents the story of the greatest team you never heard of. This tale of the all-black Harlem Rens connects positive role models and their will to succeed during a time when African Americans faced tremendous obstacles. Set in the 1930s, this unique documentary combines basketball and jazz with a blend of animation and 3D effects to a soundtrack of jazz infused with hip hop. (75 minutes)

Speakers: Deborah Morales, Producer, Ex. Director and Bobby Shepard, Director of Photography

Cicely Tyson ages from 19 to 110 in the role of Jane Pittman, a fictional African-American woman whose life began in slavery and ended at the inception of the Civil Rights Movement. Her life unfolds in flashbacks, many painful and unpleasant, as well as uplifting and hopeful.
(110 minutes)

A LIVING PAINTING
This moving work—a Newark Museum original production—features a dramatic portrayal of the main character in Winslow Homer’s painting, Near Andersonville, (1865-66).
(9:44 min.)

Speaker: Dr. Clement A. Price

August 3, 7 pm (Newark Museum)
I WILL FOLLOW
A family tragedy brings some people together while forcing others to examine matters they've preferred to ignore. Amanda (Beverly Todd) was a successful and free-spirited musician whose life was cut short by breast cancer. In the last year of her life, she was helped by her niece Maye (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), who moves into her home to care for her. Not long after Amanda's passing, Maye encounters an unexpected visitor, Fran (Michole White), Amanda's daughter, who had had a falling-out with her mother. As Maye deals with the strong emotions of loosing her aunt, she also now has to deal with Fran as they squabble over who truly loved Amanda. (81 min.)

Speaker: Ava DuVernay, Director

JAMES ARMISTEAD
Watch the climactic siege and decisive American victory at Yorktown in two animated episodes of PBS's award-winning series. Sarah, Henri and James learn how Virginia slave James Armistead overcame tremendous obstacles to play a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Sarah and Henri go from camp to camp with Lafayette as he jousts with Cornwallis, while James follows the maneuvering of Washington and Henry Knox.

THE BREMEN TOWN MUSICIANS
Follow the inspiring adventures of a dog, cat, rooster and donkey who prove it is never too late to start over. Well along in years already—and worried that life may have passed them by—these four spunky animals decide to begin their lives anew as traveling musicians. Their comic escapades and dogged attempts to harmonize will amuse both young and old alike. The inspired musical score brings this ultimate musician's tale vividly to life.

KOI AND THE KOLA NUTS
Whoopi Goldberg humorously retells this West African folk tale about the proud son who sets out to find his rightful place in the world. Koi wants the villagers to honor him as befits the son of a chief. However, unless he can accomplish three impossible tasks, he will end up in the cooking pot instead. This powerful adaptation captures the rich textures and folk imagery of African culture.

UNCLE JED'S BARBERSHOP
From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow, this program is based upon the book by Margaree King Mitchell.  Viewers will be heartened by the story of Sara Jean's Uncle Jed, an African-American barber who overcame many setbacks, including the Great Depression, as he worked to save enough money to open his own barbershop. In the episode, host LeVar Burton finds out about making dreams come true with determination and faith as he talks with The Persuasions, an a cappella quartet. The group tells how they pursued their dream in spite of being told that a singing group without musical instruments didn't have a chance for success.

ABIYOYO
From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children's series, Reading Rainbow, this program presents the book by Pete Seeger.  Based upon a South African lullaby and folk tale, it is the tale of boy and his father who devise a plan to save their townspeople from a giant. In addition, host LeVar Burton introduces children to music videos and storytelling, special guest Run DMC raps a story to music and a ballerina shows children how to express emotions and tell stories without words through dance.

LINE
World-famous cartoonist Ric Estrada demonstrates line theory while drawing cartoons in this live-action program, featuring animated host “The Masked Pencil.” Viewers will learn about the process of transferring cartoon thumbnails to the finished pieces and the importance of grouping shapes to create balance. The program finishes with a visit to Mexico City's Museum of Modern Art to explore the works of Xavier Esqueda, Gunther Gerzo and Enrique Echeverria.

FINDING LINCOLN
Assigned to write an essay about young Abe Lincoln, Louis, an African-American boy growing up in Alabama in the 1950s, heads to his local "whites only" library. Although he is scolded and told to leave, one kind librarian invites him to come back after closing hours. In the empty library, the librarian helps Louis find Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg, a book that inspires him to fight for fair treatment in his life.  An iconographic presentation of the book by Ann Malaspina and illustrated by Colin Bootman.

HARRIET TUBMAN
Witness the daring exploits of Harriet Tubman in this thrilling account of her life as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad.  See how this courageous woman managed to help more than 300 slaves escape to the North from 1849 to 1860. Created by former Disney director Richard J. Rich, this award-winning program features stunning animation and original music.

BURKINA FASO: THE TYRANT AND THE CHILD
This folktale from Burkina Faso describes a village that was once ruled by a wicked and crazy king. Because of his madness, he expels all of the elders from the village, leaving behind only the children. He insists that the children build him a palace that reaches to the sky. Unable to do so, the children devise a plan to prove the importance of their elders and overthrow the king. Though the captivating animations of this classic tale, viewers will discover some of the culture and traditions of the people of Burkina Faso.

A LIVING PAINTING
This moving work—a Newark Museum original production—features a dramatic portrayal of the main character in Winslow Homer’s painting, Near Andersonville, (1865-66).  The original work is on view at the Newark Museum in its Picturing America galleries.

CARIBBEAN: THE CHIEF AND THE CARPENTER
On a Caribbean island during the colonial period, a governor seeks to find a feat for which he will be widely remembered. He enlists the help of a carpenter to cut down all of the island's trees and build a tower tall enough to reach the moon. Is the governor successful? Or is he stuck with a tower that is too short on an a barren island?

JUVIEZ: BOYZ VS. GIRLZ
This award-winning animated program follows a group of gifted urban children as they learn life lessons while growing up in the inner city. The story centers on eight-year-old artistic prodigy Ray, his little brother, Manny, and his friends and classmates Junie, Alexie, JoJo and Meka. In this adventure, the kids learn to work together as they get ready for a spelling bee.

PRINCESS SCARGO AND THE BIRTHDAY PUMPKIN
This touching story features a young Native American girl who gives up a precious birthday gift in order to save her village. Based on a popular Native American legend, this enchanting adaptation embodies the true spirit of selflessness.

PANCHITA THE PRAIRIE DOG
Help Diego and Alicia at Rescue Ranch, where they meet Panchita, a prairie dog who needs to find a nice grassy prairie for her family.

THE GOOD DAY
Beavers Barney, Betty, Beemer and Bonnie begin their story from their home in the North American forest.  When a flood destroys their home and carries them out to sea, Walton, a whale, picks them up and carries them to South America.  Here, the beavers experience a society of animals that have decided to live without fighting for one day each month.  The travelers learn of this value and seek to bring this lesson back to their home.

THE WIZ
"If you believe in yourself, you will have brains, heart and courage to last your life through," declares Dorothy to her newfound friends. The group finally finds the way to realize their hopes and dreams in the spectacular movie version of the hit Broadway musical based on L. Frank Baum's classic The Wizard Of Oz. Diana Ross and Michael Jackson head an all-star cast. This lavishly mounted production is driven by Quincy Jones' high energy music and boasts the look of a highly imaginative tomorrow as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion "ease on down the road" through this fantastic, magical land on their way to see the Wiz.

PERFECT HARMONY
Set in South Carolina during the 1950s, this movie tells of how boyhood friendship and love of music overcame racial prejudice.  Two boys—Taylor, the star of his prep school’s renowned, all-white choir, and Landy, an orphaned black teenager with a gift for the blues—develop a friendship in spite of the racial barriers that divide the school and town.  Starring Peter Scolari (Newhart) as the academy’s inspirational choirmaster, this impressive work features uplifting music and promises family entertainment.