Wichita’s historic Orpheum Theatre, an ASM Global-managed facility, is adding to its on-screen programming with the Black Lens Film Series, presented by Cox.
The new series kicks off Thursday, April 7 with the current Oscar and GRAMMY-nominated film, Summer of Soul, directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
The series focuses on stories by Black directors and screenwriters including, Thompson, Ryan Coogler, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Spike Lee, and Kemp Powers, with five films that reflect the diversity of the Black experience.
The films highlight and celebrate family, community activism, Black love, and Black joy.
Summer of Soul(…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is a documentary concert film that highlights the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival that had minimal coverage in pop culture and music history until now. Carla Eckels, host of KMUW’s weekly program Soulsations will introduce the screening of this revolutionary event.
Black Panther is the 2018 blockbuster film showcasing the strength, legacy, power and the responsibility of family and community of Wakanda through their leader, T’Challa. Rise Up for Youth (RU4Y), founded by Lynn and David Gilkey is partnering with this event. RU4Y showcases the values of this film by mentoring young people with the tools they need to cope with difficulties in life and succeed in adulthood.
With the new film series, the Orpheum plans to partner with community organizations at each event to highlight this series’ purpose and reflections within the Wichita community and the surrounding areas.
Black Lens Film Series tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Select-A-Seat, online at selectaseat.com, by phone at 855.755.SEAT, and in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Individual tickets are priced at $8 general admission and $7 for students, seniors, and military.
Series passes are also available for $30 and include one ticket to each film in the series.
Orpheum’s Black Lens Film Series Schedule 2022
Apr. 7 – Summer of Soul (2021)
SUMMER OF SOUL is part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture, and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just 100 miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, and more.
Carla Eckels, host of KMUW’s weekly program Soulsations will introduce the screening of this revolutionary event.
May 6 – Black Panther (2018)
After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Prince T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new king. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
Rise Up for Youth (RU4Y), founded by Lynn and David Gilkey is partnering with this event. RU4Y showcases the values of this film by mentoring young people with the tools they need to cope with difficulties in life and succeed in adulthood.
May 26 – Love & Basketball (2000)
Monica and Quincy love and play basketball together through many life challenges from childhood to adulthood. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, starring Sanaa Latham and Omar Epps.
Jun. 30 – Do The Right Thing (1989)
On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone’s hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence. Directed by Spike Lee, starring Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Spike Lee, Rosie Perez and more.
Jul. 29 – Soul (2020)
Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz and he’s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.
