AFF'21

AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: River City Drumbeat (preceded by A Concerto is a Conversation)

Expired April 19, 2021 3:45 AM
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2 films in package
A Concerto is a Conversation
A virtuoso jazz pianist and film composer tracks his family’s lineage through his 91-year-old grandfather from Jim Crow Florida to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Closed captions available
River City Drumbeat
A powerful story of music, love, and legacies, told by the members of a Black youth drum corps in Louisville, Kentucky. When the founder steps down, a young alum whose life was saved by the drumline rises to mentor the next generation in the face of systemic injustices.
Closed captions available
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Protected ContentThis content can only be viewed in authorized regions: Maryland, District Of Columbia, ???.

Stick around after the film for a special Q&A with cast and crew!


This program has been geolocated to the state of Maryland, Washington DC, and the "DC-Metro" area, and includes only these Virginia cities: Alexandria, Arlington, Crystal City, Falls Church, Fairfax, and McClean. If you are outside of any of these areas, you will be unable to view this program.

Black arts matter is the pulsating melody in this beautiful story about the River City Drum Corps founded by “Nardie” White and his late wife, Zambia Nkrumah. They inspired African-American youth in their Louisville, KY neighborhood by connecting them with the culture of their African ancestors.  White passes the torch to new leadership under Albert Shumake, a young artist whose troubled life was transformed by his musical drumline experience. Glorious, rhythmic drum battles enliven this thoughtful doc about what it means to make a difference and the lasting impact of art, love, and community.


Presented by Sandy Liotta | The Liotta Osterman Buchinski Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

  • Year
    2019
  • Runtime
    95 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Director
    Anne Flatté, Marlon Johnson
  • Producer
    Owsley Brown, Anne Flatté, Marlon Johnson
  • Cast
    Edward White, Albert Shumake, Imani Keith, Jailen Leavell, Ed Hamilton
  • Cinematographer
    John Anderson Beavers, Juan Carlos Castañeda
  • Editor
    Jeff Boyette
  • Composer
    B. Quincy Griffin
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