The Beth Custer Ensemble presents new live scores to three Alexander Hammid films. Originally commissioned by San Francisco Cinematheque and premiered at SF MOMA, Custer's ensemble will perform live with these rare Czech films.
Hammid was a significant figure of 20th century cinema, creating poetic personal “city symphony” films in the 1930s, anti-Nazi documentaries in the ‘40s and pioneering IMAX spectacles in the ‘70s. The spouse of filmmaker Maya Deren from 1942 - 47, Hammid was a collaborator on perhaps the avant-garde’s most influential work, Meshes of the Afternoon. In celebration of this vastly under appreciated artist, the Beth Custer Ensemble (consisting of Custer, Jan Jackson, David James, Diana Mangano, Chris Grady, and Vicky Grossi) will perform original scores by Custer to Hammid's earliest films Aimless Walk, At Prague Castle, and his lesser-known collaboration with Deren, Private Life of a Cat. A second short set of new and repertoire BCE songs and instrumentals will be on the bill as well.
The Ensemble performs works from Custer's vast repertoire including tunes from recent releases ROAM (received SF Chronicle's highest review rating) and RESPECT AS A RELIGION, the latter of which made the list of the Top 100 Listener's Poll at NYU radio. Renowned for her work with Trance Mission, Club Foot Orchestra, Eighty Mile Beach, and Clarinet Thing, Custer is a Bay Area mover and shaker who has composed for a myriad of artists including Joe Goode Performance Group, Melinda Stone, Flyaway Productions, Campo Santo Theatre, and Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. Also included in the set will be the Afrofunk/jazz tunes of guitarist David James.
Tickets are $20 General Admission, $23 General Day of Show and can be purchased by calling the box office at 415.383.9600 or on line at www.142throckmortontheatre.org For more information, email boxoffice@142throckmortontheatre.org
