Silent Film Spectacular Performances in October
Albany Public Library’s award-winning Silent Film Spectacular is back! This four-event series offers a truly unique film-going experience as silent movies are screened alongside live performances of original soundtracks crafted by talented Capital Region bands. This season’s films range from the terrifying to the adventurous, and even include an entry created by one of the bands.
The Silent Film Spectacular events take place in the large auditorium of the Washington Avenue Branch (161 Washington Avenue) on four consecutive Wednesday evenings (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) at 7 pm. The performances are free and open to the public. For more information, please call 427-4349.
This year’s Silent Film Spectacular programs are:
· Oct. 7 – “Dementia” featuring Blacklight Lighthouse
· Oct. 14 – “Peter Pan” featuring Time Travel Bookclub
· Oct. 21 – “The Unknown” featuring Clank
· Oct. 28 – “When an Alien Robot Crash-lands in Troy, NY” featuring lastdayshining
“Dementia” with live, original music by Blacklight Lighthouse
Oct. 7 (Wed) at 7 pm – Washington Ave. Branch
In “Dementia,” which was released in 1955, a psychotic woman awakens from a nightmare in a cheap hotel room and spends a frightening night on skid row. Blacklight Lighthouse creates loops and samples layered with acoustic and electronic instrumentation resulting in a sound collage that will delight the audience.
“Peter Pan” with live, original music by Time Travel Bookclub
Oct. 14 (Wed) at 7 pm – Washington Ave. Branch
The 1924 film “Peter Pan” closely follows the original stage play and incorporates some of the dialogue in the title cards. Time Travel Bookclub will use modular synthesis, guitar, piano, electronics, and percussion to create an evocative soundscape.
“The Unknown” with live, original music by Clank
Oct. 21 (Wed) at 7 pm – Washington Ave. Branch
In “The Unknown,” which was released in 1927, a criminal on the run from the law hides in a circus and pursues the ringmaster’s daughter. Clank is an electronic musical duo that uses synthesizers, samplers, effects pedals, electric guitars, and modifiers to create live soundscapes of spontaneous sounds, loops, and samples woven together.
“When an Alien Robot Crash-lands in Troy, NY” an original film and soundtrack by lastdayshining
Oct. 28 (Wed) at 7 pm – Washington Ave. Branch
Albany band lastdayshining had such a great experience at last year’s Silent Film Spectacular that they decided to create their own film for this year’s event. lastdayshining is a hard-hitting, post-rock band with a sound characterized by expressive instrumental buildups that travel through a range of dynamic changes from quiet lows to bone-crushing highs.
Stephanie Simon
Stephanie Simon is manager of APL's Communication and Creative Services Department, which provides content and information for the library's website, social media, publications, videos, podcasts, and other outlets. Stephanie also manages APL's public relations and marketing efforts.