The 1969 “Woodstock” concert is legendary, but The Harlem Cultural Festival (sometimes known as the “Black Woodstock”), a series of music concerts staged that same summer, is not, despite the star line-up and its lofty intent: to celebrate African American music and culture and promote the continued politics of Black pride.
Luckily, all six concerts were filmed, and have been packaged into the Hulu documentary, “Summer of Soul (…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” with performances by Stevie Wonder, B.B.King, The Fifth Dimension, Nina Simone, The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson and more.
Directed by Ahmir Thompson, better known as Questlove and as The Roots drummer, the film is in theaters and streaming on Hulu. It’s gotten 4.8 stars in audience ranking, and has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Also happening: Linda Ronstadt turned 75 y/o yesterday.