Lightning & Thunder, a homegrown Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond cover band. They fall in love, rise to fame and suffer grave misfortune as they share the music of the Jewish Elvis with the people of Milwaukee. email songsungblue@rooftopfilms.com to sign up so that you can perform Neil Diamond Karaoke live on stage prior to the film (directions below).
Please note: this is a free public event, and Song Sung Blue is a beautiful and powerful documentary, but it is a serious film for adults and mature children. Please note that there is some strong language.
If the weather looks questionable, please call 718.417.7362 AFTER 3 PM on Saturday for an update.
Venue: on the lawn at Southpoint Park on Roosevelt Island
Address: The Southern tip of Roosevelt Island
Directions: F train or the tram to Roosevelt Island. Walk South along the West side of the island through the gate at Southpoint Park. Continue South through the park to the very southern tip of the island. MAP
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held the next day, August 17, at the same location.
8:00PM: Sign up to perform Neil Diamond Karaoke LIVE in front of a huge audience!
9:00PM: Films
Admission: FREE
Preview: See short films from this and other programs at www.IFC.com
Presented in partnership with: IFC.com, New York magazine, City Council Member Jessica Lappin & The New York City Council Manhattan Delegation & the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
PROGRAM NOTES:
Song Sung Blue (Greg Kohs | Wisconsin | 1:27:00)
Join us for a karaoke celebration of the music of Neil Diamond followed by a beautiful documentary about two American dreamers who fought their whole lives to make people happy and to forget their problems and worries by playing the music of one of America’s great crooners. Filmmaker Greg Kohs goes backstage into the personal lives of a brave couple - from their humble beginnings over 20 years ago to the threshold of fame, from disaster to rebirth, through to the most dramatic chapters in the lives of these authentic American dreamers.
Kohs first encountered Lightning & Thunder in 1993 while directing a documentary for Harley-Davidson. Lightning was belting out Sweet Caroline to a crowd of grizzled bikers dancing their chaps off. The footage never made it into the Harley film, but the impression the pair left on him was lasting, and he felt an affection for them that he found nearly impossible to articulate.
A few years later, Kohs began documenting Lightning and Thunder’s journey, hoping he could capture some of the enchanting enthusiasm he had witnessed in the bar that night—admittedly harboring a deep desire to help them achieve their unlikely dreams. He followed them as they lugged their gear in and out of bowling alleys, bars, night clubs, and steadily bigger venues, eventually capturing their performance at a huge outdoor concert that culminated with a joyous and unlikely duet with a surprisingly game Eddie Vedder.
Soon thereafter, tragedy struck, and a series of misfortunes and medical problems nearly derailed their dreams and their relationship. They teeter for years on the brink of disaster, but their love for one another and the joy they bring to their fans never wavers. Song Sung Blue captures the uniquely American ability to invent one's self and strive for a seemingly impossible goal. It’s about fleeting celebrity and love and about a couple who manages to maintain their passion for one another amid the vicissitudes of life.
“I ABSOLUTELY LIVE TO DISCOVER FILM’S LIKE THIS”
CAPONE - AIN’T IT COOL NEWS
“A GREAT MOVIE FROM BEGINNING TO END”
A Spy named Dugrex - AIN’T IT COOL NEWS
“THE ULTIMATE PICTURE OF THE AMERICAN ROCK STAR DREAM”
Lindsay Eanet - THE MANEATER
“STRANGER-THAN-FICTION”
Dennis Harvey - VARIETY
Prior to the Film YOU can perform Neil Diamond karaoke LIVE on stage:
In the spirit of Song Sung Blue, prior you can sign up to perform your favorite Neil Diamond song LIVE on the lawn in front of the full audience. Pick your favorite Diamond gem and email us at songsungblue@rooftopfilms.com --send us your name, the song you want to sing, and the best email address to be reached at and if you sign up in time you can be the lead vocalist on stage as we all sing along to Sweet Caroline, Song Sung Blue, Cracklin’ Rosie, Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon, Up on the Roof, America, Heartlight, and many more.
Available Songs: America, Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show, Cherry, Cherry, Cracklin' Rosie, Hello Again, Holly Holy, I am...I Said, The Last Thing On My Mind, Love on the Rocks, September Morn, Solitary Man, Song Sung Blue, Story of My Life, Sweet Caroline, Thank the Lord for the Night Time, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind, Brooklyn Roads, Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon, Headed for the Future, Heartlight, I believe in Happy Endings, I Haven't Played This Song in Years, I'm a Believer, I'm Alive, Kentucky Woman, Leave a Little Room for God, Longfellow Serenade, Morningside, Play Me, Red Red Wine, Shilo, Soolaimon, Stones, Two Wrong, Yesterday's Song, You are The Best Part of Me
Preceded by:
A Different Color Blue (Melanie Levy | California | 3:59)
Meet Charles Curtis Blackwell -- poet, artist and activist who, at the age of 20, lost his eyesight. Despite being unable to see fully, he continues to work through visual medium, creating pieces of beauty and remarkable spirit.
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