This Friday, join Leaping Laughter Lodge and Darius James for The United States of Hoodoo!
Movie night at the lodge is a normally a chance to hang out, watch some interesting films, and enjoy a lively discussion about the films as we watch, or after. This month though, we have a special treat. We’ll be showing the United States of Hoodoo, and thanks to some connections to the writer, we will have Darius James joining us via Skype after the screening for discussion on hoodoo, the making of the film, and a Q&A session! The film is focused on “how African based spirituality has influenced America´s popular culture. The old African gods have taken on new forms since their arrival on North America's shores. Their spirit now manifests itself in turn-table wizardry, improvisational skills and mind-blowing collages, rituals and performances. The film shakes up traditional and stereotypical ways of thinking about race, religion, rationality. Through meetings with musicians, writers and artists, miracle healers, gumbo cooks and Mississippi Blues men, this documentary explores a culture which has always drawn on a unique mix of different ethnic influences to produce its cultural diversity, allure, and vitality.”
Darius James was a close high school friend of Sallie Ann Glassman, who was recently interviewed by our own Deputy Lodge Master Harper Feist for the Thelema Now! Podcast. Currently, he is exploring the spiritual reality of Haitian voodoo through his friend, Val Jeanty, the electronic drummer featured in the documentary.
PLEASE NOTE: Darius has recently suffered a house fire, and without insurance is facing the huge task of replacing his hearth and home and all his possessions on his own. All donations received this month from Movie Night will be forwarded on to his crowd-funding recovery campaign. I can tell you, house fire recovery sucks, even when no one is injured.
Come one, come all, join us for an evening exploring the kind of practical magic that makes what we do meaningful in this whole “Great Work” thing we do. Suggested donation is $15 at the door, but whatever you bring will be appreciated!"
