National Blues Museum Kicks Off Free Film/Lecture Series

 The National Blues Museum (NBM) will kick off its inaugural film and lecture series on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at 6 p.m. with a screening of the film M FOR MISSISSIPPI. Produced in partnership with the St. Louis Public Library, the series will take place at Central Library's new 250-seat auditorium, 1301 Olive Street in Downtown St. Louis.  All of the events are free and open to the public.

M FOR MISSISSIPPI is an award-winning documentary celebrating the raw, raucous spirit of Mississippi's surviving blues scene.  The documentary follows Blues producers -- and native St. Louisans -- Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle on a weeklong journey across Mississippi, visiting dozens of the state's most fascinating Blues figures in rustic environments ranging from juke joints to cotton fields.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a performance by Terry "Harmonica" Bean, one of the musicians featured in the film.  After the screening of the documentary, there will be a Q&A session with producers Konkel and Stolle.

In addition to films, the five-part 2013 NBM Film/Lecture Series will include future appearances by several representatives and educators connected to the music industry.

Upon opening in 2014, the National Blues Museum will feature a variety of onsite and in-classroom opportunities to explore the history of Blues music and its influence on rock and roll, hip hop, jazz, gospel, and R&B.

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