The Boss, a rock star known for his generosity, donated the exclusive use of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in Barcelona to benefit historic movie houses like the Bay area's own Beach Theatre, where the film is presented on Friday night. Live in Barcelona documents a killer two-and-a-half hour show from "The Rising Tour." Ten songs from that record of hope and redemption, which helped millions cope with post-9/11 trauma, are given first-rate treatments. Fiery renditions of chestnuts like "Born to Run," "Badlands," "She's the One" and "Spirit in the Night" pepper the setlist as well. Rather than performing his recently-favored bluesy acoustic version of "Born in the U.S.A.," The Boss leads his band through an outsized, anthemic version that recalls the smash original. From the album of the same name, there's a fun take on "Dancin' in the Dark," another number Springsteen performs rarely. The show closes with a soul-stirring "Thunder Road," one of the greatest songs ever written about falling in love, chasing your dreams and finding freedom in the "promised land." The Beach Theatre first screened Barcelona in March. The event's success prompted this weekend's reprise. Fri., Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., 315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, $10, 727-360-6697.
This article appears in Sep 24-30, 2008.