There’s gonna be some hot fun when WMNF’s DJ Steve “The Hitman” Williams broadcasts his Friday night “Soul Party” show live at from outside Tampa Theatre—which is screening the movie through July 11—during a block party celebrating the release of “Summer of Soul,” Questlove’s directorial debut which uses lost footage to tell the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969.
The free, all-ages event has an audience-participation drum circle led by Giving Tree Music and the United Soul Line Dancers onsite encouraging body moving to Williams’ selections, which usually include cuts by era hitmakers like Bobby Womack, Stevie Wonder and Esther Phillips. Supernatural Food & Wine and Hyppo Gourmet Popsicles will have the food rocking for you, too, and if you don’t want to drive to Tampa to see the flick—also available on Hulu on the same day as the limited theatrical release—then check it out at St. Pete’s indie moviehouse, Green Light Cinema, which is screening “Summer of Soul” through July 8.
While Questlove won't be at Tampa Theatre to celebrate the release of this jawn, the Roots drummer was last in downtown Tampa in 2018 when his band headlined the Gasparilla Music Festival.
Summer of Soul Block Party w/ DJ Steve “The Hitman” Williams/Giving Tree Music. Friday, July 2, 5 p.m. Free. Tampa Theatre, Tampa. tampatheatre.org
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