Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
"Return of the Rub-A-Dub Style" @ Silent Movie Theatre 7-31-08
()
This past Thursday night “Return of the Rub-A-Dub Style” made its world premiere at the Silent Movie Theatre. Directed by Steve Hanft, the documentary tells the story of how L.A.’s weekly Dub Club was formed and maps its continuation of the reggae dub soundsystem tradition in Los Angeles. Hanft’s documentary, like the Dub Club selectors, digs deep into the history of dub and its impact on other music movements such as hip hop. The film is packed to the brim with compelling interviews of some of reggae’s legendary artists such as Ranking Joe, Brigadier Jerry, Scientist, Sister Nancy, U-Roy, L.A. resident Jah Faith and more – many who have ignited the Echo Park club’s stage.
A challenging aspect is trying to cover the wide range and history of reggae music but Hanft’s narrative, which is focused and playful, fuses the creation of Dub Club and its link directly to Jamaican roots culture. Wanting play the kind of reggae music he loved, Tom Chasteen and his friends co-founded Dub Club in 2000 in Echo Park. Eight years later, the club continues to roar like the Lion of Judah, booming with thunderous bass and reverb-drenched snares snapping like lightning. If you’re a roots reggae fan in L.A., most likely you go to Dub Club at the Echo every Wednesday night. After the screening, there was a live performance in the Silent Movie Theatre by the Echodelic Soundsystem. Among the performers was Jah Faith on the mic. Overall, “Return of a Rub-A-Dub Style” is a highly compelling and evocative look at not only the history of the L.A. Dub Club, but an informative glimpse of original Jamaican culture.
The screening of the documentary is part of the “Don’t Knock the Rock ‘08” film festival, which is organized by Cinefamily and director/writer Allison Anders. Be sure to check out their calendar for all the upcoming events.
Support for LAist comes from
Special thanks to Steve Hanft, Dub Club, Cinefamily, Allison Anders. Photo of Sister Nancy courtesy of Dub Club.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist