The Haines Arts Council is kicking off its new winter film program with a screening of “This Ain’t No Mouse Music!” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Chilkat Center.
Council board member Matt Whitman said the group plans to screen music-themed films at the Chilkat Center on a monthly basis throughout the winter. Whitman said he chose the film after watching it at the Atlin Music Festival.
Released in 2013, “This Ain’t No Mouse Music!” is a documentary about roots music icon Chris Strachwitz, founder of Arhoolie Records. The film tells the story of Strachwitz’s decades-long search for “the musical soul of America,” in comparison to what he believed to be the slick “mouse music” dominating popular culture.
Strachwitz focused largely on recording blues, Cajun, norteño and other forms of roots music.
The documentary was directed by Chris Simon and Maureen Gosling. It premiered at the South by Southwest Festival in 2013.
Whitman said the council is going to screen the first couple movies on the big screen in the center auditorium and see if it is economically sustainable. Between the rental for the large hall and the fee for showing the movie, the event would have to draw about 80 people to break even, he said.
Whitman said he is deciding between “The 78 Project” and “Neil Young: Journeys” for the December screening.
Cost is $6.