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the performer’s stage fright that evening. “She
wasn’t going to go on stage, so I gave her my
arm and said, ‘Madame, can I accompany you
to the stage,’ and I escorted her to the stage,
where she played a terrific set.” The Tribute to
rickie lee was hosted by Peter Coyote and
featured the late legendary jazz saxophonist
Joe Henderson.
Following the screening of Zakir and His
Friends in 1998, Alexander’s rugs in Mill
Valley was the setting for a performance
by Zakir Hussain, the world-renowned
percussionist who played tabla on the
soundtrack to apocalypse now, and bassist
rob Wasserman. The following year,
Alexander’s hosted another great Indian
musician, sarangi master ustad Sultan khan,
following the screening of Jinnah. More
greats of world music were featured at 142
Throckmorton Theatre in 2005, when khalil
ragheb, ustad Aziz Herawi and ehsan
Ahmad performed in celebration of Stephen
Olsson’s sound of the soul.
One of the first music events held at the
Smith rafael Film Center was the set
Grateful dead member david Grisman played
in 2000, after the world premiere of Grateful
Dawg, the documentary by his daughter,
Gillian Grisman, about his musical friendship
with Jerry Garcia. bonnie raitt, a longtime
supporter of the Mill Valley Film Festival,
came to the rafael in 2002 to introduce
one of her all-time favorites, musician Oliver
Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe’s best-selling pop artist.
Thirty years later, the Mill Valley Film Festival
music events continue to work their magic.
last year’s doors film and music event
featured founding member ray Manzarek
and an evening with G.e. Smith, original and
longtime band leader for saturday night
Live. Other performers that night included
bob Weir and rob Wasserman, dan Hicks
& the lickettes, and a guest appearance by
saturday night Live alum dana Carvey, on
the drums. And in 2005, Festival Tributee
Jeff daniels and Talking Heads guitarist
Jerry Harrison were seen rocking out at the
Sweetwater, to robert randolph and the
Family band.
This year will prove no different. Following
the screening of director Todd Haynes’ new
bob dylan–inspired film, i’m not there (page
94), Clare Wasserman and Stephanie Clarke
will present the live music event “dylan
(Interpreted)”, featuring surprise special
guests from the film’s highly anticipated
soundtrack, including ramblin’ Jack elliott
and John doe, as well as a number of
online | mvff.com
performers who have supported the Festival
over the years. Another event will feature
new-wave pioneer Pearl Harbour, of Pearl
Harbour and the explosions, and ex-wife of
Clash bassist Paul Simonon, following the
screening of famed music-video director
Julian Temple’s documentary Joe strummer:
the Future is unwritten (page 95). See page
25 for more information on both of these live
shows.
before the conversation ends and everyone
heads back to work, Stephanie says, “Some
of my closest friends are people I met through
the Mill Valley Film Festival.” rita agrees, “The
Festival has always been like a family of friends
that opens its doors to the community and
invites everyone to come along and enjoy the
process, as well as to delight in the end result.”
Clare adds, “As bill Graham said so many
times, ‘It could only happen here’—we are so
blessed to be able to work in this remarkable
community.” At this 30th anniversary mark,
with the Mill Valley Film Festival about to begin,
Mark admits, “30 is young,” and there’s more
film and music yet to come.
Joshua Moore is the assistant programmer for the
Mill Valley Film Festival and an alumnus of san
Francisco state university.
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