Revival House to blow up with ‘Black Dynamite’ Sept. 15

Like a cinematic family photo album, the Revival House series Your Roots are Showing will return at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Milton Theatre.

For this installment, attendees will look at the highly praised, loving ode to the Blaxploitation films of the 1970s, "Black Dynamite," and pair it with one of the many films that inspired it, "Three the Hard Way." The event will also feature live music and art from area musical legend Bernard Sweetney, and delicacies available from The Happy Cow.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with a jazz-infused happy hour, featuring the multitalented Sweetney providing the soundtrack as well as the art for guests. Participants can purchase beverages from Maine Root, handcrafted, fair-trade sodas including ginger brew, Mexicane cola and root beer, and dine on delicious barbecue items.
On the stage

Master percussionist Sweetney has performed around the globe, bringing his fusion of jazz, rock, Latin and classical music to stages around the world. Whether performing with his own band or with renowned artists such as Roberta Flack, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Horn and Richie Cole, Sweetney has made music his life. A staple of the local music scene, Sweetney performs regularly at 1776, the former Kupchick's in Lewes and was a former grand marshal of the long-running Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival.
On the wall

Once again, Sweetney will demonstrate that his talents don't stop with the stage. Throughout his career, he has used his hands to create jazz-inspired artwork which will be on display in the theater's showroom through mid-October. Sweetney's art reflects his lifetime love and understanding of music, having graduated with a master's in music from Howard University, and his ability to cover a variety of music and instruments on stage.
On the plate

A variety of healthy eats will be available for purchase from The Happy Cow Deli of Milton, which specializes in micro-organic greens, a choice selection of Boar's Head deli cold cuts and cheeses as well as a variety of tempting desserts.
On the screen

At 6 p.m., the R-rated genre parody "Black Dynamite" will be screened. Featuring a faux-poor production value, crackerjack writing and committed, straight-faced performances from all involved, "Dynamite" is a sidesplitting parody of the Blaxploitation flicks of the 1970s that filled the grindhouse theaters. "Shaft," "Black Caesar" and "Super Fly" all served as inspiration for this iconic cult classic.

At 7:45 p.m. comes the 1974 R-rated genre classic "Three the Hard Way." It is one of the films that served as inspiration for "Black Dynamite." The film stars Jim Kelly, Fred Williamson and Jim Brown who were all staples of iconic Blaxploitation films of their own, such as "Black Belt Jones," "Bucktown" and "Slaughter." In "Hard Way," the three legends team up to take down a racist plot to poison a city's inhabitants. Known for its insane stunts and nonstop action, "Three the Hard Way" serves as a perfect chaser for the double feature.

Tickets for the entire event are $10, and $5 for students 17 and older as well as seniors. Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m. so participants can enjoy the sweet sounds of Sweetney, peruse his artwork and grab a bite and a drink. "Black Dynamite" will begin at 6 p.m., with a brief intermission before "Three the Hard Way" at 7:45.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.revivialhousetheater.com or www.miltontheatre.com.