In celebration of the performance of the Sun Ra Arkestra at Skidmore College’s Earth Day on April 23, we unearth a crucial slice of Arkestra history with the documentary Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise. Director Robert Mugge intersperses Ra’s poetic philosophizing with searing Arkestra performances, specially highlighting Marshall Allen (currently the group’s leader, since Ra’s 1993 return to Saturn), who wrings interstellar communications from his alto saxophone. (1980, 60 mins)

We will begin at 8:00 pm and have an outdoor screening, weather permitting, otherwise in the Somers Room.