Saturday November 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. the Black Arts & Cultural Center (BACC) will present the documentary film “Respect Yourself” The Stax Records Story. The film will be shown in the Gail Sydnor Gallery in the BACC located in the Epic Center at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall Drive in downtown Kalamazoo.  The film is funky, emotional, raw and powerful. That was soul music in the Civil Rights Era and Stax Records did it like no other. “Respect Yourself” narrated by noted actor Samuel L. Jackson, traces the astonishing history of Stax from a modest neighborhood hangout to a cultural and political empire. Stax is the story of birth and rebirth and the soul of music which keep it alive. This film provides first-hand accounts of what really happened on the street and behind studio doors from celebrated musicians such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Johnny Taylor and Sam and Dave. Others who recorded on the Stax label were Booker T and the MGS, The Staple Singers and Rufus and Carla Thomas. With Rare Performances previously unreleased home movies and new recordings, Grammy nominated filmmakers Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville present the first complete look at the Stax Records Label. This showing of “Respect Yourself” is free and there will be a short audience discussion after the viewing lead by artist James Watkins and music expert Michelle Johnson.

For more information go to http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/stax/index.html