When I organized Mothership: The Future Is Female in 2016, I had no idea I would be able to revisit the woman who inspired it all: Betty Davis. In 2016, Mothership moderator Danielle Maggio had come on as Associate Producer on a documentary about the elusive genius. In 2017, Maggio and director Phil Cox contacted me about supporting the 2018 Pittsburgh premiere of their finished product THEY SAY I'M DIFFERENT. After our first call, we knew this should be more than a screening - Betty, her family, her legacy, and younger generations who would be introduced to her, deserved much more.
With support from Red Bull Music Academy, we were honored to reunite Betty's original band (and family members) FUNK HOUSE for a tribute performance fronted by some of Pittsburgh's most powerful talent. Additionally, we presented a panel with female professionals throughout the music and media landscape, discussing imagery, representation and ownership. Special guests included Vivian Host (Red Bull Radio) and Jocelyn Cooper (Afropunk). Director Phil Cox also presented a master class for local documentary filmmakers.
THEY SAY I'M DIFFERENT and FUNK HOUSE performed to a sold-out house. This program set the template for future performances / presentations that will travel to NYC in the spring of 2018 and beyond.
