Black Magic Movie Night

Black Magic Movie Night Friday, May 23 | 7:30 PM Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis, Tulsa, OK 74104 Presented in partnership with Black Magic Rodeo Residency Join us for a special evening celebrating the enduring legacy of Black rodeo culture with a screening of the rarely-seen 1972 documentary Black Rodeo and the short film Villain, directed by Tulsa Artist Fellow Adam Davis. Feature Film: Black Rodeo (1972, 85 min, US) Written & Directed by Jeff Kanew. Cinematography by High Bell, Amin Q. Chaudhri, Louis San Andres, John M. Stephens, and John Wing. Narrated by Woody Strode. Featuring Muhammad Ali, Woody Strode, Bud Bramwell, Nelson Jackson, Mike Latting, and many more. In 1971, a parade of Black cowboys took to the streets of Harlem, redefining what it meant to be a cowboy and celebrating a legacy long erased from mainstream history. Featuring powerful appearances by Muhammad Ali—who famously rode horseback along 125th Street—and actor Woody Strode, the film captures this historic event that brought together more than 50 of the nation’s top Black cowboys. Inspired by rodeo traditions from Oklahoma and the American West, this Harlem event introduced thousands to the overlooked history of Black cowboys and their enduring contributions to Western culture. Ali’s brief but iconic appearance at the rodeo helped cement the event’s place in history and brought national attention to this powerful moment of cultural pride. Short Film: Villain (2025, 5 min, US) Directed by Adam Davis. Written & performed by Annahstasia. Produced by Rayvon Pollard. Edited by Arash Malekzadeh. Featuring Annahstasia, Kiali Barns, The Tulsa Outlaws. Set to the soaring vocals of singer-songwriter Annahstasia, Villain is a cinematic exploration of self-reflection and the internal struggles we all face. Filmed in Tulsa and featuring local talent—including The Tulsa Outlaws and horses from D&R Ranch—this visual work blurs the line between music video and short film. Villain offers a powerful meditation on the dualities of human existence, accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful performance. Director Adam Davis will introduce the films. This event is presented in connection with the Black Magic Rodeo Residency, a weeklong program (May 21–27, 2025) led by Tulsa Artist Fellow Adam Davis. The residency brings together six Black image makers—Amber Aisha, Brian Edwards Jr., Samone Kidane, Qurissy Lopez, Da'Shaunae Marisa, and Tosin Popoola—to explore and document the living traditions of Black rodeo culture in Oklahoma. Residents will photograph the historic Boley Rodeo, develop their work at Tulsa Artist Fellowship’s Archer Studios, and present their final projects at a public exhibition during First Friday on June 6, from 6–9 PM. Their work will culminate in a commemorative zine, debuting at an upcoming Tulsa Artist Fellowship First Friday event. Copies will also be available at Fulton Street Books & Coffee and preserved in the Boley Community Center's archives. Individual film tickets are $12 each. Tulsa Artist Fellowship is committed to arts accessibility. Ticket subsidy is available for audience members experiencing hardship. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3051562-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3051562-2

Read More

View Less