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June 19/21/22: Russian premiere of our new film, Ghosts in the Machine

June 16, 2019 at 11:22 am / Blog

We are so excited about the first public screenings of this project we’ve been working on for the past year! In 2018, Media Burn was awarded a prestigious International Connections Fund grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This grant enabled us to select four filmmakers–two American and two Russian–who collaborated to create a found footage film. The films draw from Media Burn’s collection to create works that reflect on historical truths and media manipulation. The 60-minute … Continue reading →
Rare Footage of the Legendary Dr. John Performing at a Private Party in 1976

June 12, 2019 at 10:50 am / Blog

On June 6, 2019, the legendary musician Dr. John passed away. His music combined jazz, rock n’ roll, boogie woogie, pop, and blues in a way that changed the New Orleans music tradition. In a career that spanned over 60 years, he helped morph the sound of the Big Easy. As Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote in his tribute, Dr. John “wasn’t interested in merely keeping the old ways alive, he wanted them to grow and expand.” He also drew from New … Continue reading →
30 Years After Tiananmen Square

June 4, 2019 at 12:49 pm / Blog

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, China. It’s estimated that between 500,000 and 1.5 million people gathered on June 4, 1989 as part of the student-led protest against the government. They called for democracy and freedom of speech. However, actions from the Chinese military led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. American Pat Keeton was in the crowd and managed to make a VHS tape of her experience. She followed literature professor … Continue reading →
Chicago Home Video Day is this Saturday!

May 21, 2019 at 2:37 pm / Blog

Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E Chicago Ave, in the CommonsWhen: Saturday, May 25th, noon to 4pm, drop by any time Admission: Programs in the Commons are always free! Museum admission is required for gallery access.How: The rules are simple – bring your VHS, VHS-C, Hi-8, Video 8 or Mini-DV cassette to the team of inspectors, who will make whatever repairs are necessary to ensure the tape is playable, and can answer your questions about videotape care and … Continue reading →
Kids event: make a video time capsule on May 18!

May 13, 2019 at 9:38 am / Blog

Media Burn Archive works to preserve important videos so they’ll be able to be watched far into the future. At the Video Time Capsule Workshop, families will be able to preserve their own memories and create a special message for their future selves! You’ll work together to write and produce video time capsules, explore kids videos from different eras, learn about the ways videos used to be made, and showcase your creativity with a Polaroid craft. The Video Time Capsule … Continue reading →
Democratic Powerhouse Thomas Hynes Dies at 80

May 8, 2019 at 9:51 am / Blog

Thomas Hynes, Chicago Democrat who held office for more than 40 years, died May 4 after a long illness. He was an influential member of the Democratic National Committee. First elected to the Illinois Senate in 1970, he became its youngest President at 31. From his base in Chicago’s 19th ward, he was long-serving Cook County assessor. He also decided to run against Harold Washington in the 1987 Chicago mayoral race. While he was a part of the Democratic party, … Continue reading →
Remembering Activist and Radio Host Blase Bonpane

April 26, 2019 at 9:58 am / Blog

Earlier this month, activist and radio host Blase Bonpane passed away at the age of 90. He hosted and produced the radio show, “World Focus,” for progressive L.A. radio station, KFPK, for fifty years. The show focused on peace, justice, and human rights, with Bonpane interviewing guests to talk about contemporary issues. You can listen to past episodes here. He also wrote six books, including his autobiography, Imagine No Religion. Before dedicating his life to activism, Bonpane went to USC … Continue reading →
Back By Popular Demand: Erwin Helfer and Mama Yancey Screening at Old Town School of Folk Music

April 26, 2019 at 9:38 am / Blog

After a sold out event in January, Media Burn presents a second showing of archival video featuring legendary pianist Erwin Helfer and the late blues singer Estelle “Mama” Yancey on Saturday, April 27, as part of a celebratory evening of live gospel and blues music at Old Town School of Folk Music in Ravenswood. In 1982, future Chicago Blues Festival Coordinator Barry Dolins filmed an intimate performance and conversation between Erwin Helfer and an 86 year-old Mama Yancey at the … Continue reading →