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There will be two public screenings of White Wash, with discussion, in the Los Angeles area on August 25 and September 16, 2012 (details below the jump).

Scene from documentary film "White Wash"

Film screenings and talks on 8/25/2012 and 9/16/2012.

White Wash is a documentary film by Ted Woods that explores the complexity of race in America through the eyes of the ocean. Examining the history of “black consciousness” as it triumphs and evolves into the minds of black surfers, the filmmaker shows us the power of transcending race as a constructive phenomenon.
[Film trailer & reviews]

The story is narrated by the legendary Grammy Award winner Ben Harper (Fistful of Mercy, Relentless 7) along with Tariq “Blackthought” Trotter of the Grammy Award winning hip hop group The Roots, who also originally scored the film. Running time is 78 minutes.

The dates and locations of the two public screenings of the film in the Los Angeles area are as follows.

Saturday, August 25, 2012 • 7:00–10:00 P.M.

Galerie Lakaye
1550 N. Curson Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(Between Fairfax & La Brea, 1 block north of Sunset)
(323) 460-7333
www.galerielakaye.com /

Note: Additional free parking is available at the Bonhams & Butterfields lot at the northwest corner of Sunset and Curson (entrance on Curson Avenue).

“Black surfers?” you say. “There aren’t any — Blacks don’t like to swim….”

These myths, and many other fascinating aspects of African Americans and water culture, are explored through the revealing lens of slavery, the complex issue of race in America, surfing in contemporary times, and of course, surfers. It is a riveting and entertaining documentary on the history of black surfers in Southern California.

We are inspired enough by White Wash to give the entire evening over to a full screening of the film in our backyard. Screening will begin at 8:00 P.M. sharp! Following the screening, there will be a discussion and Q&A with director Ted Woods; Rick Blocker, founder of BlackSurfing.com; and Alison Rose Jefferson, Historian/UC Santa Barbara Doctoral Grad Student and expert on the history of Blacks in Santa Monica.

What to bring: Something to drink; and something to eat (if you plan to be hungry!). We are also asking for a $5.00–$10.00 donation for parking permits, water, cups, napkins, plates, etc.

Seating is limited. Please RSVP at , and write “salon” in the subject line. Feel free to extend this invitation to friends; just remind them to RSVP!


Sunday, September 16, 2012 • 2:00 P.M.

White Wash Film Poster

(Click to download flier)

MLK Jr. Auditorium
at Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8600

Following the screening there will be a discussion with the director, Ted Woods; Rick Blocker, founder of BlackSurfing.com; and historian Alison Rose Jefferson.

Ths event, which is sponsored by the Santa Monica Public Library, is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-arrival basis. For more information, please visit smpl.org. You can also read the press release here.


Still from the film White Wash

Scene from the documentary film White Wash

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White Wash Film Poster