On May 30, 1970, the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed two gigs at the Berkeley Community Theatre. At that time the Berkeley campus as well as the local community were caught up in student protest and response. The 1971 film that documents Hendrix’s performances also captures the surrounding political unrest.
Jimi Plays Berkeley was a midnight screening staple across the U.S. for many years. A newly restored, expanded edition of the film will now make the rounds. While Jimi Plays Berkeley was originally released in mono, Hendrix’s engineer Eddie Kramer has created a new stereo mix. This version also includes over 15 minutes of additional footage, including performances of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Machine Gun” and “Hear My Train A Comin’.”
The first screenings will take place on November 14 and 17 at the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood in Berkeley, CA. Jimi Plays Berkeley will be accompanied by Jimi Hendrix: Miami Pop Festival. Directed by John McDermott, this 25-minute offering presents showcases the original Jimi Hendrix Experience at the May 1968 fest organized by future Woodstock promoter Michael Lang. It includes an interview with Lang as well as live takes on songs such as: “Fire,” “Foxey Lady,” “Purple Haze” and the only known footage of “Tax Free.”
As part of the grand opening of the Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy exhibition at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in the music legend’s hometown of Seattle, Jimi Plays Berkeley will screen on November 21, followed by a Q&A with producer/Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix.
In conjunction with Jimi Plays Berkeley, Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Legacy Recordings, have released Magic Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Experience Live At Berkeley (First Show) via vinyl, CD and streaming.
Showtimes and tickets are available here.
Jimi Plays Berkeley confirmed theatrical dates:
Nov 14 & 17 Berkeley, CA Rialto Cinemas Elmwood*
Nov 16 Sebastopol, CA Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol*
Nov 19 Dennis, MA Cape Cinema*
Nov 21 Seattle, WA Museum of Pop Culture
Nov 26 London, UK The Gate Picturehouse Notting Hill#
Nov 29 & Dec 1 Cleveland Heights, OH Cedar Lee Theatre*
Jan 1 Fall River, MA Narrow Center for the Arts*
Jan 17 Santa Fe, NM Sky Cinemas Midtown*
Feb 16 Salina, KS Salina Art Center*
*Includes screening of the short film The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Miami Pop Festival
