The Coolidge Corner Theatre presents a preview screening of THROW DOWN YOUR HEART, a recent documentary that follows internationally acclaimed banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck on his journey to Africa to explore the roots of the banjo and to record an album. Fleck, who has won multiple Grammy Awards, will be in attendance to introduce the film and to perform and answer questions after the screening. THROW DOWN YOUR HEART has earned tremendous critical praise and has won several awards, including the audience awards at both the Vancouver and the South by Southwest film festivals.

Fleck’s boundary-breaking musical adventure takes him to Uganda, Tanzania, The Gambia and Mali. During his travels, he works with an array of musicians – from local villagers who play a twelve-foot xylophone, to a family that makes and plays the akonting (thought by many to be the original banjo), to international superstars such as the Malian diva Oumou Sangare. Using his banjo, Fleck transcends barriers of language and culture, finding common ground with musicians from very different backgrounds.

The Coolidge will present additional screenings of THROW DOWN YOUR HEART beginning July 10. For more information, visit www.coolidge.org or call 617/734-2500.

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