1927, Silent Film, 80 min, France. Directed by Henri Étiévant and Mario Nalpas, starring Josephine Baker. Not rated. Contains tropes and clichés common to colonialism and the early twentieth century.

Live improvised score by trumpeter & percussionist Etienne Charles.

This French silent-era treasure might have been forgotten but for the electric presence of jazz icon and cinematic legend, Josephine Baker, the dancer, actress, singer, author, and activist. The Jazz Empress was among the first African American women to star in a feature film. Evelyn Preer (The Homesteader, 1919 and Within Our Gates, 1920) and Nina Mae McKinney (Hallelujah, 1929) share this risky space of innovation and beauty. In 1927 when Baker played the lead in Siren, she was already an international superstar, having conquered Parisian audiences in 1925 with her unique take on jazz dances such as the Charleston.

Guests attending PEAK performances in the Rinker Playhouse will receive one complimentary beverage with every ticket purchased (underage guests will be offered a non-alcoholic selection).

5-Show Series $60 • Save $25 when you purchase the entire series. 

PEAK performances made possible by a grant from the MLDauray Arts Initiative in honor of Leonard and Sophie Davis