Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

‘Ebertfest’ adds musical performance to follow final film ‘Rumble’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Roger Ebert Film Festival hosted by Chaz Ebert will close April 22 with a performance by Native American artist Pura Fe, following the film “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World.”

The singer and musician, who appears in the film, will perform onstage following the 12 p.m. screening.

Pura Fe

Delete

Edit embedded media in the Files Tab and re-insert as needed.

The festival, also known as “Ebertfest,” runs April 18-22 in downtown Champaign, with a schedule of 12 films, as well as panel discussions, which were previously announced.

“Rumble,” a documentary, chronicles the little-known role of Native Americans in American popular music, featuring figures such as blues pioneer Charlie Patton, jazz singer Mildred Bailey and guitar wizard Jimi Hendrix. It won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling when it premiered last year at the Sundance Film Festival.

Pura Fe – a first name only, which means “Pure Faith” – is an heir to the Tuscarora Indian Nation and is an activist as well as an artist. Her musical career has touched on folk, blues, jazz, rock and traditional music from around the world.

She also is a founding member of the Native women’s a cappella trio Ulali and is recognized for bringing Native contemporary music to the forefront of the mainstream music industry. She has won a Native American Music Award, or Nammy, for best female artist, as well as the French version of the Grammy for best world album.

Alfonso Maiorana

Alfonso Maiorana

“Rumble” co-director and director of photography Alfonso Maiorana also will be coming with the film and will participate with Pura Fe in an onstage Q&A between the screening and the musical performance. Director Catherine Bainbridge, previously announced as a guest, is no longer able to attend.

Other festival films and guests were announced in previous releases (here, here and here).

Festival passes, as well as tickets for individual films, can be purchased through www.ebertfest.com, www.thevirginia.org or at the Virginia Theatre box office, 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign, 217-356-9063.

For additional information on films, guests and other events, visit www.ebertfest.com.

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010