connecting audiences with a wide variety of of worthwhile content at our eponymous screening events:
free fall baltimore: halloween throwback outdoor vintage video show
friday, oct 21st, 2022 @ 7:00pm / lot opens @ 6:00pm (4500 market lot)
rain date: saturday, oct 22nd
rsvp via eventbrite
bring your chair, blanket, and picnic basket for an evening of free popcorn and local pop culture, projected outdoors under the baltimore autumn sky: just in time for halloween, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive (MARMIA) and playbackthetape present a free, all-ages, curated program of spook-tacularly preserved TV clips and vintage halloween entertainment recorded on video in the 1980s and 1990s. hosts will introduce each segment of the nostalgic and diverse 2-hour program, including:
big thank you to our local partners for making this event happen, including Hamilton Lauraville Main Street, Backyard Movie Theaters, Taste This, Baltimore Main Streets, and Healthy Neighborhoods. An official event of Free Fall Baltimore sponsored by BGE and The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.
friday, oct 21st, 2022 @ 7:00pm / lot opens @ 6:00pm (4500 market lot)
rain date: saturday, oct 22nd
rsvp via eventbrite
bring your chair, blanket, and picnic basket for an evening of free popcorn and local pop culture, projected outdoors under the baltimore autumn sky: just in time for halloween, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive (MARMIA) and playbackthetape present a free, all-ages, curated program of spook-tacularly preserved TV clips and vintage halloween entertainment recorded on video in the 1980s and 1990s. hosts will introduce each segment of the nostalgic and diverse 2-hour program, including:
- VHS recordings of “The Simpsons” Treehouse of Horror (Episode 2) recorded in Northern Virginia and “Doug’s Halloween Adventure” taped via antenna broadcast in Cleveland (both with vintage commercials intact)
- Digitized treasures from MARMIA’s WJZ-TV Collection: a 1980s house of horrors experienced through the perspective of local 13-year-olds, a story on the now defunct Dracula Society of Maryland, behind-the-scenes footage of a horror movie shot in Baltimore (THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW), a 1983 story with some really adorable children in costume at the Maryland Zoo, an epic telling of local urban legend, Black Aggie, and more!
big thank you to our local partners for making this event happen, including Hamilton Lauraville Main Street, Backyard Movie Theaters, Taste This, Baltimore Main Streets, and Healthy Neighborhoods. An official event of Free Fall Baltimore sponsored by BGE and The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.
thanks for all the vhsalicious memories! this event interrupts something of an indefinite, self-imposed public programming hiatus--maybe more events to come? we are also always open to (and tempted by) discussing future collaborations or pay-to-play exhibitions for private events (reunions, birthdays, community parties, etc.). use the contact form to get in touch.
trick or tape
sunday, oct 29th, 2017 @ 4:30pm (new america)
three hours of spook-tacularly preserved halloween tv specials, recorded on vhs with vintage commercials intact! tonight's program includes "it's the great pumpkin, charlie brown," recorded during a cbs boston airing, a recording of "garfield's halloween adventure" that's a wee bit worn, "the simpsons" treehouse of horror episode 2, recorded in northern virginia, "doug's halloween adventure" taped via antenna broadcast in cleveland, and a disney sunday movie presentation of "mr. boogedy" guest-starring baltimore's own john astin (who we've invited to attend... might there be a halloween miracle?!) bring yourself, friends young or old, and your own pumpkin to carve as we present a halloween quadruple feature, projected via 100% original home-recorded vhs. snacks and libations available for purchase. special thanks to the vhs bandits, the jhu film society, and fiona, matt and malcolm at new america for making tonight's program possible.
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sunday, oct 29th, 2017 @ 4:30pm (new america)
three hours of spook-tacularly preserved halloween tv specials, recorded on vhs with vintage commercials intact! tonight's program includes "it's the great pumpkin, charlie brown," recorded during a cbs boston airing, a recording of "garfield's halloween adventure" that's a wee bit worn, "the simpsons" treehouse of horror episode 2, recorded in northern virginia, "doug's halloween adventure" taped via antenna broadcast in cleveland, and a disney sunday movie presentation of "mr. boogedy" guest-starring baltimore's own john astin (who we've invited to attend... might there be a halloween miracle?!) bring yourself, friends young or old, and your own pumpkin to carve as we present a halloween quadruple feature, projected via 100% original home-recorded vhs. snacks and libations available for purchase. special thanks to the vhs bandits, the jhu film society, and fiona, matt and malcolm at new america for making tonight's program possible.
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'80s heartthrob faceoff!!!
thursday, feb 16th, 2017 @ 7pm (suns cinema)
encore show! two rarely-broadcast made-for-television teen comedies, starring vhs valentine's crushes from 30 years back... watch sean astin and michael j. fox battle head-to-head for the title of cutest retro valentine, with a double-feature of summer camp romance in "poison ivy" (1985) and sidewalk-surfin' mischief in "the b.r.a.t. patrol" (1986). look for early performances by nia long, mackenzie astin, nancy mckeon, and more, along with (as always) vintage television commercials intact from the home-recorded original broadcast. an added bonus: both presentations will be preceded by an original written introduction from bennett tramer (of “saved by the bell” fame) and chris carter (creator of “the x-files”), the respective screenwriters!
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thursday, feb 16th, 2017 @ 7pm (suns cinema)
encore show! two rarely-broadcast made-for-television teen comedies, starring vhs valentine's crushes from 30 years back... watch sean astin and michael j. fox battle head-to-head for the title of cutest retro valentine, with a double-feature of summer camp romance in "poison ivy" (1985) and sidewalk-surfin' mischief in "the b.r.a.t. patrol" (1986). look for early performances by nia long, mackenzie astin, nancy mckeon, and more, along with (as always) vintage television commercials intact from the home-recorded original broadcast. an added bonus: both presentations will be preceded by an original written introduction from bennett tramer (of “saved by the bell” fame) and chris carter (creator of “the x-files”), the respective screenwriters!
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the island of misfit tapes
thursday, dec 8th, 2016 @ 7:30pm (suns cinema)
friday, dec 9th, 2016 @ 7:30pm (atomic books)
'tis the weeks before christmas and up on the screen are home-recorded classics in red, white and green! holiday nostalgia meets VHS archaeology, as we present FIVE televised xmas specials in this year’s free (and fam-friendly) seasonal VHS spectacular, THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TAPES. the quintuple-feature includes rudolph, the peanuts gang, the simpsons, pee-wee, and the ultra-rare "muppet family christmas" (not available in any other format in this original unedited version). all content will be presented from 100% original VHS recordings -- complete with TV commercials and news clips intact from their broadcast television airings during the 1980s and early 90s. souvenir shirts, patches, and “mystery tapes” will also be available for sale throughout the event!
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thursday, dec 8th, 2016 @ 7:30pm (suns cinema)
friday, dec 9th, 2016 @ 7:30pm (atomic books)
'tis the weeks before christmas and up on the screen are home-recorded classics in red, white and green! holiday nostalgia meets VHS archaeology, as we present FIVE televised xmas specials in this year’s free (and fam-friendly) seasonal VHS spectacular, THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TAPES. the quintuple-feature includes rudolph, the peanuts gang, the simpsons, pee-wee, and the ultra-rare "muppet family christmas" (not available in any other format in this original unedited version). all content will be presented from 100% original VHS recordings -- complete with TV commercials and news clips intact from their broadcast television airings during the 1980s and early 90s. souvenir shirts, patches, and “mystery tapes” will also be available for sale throughout the event!
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bart vs. jason vhs double feature
thursday, oct 13th, 2016 @ 8pm (suns cinema)
friday, oct 28th, 2016 @ 7:30pm (atomic books)
lights. camera. axe-tion! we're baaaack... with a vengeance. join playbackthetape for a vhs double feature of hauntingly familiar halloween classics, beginning with the simpsons' treehouse of horror part 2 (taped from it's initial U.S. airing on the Fox network on October 31, 1991 -- original commercials still intact!!!), then stay for a unique broadcast of jason's first outing at camp crystal lake -- recorded from an *unedited* local television airing with commercial breaks only every half hour. spooky times as bart and jason take on mt pleasant and hampden -- and yes, the tape is coming from inside the house!!!
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thursday, oct 13th, 2016 @ 8pm (suns cinema)
friday, oct 28th, 2016 @ 7:30pm (atomic books)
lights. camera. axe-tion! we're baaaack... with a vengeance. join playbackthetape for a vhs double feature of hauntingly familiar halloween classics, beginning with the simpsons' treehouse of horror part 2 (taped from it's initial U.S. airing on the Fox network on October 31, 1991 -- original commercials still intact!!!), then stay for a unique broadcast of jason's first outing at camp crystal lake -- recorded from an *unedited* local television airing with commercial breaks only every half hour. spooky times as bart and jason take on mt pleasant and hampden -- and yes, the tape is coming from inside the house!!!
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remedial english (our final show before summer break!!!)
thursday, may 19th, 2016 @ 8pm (the coupe)
at ocean front high, what do they call a guy who cuts classes, hates homework, and lives for summer vacation? TEACHER! don't miss our final show before summer break: reunite with shoop, wondermutt, chainsaw, anna-maria, and all of your favorite "summer school" underachievers for a home-recorded VHS presentation taped during its may 16, 1990 televised airing (the same day that jim henson and sammy davis jr. both died -- as periodic news breaks will report)... complete with original commercial breaks and a themed cocktail at the bar!
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thursday, may 19th, 2016 @ 8pm (the coupe)
at ocean front high, what do they call a guy who cuts classes, hates homework, and lives for summer vacation? TEACHER! don't miss our final show before summer break: reunite with shoop, wondermutt, chainsaw, anna-maria, and all of your favorite "summer school" underachievers for a home-recorded VHS presentation taped during its may 16, 1990 televised airing (the same day that jim henson and sammy davis jr. both died -- as periodic news breaks will report)... complete with original commercial breaks and a themed cocktail at the bar!
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the comic strip show
thursday, april 21st, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
an all-VHS presentation of comic strip adaptations, all with original commercials intact. featuring "blondie & dagwood" and "garfield" animated shorts, then followed by an audience vote between "annie" (the live-action 1983 feature-length musical), and "archie: to riverdale and back again" (the live-action 1990 made-for-tv movie)... the battle between these two comic book redheads will be april 21st's most hotly contested debate!
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thursday, april 21st, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
an all-VHS presentation of comic strip adaptations, all with original commercials intact. featuring "blondie & dagwood" and "garfield" animated shorts, then followed by an audience vote between "annie" (the live-action 1983 feature-length musical), and "archie: to riverdale and back again" (the live-action 1990 made-for-tv movie)... the battle between these two comic book redheads will be april 21st's most hotly contested debate!
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(re)living in the nineties
thursday, march 17th, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
the only thing "green" this st. patrick's day will be rachel from "friends" -- this month is an explosion of 1990s nostalgia, featuring the devastatingly emotional "michelle rides again" 2-part series finale of "full house," the supersized, star-studded "the one after the superbowl" episode of "friends" (co-starring julia roberts, jean-claude van damme, and more), and the huh-huh hilarious "beverly butt-billies" episode of "beavis and butthead" taped from mtv (on loan from the collection of dj baby alcatraz). settle on in for a 20+ year ride down memory lane, with all content recorded during its original mid-90s broadcast glory!
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pre-show for the snails
friday, march 11th, 2016 @ 10pm (comet ping pong) - SOLD OUT
since tonight's show will end in the early hours of saturday morning, we've scoured the vaults for a reel of saturday morning commercials and public service announcements to kick things off appropriately. the snails (featuring members of future islands) celebrate the release of their first full length album at tonight's sold-out show. baltimore bands 83 cutlass and other colors open the show. watch as we bless the performances with 10 minutes of pitch-perfect pre-show vhs evangelism.
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thursday, march 17th, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
the only thing "green" this st. patrick's day will be rachel from "friends" -- this month is an explosion of 1990s nostalgia, featuring the devastatingly emotional "michelle rides again" 2-part series finale of "full house," the supersized, star-studded "the one after the superbowl" episode of "friends" (co-starring julia roberts, jean-claude van damme, and more), and the huh-huh hilarious "beverly butt-billies" episode of "beavis and butthead" taped from mtv (on loan from the collection of dj baby alcatraz). settle on in for a 20+ year ride down memory lane, with all content recorded during its original mid-90s broadcast glory!
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pre-show for the snails
friday, march 11th, 2016 @ 10pm (comet ping pong) - SOLD OUT
since tonight's show will end in the early hours of saturday morning, we've scoured the vaults for a reel of saturday morning commercials and public service announcements to kick things off appropriately. the snails (featuring members of future islands) celebrate the release of their first full length album at tonight's sold-out show. baltimore bands 83 cutlass and other colors open the show. watch as we bless the performances with 10 minutes of pitch-perfect pre-show vhs evangelism.
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purified for watching
thursday, february 18th, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
step into a time capsule of lowbrow humor circa 1983, and discover what happens when a comedy that thrives on race, sex, and stereotypes gets a remix treatment by the standards department. tonight's screening of "police academy" might appear superficial on the service, but consider it a case study of television censorship when overdubs and "editing-for-tv" combine to actually create a much more complicated reading of the film (especially in the light of present-day events). bonus pre-show: "tv's censored bloopers," a comedy-lite clip show produced in 1998 by dick clark.
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thursday, february 18th, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
step into a time capsule of lowbrow humor circa 1983, and discover what happens when a comedy that thrives on race, sex, and stereotypes gets a remix treatment by the standards department. tonight's screening of "police academy" might appear superficial on the service, but consider it a case study of television censorship when overdubs and "editing-for-tv" combine to actually create a much more complicated reading of the film (especially in the light of present-day events). bonus pre-show: "tv's censored bloopers," a comedy-lite clip show produced in 1998 by dick clark.
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the truth is in here
thursday, january 21st, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
hot on the heals of the forthcoming reboot, we present three classic episodes of "the x files," recorded from television during their original season 3-4 airings! join us for "demons" (1997), "jose chung's from outer space" (1996), and "d.p.o." (1995) -- featuring guest stars such as charles nelson reilly, jesse ventura, alex trebek, giovanni ribisi, and jack black -- plus, vintage television commercials fully intact!
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thursday, january 21st, 2016 @ 7pm (the coupe)
hot on the heals of the forthcoming reboot, we present three classic episodes of "the x files," recorded from television during their original season 3-4 airings! join us for "demons" (1997), "jose chung's from outer space" (1996), and "d.p.o." (1995) -- featuring guest stars such as charles nelson reilly, jesse ventura, alex trebek, giovanni ribisi, and jack black -- plus, vintage television commercials fully intact!
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muppets and mistletoe
thursday, december 17th, 2015 @ 7pm (the coupe)
equal doses manic and melancholic, come laugh, cry, and reminisce with a vhs holiday spectacular for (and featuring) the whole fuzzy family! we'll begin with "christmas eve on sesame street," a silent night where oscar the grouch spreads a nasty rumor about santa claus... but big bird's holiday spirit gets the last laugh (early arrivers will see a continuity discrepancy between the height of ice skating muppets vs. puppeteered muppets)! then, we conclude with "muppet family christmas" -- a true rarity never since sold or broadcast in the full, unedited cut we'll be screening tonight: everyone's having a jolly old time at the fozzy family farmhouse, except for kermit's sad sack nephew who chews the scenery every chance he gets! plus: we unearthed a mcdonald's commercial for holiday muppet baby plush toys that will screen somewhere in the middle, AND a $5 cocktail special at the bar (mrs. bear's icy patch, featuring housemade eggnog and mint liqueur, served over crushed ice and dusted with nutmeg). 'tis the season for cheap drinks and 100% original vhs recordings, with vintage commercials intact!
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thursday, december 17th, 2015 @ 7pm (the coupe)
equal doses manic and melancholic, come laugh, cry, and reminisce with a vhs holiday spectacular for (and featuring) the whole fuzzy family! we'll begin with "christmas eve on sesame street," a silent night where oscar the grouch spreads a nasty rumor about santa claus... but big bird's holiday spirit gets the last laugh (early arrivers will see a continuity discrepancy between the height of ice skating muppets vs. puppeteered muppets)! then, we conclude with "muppet family christmas" -- a true rarity never since sold or broadcast in the full, unedited cut we'll be screening tonight: everyone's having a jolly old time at the fozzy family farmhouse, except for kermit's sad sack nephew who chews the scenery every chance he gets! plus: we unearthed a mcdonald's commercial for holiday muppet baby plush toys that will screen somewhere in the middle, AND a $5 cocktail special at the bar (mrs. bear's icy patch, featuring housemade eggnog and mint liqueur, served over crushed ice and dusted with nutmeg). 'tis the season for cheap drinks and 100% original vhs recordings, with vintage commercials intact!
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traditions and renditions
thursday, november 19th, 2015 @ 7pm (the coupe)
to filter or #nofilter... that is the question! stirring up wonderment and controversy in equal doses, the 1985 debut of a computer-colorized "miracle on 34th street" proved more a marketing fad than a technological revolution. but with hues and tones intended to evoke a previous era, did this revised version also forecast our future instagram-colored world? join us for a re-airing of its original computer-tinted television broadcast (starring the recently-deceased maureen o'hara), preceded by "this is america, charlie brown," a retelling of the first thanksgiving fable, with peanuts playing the part of pilgrims. we're revisiting the revisionists, holiday-style -- all 100% home-recorded vhs with vintage commercials intact!
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thursday, november 19th, 2015 @ 7pm (the coupe)
to filter or #nofilter... that is the question! stirring up wonderment and controversy in equal doses, the 1985 debut of a computer-colorized "miracle on 34th street" proved more a marketing fad than a technological revolution. but with hues and tones intended to evoke a previous era, did this revised version also forecast our future instagram-colored world? join us for a re-airing of its original computer-tinted television broadcast (starring the recently-deceased maureen o'hara), preceded by "this is america, charlie brown," a retelling of the first thanksgiving fable, with peanuts playing the part of pilgrims. we're revisiting the revisionists, holiday-style -- all 100% home-recorded vhs with vintage commercials intact!
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home movie day 2015
saturday, october 24th, 2015 @ noon-4:30pm (dc public library - southwest branch)
bring, view, and share your family’s home movies before an audience, with the trusted coordination of professional film/video archivists! laugh, cry, reminisce, and learn how to digitize and preserve your family’s home films and videos for generations to come. drop-off of films begins at 11am (film formats: 8mm, super 8, 16mm; video formats: vas, hi-8, mini-dv). rsvp here. presented in partnership with DC Public Library and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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saturday, october 24th, 2015 @ noon-4:30pm (dc public library - southwest branch)
bring, view, and share your family’s home movies before an audience, with the trusted coordination of professional film/video archivists! laugh, cry, reminisce, and learn how to digitize and preserve your family’s home films and videos for generations to come. drop-off of films begins at 11am (film formats: 8mm, super 8, 16mm; video formats: vas, hi-8, mini-dv). rsvp here. presented in partnership with DC Public Library and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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after these messages...
thursday, september 24th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
from its very inception, television has presented an additional vehicle for advertisers to hock their wares: sometimes subliminal, but more often overt, entertainment via tv is constantly interrupted/sponsored/defined by "messages" intended to $ell, $ell, $ell. tonight's show emphasizes audience discussion, while utilizing content from the 1980s/1990s to explore how advertising conventions (air times, scripts, gender stereotypes) and exhibition conventions (editing, "brought to you by...," promotional "specials") have evolved. join playbackthetape for an entertaining and engaging dissection of advertising through the airwaves.
thursday, september 24th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
from its very inception, television has presented an additional vehicle for advertisers to hock their wares: sometimes subliminal, but more often overt, entertainment via tv is constantly interrupted/sponsored/defined by "messages" intended to $ell, $ell, $ell. tonight's show emphasizes audience discussion, while utilizing content from the 1980s/1990s to explore how advertising conventions (air times, scripts, gender stereotypes) and exhibition conventions (editing, "brought to you by...," promotional "specials") have evolved. join playbackthetape for an entertaining and engaging dissection of advertising through the airwaves.
dog days of bummer
thursday, august 27th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
in fashion befitting the hottest month of the year (we hope), playbackthetape presents a rerun show for august -- beginning with a squeaky-clean montage of home cleaning and personal hygiene television commercials, culminating with "fluppy dogs," a disney tv special never again broadcast after its decidedly floppy 1986 debut. was such banishment justified? watch and see, to find out!
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'80s movie flashback: outdoor shows in ivy city
select fridays in june, july, and august 2015 @ dusk (ivy city playground park - north corner of mt. olivet & west virginia ave. ne)
this is a first for us -- the most ragtag outdoor movie experience of the summer in d.c. is a neighborhood movie night in ivy city (sponsored in part by the ivy city civic association) -- a true community partnership from spark to screen. join us at dusk for a feature-length presentation of 1980s movie classics along with pre-show "garfield" cartoons. free movie snacks and refreshments (while supplies last) courtesy of ward 5 councilmember kenyan r. mcduffie. bring friends, neighbors, and blankets, under the stars in ivy city.
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in it together fest
sunday, august 2nd, 2015 @ 12-5pm (lyman's tavern)
come beat the heat while beating some high scores! the machines won't be taking your money, and the projector won't be screening blu-rays... it's free play pinball accompanied by VHS goodies all afternoon. visit infestdc.org for complete festival details!
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lots of knots (the marriage show)
thursday, july 23rd, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
highlighting not only battles of the sexes but also the signs of the times: snoopy discovers the hard truths of romance when a (never-seen) bride-to-be runs off with a golden retriever; blondie finds relief from domestic servitude... by finding a job in the housewares department at a mall; and two rapscallion tweens urge their californian aunt towards a cross-continental marital affair in a scheme to preserve their friendship. come witness reagan era values as they're just getting warmed up!
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thursday, august 27th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
in fashion befitting the hottest month of the year (we hope), playbackthetape presents a rerun show for august -- beginning with a squeaky-clean montage of home cleaning and personal hygiene television commercials, culminating with "fluppy dogs," a disney tv special never again broadcast after its decidedly floppy 1986 debut. was such banishment justified? watch and see, to find out!
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'80s movie flashback: outdoor shows in ivy city
select fridays in june, july, and august 2015 @ dusk (ivy city playground park - north corner of mt. olivet & west virginia ave. ne)
this is a first for us -- the most ragtag outdoor movie experience of the summer in d.c. is a neighborhood movie night in ivy city (sponsored in part by the ivy city civic association) -- a true community partnership from spark to screen. join us at dusk for a feature-length presentation of 1980s movie classics along with pre-show "garfield" cartoons. free movie snacks and refreshments (while supplies last) courtesy of ward 5 councilmember kenyan r. mcduffie. bring friends, neighbors, and blankets, under the stars in ivy city.
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in it together fest
sunday, august 2nd, 2015 @ 12-5pm (lyman's tavern)
come beat the heat while beating some high scores! the machines won't be taking your money, and the projector won't be screening blu-rays... it's free play pinball accompanied by VHS goodies all afternoon. visit infestdc.org for complete festival details!
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lots of knots (the marriage show)
thursday, july 23rd, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
highlighting not only battles of the sexes but also the signs of the times: snoopy discovers the hard truths of romance when a (never-seen) bride-to-be runs off with a golden retriever; blondie finds relief from domestic servitude... by finding a job in the housewares department at a mall; and two rapscallion tweens urge their californian aunt towards a cross-continental marital affair in a scheme to preserve their friendship. come witness reagan era values as they're just getting warmed up!
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it's our time down here (30th anniversary viewing party)
thursday, june 25th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
the secret caves.
the old lighthouse.
the lost map.
the treacherous traps.
the hidden treasure.
and sloth...
join the adventure.
100% home-recorded VHS, edited for TV with vintage commercials intact!
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all's well that ends well (a VHS tribute to 1990s tv series finales)
thursday, may 28th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room)
the more things change, the more they stay the same. from david letterman to “mad men,” this year it’s as evident as any, the time-honored tradition of hit television shows marking their grand finales during the month of may. but “rest in peace” they will not! PLAYBACKTHETAPE rewinds to the 1990s with “all’s well that ends well,” a VHS tribute to 1990s television series finales, complete with vintage commercials and ancillary content captured from original broadcast. the assemblage includes classic final episodes of “blossom” (original airing: may 11, 1995), “seinfeld” (original airing: may 14, 1998), and “empty nest” (original airing: april 29, 1995). come rediscover three momentous TV series finales (each screening in its entirety), interspersed with clips from the early years of john stewart’s “the daily show,” an original taping of david letterman’s introductory monologue at the 1995 academy awards, and a commercial break taped during one of the first network airings of “return of the jedi.”
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rock 'n' roll lifestyle (the music show)
thursday, april 23rd, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen & reading room)
sure we want our mtv, but how 'bout our cbs, nbc, much music, and public access stations? tonight's assemblage trots from nyc to dc to hollywood, with appearances from blur, the cranberries, garfield, siskel & ebert, the rolling stones, whitney houston, and underground bands of yesteryear. check out trends in music videos, animation, tabloid news entertainment, diy, marketing, advertising, and more, in this kaleidoscopic view of music on television in the 1980s and 90s.
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the birds & the bees (one year anniversary show)
thursday, march 26th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen & reading room)
let's WATCH about sex, baby! it's our one year anniversary show, celebrated in our now-permanent home venue at petworth citizen & reading room... plus, free one year anniversary celebration cupcakes for the first 20 attendees, compliments of sticky fingers sweets & eats. "the birds & the bees" features an assemblage of home-recorded television segments demonstrating an evolving view of sexual education, politics, and liberation on TV from the 1980s through the 1990s. each of the four segments comes complete with vintage commercials and ancillary content captured from original broadcast, and the first two have never been rebroadcast or released on video. special thanks to doron from sticky fingers, and paul, kristina, and the gang at petworth citizen!
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thursday, march 26th, 2015 @ 8pm (petworth citizen & reading room)
let's WATCH about sex, baby! it's our one year anniversary show, celebrated in our now-permanent home venue at petworth citizen & reading room... plus, free one year anniversary celebration cupcakes for the first 20 attendees, compliments of sticky fingers sweets & eats. "the birds & the bees" features an assemblage of home-recorded television segments demonstrating an evolving view of sexual education, politics, and liberation on TV from the 1980s through the 1990s. each of the four segments comes complete with vintage commercials and ancillary content captured from original broadcast, and the first two have never been rebroadcast or released on video. special thanks to doron from sticky fingers, and paul, kristina, and the gang at petworth citizen!
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'80s heartthrob faceoff
thursday, february 12th, 2015 @ 7pm (comet ping pong - 5037 connecticut ave nw, washington, dc 20008)
two rarely-broadcast made-for-television teen comedies, starring vhs valentine's crushes from nearly 30 years back... watch sean astin and michael j. fox battle head-to-head for the title of cutest retro valentine, with a double-feature of sidewalk-surfin' mischief in "the b.r.a.t. patrol" (1986) and rollicking summer camp romance in "poison ivy" (1985). look for early performances by nia long, mackenzie astin, nancy mckeon, and more, along with (as always) vintage television commercials intact from the home-recorded original broadcast.
----
thursday, february 12th, 2015 @ 7pm (comet ping pong - 5037 connecticut ave nw, washington, dc 20008)
two rarely-broadcast made-for-television teen comedies, starring vhs valentine's crushes from nearly 30 years back... watch sean astin and michael j. fox battle head-to-head for the title of cutest retro valentine, with a double-feature of sidewalk-surfin' mischief in "the b.r.a.t. patrol" (1986) and rollicking summer camp romance in "poison ivy" (1985). look for early performances by nia long, mackenzie astin, nancy mckeon, and more, along with (as always) vintage television commercials intact from the home-recorded original broadcast.
----
[vcr] game night
wednesday, january 28th, 2015 @ 7:00pm (game) / 8:00pm (movie) (nellie's sports bar - 900 u street nw, washington, dc)
we're hosting an analog-style whodunit upstairs at nellie's, beginning with a high-stakes round of the "clue" vcr mystery game ($5 gets you a role in the game -- and a chance to win free drinks from the bar!), followed by a screening of the movie (free), screened on vhs, edited for television, and with its original commercials intact! you've never seen corruption in d.c. the likes of miss scarlett, professor plum, mr. green, col. mustard, mrs. peacock, and mrs. white -- plus, $4 nellie beers and $5 mr. body cocktails. warm up your week inside with us and some oddball mystery fun!
----
wednesday, january 28th, 2015 @ 7:00pm (game) / 8:00pm (movie) (nellie's sports bar - 900 u street nw, washington, dc)
we're hosting an analog-style whodunit upstairs at nellie's, beginning with a high-stakes round of the "clue" vcr mystery game ($5 gets you a role in the game -- and a chance to win free drinks from the bar!), followed by a screening of the movie (free), screened on vhs, edited for television, and with its original commercials intact! you've never seen corruption in d.c. the likes of miss scarlett, professor plum, mr. green, col. mustard, mrs. peacock, and mrs. white -- plus, $4 nellie beers and $5 mr. body cocktails. warm up your week inside with us and some oddball mystery fun!
----
playbackthetape: the 12 tapes of christmas (two nights!)
wednesday & thursday, dec. 17th/18th, 2014 @ 7:00pm (mellow mushroom adams morgan - 2436 18th street nw, washington, dc)
'tis the week before christmas and up on the screen will be home-recorded classics in red, white and green! playbackthetape brings you the 12 tapes of christmas -- twelve vintage holiday classics, each taped from broadcast television in the 1980s and early 90s, with original commercials and news clips intact! join us for some or for all, as we present eight hours of vhs merriment over the course of two nights, counting down to an extremely RARE made-for-television muppets event, in its original broadcast edit (not available on video or dvd)!
----
playbackthetape: bird is the word
black friday! friday, november 28th @ 7:00pm (atlas brew works - 2052 west virginia avenue ne, washington, dc)
birds of a feather flock together, so gather the colony and point your V(cr) formation northeast for our official debut in this quadrant of the capital. playbackthetape presents a righteous post-thanksgiving tribute to our feathered friends, featuring highlights from the adam west-hosted "mystery science theater 3000" turkey day '94, along with some fabulous pro tips, regional dialects, and vintage wardrobes in "a video guide to successful bird care" -- then, a classic episode of chuck woolery-hosted "love connection" with a gal who sure loves her cockatiel! come thirsty -- we man the tapes, atlas mans the taps -- our first show inside a brewery, screening in one-of-a-kind keg-o-vision! special thanks to justin and corey at atlas brew works for rolling out the red carpet for tonight's event. BYOL (bring your own leftovers -- to share!)
----
playbackthetape: wayne's world vcr game
presented at hole in the sky ARTSHOW_09
saturday, november 15th @ 7-11pm (hole in the sky - 2110 5th street ne, washington, dc)
as part of the ninth in hole in the sky's ongoing series of excellent art shows, ARTSHOW_09: WELCOME TO THE 90's, we were invited to present an interactive wayne's world vcr board game alongside 90's-themed artworks by more than two dozen area artists.
----
wednesday & thursday, dec. 17th/18th, 2014 @ 7:00pm (mellow mushroom adams morgan - 2436 18th street nw, washington, dc)
'tis the week before christmas and up on the screen will be home-recorded classics in red, white and green! playbackthetape brings you the 12 tapes of christmas -- twelve vintage holiday classics, each taped from broadcast television in the 1980s and early 90s, with original commercials and news clips intact! join us for some or for all, as we present eight hours of vhs merriment over the course of two nights, counting down to an extremely RARE made-for-television muppets event, in its original broadcast edit (not available on video or dvd)!
----
playbackthetape: bird is the word
black friday! friday, november 28th @ 7:00pm (atlas brew works - 2052 west virginia avenue ne, washington, dc)
birds of a feather flock together, so gather the colony and point your V(cr) formation northeast for our official debut in this quadrant of the capital. playbackthetape presents a righteous post-thanksgiving tribute to our feathered friends, featuring highlights from the adam west-hosted "mystery science theater 3000" turkey day '94, along with some fabulous pro tips, regional dialects, and vintage wardrobes in "a video guide to successful bird care" -- then, a classic episode of chuck woolery-hosted "love connection" with a gal who sure loves her cockatiel! come thirsty -- we man the tapes, atlas mans the taps -- our first show inside a brewery, screening in one-of-a-kind keg-o-vision! special thanks to justin and corey at atlas brew works for rolling out the red carpet for tonight's event. BYOL (bring your own leftovers -- to share!)
----
playbackthetape: wayne's world vcr game
presented at hole in the sky ARTSHOW_09
saturday, november 15th @ 7-11pm (hole in the sky - 2110 5th street ne, washington, dc)
as part of the ninth in hole in the sky's ongoing series of excellent art shows, ARTSHOW_09: WELCOME TO THE 90's, we were invited to present an interactive wayne's world vcr board game alongside 90's-themed artworks by more than two dozen area artists.
----
playbackthetape: trick or treat 'toons
thursday, october 9th, 2014 @ 8pm (mothership - 3301 georgia avenue nw, washington, dc)
friday, october 10th, 2014 @ 7pm (atomic books / eightbar - 3620 falls road, baltimore, md 21211)
two nights, two cities, 100% home-recorded vhs, it's playbackthetape's first all-cartoon halloween special, filled with thrills and chills harkening from 1975 to 1993 and including the likes of "Garfield," "Doug," and "The Simpsons" ("Treehouse of Terror" #2). Each short was taped (via antenna!) during its original network debut, and is bursting with commercials for the era's hottest toys! then, stay for an anticlimactic edited-for-television excerpt from the original NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and a seriously scary (and rare) clip from the 1975 live-action series "The Ghost Busters" -- which paved the way for every GHOSTBUSTERS iteration that followed! special thanks to stephan at mothership and rachel at atomic books, who made playbackthetape's baltimore debut possible.
----
playbackthetape: vhs happy hour at (e)merge
presented at (e)merge art fair in collaboration with pleasant plains workshop
friday, october 3rd, 2014 @ 5-7pm (capitol skyline hotel - 10 eye street sw, washington, dc 20024)
drink a shot each time we have to adjust the tracking! tonight we're pleased to pop up alongside our friends at pleasant plains workshop with two hours of short-length vhs happy hour surprises -- stay for a minute or for a full hour, as we present a curated collection of vault favorites and rarities, while sharing information about our mission and how you can play a part in creating future vhs archaeological events! special thanks to kristina and pleasant plains workshop for making tonight's program possible.
----
thursday, october 9th, 2014 @ 8pm (mothership - 3301 georgia avenue nw, washington, dc)
friday, october 10th, 2014 @ 7pm (atomic books / eightbar - 3620 falls road, baltimore, md 21211)
two nights, two cities, 100% home-recorded vhs, it's playbackthetape's first all-cartoon halloween special, filled with thrills and chills harkening from 1975 to 1993 and including the likes of "Garfield," "Doug," and "The Simpsons" ("Treehouse of Terror" #2). Each short was taped (via antenna!) during its original network debut, and is bursting with commercials for the era's hottest toys! then, stay for an anticlimactic edited-for-television excerpt from the original NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and a seriously scary (and rare) clip from the 1975 live-action series "The Ghost Busters" -- which paved the way for every GHOSTBUSTERS iteration that followed! special thanks to stephan at mothership and rachel at atomic books, who made playbackthetape's baltimore debut possible.
----
playbackthetape: vhs happy hour at (e)merge
presented at (e)merge art fair in collaboration with pleasant plains workshop
friday, october 3rd, 2014 @ 5-7pm (capitol skyline hotel - 10 eye street sw, washington, dc 20024)
drink a shot each time we have to adjust the tracking! tonight we're pleased to pop up alongside our friends at pleasant plains workshop with two hours of short-length vhs happy hour surprises -- stay for a minute or for a full hour, as we present a curated collection of vault favorites and rarities, while sharing information about our mission and how you can play a part in creating future vhs archaeological events! special thanks to kristina and pleasant plains workshop for making tonight's program possible.
----
playbackthetape: st. elmo's at the tombs
monday, september 22nd, 2014 @ 8pm (the tombs - 1226 36th street nw, washington, dc)
in our first-ever MEGA-META-OVERLOAD screening event, playbackthetape is pleased to present THE movie in THE bar on THE campus that inspired it... it's a back-to-school, pre-30th anniversary, edited-for-television presentation of ST. ELMO'S for one night only at georgetown's historic bar, the tombs. in addition to your favorite cast of brat packers on screen and a delicious array of 1980s commercial breaks in between, tonight's event also features a personal videotaped introduction by screenwriter carl kurlander (who wishes he could be here, but got roped into another project). come for 100% home-recorded videotape entertainment, stay for the cash bar and chance to win an autographed VHS copy of the movie. special thanks to molly at the tombs, as well as carl, chelsea, kris, and steeltown entertainment project for making tonight's program possible.
----
playbackthetape: self publishing on tape
presented at dc zinefest
saturday, august 9th, 2014 @ 11am-5pm (st. stephen's church - 1525 newton st nw, washington, dc)
we're taking our editing bay on the road for the day, and setting up half a table alongside zine-makers/lovers from around the country for the 4th annual DC ZINEFEST, an annual celebration of independent publishing held in our nation's capital. stop by with tapes to donate or for us to dub. buy a shirt, a sticker, or take a sticker and find out more about what we do. we'll have VHS excerpts screening all day long, and organizers present to tell you about our shows this fall and how you can play a part in creating future events. we don't have a publication in the traditional sense, so to quote rankin-bass, "even in the land of misfits we're misfits," but we couldn't imagine better company for a saturday afternoon.
----
playbackthetape: underground zero
presented by in it together fest
sunday, august 3rd, 2014 @ 6pm (furthermore - 52 o st nw, washington, dc 20001)
in keeping with the spirit of IN IT TOGETHER FEST (see below), we present four episodes of a DIY music show that ran via dc public access television a quarter of a century ago. “underground zero” closely captured the passion and energy of dc’s underground music scene in 1989-1990, documenting live shows at such favorite haunts as dc space, the bayou, and breeze’s metro club. creator tim kennelly, a dc native now living in la, was inspired by what he describes as “the city’s kinetic collision of white and black, metal and funk, go-go and blues, jazz and punk, hardcore and psychedelia, that were happening in the unique crucible of washington dc.” never shown since 1990, the program has been professionally transferred from the original S-VHS masters onto dvd.
----
playbackthetape VHS roadshow: bow-ties and big adventures
wednesday, may 28th, 2014 @ 8:30pm (bicycleSPACE, washington, dc 20001)
one of dc's most beloved bike shops gets transformed into a "ride-in" movie theater fit for all the loners, rebels, and big and little kids among us. pick a spot on the showroom floor and settle in for a rousing ride as we reveal an original 1987 network airing of pee-wee, a midpoint montage of big wheel television commercials, kid-friendly refreshments, DIY bow-ties, and more... excited? i know you are but what am i. special thanks to jordan and kevin for making tonight's program possible.
----
playbackthetape VHS roadshow: cliffhanger mashup
tuesday, april 29th, 2014 @ 8:00pm (comet ping-pong, washington, dc 20008)
watch michelle tanner recover from amnesia, surmise “who shot mr. burns???”, and catch a popular "seinfeld" two-parter – then, don’t miss the climactic final 40 minutes of EPISODE V in its network TV debut (long into the empire striking back) – yup, remember the days when things got taped over by accident? special thanks to james and cory for making tonight's program possible.
----
headmaster magazine release party
thursday, march 27th, 2014 @ 8pm (l'enfant cafe & bar, washington, dc)
thursday, march 27th, 2014 @ 8pm (atomic books, baltimore, md)
join the editors of headmaster (the biannual art magazine for man-lovers) for a release party celebrating their latest issue, No. 6, featuring contemporary art and writing projects by nine artists from the united states and europe. among other themes, this issue looks at technology and at stereotypical elements of gay male culture. thanks to soul call paul, comet ping-pong, pleasant plains workshop and showtime lounge for making this program possible.
----
playbackthetape VHS roadshow: in like a lion, out like...
tuesday, march 25th, 2014 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room - 829 upshur street nw, washington, dc 20011)
free (all ages)
tonight's show is filled with an array of animated floppy-eared creatures, from a rankin/bass adaptation of "the velveteen rabbit" (featuring the voice of "mad men" star robert morse aka bertram cooper) to a disney tv special never again broadcast after its "floppy" 1986 debut. plus, a midpoint montage of "spring cleaning" television commercials for household and personal care! special thanks to paul, kristie, and kristina at petworth citizen for making tonight's program possible.
----
dear mr. watterson: an exploration of calvin & hobbes
presented with support from smudge expo
saturday, march 8th, 2014 @ 7:30pm (artisphere - 1101 wilson blvd, arlington, va 22209)
tickets $8 (SOLD OUT)
dear mr. watterson is a reverent celebration of artist bill watterson and his comic strip, “calvin & hobbes.” this special presentation will include a live pre-show performance by we were pirates (composers/performers of the film’s original score) and post screening q&a with mike boggs of we were pirates and nevin martell, author of looking for calvin and hobbes.
----
in crust we trust: a pizza-themed open mic and zine reading
presented by dc zine fest
friday, february 21st, 2014 @ 8:00pm (friends meeting of washington - 2111 florida avenue nw, washington, dc 20008)
$3 suggested donation to support dc zine fest
We'll have some confirmed readers reading their highest-calibur pizza-related prose. But we also want YOU to throw down about pizza, open mic style. Anything goes, really -- writing, music, you can dress up like the BLU MAN GROUP and bang on plastic pizza drums, I really DGAF. The only constraint is that it must be about pizza. WITH: Nicki Yowell of Self-Publishers of Chicago ('Za zine); Kristie Moose Anderson (Vegan Adventure Guide zine); Dirk A. Keaton (OCD Throws Bows zine); Ariana Stone (Phlegm Fatale zine); Playbackthetape (will be showing a tape); ...AND YOU!
----
dear mr. watterson: an exploration of calvin & hobbes
presented in partnership with mica parents & family weekend
sunday, february 16th, 2014 @ 5pm (favley hall at mica brown center - 1301 w. mount royal avenue, baltimore, md 21217)
tickets $8 (mica students/staff/faculty admitted free with valid i.d.)
dear mr. watterson is a reverent celebration of artist bill watterson and his comic strip, “calvin & hobbes.” this special presentation will include a live pre-show performance by we were pirates (composers/performers of the film’s original score) and post screening q&a with mike boggs of we were pirates.
----
playbackthetape: VHS archaeology for beginners
sponsored by knowledge commons
monday, february 10th, 2014 @ 7pm (furthermore - 52 o st nw, washington, dc 20001)
(launch event) that dusty box of tapes in your parents’ attic? yup, we’re digging in. we interrupt this broadcast with a VHS treasure trove. every tape is a bona fide time capsule awaiting [re]discovery. introducing playbackthetape – a screening series for archaeologists of the home entertainment system variety. tonight we shall watch, reminisce about, and discuss existing excerpts from our vaults. the lighthearted, freeform class will survey tapes bursting with vintage commercials, throwback newsbreaks, local weather warnings, and other clues to past time, place and culture. come see stories, then share yours.
----
appraising the cutting room floor
sponsored by knowledge commons
tuesday, may 21st, 2013 @ 7:30pm (comet ping-pong - 5037 connecticut ave nw, washington, dc 20008)
a workshop-style exhibition and discussion of short films entering the film festival submission process, exploring the points of view of audience, filmmaker, and festival selection team. plus, free popcorn.
----
last shop standing: the rise, fall and rebirth of the independent record shop
sponsored by crooked beat records
tuesday, april 18th, 2013 @ 8:30pm (comet ping-pong - 5037 connecticut ave nw, washington, dc 20008)
the official film of record store day 2013, last shop standing is based on a book by graham jones, and directed by pip piper. free screenings are happening this week in partnership with record stores across the country.
monday, september 22nd, 2014 @ 8pm (the tombs - 1226 36th street nw, washington, dc)
in our first-ever MEGA-META-OVERLOAD screening event, playbackthetape is pleased to present THE movie in THE bar on THE campus that inspired it... it's a back-to-school, pre-30th anniversary, edited-for-television presentation of ST. ELMO'S for one night only at georgetown's historic bar, the tombs. in addition to your favorite cast of brat packers on screen and a delicious array of 1980s commercial breaks in between, tonight's event also features a personal videotaped introduction by screenwriter carl kurlander (who wishes he could be here, but got roped into another project). come for 100% home-recorded videotape entertainment, stay for the cash bar and chance to win an autographed VHS copy of the movie. special thanks to molly at the tombs, as well as carl, chelsea, kris, and steeltown entertainment project for making tonight's program possible.
----
playbackthetape: self publishing on tape
presented at dc zinefest
saturday, august 9th, 2014 @ 11am-5pm (st. stephen's church - 1525 newton st nw, washington, dc)
we're taking our editing bay on the road for the day, and setting up half a table alongside zine-makers/lovers from around the country for the 4th annual DC ZINEFEST, an annual celebration of independent publishing held in our nation's capital. stop by with tapes to donate or for us to dub. buy a shirt, a sticker, or take a sticker and find out more about what we do. we'll have VHS excerpts screening all day long, and organizers present to tell you about our shows this fall and how you can play a part in creating future events. we don't have a publication in the traditional sense, so to quote rankin-bass, "even in the land of misfits we're misfits," but we couldn't imagine better company for a saturday afternoon.
----
playbackthetape: underground zero
presented by in it together fest
sunday, august 3rd, 2014 @ 6pm (furthermore - 52 o st nw, washington, dc 20001)
in keeping with the spirit of IN IT TOGETHER FEST (see below), we present four episodes of a DIY music show that ran via dc public access television a quarter of a century ago. “underground zero” closely captured the passion and energy of dc’s underground music scene in 1989-1990, documenting live shows at such favorite haunts as dc space, the bayou, and breeze’s metro club. creator tim kennelly, a dc native now living in la, was inspired by what he describes as “the city’s kinetic collision of white and black, metal and funk, go-go and blues, jazz and punk, hardcore and psychedelia, that were happening in the unique crucible of washington dc.” never shown since 1990, the program has been professionally transferred from the original S-VHS masters onto dvd.
----
playbackthetape VHS roadshow: bow-ties and big adventures
wednesday, may 28th, 2014 @ 8:30pm (bicycleSPACE, washington, dc 20001)
one of dc's most beloved bike shops gets transformed into a "ride-in" movie theater fit for all the loners, rebels, and big and little kids among us. pick a spot on the showroom floor and settle in for a rousing ride as we reveal an original 1987 network airing of pee-wee, a midpoint montage of big wheel television commercials, kid-friendly refreshments, DIY bow-ties, and more... excited? i know you are but what am i. special thanks to jordan and kevin for making tonight's program possible.
----
playbackthetape VHS roadshow: cliffhanger mashup
tuesday, april 29th, 2014 @ 8:00pm (comet ping-pong, washington, dc 20008)
watch michelle tanner recover from amnesia, surmise “who shot mr. burns???”, and catch a popular "seinfeld" two-parter – then, don’t miss the climactic final 40 minutes of EPISODE V in its network TV debut (long into the empire striking back) – yup, remember the days when things got taped over by accident? special thanks to james and cory for making tonight's program possible.
----
headmaster magazine release party
thursday, march 27th, 2014 @ 8pm (l'enfant cafe & bar, washington, dc)
thursday, march 27th, 2014 @ 8pm (atomic books, baltimore, md)
join the editors of headmaster (the biannual art magazine for man-lovers) for a release party celebrating their latest issue, No. 6, featuring contemporary art and writing projects by nine artists from the united states and europe. among other themes, this issue looks at technology and at stereotypical elements of gay male culture. thanks to soul call paul, comet ping-pong, pleasant plains workshop and showtime lounge for making this program possible.
----
playbackthetape VHS roadshow: in like a lion, out like...
tuesday, march 25th, 2014 @ 8pm (petworth citizen reading room - 829 upshur street nw, washington, dc 20011)
free (all ages)
tonight's show is filled with an array of animated floppy-eared creatures, from a rankin/bass adaptation of "the velveteen rabbit" (featuring the voice of "mad men" star robert morse aka bertram cooper) to a disney tv special never again broadcast after its "floppy" 1986 debut. plus, a midpoint montage of "spring cleaning" television commercials for household and personal care! special thanks to paul, kristie, and kristina at petworth citizen for making tonight's program possible.
----
dear mr. watterson: an exploration of calvin & hobbes
presented with support from smudge expo
saturday, march 8th, 2014 @ 7:30pm (artisphere - 1101 wilson blvd, arlington, va 22209)
tickets $8 (SOLD OUT)
dear mr. watterson is a reverent celebration of artist bill watterson and his comic strip, “calvin & hobbes.” this special presentation will include a live pre-show performance by we were pirates (composers/performers of the film’s original score) and post screening q&a with mike boggs of we were pirates and nevin martell, author of looking for calvin and hobbes.
----
in crust we trust: a pizza-themed open mic and zine reading
presented by dc zine fest
friday, february 21st, 2014 @ 8:00pm (friends meeting of washington - 2111 florida avenue nw, washington, dc 20008)
$3 suggested donation to support dc zine fest
We'll have some confirmed readers reading their highest-calibur pizza-related prose. But we also want YOU to throw down about pizza, open mic style. Anything goes, really -- writing, music, you can dress up like the BLU MAN GROUP and bang on plastic pizza drums, I really DGAF. The only constraint is that it must be about pizza. WITH: Nicki Yowell of Self-Publishers of Chicago ('Za zine); Kristie Moose Anderson (Vegan Adventure Guide zine); Dirk A. Keaton (OCD Throws Bows zine); Ariana Stone (Phlegm Fatale zine); Playbackthetape (will be showing a tape); ...AND YOU!
----
dear mr. watterson: an exploration of calvin & hobbes
presented in partnership with mica parents & family weekend
sunday, february 16th, 2014 @ 5pm (favley hall at mica brown center - 1301 w. mount royal avenue, baltimore, md 21217)
tickets $8 (mica students/staff/faculty admitted free with valid i.d.)
dear mr. watterson is a reverent celebration of artist bill watterson and his comic strip, “calvin & hobbes.” this special presentation will include a live pre-show performance by we were pirates (composers/performers of the film’s original score) and post screening q&a with mike boggs of we were pirates.
----
playbackthetape: VHS archaeology for beginners
sponsored by knowledge commons
monday, february 10th, 2014 @ 7pm (furthermore - 52 o st nw, washington, dc 20001)
(launch event) that dusty box of tapes in your parents’ attic? yup, we’re digging in. we interrupt this broadcast with a VHS treasure trove. every tape is a bona fide time capsule awaiting [re]discovery. introducing playbackthetape – a screening series for archaeologists of the home entertainment system variety. tonight we shall watch, reminisce about, and discuss existing excerpts from our vaults. the lighthearted, freeform class will survey tapes bursting with vintage commercials, throwback newsbreaks, local weather warnings, and other clues to past time, place and culture. come see stories, then share yours.
----
appraising the cutting room floor
sponsored by knowledge commons
tuesday, may 21st, 2013 @ 7:30pm (comet ping-pong - 5037 connecticut ave nw, washington, dc 20008)
a workshop-style exhibition and discussion of short films entering the film festival submission process, exploring the points of view of audience, filmmaker, and festival selection team. plus, free popcorn.
----
last shop standing: the rise, fall and rebirth of the independent record shop
sponsored by crooked beat records
tuesday, april 18th, 2013 @ 8:30pm (comet ping-pong - 5037 connecticut ave nw, washington, dc 20008)
the official film of record store day 2013, last shop standing is based on a book by graham jones, and directed by pip piper. free screenings are happening this week in partnership with record stores across the country.
