Culver City Observer -

Free showing of the documentary film, THE BLUES OF SOUTH L.A. on Sunday, August 17 at Culver City Presbyterian Church, 11269 W. Washington Blvd. The church is located 1 block west of Sepulveda Blvd. Southern Comfort Food served at noon with the eighty-one minute screening beginning at 1pm. Jam session follows at 2:30pm. Musicians, bring your gear.

The film is the first comprehensive witness to the city's authentic blues community - extending north to south from Adams to Century and west to east from Crenshaw to Central. Not an historical retrospective of bygone Los Angeles, the film is a multisensory extravaganza celebrating the vigorous blues scene alive in the city's African American community today.

The Blues of South LA begins with the story of Kari Fretham's frustration after she announced in 2002, "I am giving my life to the blues."

There were early signs on the farm in Minnesota that this gritty, heartfelt music would take over her life. One generation from Sweden, her mother insisted on waking the family with Mahalia Jackson gospel songs played at top volume. When Amosandra was born on the Amos 'n' Andy radio show within a year of Kari's own birth, the black doll ordered from the Montgomery Ward catalog became a fixture in her childhood.

After being seduced by the blues in the mid-eighties, Kari became very disappointed. Even though she was frequently dancing at innumerable clubs and festivals, her soul was rarely stirred.

Eschewing more nights filled with tired covers the likes of Mustang Sally, she decided to head to the Delta. In the South, where it all began, she was certain she would feel the vibe of real blues for sure.

She was right. Going south was the direction to go. However, it did not have to be two thousand miles by jet. Through a fortuitous chain of events, she found the visceral blues she sought five miles from where she lives.

THE BLUES OF SOUTH L.A. is the culmination of Kari Fretham's ten year immersion in Los Angeles' south side blues community. No matter which of seven juke joints sets the scene, intimate visuals and potent blues abound.

From those who have had a sneak peak: " tells the real story, just like someone in the community shot it . . . totally entertaining . . . funny," From another rveiwer "crazy good music" “ for the whole family”

You can see the trailer on YouTube: Hot Love On Me So Strong. Join us on Facebook: hotloveonmesostrongTHEBLUESOFSOUTHLA or visit their wwebsite at :www.hotlove.info