An American Rhapsody

Paintings, still photography and motion picture footage (early film through video), unfold the history of the US. All of this plays out to the accompaniment of Gershwin's RHAPSODY IN BLUE, the most iconic piece of American music. A visual theme that repeats throughout is the problem of slavery, and the subsequent slow progress made toward civil rights. In good times and bad, the music and images constantly reflect the emotions of our times as our country grows up. We see the westward expansion, the ravages of war, the changing styles, the industrial revolution, scientific progress, the constant quest for civil rights from the time of slavery, to the Emancipation Proclamation, to desegregation to the election of President Barack Obama.