This is a free event but we encourage you to RSVP to secure your seat. 

Doors: 6, Movie: 7

Runtime: 35 minutes

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Produces New Documentary “How to Sue the Klan”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump brings his expertise and experience to a role as producer to the new documentary “How to Sue the Klan.”

The film, which will be screened beginning in Black History Month, features the heroic efforts of five Black women who fought the Ku Klux Klan in a landmark 1982 civil trial and emerged victorious. After surviving a racially-motivated mass shooting on the streets of Chattanooga, the women invoked the little-known Civil War-era Ku Klux Klan Act to win their case, a strategy that still serves as a model in the fight against racial violence today.

“‘How to Sue the Klan tells the grueling story of the brave women of the Chattanooga Five in their fight against injustice,” said Crump. “The film’s plot mirrors our modern times, as we still battle the ugly face of racism in our country with civil action. I am honored to be part of the outstanding team that made this film come to life and look forward to sharing it with the world.”

“How to Sue the Klan” is a timely and urgent documentary that explores the use of legal strategies to combat racial violence. Two of the three Klan members responsible for the attack were acquitted in criminal court and the third was sentenced to just a few months, but civil rights lawyers used the Ku Klux Klan Act to sue them for damages in civil court. The landmark trial four decades ago set a precedent that exposed how the Klan could be hit hardest: in their bank accounts. The judgment also included an injunction against all Klan activities in Chattanooga, forever banning the KKK from the city. The film explores the impact of the trial, the legacy of the five women who fought for justice, and the ongoing relevance of the Ku Klux Klan Act in today's fight against organized hate.

In 2022, the Netflix documentary “Civil” followed Crump’s mission to raise the value of Black life as the civil lawyer for the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Black farmers. The film was nominated for an Emmy for Best Documentary and received the NAACP Image Award for Best Documentary. Crump also hosted “Who Killed Tupac: The Search For Justice” on A&E and executive produced the Emmy-nominated “Woman in Motion,” a 2019 film on actress Nichelle Nichols’ role in diversifying NASA and the astronomy field. “How to Sue the Klan” is a call to action for attorneys and advocates to focus on civil rights and use the Ku Klux Klan Act as a tool to fight for justice. The film was directed by Emmy® nominated filmmaker and Chattanooga resident John Beder.

Matt Turnure is one of the area’s most imaginative drummers, and he pushes the musicians around him to meet him on that higher ground. It is always a real treat to hear where things head when he assumes the bandleader role. He has yet to disappoint. His quartet this Wednesday will include Stephen Powers on guitar, Grady Dickinson on sax, and Tony Tortora on bass.

Admission is $10 in advance or at the door. Advance ticket purchase helps us determine whether to set up in the Lounge or on the main stage.

Barking Legs will be closed today for a private rental event.

If you are interested in hosting an event at Barking Legs, please email info@barkinglegs.org for more information!

We welcome guitarist Ben Friberg warmly back to continue the tradition he helped start. I used to go hear Ben’s trio regularly at the Market Street Tavern, and our series began after that venue’s closure.

Tonight, Ben’s stellar trio, with bassist David Schwab and drummer Matt Turnure, will be complemented by the wonderful pianist Margherita Fava.

Cover is just $10, and we encourage tips for the band to get them above their modest base fee. Early arrival is encouraged. See you Wednesday!

The Italian acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta has been one of our best loved performer for over 20 years. Savor the moment!

Beppe Gambetta is a guitarist, vocalist, researcher and composer born in Genova, Italy in 1955 who developed a style of concert presentation that brings American and European Roots to speak together with one voice. In his unique approach, Gambetta blends energetic grooves with passionate melodies, giving new life to sources from different times, periods and places. In addition, the original music he composes gives contemporary influences to traditional roots music.

He first came to the United States in 1985 and then returned in 1988 to travel through the US with the first available Sony digital DAT machine. He managed to meet and record a collection of duets with 12 of the most admired guitarists in the American bluegrass/folk genre including Norman Blake, Mike Marshall, Charles Sawtelle, John Jorgenson and David Grier.

In 1989 Beppe Gambetta crossed the “Iron curtain” to perform at the Porta Festival in Czeckoslovakia and sensed the revolutionary wave that in those days expressed itself also thorugh the music. In that occasion he started an important collaboration with American banjo master Tony Trischka.

In the 1990s Gambetta started to tour on a regular basis with American guitar legend Dan Crary (in Europe and then in the US and Australia). Dan Crary was able to introduce him to the organizers of the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS, a major guitar event and home to important guitar contests. Gambetta's performances at Winfield opened the door to him becoming a regular part of the American Festival scene.

In 1993 he met and collaborated with Gene Parsons, a former member of the legendary folk-rock band, The Byrds. Parsons performed on Gambetta's first solo American CD “Good News From Home” (1995) on the then preeminent folk and Celtic label “Green Linnet”. In this album, Gambetta started to blend his love for American Roots with elements of European tradition moving away from being known strictly as a hot bluegrass picker to create his own multi-national style.

In the late 1990s he launched a project to research the forgotten music of the Italian String Virtuosi of the turn-of-the-century. He focused on reviving the music and re-building the instruments of legendary Genovese harp-guitarist Pasquale Taraffo (1887-1937). This work led to the recording of two CDs “Serenata” (1997) and “Traversata” (2001) with classical mandolinist Carlo Aonzo and American mandolin icon David Grisman.

He has continued his research along the path of musicians and emigrations including to date producing shows of Italian revival in Europe, US and Argentina.

In 2001, Beppe Gambetta and his wife Federica Calvino Prina inaugurated “Beppe Gambetta Acoustic Nights”, a series of annual concerts that bring together different top-notch International musicians each year, planned around a special musical “theme”. Held each spring at the 1000-seat Teatro della Corte in Genova, Italy for three or four consecutive evenings, the performances have established themselves as one of the preeminent events in the European musical scene and are regularly broadcast live by the Italian National Radio (RAI Radio 3).

From 2002 to today, Beppe Gambetta focused his work mainly on his solo career, touring constantly and naturally and seamlessly joining the shores of the two continents, Europe and America, creating in spite of the interposed ocean a musical fusion where American root music and Ligurian tradition, emigration songs and folk ballads, steel string guitars and vintage harp guitars not only co-exist but interact, weaving a deep dialog unaware of any rigid classification.

On April 23, 2019 Beppe was awarded with the title of “Genoa Ambassador To The World” by the Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci for the following reason:

“Beppe Gambetta has built countless bridges between Genoa and the Americas, combining the rich culture of his hometown with the beauty of the American roots and adding in his compositions contemporary influences to the traditions he mastered. He has been a true Ambassador of the Genovese culture in all his studies, productions and performances”.

For his 14th CD (Where The Wind Blows, Borealis Records, Canada 2020) Beppe Gambetta revealed himself to be not simply a master guitarist but also a new songwriter of great feeling, wisdom and maturity. “Where the Wind Blows” is a collection of songs and tunes all written, arranged and performed by Beppe with the extraordinary collaboration of American bass player Rusty Holloway and percussionist Joe Bonadio.

The CD title track “Dove Tia O Vento” was a finalist in the “Best Song” Category at the Italian Awards Premio Tenco 2020.

This show came together a series of inspirations, and it’s certain to be a blast. In full, we have Ben Van Winkle (cello & vocals), Adam Stone (guitar), Valerie Duke (vocals), Yattie Westfield (the Amazing) and Noah Prince (bass). Epic and/or Awesome. Don’t miss it!