We’ve attended a number of drive-ins during this year’s Emmy For Your Consideration nomination campaign phase, and they can be fun — such as the “Top Chef” and “Pose” (featuring Elton John!) events.
But it’s a Hot Vaxx Summer, and that means the actual out-of-car, truly-in-person events are making a bit of a return. On Saturday night, Amazon Prime Video, in partnership with the American Cinematheque held an outdoor screening of Steve McQueen‘s “Small Axe” film “Lovers Rock” at the Neuehouse in Hollywood.
But it was more than just a screening. The evening, on the rooftop overlooking Hollywood, included a “silent dance party” inspired by the episode’s wonderful soundtrack, spun by DJ Benjamin Walker. Attendees wore illuminated headphones and grooved to the tunes.
Also, Caribbean food from Mia’s Kitchen was provided, while an open bar — remember those? They’re also back! — provided the drinks. Here was the menu, with explainers from Mia’s Kitchen founder Lisa Salinas:
Drink: “The Lover” (Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, orange, hibiscus, Caribbean spices, water, pure cane sugar, bourbon, apple, lemon, raspberries)
Cucumber & tomato chow (Chow is a light salad commonly enjoyed with meals in Trinidad and Tobago. It is made with fresh cucumber and tomatoes and seasoned with salt, pepper, light garlic, lemon and a touch of habanero.)
Doubles (Doubles are a snack-sized sandwich made of two soft flatbreads known as bara and filled with a curried chickpea filling, mango chutney, green seasoning, hot pepper sauce and cucumber.)
Macaroni pie (Trinidad macaroni pie is a Caribbean comfort food classic. It’s similar to a baked macaroni and cheese casserole. The pie is loaded with gluten free noodles, herbs, bitter and 3 cheeses, sharp cheddar, mozzarella and smoked gouda.)
Chicken roti (Dhalpuri roti is the quintessentia Trini flat bread that’s lovingly and expertly filled with ground and well-seasoned split peas and stuffed with delightful, curried chicken, potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and chickpeas.)
Currants roll (A flaky rolled pastry dough, with currants, butter, cinnamon and sugar.)
Set in 1980, “Lovers Rock” takes place over the course of an evening at a house party in London, featuring the music of the time — including reggae and lovers rock music, and dancehall toasting — while telling the story of young love and the Black youth who were unwelcome in white nightclubs. Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Micheal Ward, Shaniqua Okwok, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Ellis George, Alexander James-Blake and Kadeem Ramsay star. “Lovers Rock” was co-written by Courttia Newland and Steve McQueen.
