Film Screening – The Birth & History of Western Swing

About this event

This film chronicles the quintessential story of America’s most joyous dance music — the Official State Music of Texas. Western Swing got its start “Where The West Began” in a ramshackle Fort Worth dancehall during Texas and Oklahoma's hard scrabble 1930s Great Depression and Dust Bowl era. It would spread like wildfire throughout the Southwest, and reach its zenith in California, where Hollywood would bring the genre to national prominence during the 1940s.

This groundbreaking film takes a deep dive into the rich tapestry of America’s first hybrid form of music, showcasing its evolution and diverse cultural and musical influences, with insights from legendary stars and respected historians. The Birth & History of Western Swing promises to enrich your understanding of a genre that has shaped some of America’s most beloved music — heavily influencing honky tonk, the Bakersfield Sound, rockabilly and even rock & roll.