If you're in Tampa this weekend and are a fan of classic cinema that celebrates Black love, you might want to head over to the Tampa Theatre for the finale of their 5th Annual Black Love Classics Series. Wrapping up the month-long event dedicated to vibrant love stories through the lens of Black filmmakers and actors, the final screening will honor the 1954 classic, Carmen Jones, on Sunday, at 3:00 pm. Time to grab your tickets—which are running at $12 a pop, or $9 if you're a Theatre member—before they're all snapped up. You can make the purchase online at TampaTheatre.org or stroll down to their Franklin Street Box Office.
The series has featured an array of films each Sunday this month, starting to strongly kick off Black History Month on February 1 with If Beale Street Could Talk. It kept the momentum going with The Photograph on February 8, then brought some light-hearted romance with Boomerang a week later. Now it's all set to close with Carmen Jones. As per Tampa Theatre, the theme of this year's selections is "At the Heart of It All," aiming to highlight the core of these dynamic love stories on screen.
A little more than just a movie showing, this event is about community. It's a chance to mix and mingle, with filmgoers encouraged to arrive early to engage in networking, live podcasts, and create community connections. Following the Sunday screening of Carmen Jones, there will be a film talk, led by Taylor Raye Curry, Associate Professor of Film at the University of Tampa. It's surely a chance to delve deeper into the influential work of Black filmmakers and actors and their impact on the film industry and beyond.
The Black Love Classics Series isn't just for kicks—it was born from a collaboration with the City of Tampa's Community Engagement & Partnerships Department back in 2022 to especially honor some of the key cinematic love stories out there. Each year since it has continued to entertain and educate, celebrating Black excellence and audience engagement in one cohesive package. To learn more about the series and to secure your tickets for the final screening, you don't want to hesitate to visit their website for more details.
