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The Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969 in the documentary Summer of Soul.

Searchlight Pictures/20th Century Studios

In 1969, during the same summer as Woodstock, another music festival took place 100 miles away. The Harlem Cultural Festival featured black musicians like Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder — stars who we might not have glimpsed at this point in their careers.

Footage of the festival had been locked in a basement for 50 years, because TV and film companies were not interested in it at the time.

Questlove and his fellow filmmakers speak to Audie Cornish about bringing the concert festival to the big screen in their movie, Summer Of Soul, which is also out on Hulu.

NPR's Eric Deggans also reviewed the film. Some descriptions of the film from his review are heard in this episode.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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This episode was produced by Lee Hale, Brent Baughman, Sarah Handel, and Kelli Wessinger. It was edited by Sami Yenigun. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.

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