Movies Under a Simple Tree: Deep City

Experience the rich musical heritage of Overtown through film and photography at an outdoor community gathering. Hampton Art Lovers Presents Movies Under a Simple Tree: Deep City takes place on the first Saturday of the month—March 1, April 5 and May 3—at the Historic Ward Rooming House.

This monthly event features a screening of the documentary Deep City: Birth of the Miami Sound, which explores Miami's pivotal role in American music history. The film documents the story of Deep City Records, Florida's first Black-owned record label, founded by school teachers Willie Clarke and Johnny Pearsall in the 1960s. Set against the backdrop of the historic Overtown neighborhood, the documentary traces how this independent label showcased local talent and developed what would later become known as the Miami Sound, a raw, gritty blend of soul and funk, rooted in African-American church life and street culture, with influences from marching bands and Caribbean rhythms.

Alongside the film screening, attendees can explore One Night Stand: Photography by Greg Clark, a gallery exhibition capturing intimate portraits of local Overtown musicians with their instruments, set against the backdrop of locations that were once prominent entertainment venues in the area. Clark's photography highlights the cultural environment that attracted music legends like Sam Cooke to Overtown.

Presented in partnership with Open House Miami, this low-key community movie night invites visitors to bring lawn chairs and refreshments. The event commemorates Overtown's significant influence on American music while preserving an important chapter of Miami's cultural history.