Minnie Black's Gourd Band

Film Description

Minnie Black is 90-years-old but she’s still making music and art out of the gourds she grows in her backyard garden in East Bernstadt, Kentucky. In Minnie Black’s Gourd Band, she talks about the secrets to growing good gourds, then takes the viewer on a tour of her Gourd Museum, giving out tips on how to make gourd art while highlighting her favorite creations such as a double-headed donkey and the mythical “griffen” beast. The camera follows Minnie to “the World’s Largest Gourd Convention” in Mt. Gilead, Ohio where fellow artists hail her as “the queen of the gourd people.” Interspersed throughout are some lively and unique versions of hymns and old favorites played by Minnie and her Senior Citizen Gourd Band.

Screenings & Festivals

• City Lore Festival of Film and Video
• Museum of Modern Art
• Retirement Research Foundation Silver Owl Award
• WTTW/Chicago