BETTY – THEY SAY I’M DIFFERENT Toronto premiere & reunion performance by Betty’s band FUNK HOUSE

Toronto, ON (Sept. 19th, 2018) – Royal Stompbox and Aurora co-present the Toronto premiere of BETTY – THEY SAY I’M DIFFERENT. This incredible documentary reveals the extraordinary story of Betty Davis, who was AFRO PUNK before such a term, movement, or festival existed. The legendary funk pioneer was Miles Davis’ ex-wife and muse, who befriended and connected Jimi Hendrix to Sly Stone, and wrote songs for The Commodores among others. She married Miles Davis – introducing him to funk and psychedelic rock, turning his traditional jazz to a fusion of sounds. The Miles Davis album Filles de Kilimanjaro (1968) includes a song named after her and her photo on the front cover. She then went on to ignite stages in the 70s with her sassy sexed up mix of hard rock and bluesy funk, inspiring artists from Prince to Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae.

The film tells the raw candid story of the pioneering musician Ms. Betty Davis, who singularly rose to become one of the most influential and fearless artists of the funk era, a cult figure due to her unapologetic sexual lyrics and controversial performances that led to her being banned and boycotted. Then in one of the music industry’s most unexplained mysteries, Betty disappeared.

Now, 35 years later, the enigmatic and still mysterious Betty reveals her story.

Watch the trailer here

Betty Davis’ original band FUNK HOUSE, whose members went on to have amazing careers of their own playing for the likes of Herbie Hancock, Chuck Rainey, and Alphonse Mouzon will reunite for a special post-screening concert performance with support from local vocalists SATE, Ammoye, Shakura S’Aida, Mamalia and Nicky Lawrence. 

This Toronto documentary premiere will also feature a special pop-up funk/soul record shop presented by SONIC BOOM RECORDS in the cinema’s lobby, along with notable local DJ’s Sean Sax and General Eclectic, spinning some rare grooves before and after the movie.

Betty – They Say I’m Different

Tuesday, October 2nd

8:00 pm (Doors 7:00 pm)

The Royal Cinema (608 College Street, Toronto)

Tickets: www.theroyal.to

For more information about Betty: They Say I’m Different: