Former Cleveland musician Dame Drummer returns home to screen his award-winning film

Damon Jamal Taylor’s career has skyrocketed since he moved from Cleveland to Oakland, California in 2012.

His 2022 film Black Dad: The Movie, for which he was an executive producer, director, co-editor and composer, explores the reality of black fatherhood in America, countering the occasional slander surrounding absent black fathers and paying tribute to their engagement to their children. He received almost 30 dozen awards at 25 film festivals.

In addition, he participated in the production of the album. Movement by Alphabet Rockers, described as “a soundtrack to a reimagined world of belonging and justice” featuring kids as a collective, which is why it shared their 2023 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album.

Taylor, professionally known as Dame Drummer, was known in Cleveland as the head of the Lyrical Rhythms at open mic nights at the B-Side Lounge under the Grog Shop in Coventry Village. So it seems right that he will come to the grog store for a special screening Black Dad: The Moviefollowed by a performance by the Lyrical Rhythms House Band.

“Drumming has given me the best seat in the house, behind the music,” the Drummer says in a press release. “The B-side really helped me figure it out because some great artists have come through this place. Tuesday after Tuesday there was always someone who inspired me, whether it was their poetry, comedy, singing or just other musicians playing. Basically, people came for a unique experience – to get mentally, emotionally and physically excited in this place. I had the best seat in town and it allowed me to go out into the world and really lower my flag.”

Purchase tickets for the show here.

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