In celebration of what would have been Melvin Van Peebles’ 92nd birthday, Lincoln Center presents: MVP, a multimedia tribute concert experience created by his son Mario Van Peebles.
Mario takes the audience through a glimpse into Melvin’s life and fascinations in the desert and cities through MVP’s films and music. The evening is scored by the soul-jazz-hip-hop-funk fusion collective—and regular Van Peebles collaborators—Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber.
Over the past half century, the Van Peebles have become established as undeniable Hollywood royalty. The trailblazing work of director Melvin Van Peebles (Story of a Three Day Pass, Watermelon Man, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song) made him an iconoclastic legend and one of the most influential filmmakers of the 1970’s. Melvin’s son, Mario Van Peebles, followed in that estimable tradition, creating and starring in the era-defining gangster movie, New Jack City. Mario recently directed his own son, Mandela, opposite himself in the sharply observed western Outlaw Posse.