Like an arty boulder rolling down a hill, the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series (BSISFSS)…rolls along tonight, Thursday, July 21st at the Henry Miller Library.

Yet unlike a boulder, there is no need to run away.  Quite the opposite.  Because tonight is very special.

In addition to showing brilliant short films from the USA, Kosovo, France, and the UK, there will be live music as well, provided by our old pal Phil DeGruy.

Oh, AND the director of to film Pitstop, which we’ll be showing – Melanie Griffin – will be here too!

So.  Before I talk about how much I like Phil, I’ll hit you with logistics first, as you’re probably reading this at work, in your cube, and that’s a no-no.

Doors at 7 pm.  7:30-8:30 – live music; 8:30-45ish – onwards – movies.

It’ll all by donation.  Bring your own beer, wine, food.  We’ll have coffee, tea, and popcorn!  We’re 1/4 mile south of Nepenthe.

Now what about Phil?

Well, at the expense of sounding, oh, trite, Phil masterfully blends the high and low-elements of the human experience.  What do I mean?

Dig: Phillip is, by far, one of the most talented guitarists I’ve ever seen.  He makes it look so effortless, it makes you want to give up.  His playing is fluid, clean, melodic, and, well, really awesome.  It’s a nifty hybrid of classic elements and almost proggy-vibes.  So that’s cool.

But at the same time, he sometimes sings these sinister, wickedly funny songs.  Last year he played and he rocked a tune about – brace yourselves – the Catholic abuse scandal to the tune of the Who’s “Tommy.”

Inappropriate?  Yeah, kinda.  Cringe-worthy?  A little?  The funniest thing I had ever seen or heard?  Pretty much.  I was hyper-ventilating from laughter.  It’s true: ask Keely!