Even though Michael Jackson is gone, and the world is preparing for new economic superpowers, our sweet land of liberty is still turning 233 this week and Cinefamily is giving us a reason to celebrate. Turning the day the into one of their signature “Mondo” movie nights, the folks at the Silent Movie Theatre are hosting a barbecue/movie marathon/Willie Nelson extravaganza that will replace all your Fourth of July childhood memories with an open grill, virtual firework display, smattering of America-themed shorts and a screening of a Willie Nelson feature-length concert film.

Mondo movie nights are Cinefamily’s unique, big-screen free-for-alls. They uproot random clips of every length and from every format pertaining to the evening’s theme and screen them with no regard for their industry significance. This year’s virtual fireworks show, for example, will be a homespun interpretation of the holiday’s tradition, screening at the almanac’s precise time of sunset for that day (8:07 p.m.) and combining footage from international fireworks festivals with similar-looking experimental films to create a screen-worthy alternative to the tamer (and lamer) city-sponsored displays.

The night’s feature was filmed at the 1977 incarnation of Willie Nelson’s annual 4th of July Celebration, which brought together two critically-American things on the nation’s Independence Day: beer and country music. With performances by Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker and a very drunk Leon Russell, Nelson and the gang star in a post-Woodstock (and post-Altamont) concert flick that reeks of good ol’ fashioned patriotism.

The grill is hot, the setting is casual and the films are weird, so BYOB (bring your own burgers), mingle outside on their rarely-opened patio or enjoy the couches and air conditioning in the theater as it fills with visual testaments to man’s love of country – mondo style. 6 p.m. $12.



The Silent Movie Theatre is located at 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. For more information, visit silentmovietheatre.com.