Marie Northrup Lecture Series: Tales of the American

The initial program in the 2026 Marie Northrop Lecture Series is a screening of the documentary Tales of the American. For some, it was a fresh start. For others, a last resort. It was also the home of Al’s Bar, the seminal punk-rock dive. The American Hotel in downtown Los Angeles was built in 1905 as the city’s first hotel for African Americans. Since that time, it has been a haven for society’s outsiders, whether Japanese immigrants or artists seeking cheap space in an abandoned urban landscape. Over the past four decades, a thriving and free-spirited arts scene has grown up in and around the American Hotel. From 1980 to 2001, it was the home of Al’s Bar, a legendary dive where punk bands like Black Flag, X, and Nirvana played before finding fame and fortune. Development and gentrification are pushing out the artists who made the area desirable. At the heart of this struggle stands the American Hotel, a symbol of tolerance and renewal.

Narrated by KPCC’s John Rabe, Tales of the American features archival photos and footage, and interviews with artists and musicians who lived, worked, or played at the American. Filmmakers Stephen Seemayer and Pamela Wilson will participate in a question-and-answer session following the screening.