Amoeba Music

FUNK UP YOUR FEBRUARY and join us for a special launch party to celebrate the new Hulu Original documentary, SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), at Amoeba San Francisco on Thursday, February 13th at 5pm!

From Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, the Oscar-Winning Director of Summer of Soul, SLY LIVES! (aka the Burden of Black Genius) examines the life and legacy of Sly & the Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone. SLY LIVES! premieres Thursday, February 13th on Hulu and Disney+. Available on Disney+ until February 23rd.

In partnership with Hulu, we're celebrating the film's premiere with a special live DJ set from "Cool" Chris Veltri (connoisseur of counter culture curios, occasional DJ, and head honcho @groovemerchantsf), and giving YOU a chance to score cool giveaways and complimentary gifts for early attendees thanks to Hulu and Onyx Collective!

Thursday, February 13th at 5pm - Event Details:

-- Starting at 5PM, each attendee will receive one giveaway ticket and a free SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) poster, while supplies last.

-- DJ Chris Veltri will play a mix of Sly Stone tracks, along with selections from Sly’s contemporaries and songs influenced by his work.

-- At 6PM we'll give away cool gifts that will include: Amoeba Gift Certificates, Disney+ gift cards, Sly Stone vinyl, and more! Chosen ticketholders are selected at random. You must be present to receive your gift.

Also, if you haven’t already - enter our SLY LIVES! Sweepstakes here for a chance to win prizes, including a Denon turntable, Edifier speakers, and a 10-pack of curated Sly Stone vinyl in a cool Selektor messenger vinyl tote!

(Enter sweepstakes online through February 26th, in-person entries on February 13th at Amoeba Music locations. Open to legal residents of U.S. & D.C., 18+. This Sweepstakes is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, all U.S. territories and possessions and overseas military installations and where prohibited or restricted by law. Ends 2/26/25 at 11:59PM PT. Void where prohibited. Official Rules here.)

** No purchase or RSVP necessary to attend this event or participate in the giveaways

** Giveaway entry tickets are valid only for the 6pm drawing and cannot be replaced if lost

** Receiving a giveaway entry ticket does not guarantee receipt of a giveaway item. Entry tickets and other gift items and quantites are limited while supplies last

** One poster and one giveaway entry ticket per person

** Sweepstakes entry is separate and subject to the official rules

ABOUT THE FILM

From Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson, the Oscar-Winning Director of Summer of Soul, SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) examines the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone. This film captures the rise, reign and subsequent fadeout of one of pop music’s most influential artists, but also shines a light on how Black artists in America navigate the unseen burden that comes with their success. Drawing from his own personal experience and relationships, Questlove tells an empathetic human story about the cost of genius, reframing the way we all engage with pop culture.

Chris Veltri has run and operated Groove Merchant Records on Haight Street for 30 years. Groove Merchant has come to be known as a beacon for lost and obscure music. In addition to Groove Merchant Records, he runs a small publishing imprint, Collage Dropout San Francisco, that releases small run books on found photography and counter culture related printed matter.