Anthology Film Archives will be screening two programs of films by Richard Kern this weekend. Shot in the 1980′s on Super-8 and originally distributed on VHS , the films are described by Anthology as as “darkly comedic, shocking, sexy, disturbed, debauched, violent, and really quite wonderful.” They feature the likes of Lydia Lunch, Nick Zedd, David Wojnarowicz, Karen Finley, Lung Leg, Henry Rollins, and Kembra Pfahler, with original soundtracks by musicians such as Foetus and Sonic Youth. The films have been remastered and preserved with funds from The Warhol Foundation and Anthology Film Archives. Screenings are at 7 and 9 pm, Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24. Kern will be there to answer questions at tonight’s screenings.

I’m a travellin’ man
Movin’ through places, space and time
Gotta lotta things i got to do
But God willin’ I’m comin’ back to you

Mos Def probably didn’t have Henry Rollins in mind when he wrote the lyrics to his ‘Travellin’ Man,’ but they still fit the writer/rocker/DJ/activist like a glove. Rollins really is the constant traveler, driven by an insatiable hunger to go out and see new places, meet new people and to find out what makes the world tick. So to name his latest, globe-trotting spoken tour, “The Frequent Flyer Tour” seems only justified. Whereas the old punk Rollins, while still playing with Black Flag, with his aggressive in your face attitude and his overbearing behavior, might not have appealed, nor was he ever meant to appeal to a wider audience, he is now one of the smartest and wittiest performers to be seen on stages all over the world and loved by many–A raconteur in its true meaning.

Maybe age mellowed him out a little, but Rollins still managed to keep that hunger to go out and see the world, to make music, to perform, to star in pretty much every movie- or TV-opportunity that presents itself and most importantly, to get a message across to his audience—An important message. Rollins is an ambassador of freedom of speech, of gay rights and open mindedness, of individuality and creativity. And while at times he might seem to be a little bit to harsh on the American people and to get carried away a little bit too much, when comparing them to the oh so educated Europeans, he always manages to get his point across: That it’s important to keep your eyes open, to be politically active, to remain critical of your government and to question your own patriotism. But the people at Rollins’ shows are probably not the ones that need to be told. So next time this man is in town, bring a friend along that has never heard of this man and a fun and entertaining night is guaranteed, cause Rollins’ is not all morals and advices how to better yourself. He’s also fun stories about RuPaul, about waving middle fingers in the faces of world leaders, about how much f un cab drivers in foreign countries are, about meeting Kurt Sutter and much more. And even those who dislike Rollins for having become what you could probably call a B- or C-class celebrity need to admit: This guy has some great stories to tell. So listen up!

Catch up with The Frequent Flyer Tour.