Kickstarter

Around the Fire: Steve Mitchell and the Music of the Susquehanna Valley is a feature length documentary film focusing on the vibrant local music communities along the Susquehanna River Valley of Pennsylvania--through the lens of the life and music of Grammy award-winning musician, Steve Mitchell.  Our production is seeking additional funding through KickStarter contributors to complete the remainder of our filming with a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area.  Why San Francisco?  To chronicle Steve’s West Coast history; a 30-year period of his career we consider a vital part of his professional and personal development and experience, that today, he graciously shares among his friends, family, colleagues and fans in Pennsylvania.   

Steve Mitchell is a central Pennsylvania native who was raised in a devout Quaker family.  The house of his childhood was once a stop on the famous Underground Railroad.  Mitchell's peace and justice roots have informed his musical and life endeavors and are traced in the film.  From his involvement in the 60’s and 70’s music and entertainment scene of San Francisco (Phil Lesh, Mose Allison, Van Morrison, The Smothers Brothers, American Zoetrope) to his leadership as an elder in the local central PA communities of music and peacemaking, the film chronicles the healing and redemptive qualities of both recorded and live music. The film is also a testament to the longevity and continued vitality of the musicians and fans of local live music in the Susquehanna Valley demonstrated in the music venues and alliances of friends and supporters of the scene.  The film will be shot in and around the historic Mitchell home in Troy PA, the Susquehanna Valley as well as other sites in central PA and the San Francisco Bay Area.