On the corner of Main Street in Stephenville, Texas, sits ‘Slim Pickins Outfitters', the first Black- owned outdoor outfitter shop in the Country. Owned by Jahmicah Dawes and his wife, Heather, the shop has become a staple in the community that represents fellowship, allyship, and outfitting friends for their next adventure. Like most small businesses, Covid-19 put more stress on their business and mental health than anticipated. But through it all, they continue to tell a story of hope and reconciliation, of community, and of friendship in an America that desperately needs to hear it.

DON'T PUT HER DOWN explores how Hazel Dickens, along with her musical partner Alice Gerard, became the first women to front a bluegrass band and reflects on the role of women in bluegrass today. The film covers Hazel’s migration to Baltimore from coal country West Virginia, her activism for coal miners and working people, and the impact her upbringing had on her songwriting. Lifelong collaborators and up-and-coming musicians share what it means to have bluegrass songs written from a woman’s point of view and keep Hazel’s memory alive.

“Rising from the inferno of heartbreak with a determination towards gentility, humility, graciousness, and kindness, Rosegarden Funeral Party takes influence from life’s tragedies and spins chaos into beauty. Leah Lane fronts the band with a voice like that of the lovechild between Morrissey and Siouxsie Sioux and her guitar playing has been compared to that of Daniel Ash. with bass playing that takes obvious inspiration from Peter Hook. With synths trapped in the loving arms of the 1980’s, rhythmic percussion and drums inspired by dark dance floors, Rosegarden Funeral Party prove to be the second-coming of traditional goth.”

Claire Morales began performing when she was 13 years old, playing acoustic gigs at local coffee shops in North Texas. After singing in other acts throughout her teen years, she went on to form her own band in 2014, moving from acoustic to electric guitar and bringing in rock band instrumentation. February of 2015 saw the release of Claire's debut album Amaranthine. The record is a collection of dreamy, hazy rock songs centered around childhood, nostalgia, and coming of age. The LP garnered the attention of local publications and blogs (see press) and became a calling card for the various festivals and out of town shows the band took part in (including SXSW, 35 Denton, Norman Music Festival, Oaktopia, Thinline, Hot Water Hills, and Wildflower Music Fest). In early 2015, Claire began a collaborative covers project with various musician friends, including: Jena Pyle (Layer Cake / Sundae Crush), Ariel Hartley (Pearl Earl), Rachel Gollay (Gollay) and Dalton Kane (Bashe / Chinaski, the Fury). The project explores a variety of her musical influences from the 60s, featuring songs from muses such as Leonard Cohen, Nancy Sinatra, Patsy Cline, and the Everly Bros. The covers are a fun, quick way to work together with local musicians, get inspired, and stay busy between releases.