U-Matic

1983 Hoe Down Festival
Hart Plaza
5/6/83

U-Matic S tape containing footage from the first Downtown Hoedown in Hart Plaza, filmed on May 6, 1983. The tape includes shots of the crowd in the amphitheater area, a band, and a square dancing group. The location audio is in the tape's left channel, while the right contains a quiet feed from a radio station--likely interference. The main audio goes in and out throughout the tape.

The film begins with footage of the crowd as the band can be heard playing the background. Several members of the crowd are filmed dancing at the bottom of the amphitheater. After more shots of the crowd, the band is eventually shown briefly. Eventually, an announcer can be heard calling for the band to do an encore over more shots of the crowd. The tape ends with footage of an all-African American square dancing group performing on the stage at the base of the amphitheater as well as more shots of the crowd.

The recording is on an 18-minute U-Matic S tape with a handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information Video Production label on its top, marked "Hoe-Down at Hart Plaza." The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover, marked "1983 Hoe Down Festival, Hart Plaza, 5/6/83."