Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)

Join OKPOP and Circle Cinema for a one-night screening of the documentary “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories) with special guest Cat Casual in attendance for a Q&A after the film! Cat Casual aka William Benton is an Oklahoma born musician with music from his band The Final Word featured in the film. William also works as a historian and tour guide at the legendary Chelsea Hotel, don’t miss this chance to learn about rock and roll history straight from the source! Tickets on sale now, $11 Circle members and $13 non-members.

About the film: 1h15min – Documentary – Not Rated – English
“Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)” explores the rich history, cultural significance and otherworldly occurrences of the famous Hotel Chelsea in New York City. The hotel gets its due in this smart and creative film as a place where anything could happen, where creativity thrived and where people from all walks of life came together in a chaotic and vibrant community. Thanks to its dedicated owners, the late Stanley Bard and his son David, the creative spirit of the Chelsea was fostered making it the unique creative haven that it became. The film features interviews with past and present residents, including artists, musicians, writers, and other creative individuals. Some famous faces tell tales of their time in the hotel along with the riveting stories from the eclectic folks who still reside in this legendary and haunted building. Music by Cat Casual and the Final Word. Featuring: Michael Imperioli, Sherill Tippins, Ned Van Zandt, Victor Colicchio, Harley Flanagan; Richard Barone, Cynthia Ross, Howie Pyro, Ruby Lynn Reyner, Marcia Resnick, and more!


About Cat Casual aka William Benton: Cat Casual is William Benton, an Oklahoma born guitarist/bassist/vocalist based in New York. Together with his band, The Final Word, Benton writes and performs psyche-inspired rock that ranges from dark, furious experimentalism to haunting, melodic melancholia. Frequent collaboration with disparate instrumentalists – including bassoon, synthesizer, and pedal steel – is a hallmark of the Cat Casual soundscape. The music of Cat Casual and the Final Word is featured as the soundtrack for the 2023 documentary “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories),” in which Benton also appears. Benton is also employed at the legendary Chelsea Hotel where he is historian and tour guide. Benton has previously performed & toured with artists such as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Shilpa Ray, The Phantom Family Halo, and Ivan Julian (Richard Hell and the Voidoids). He has collaborated with legendary musicians Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate), Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), Makoto Kawabata (Acid Mothers Temple), and others. His own past bands have included the Louisville-based Tyrone, Bodyhammer, and Lucky Pineapple. In addition to performing his own music as leader of The Final Word, Benton DJs regularly in multiple venues around NY (DJ Cat Casual). He has hosted radio shows in Brooklyn and in Louisville.

About OKPOP: The mission of OKPOP is to inspire and empower new generations of artists, musicians, and storytellers to impact the world through the powerful force of creative expression by showcasing the legacy of Oklahomans and their influence on popular culture. Visit OKPOP.org for more.