The Atlas Performing Arts Center will be screening three different film series this summer which will surely have something for everyone. The Summer Film Series will run from June 17-September 4, 2010. Every week will feature different films in all three of the series.
Thursdays this summer will be Gay 101 – a series of films one must see to be a card-carrying Gay man. While most are not gay-themed all are embraced by the gay and lesbian community. Classics such as All About Eve and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? will share the screen with campier choices including Mommie Dearest and Valley of the Dolls. Gay 101 will kick off with a benefit for the organization One in Ten which will feature A Star is Born. (Judy Garland version, of course.)
Saturdays will be Double Feature Days! The early show will be the 70’s Family Film Series featuring kid-friendly movies from the 1970s. From The Bad News Bears to The Wiz the series hopes to please nostalgic parents and their kids.
Saturday evenings will be Cinema al Fresco featuring films either made or set in Italy. With beloved films like Cinema Paradiso and Roman Holiday, this “staycation” series will take audiences on a journey to Italy without having to pack a suitcase. Cafe concerts will be held in the lobby between shows and, for the grown ups, there will be tastings of Italian wines, chosen by Schneider's of Capitol Hill.
The films will be screened in the Sprenger Theatre, the Atlas’ largest black box space. Cabaret style seating will be available but audiences will be welcome to bring a lawn chair, a blanket or a stroller much like an outdoor movie festival. Beer, wine and snacks will be available or patrons are invited to bring a picnic instead. “We want the Atlas to be a fun destination for the Capitol Hill and H Street Northeast community this summer. We like to think of it as an indoor version of an outdoor movie festival.” said Scott Kenison, Chief Operating Officer of the Atlas. “Only our festival will have air conditioning and best of all, no mosquitoes!”
Ticket prices for the films will be $6.00 and will be available for purchase soon either on the Atlas website, www.atlasarts.org or at the box office, 202.399.7993 ext 2.
SUMMER FILM SERIES SCHEDULE*
70’s Family Series aka the Gen X Nostalgia Series (4:30 pm Saturdays June 19-September 4)
June 19 The Muppet Movie
June 26 Pippi in the South Seas
July 3 1776
July 10 Charlotte’s Web
July 17 The Bad News Bears
July 24 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
July 31 Bugsy Malone
Aug 7 Snoopy Come Home
Aug 14 Tom Sawyer
Aug 21 The Call of the Wild
Aug 28 Black Stallion
Sep 4 The Wiz
Cinema al Fresco aka Staycation Series (Saturdays June 19-Sept 4)
June 19 Cinema Paradiso
June 26 The Godfather II
July 3 La Dolce Vita
July 10 Everybody's Fine (Stanno Tutti Bene)
July 17 Seven Beauties
July 24 Only You
July 31 It Started in Naples
Aug 7 The Talented Mr. Ripley
Aug 14 Nine
Aug 21 Three Coins in the Fountain
Aug 28 Romeo and Juliet
Sept 4 Roman Holiday
Gay 101 (Thursdays June 9-Sept 2)
June 9 A Star is Born (Benefit for One in Ten)
June 17 The Women
June 24 Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
July 1 Breakfast at Tiffany's
July 8 Auntie Mame
July 15 La Cage Aux Folles
July 22 Valley of the Dolls
July 29 Where the Boys Are
Aug 5 All About Eve
Aug 12 Suddenly, Last Summer
Aug 19 Cabaret
Aug 26 Mommie Dearest
Sept 2 Steel Magnolias
Film Schedule is subject to availability.
Tickets go on sale May 21, 2010.
6 comments:
Seven Beauties, by the great Lena Wertmuller - a winner.
I am actually rather offended by the so called "gay" selection of the movie night... more of a sterotype than anything (despite the fact that many of these films are recognized universally as great...like "The Women" ...find the Y chromosone). Most of this selection had me thinking "Hunh?"
The Muppet Movie, The Wiz, Three Coins in a Fountain, Romeo and Juliet, Mr. Ripley, Willie Wonka and others have gay appeal and subtext. Why exclude them? To assume that Valley of the Dolls, Auntie Mame, Where the Boys Are (Really?? Are you kidding me?) and Steel Magnolias (Please! so trite even if I cry) are of predominantly gay appeal is rather condescending and uninspired. If you want a gay movie list, watch out because I can come up with one doesn't relegat gay folks as comical or dispensible. Perhaps showing movies that featured gay relationships, with the dubious exception of La Cage (seriously this was your only actual gay-themed movie?? what rock do you live under and why should the gay community support you?)would be a better idea and you might build financial support from all of us gay single and DINKS. Appalled!
Yea, the gay reference sort of threw me too. mainly because all of those movies are classics that just about anyone would enjoy, gay or (gasp) even straight.
Um, wow. I was excited to see the gay 101 line up. I have seen many a gay bar do such a thing for a movie series. Although the films themselves might not be gay, we can't deny their place in the lexicon. Have you ever seen the "No wire hangers" remix played in a straight bar?
How many times have we or our friends been appalled when we hear that somebody has not seen Steel Magnolias and responded with "Turn in your gay card!" I also acknowledge these movies are generation specific, but at the same time it is many young folk, who (or is it whom?), in the company of their elder peers, miss many references to these women and the movies that made them iconic.
Plus, it's fun. Grab the guys and girls, have a few cocktails somewhere on the strip and enjoy some great performances.
Thanks Atlas and see you there!
(oh and ps. It looks like One in Ten may have been involved, so I'm thinkin this is actually coming from our gay community)
Lot's of Audrey Hepburn! I'll be there for both Gay 101 and the Staycation series. Btw I'm straight and married.
Gregg needs to lighten up and stop being "offended" by everything and everyone. Everyone knows Valley of the Dolls and Mommie Dearest are classic gay movies. Make yourself a stiff cocktail (or two) and "fasten your seat belts."
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