An App Summer film series continues July 9

Appalachian State University’s premier summer arts attraction, An Appalachian Summer Festival, introduced

a film series into its prized cross-disciplinary mix of music, dance, theatre an visual arts in 2008, with a three-day viewing of Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic Environmental films.

For the festival’s 25th anniversary season, Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic films return, and are joined with three other award-winning films for an eclectic and fascinating four-part series that make up the festival’s “Magic of Motion Pictures” film series. This series is generously sponsored by Footslogger’s Outdoor & Travel Outfitters of Boone.

The films offered during the 25th anniversary season include The Underground Orchestra on July 9, Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival on July 10 and Vitus on July 13. The Band’s Visit was screened June 29. Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased by calling (800) 841-ARTS or (828) 262-4046.

Hank Foreman, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Artistic Director for Visual Arts Programming for An Appalachian Summer Festival, explained the series’ philosophy.

“This film series began when two of the festival’s board members, Nancy Tafeen and Hanes Boren, saw an opportunity to share, through film, their drive to be better citizens of the planet,” he said. “Their vision led the festival to present Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic environmental films in 2008. This year, we have expanded the series to include independent films and documentaries as well as environmental films. With four very distinct and compelling experiences, the ‘Magic of the Motion Pictures’ film series connects us with our world, and challenges us to think about the impact we have on the people and the world around us.”

Foreman said the festival, which continually seeks opportunities to work with community businesses, is pleased to work with the DragonFly Theatre in Boone as a new venue for three of the four films offered during the series.

The “Magic of the Motion Pictures” Film Series is comprised of four evenings of film. All films begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students ages 6–18 and $5 for children, and may be purchased at the festival box office in advance, or at the venue door. Ticket prices increase on show nights.

The Underground Orchestra
Thursday, July 9
8 p.m., DragonFly Theater & Pub
A glorious documentary profile of musicians who play on the sidewalks and in the Metro of Paris by award-winning filmmaker Heddy Honigmann. This film illuminates the lives and music of a ragtag group of musicians united by political repression and the boundless courage that led them to find refuge in Paris. Music becomes their economic lifeline, and a shining metaphor for their will to survive.
(1999) Not rated; running time, 1 hr. 48 min. (subtitled)

Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film
Festival
Friday, July 10
8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium
Not rated; total running time, 2 hrs, 4 min.
A festival of films by activists for activists, Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic Film festival was born from an effort to save the Yuba Watershed in California. The South Yuba Citizens’ League (SYRCL) banded together to protect their river, and succeeded in having it permanently protected as a Wild and Scenic resource. Energized by their success, they created this environmental film festival to inspire and encourage local activism throughout the country. This evening of 11 short films ranging from 2 to 29 minutes in length will include documentaries revealing the impact of industry, touching stories of unlikely relationships born from a common cause and stunningly beautiful cinematography— all of which will inspire your inner environmentalist.

Vitus
Monday, July 13
8 p.m., DragonFly Theater & Pub
(2006) Rated PG; running time: 2 hrs. 3 mins. (subtitled)
Winner of the Best Swiss Film Award (2006), this film is the tale of Vitus, five-year-old boy with hearing like a bat who plays piano like a virtuoso and studies encyclopedias. His parents anticipate a brilliant future for him as a concert pianist. The child prodigy prefers, however, to play in his eccentric grandfather’s workshop. He dreams of flying and of a normal childhood. Ultimately, with one dramatic leap, Vitus takes control of his own life.

In addition to the “Magic of the Motion Pictures” film series, the festival hosts a full slate of the finest artistic talent between June 27 and July 25, including the Eastern Festival Orchestra with Sarah Chang, violin (July 12) and Horatio Gutierrez, piano (July 19); Joan Baez (July 23); the Halpert Biennial, a national juried competition and exhibition; Pilobolus Dance Theater (July 7); Melissa Manchester (July 2); Buckwhweat Zydeco (July 11); Paula Poundstone (July 17); the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Concert Series (July 1, 6, 15 and 20); Triad Stage’s production of Oleanna (July 21 and 22); Mike Cross (July 18); the 23rd Annual Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition; Paul Taylor Dance (July 14) “Dinner and a Show at Westglow” featuring Sophie B. Hawkins (July 5); lectures, workshops and several special events, including a history party, Family Day at the Turchin Center and a spectacular silent auction.

An Appalachian Summer Festival’s success is due in large part to generous support from loyal private donors, as well as a dedicated group of corporate and media sponsors, many of whom have supported the festival for over a decade. Festival sponsors include: Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Westglow Resort and Spa, SkyBest Communications, Inc., McDonald’s of Boone, Mast General Store, Best Western – Blue Ridge Plaza, Allen Wealth Management, Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters, Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Chetola Resort, the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, WBTV, WCYB, Charter Media, The Mountain Times, All About Women magazine, the Winston-Salem Journal, the High Country Press, Mac 100.7FM, Mix 102.3FM, WHKY AM 1290 Talk Radio and WHKY-TVDT, Mountain Television Network, WDAV 89.9FM, WFDD 88.5FM, WETS 89.5FM, WNCW 88.7FM,WASU 90.5FM and WNC magazine.

Tickets to an Appalachian Summer Festival performances range from $5-$30. Most visual arts and educational events are free of charge. The festival offers two flexible ticket passes: the “Pick 5” offers a 15 percent discount off of ticket purchases in multiples of five; the “Festival Pass” offers a 25 percent discount and priority seating for those who purchase a ticket to each performance. For tickets and information, call (800) 841-ARTS or (828) 262-4046 (M-F, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) or visit www.appsummer.org.