You’re invited: Explore 1967 films at Avalon Theatre benefit

by Sarah Pokempner

Get out your calendar and circle the date! On Sunday, April 26th the Avalon Theatre will host its fifth annual spring benefit and it promises to be a fun and interesting evening.

The theme of the event is “1967: Revolution in Hollywood.” Esteemed film journalist Mark Harris will explore this transformational year in American filmmaking with a multimedia presentation and Q&A session hosted by NPR correspondent Susan Stamberg. A catered reception precedes the event program.

A pivotal year, 1967 saw the release of classic American films like The Graduate, Bonnie and Clyde, and In the Heat of the Night. Taking on previously taboo subjects like sex, violence and racism, these films signaled a seismic change in American filmmaking (and culture) that destroyed the staid Hollywood studio system of the 1950s and paved the way for the visionary filmmakers of the 70’s and beyond.

Event speaker Mark Harris is a former editor at Entertainment Weekly and author of the best-selling book Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of a New Hollywood, which examines the transformation of Hollywood via an exhilarating and dishy account of the production of the five Academy Award Best Picture nominees in 1968. Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers called it “the rare book on film that deserves to be called indispensible.”

During the week preceding the benefit, the Avalon will present screenings of the three films mentioned above and will sell discounted copies of Mr. Harris’ book, Pictures at a Revolution.

This special evening also serves as the inaugural event of the Avalon’s new film education series which will begin in May.

Proceeds raised from the event will support the Avalon’s new Film Education Fund and the general operating fund. The Film Education Fund was created this year to support new and ongoing educational programming, including the successful Cinema Classroom at the Avalon for students.

The evening begins at 5pm with a scrumptious hors d’oeuvres reception catered by Design Cuisine, followed at 7 PM by the presentation and Q & A. For additional details and to purchase tickets, visit theavalon.org/2015benefit.

Sarah Pokempner is Avalon Theatre’s development and outreach manager.