Elk Rapids Rockin' on Movie Night

Elk Rapids Cinema Last Night, showing "Sister"

Colleen and Mike were able to take advantage of the new Around the Bay Tour which is a new feature of the TCFF this year.  I tell you, this movie thing is spreading like wildfire up here.  The tour includes Petoskey and Charlevoix and the renovated art-deco Vogue Theatre in Manistee, The Bay in Suttons Bay, The Elk Rapids Cinema, and the shined-up Garden in Frankfort.  Dinner and a movie anyone?

The Vogue downtown Manistee

The Bay, downtown Suttons Bay since l947

The Garden Theatre, downtown Frankfort

     To quote Colleen, "What a       great movie in Elk Rapids tonight--Sister. Sell out crowd of 300.  The little town of ER was rocking!  Michael showed up & gave kudos & a check to the sweet old guy who owns & has been running the theatre for 41 years. The theatre owner & his wife were all dolled up & on Cloud 9!  Very Cool!"




Just had to let you now about another new feature this year.  I like the fact that folks around the bay have a chance to participate in the TCFF right in their own communities!

Be a Friend, Give Back

Park Place Hotel

I chatted with a neighbor today who is excited about attending the TCFF for the first time.  She's jumping right in there with four volunteer shifts. She's a newbie, so she'll learn as she goes just as we all did. Maybe I'll see her at the Park Place tomorrow for credentials pickup. I forgot to tell her she's getting a Tshirt!

It's hard to keep the different roles straight.  Be a friend, be a volunteer, be a sponsor . . . it's not exactly the golden rule, but it's close?  Every year I sign up to be a Friend because I want an early chance to get tickets for the movies I want to see.  I don't pretend to be a philanthropist, I want those tickets!

There are five levels of Friends, and the price is discounted if you sign up for 2015 before this Sept lst. If you don't have much money, you can get a membership for as little as $40.00.  Oh, and you have to be old. (That's the half-off Senior Friend membership).  You know, when the Film Festival began, I thought everybody was a senior; we have a lot of retired folks up here.  Wouldn't you want to retire to Traverse City?  I think it's fantastic that we baby boomers, the same ones who marched against the war (excuse me, Vietnam conflict), Civil Rights, Violence Against Women, Peace, the same ones who did sit-ins and teach-ins and love-ins--you know, people who know a good idea when they see it and aren't afraid to jump right in.  Yeah, Boomers!! Now we have people of all ages who are Friends, and that is a good thing.

Volunteers at Concessions, State Theatre

People in our community volunteer. I'm doing three shifts this year, giving my time and energy (what is left of it) to the TCFF.  It's a match made in heaven.  I get to work with amazing people, schmooze a little, and feel the vibes behind the scenes.  The Festival knows volunteers are the backbone of our film culture up here, and they like us, give each of us a Tshirt, treats, a free movie or two, a party.  Makes us poor workers feel important. Well, what the heck,we already know we are important!

As a matter of fact, I'm volunteering for the Founders Party this Sunday.  I'll be pouring water (or something like that) for the Founders and Sponsors for this year's TCFF.  I'll talk about what sponsors do and how they do it in my post-party blog post.

Speaking of volunteering,  I'm also doing this blog.  It's unquestionably a labor of love, but I happen to think it enhances the Film Festival.  It is definitely a step in the direction of transparency and inclusion. Ozzy thinks so too!

Wrinkles Ironed Out

Hey.  Gotta tell you about a couple of kinks wrestled to the ground this year.

I got my grand schedule figured out, and sure enough, not enough room for one of my volunteer gigs.  I didn't want to give anything up, so I went to the volunteer page and found yet another party to volunteer for.

One of our friendly BATA drivers, Connie

While I was browsing the volunteer opportunities, I noticed they need ambassadors to ride the free shuttles between venues.   These ambassadors will answer questions for riders and help them find their way around.  First year for that--Bravo.

And I also heard from another fest-goer that folks who arrived to wait for tickets were thrilled to be invited inside the air conditioned State Theatre to watch movie trailers.  I think it worked like this: you show up and get a number.  You are invited in to the State where you can recline in those cushy velvet seats and watch previews of things to come. They call your number, and you come up to select your tickets.  Sm-o-o-o-th.

OZ Dog on the Street Launch

Hey,
Ozzy here -

Well, I talked my mom (who is Jennifer, the big blog cheeze) into getting a head start on my Dog on the Street interviews.  We zipped down to the Bay this morning for a swim.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky; and we got there early in the morning--try wearing a fur coat when it's 80 degrees.  I saw a sign that had a dog with a big red circle and slash across it.  I think that means don't bother the dogs. So I frolicked and chased sticks.

We were walking up to the Rivertown Cafe at Clinch Park for coffee--I don't really like coffee but my mom, er ... Jennifer does.

Then, I saw her.  The cutest, fuzzy white little gal skittering across the patio.  Right then, I knew SuzyQ would be my first interview.  She had a nice dad who was close by working at the park. Perfect setup for my launch.  So here goes..

OZZY, DOG ON THE STREET
OZ:  Good morning.  Today I'm interviewing a white Yorkie down at the Clinch Park Pavillion.
And what is your name, and what are you doing down here this morning?

S.  My name is SuzieQ, I'm part Yorkie, and maybe something else, we don't know.  I'm nine years old.

OZ.  Can you tell me something about yourself, SuzyQ?

Deano and SuzyQ at Clinch Park

S.  I'd love to, you big handsome doodle.  (By the way, have you seen Lady and the Tramp by Disney?) . .  . Never mind, back to me.  My dad is Deano.  He's been bringing me to the Park all my life.  I come down here early in the morning and I pretty much have the run of the place.  I hang out at the counter of the Kayak rentals, but I also walk around and meet people.  Whenever I need an attention fix, I just stroll out on the patio.  You wouldn't believe all the people who pet me. I love it here, lying in the shade, feeling the bay breeze rustle my fur.

OZ.  So, Suzie, you're a TC native?

S.  Yes.  My dad found me in a cemetery here in TC when I was only 3 weeks old.  He took me home and my life has been a dream ever since.  Ah . . . excuse me, do you have a kleenex?

OZ.  Do you have a job down here, Suz?

S.  It's like a job, but it's also like being on vacation.  I like to think of myself as a doggie ambassador for the Bay front.  Later today, it'll get quite crowded with people on bikes, skateboards, walking, running.  Today I saw a team of sled dogs pulling a guy on a sled with wheels!  There's never a dull moment down here, Oz.

OZ.  I'm on the team for the TCFF-slug-lines blog.  We're writing about the Film Festival.  Any comments, Su.

S.  Of course, I love the Film Festival!  The pace picks up down here at Clinch Park.  They have performers playing music down here all the time during the Festival .  The humongous screen goes up and people sit in front of it til real late at night.  I don't get to stay for that.  In the afternoons, my dad takes me to my babysitter in the upstairs of Cook's House.

OZ.  What's your favorite thing about the Film Festival?

S.  Are you kiddin?  The dogs!  Dogs from everywhere in the world.  French Poodles, Australian Shepherds, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, Portuguese Water Dogs, Chinese Cresteds, Irish Setters, German Shepherds.  I'm tellin' ya, it's like Match.Com without the .com.

OZ.  Well, thank you very much Suz.  Let me give you my card.  Ever go to the Dog Park on Division?

S.  One more thing, Oz.  My dad says they're holding the Founders Brunch down here this year!  Clinch Park Pavillion is a great place for that.  

Eavesdropping

I just read the most interesting, candid, and personal account I've ever read about the beginnings of the TCFF.

AMICAL on Front Street

I felt like I was "in on it," maybe sitting at a table close to these renegades at Amical and eavesdropping on the excitement, holding my breath along with the ones on the front line. This article is one in a series to appear in Northern Express, the first one appearing NOW.    Northern Express   I love it!

Tickets

Isn't Traverse City just the best!

We'll be at the first outdoor Traverse City Symphony concert tonight at the Commons.  (For those who don't know, The Commons is Ray Minervini's fantasy renovation of the old state mental hospital). When I eat in one of the restaurants, shop there, browse the art in the hallways, or hike the grounds, I feel sad that other communities didn't try to preserve these architectural masterpieces. The Commons is definitely one of the seven marvels, along with the State Theatre, of Traverse City.

While I'm at it, Did you know the old Traverse City State Hospital is the setting for my novel, Admissions?  

TICKETS

Well, there was such a stampede for tickets for the Nauti-Cat movies, it looks like there's going to be a drawing.  People were asked to send a postcard if they're interested (one ticket only). On top of that, over 50 movies have completely sold out, and tickets for the general public go on sale today.  On the positive side, there are 250 films on the roster, so that leaves 200 to choose from.  Some complain (of course) but I think the Festival has done a good job dealing with growing pains.  Well, I guess they were labor pains at first and that hurts!  I should know, I was there when each and every problem reared its ugly head, (and those were only the ones visible to me, a movie-goer.)

I gotta admit, it was rough the first couple of years. I waited in line for (what seemed like three days) in the blistering midday sun to get into the State Theatre to buy tickets.  When I finally dragged myself within site of the doors, my mouth stuck shut with thirst, the new computer system crashed.  Kinks were everywhere like fleas on a dog.  (Sorry, Ozzy). You know, it's bound to happen, ask any IT (information technology) expert.  Heck, I paid a fortune for a kinkless hose and even it kinks! Fortunately for us, the Festival is now pretty darn kink free.  I'll see what they've done this year to smooth out those new little ripples.

The good news is, with the exception of the boat tickets, which I could still get in the drawing since I'm such a deserving person, everyone in my foursome got everything they wanted.  It's so hard to reign in enthusiasm for the films this year.  I'm seeing fifteen or sixteen (I lost count).  Now all we have to do is find the right vitamins to pull this off!

Introducing the great and powerful Oz

Hey, Ozzy here-  

Some of you already know me, but let me tell you, now I'm a really big deal.  I'm the newest member of the TCFF-slug-lines blog.  I don't really like slugs all that much, but I do love other dogs and people. (squirrels and bunnies too. . . and birds).

I went downtown yesterday to check out my turf.  I'll soon be hitting the pavement, pounding the beat as they say.  I'm going to be OZZY, DOG ON THE STREET for our blog.

I can't wait to meet all the new dogs coming in to town for the 10th Anniversary of the Traverse City Film Festival.  If the downtown streets are any clue, there are a lot of water dishes and some containers with doggie treats in them.  They sit right out in front of businesses, and you can have as many as your mom okays.

Anyway, I'll be interviewing dogs on the street, taking their pictures, and reporting to you on the blog about how interesting and exciting they are.  I'll see where they're from and why they are here, their age and breed, and whether or not they are having a good time. If they seem at all bored, I'll show them to the tunnel under the Parkway to the Bay to romp in the open space and maybe jump in the water.

So, stay tuned.  The Film Festival is coming soon, and when I stop drooling over my new job, my mom says I can start formulating my list of questions.  Susan Sarandon brought her dog a while back, but I wasn't born yet and didn't get to interview her.  I hear Mario Batali has a dog Willie who could be my brother. I'm hoping Willie shows up.  I'd like to interview him.  I want to ask him if his dad fixes him fancy food.

Just so you know, I heard Susan Sarandon's white fluffy dog was very cute and well behaved.