(noon. – promoted by ek hornbeck)
Movie marques in cities across America tonight showcase “free admission” to Michael Moore’s latest film,”Capitalism: A Love Story” for anyone who’s “fallen on hard times.”
“To kick off the national release of “Capitalism: A Love Story,” I’ve asked the studio to offer a number of screenings in the nation’s hardest hit cities — the ones with the highest unemployment rates and highest foreclosure rates — where those who’ve lost their jobs or who are in foreclosure (or have already been evicted) may attend my film free of charge,” Moore writes. “They’ve agreed, and so tonight (Thursday), the night before our opening day, ten cities will grant you free admission if you have fallen on hard times. The list of theaters and cities is below. You don’t need to bring any proof of your situation — just show up — it’s the honor system, no questions asked. Link
The free 7:30 p.m. screenings are scheduled in Saginaw, Michigan; Elkhart Indiana;Peoria, Illinois; Las Vegas, Nevada, Fresno, California, Phoenix, Arizona, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina;Baltimore, Maryland, Tampa/St. Pete/Florida and Cleveland, Ohio. For information on theater locations, click here.
“Capitalism, A Love Story” debuts tomorrow.
(from dmott9’s flickr photostream
Makes me think perhaps it is time for local theaters to start weekly free shows for community members who can no longer afford paying for entertainment. Something modeled along the lines of the historic Barter Theater, which debuted during the Depression in 1933, offering admission to patrons who could pay with produce.
“Originally built in 1831 as the Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church, the first theatrical performance at what was to one day become The Barter Theatre was The Virginian in 1876. In 1880, the Sons of Temperance transferred the title of the building to Abingdon for use as a town hall. Since the building was also the town firehouse, actors were told to freeze should an alarm go off and resume the play once the fire crew was gone (this lasted until 1994). After all, the show must go on, fire or not, though I wonder how many patrons nervously sat through the rest of the show wondering if they’d find a house or charred remains at the end of the night.
“With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh.” During the Great Depression, the theatre allowed townspeople to barter farm & garden goods in exchange for admission; it was not uncommon for the livestock to make unplanned-for remarks during the shows. The Barter continues this tradition today after a fashion, with one performance a year being traded for donations to a local food bank.
The Barter can boast of a rather remarkable handful of alumni who first performed here: Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, and Wayne Knight (there’s a party). James Burrows, who created Cheers and wrote for Cheers, Friends, Frasier and Will & Grace also got his start here.
The theatre has a cute little gift shop in the lobby; unfortunately, rehearsals were going on when we dropped in, so we couldn’t see the performance hall itself.” from Liberty Image’s Flickr photos
Free Dental Service Bradenton,Florida
Five dentists regularly chip in to ensure the health of homeless ‘choppers’ offering freee dental service at a one stop center in Bradenton.
One patient, Tammy Baumgarten, in extreme pain due to infected teeth, recently had 10 teeth removed so she could have dentures.
“It would have been about $2,000 in dentistry, what we just did,” says Dr. James Little. He’s a retired dentist who volunteers at the One Stop Center every Tuesday. “It’s just something I enjoy doing and I feel good about it. And certainly these patients are so grateful for what little bit we can do for them and there’s such a great need out there, that even though we work like we do, it’s only scratching the bucket,” says Dr. Little.
The clinic need volunteers to keep going, says Dr. Lee. “We have zero hygienists so far, so what’s wrong out there hygienists, either retired or ones who have some time, we have cavitrons, we have a room, we have home care kits to give out, we have all sorts of stuff to rock and roll.” Link
From Canada: Homeless learn internet skills, hosts homeless news webcasts.
Janelle Kelly, who runs Canada’s Homeless Nation recently runs free internet workshops for Vancouver’s homeless to teach computer skills, offer free time for online searching for jobs and housing and learn about editing videos. Sessions begin with pizza, fruit, and drinks and are designed to help the homeless use media to tell their own stories.
Kelly’s website, who features a section for missing persons, recently debuted a Homeless News webcast, featuring entertainment and news on shelter closures. Since funding from the Canada Arts Council and the National Film Board is running low, the future of the site is in jeopardy. link