Manhattan Short Film Festival Brings in Record Submissions

September 26, 2017

Pictured: Viola, Franca; 8 Minutes; Just Go!; Hope Dies Last

Paramount Presents: Manhattan Short Film Festival
Friday, September 29, 2017
7:00PM
$11.00 Student, $15.00 Adult

Film-lovers can unite with over 100,000 fellow viewers around the world during the week of September 28 through October 8 when the 20th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival screens at The Paramount on Friday, September 29!

CLICK HERE for the full film line-up and tickets!

The 10 MANHATTAN SHORT finalists hail from nine countries with films from Syria, Latvia and Georgia representing their respective countries for the first time in this event. Two short films hail from Spain, the only country with multiple Final 10 selections. These Final 10 short films represent the best short films among a record 1615 submissions from 75 countries received by MANHATTAN SHORT for 2017, testimony to the enduring vibrancy and creativity of short films. This year’s Final 10 represent an extraordinary range of film genres with comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, animation and martial arts short films all part of the MANHATTAN SHORT program.

About Manhattan Short:
MANHATTAN SHORT began in 1998, when Mason screened 16 short films onto a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Mulberry Street, Little Italy New York City. A year later the Festival moved uptown to Union Square Park in New York City. MANHATTAN SHORT transformed into a worldwide phenomenon, becoming the only film festival on the planet that unfolds, simultaneously, in more than 250 cinemas on six continents, bringing over 100,000 film-lovers in all corners of the globe together for one week, via the next generation of filmmakers. Click here to read how it all began.

Charlottesville Downtown Street Fair

September 19, 2017

YOUR CHANCE TO OWN POSTERS FROM PAST EVENTS!

FRIDAY 9/22 & SATURDAY 9/23

12PM-6PM | Charlottesville Downtown Mall

Experience the best of Charlottesville on the Downtown Mall at Tomtoberfest from Friday, September 22 through Saturday, September 23! Over 45 participating restaurants and retailers will feature special sales and street food-inspired dishes at pop-up shops, including The Paramount.

Stop by our “Sidewalk Sale” outside the Theater for your chance to purchase posters from past events such as live performances, movies, broadcasts, and more! Also available for purchase is Paramount gear including heat activated mugs, water bottles, and ornaments.

We’ll see you there!

Celebrating National Arts in Education Week

September 14, 2017

September 11-15 is National Arts in Education Week!

Passed by Congress in 2010, House Resolution 275 designates the week beginning with the second Sunday in September as National Arts in Education Week. During this week, the field of arts education and its supporters join together in communities across the country to tell the story of the impact of the transformative power of the arts in education. The Paramount is celebrating this week, and with the upcoming season of ten world class productions for young audiences, we will be celebrating all year. We hope you will join us!

Has The Paramount’s Arts Education program shaped you? Share on social media using the tag #BecauseOfArtsEd (and be sure to also tag The Paramount!).

Don’t miss our upcoming Arts Education season!

 

Join Us for a Sensory-Friendly Screening of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians!

September 13, 2017

 

On Sunday, September 17, The Paramount Theater presents two special screenings of Disney’s animated classic 101 Dalmatians [G] including a sensory-friendly presentation at 11:30AM!

The sensory-friendly screening will provide a positive viewing experience that is welcoming to all individuals, including those with sensory sensitivities. A few special accommodations patrons may notice during the screening include:

  • Sound levels reduced
  • House lights will remain on at a low level
  • Ear plugs will be available upon request
  • Audience members will be welcome to enter and exit the theater as needed. There will also be a space to walk and move around easily in the lobby.
  • When possible, there will be a quiet room on located on the fourth floor for those who need to take a break from the film.

For more information, please call the Box Office at 434.979.1333.

BUY TICKETS

MORE FAMILY EVENTS COMING SOON TO THE PARAMOUNT THEATER:

Paramount Presents: Scotty McCreery

Saturday, September 23 at 8:00PM

$29.75, $39.75, $49.75, $79.75

BUY TICKETS

 

Paramount Presents: Pilobolus

Appropriate for ages 12 and older.

Thursday, October 12 at 8:00PM

$39.75, $44.75, $54.75

BUY TICKETS

Paramount Presents: Hocus Pocus [PG]

Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 2:00PM

$5.00 Youth, $7.00 Adult

Featuring a special Halloween costume contest!

BUY TICKETS

Paramount Presents: Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas

Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 11:30AM and 6:00PM

$14.75, $24.50

BUY TICKETS

A Tribute To Heather Heyer

August 17, 2017

Memorial Service 

Heather Heyer

Wednesday, August 16

A Day of Healing

The family of Heather Heyer welcomed family and friends to The Paramount Theater for a memorial service on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 11:00AM. The Paramount Theater was honored to be a part of this day of healing for both Heather’s family and for the Charlottesville community.

The family was honored with a full house at both The Paramount and The Jefferson Theater. Amongst the attendees were politicians, dignitaries, and civic and community leaders. Cathy Brinkley welcomed the community to the memorial service. Eulogies were given by the following: Elwood Shrader, Grandfather; Mark Heyer, Father; Rev. Harold Bare; Denise Ratcliff-Kennedy, Cousin; Diana Ratcliff, Cousin; Feda Khateeb-Wilson, Friend; Alfred Wilson, Friend; and Susan Bro, Mother. Final remarks were given by Rev. Alvin Edwards and  Barbara Edwards sang a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace”.

Thank you to the many community members who made today’s event at The Paramount possible including the City of Charlottesville Police, The Jefferson Theater, and Joe Rice, the City of Charlottesville Communications Coordinator with many more thanks you to come.

Photos courtesy of Rob Garland Photographers

Heather Danielle Heyer, 32, of Charlottesville, Virginia was suddenly taken away from this life on Saturday, August 12, 2017.  She was born in Charlottesville Virginia on May 29, 1985, the daughter of Susan Diane Bro and Mark Heyer.

Heather spent her formative years in Ruckersville, Virginia and was a graduate of William Monroe High School. She was a valued employee of the Miller Law Group and especially loved her work in the bankruptcy department. She was an outspoken, outgoing, determined and passionate individual and had a special regard for social injustices and especially those concerning race relations.  Her favorite pastime was hanging out with friends and family.

She leaves to carry on her memory her beloved mother, Susan Diane Bro of Ruckersville, Virginia; her beloved father, Mark Heyer of Florida; beloved step-father, Kim Bro; a brother, Nickolas Heyer of North Carolina; maternal grandparents, Barbra and Elwood Shrader of Ruckersville, Virginia; paternal grandparents, Donald and Eunice Heyer of Florida; an aunt, Linda Holcomb of Florida; and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at the Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville, Virginia.

Please wear something purple.

J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.jfbellfuneralservices.com

Press Release: Memorial Service for Heather Heyer at The Paramount Theater

August 15, 2017

PRESS RELEASE

THE PARAMOUNT THEATER

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2017

CONTACT:
Chris Eure, Executive Director
The Paramount Theater
chriseure@theparamount.net
434-293-1007 (Direct)

Memorial Service for
Heather Heyer
Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 11:00AM

WHO: The Paramount Theater
WHAT: Memorial Service for Heather Heyer
WHEN: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 | Doors Open – 10:00AM | Service Starts – 11:00AM
WHERE: The Paramount Theater, Charlottesville, VA
ONLINE: http://staging.theparamount.net/heather/

Charlottesville, VA – August 15, 2017: The Paramount Theater will host Heather Heyer’s Memorial
Service tomorrow, August 16th, 2017 at 11:00AM. Doors will open at 10:00AM. The family asks
that attendees wear purple, Heather’s favorite color, in honor of her memory.

No tickets are required for entry; entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrangements for overflow attendees to view the service via livestream have been made, with details to be released the day of event. Please no signs, backpacks, firearms, or food and drink.

The Paramount Theater is honored to assist Heather Heyer’s family at this time and provide them with the
Theater as a place to remember the life of their lost daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter and friend.
As we honor the memory of Heather, we ask that the community comes together peacefully to respect the family in their time of grief.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.theparamount.net.

For media logistics, please contact Joe Rice, Communications Coordinator of the City of Charlottesville at 434-409-8226.

The Paramount Theater Named 2017 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres

July 20, 2017

The historic Paramount Theater of Charlottesville is thrilled to be named the 2017 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres! 

“We could not be more honored to receive this very distinguished award from The League of Historic American Theatres. Our pride for our Theater being recognized with this honor shines through every seat in the auditorium, every smile on a patron’s face, and every glimmer of excitement in a child’s eye when they see an event on stage. None of this would be possible without the foresight of those who saved and restored our beautiful Theater. To be recognized nationally as The Outstanding Historic Theatre for 2017 by such a prestigious organization, is an honor we share with our community and we plan to celebrate this honor with you all this season!” -Chris Eure, Executive Director

Founded in 1976 by 42 theaters across the country,which has grown to more than 350 historic theaters with more than 1,000 individual members, the League of Historic American Theaters (LHAT) is a non-profit organization with the mission to champion the preservation, restoration, and operation of historic theaters across North America for the benefit of their communities and future generations.

The Outstanding Historic Theatre Award recognizes a theater that demonstrates excellence through its community impact, quality of program and services, and quality of the restoration or rehabilitation of its historic structure. Former winners of this prestigious award include the distinguished Fabulous Fox in Atlanta, the New York City Center, the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey, and Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio to name a few. CLICK HERE to view a full list of Outstanding Historic Theatre Award winners.

The award was presented to the Executive Director of The Paramount Theater, Chris Eure, at the League’s 41st Annual Conference which took place in Los Angeles, California, July 16 – 19. The honor of the award received carries significant respect and excitement from colleagues in the arts world.

Pictured above: Ken Stein, Executive Director for The League of Historic American Theatres; Maran Garland, Director of Marketing for The Paramount Theater; Chris Eure, Executive Director for The Paramount Theater; David Gies, Board Member for The Paramount Theater; Chris Faulkner, Major Gifts Officer for The Paramount Theater; Janna Gies, wife of Board Member David Gies for The Paramount Theater; Jeffrey Gabel, Founding Executive Director for the Majestic Theater, Gettysburg PA, and Chair of the Board for The League of Historic American Theatres.

IN THE PRESS:

“The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville Named 2017 Outstanding Historic Theatre” – Charlottesville Tomorrow

“Paramount Theater named 2017 Outstanding Historic Theatre by L.A.-based league” – Daily Progress

“Paramount Theater Named Outstanding Historic Theatre for 2017” – NBC29

“Paramount Theater in Charlottesville wins national award” – Virginia Business

“Congratulations to The Paramount! The Paramount was named the 2017 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres in recognition of its excellent programs and services, the quality of the restoration of its historic structure, and its outstanding community service. The Senior Center benefits from the Paramount’s generosity through the Mary Reese Community Access Fund.” – Senior Center

Amazon Prime Day is Coming! Support The Paramount While You Shop

July 7, 2017

 

Amazon’s third-annual Prime Day is on Tuesday, July 11 and will feature more than 100,000 deals exclusively for Prime members, making it one of the biggest shopping days of the year! When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible to The Paramount. All you have to do is select The Paramount as your charity of choice, and Amazon will give back to the Theater at no additional cost to you.

CLICK HERE to shop for great deals on Amazon now!

Just Announced: Patti LaBelle LIVE at The Paramount!

July 5, 2017

The Paramount Theater announces music icon Patti LaBelle live on stage on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 8:00PM. Ms. LaBelle, whose name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance, and class, has been belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards, and spiritual sonnets that have created the unique platform of versatility that Ms. LaBelle is known and revered for.

Tickets for this event are on sale to Star Circle Members on Monday, July 10 at 10:00AM; to Paramount Members on Wednesday, July 12 at 10:00AM; and to the general public on Friday, July 14 at 10:00AM. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theparamount.net, by phone at 434-979-1333 or in person at the Box Office.

More Information about Patti LaBelle
In addition to her amazing career as an entertainer and entrepreneurial success, Ms. LaBelle’s work as a humanitarian is just as legendary. She remains an advocate for adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and the United Negro College Fund, among many other initiatives.  While Ms. LaBelle’s celebrated 50-plus year career is respected world-wide, she has also endured and survived personal strife. Within a 10-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, LaBelle was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

The same motivation that had Patricia Louise Holte blossom from a choir member to lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later Labelle, to a solo artist is the same energy that keeps her fire burning at seventy-one years young. “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God.  I do what I can do.  I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it…It’s not about making money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing.  With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.”  And the world is thankful that Ms. Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.

Thank you to our event sponsor: The Hunter Smith Family Foundation.

Following the Yellow Brick Road with Compass Creative Dramatics and The Paramount

June 20, 2017

Saturday, June 17, 2017 marked the end of a week-long adventure at The Paramount for young local theater enthusiasts who participated in the Summer Theater Residency program, presented in collaboration with Compass Creative Dramatics (CCD) and culminating in two public shows on The Paramount’s stage! We were thrilled to welcome 69 participants and two professional actors for the week, and offer five exciting days of rehearsals and theater enrichment workshops with CCD.

During these rehearsals, students in grades 1-12 were provided an opportunity to work alongside professional artists in mounting a full musical production of The Wizard of Oz. With the help of Compass Creative Dramatics, the program allowed students access to all elements of production, including music, costumes, props, make-up, sets, sound, and light. Most importantly, the workshops and rehearsals enabled students to flex their creativity in a safe space without self-judgement, and develop skills such as teamwork and respect.

Learn more about Compass Creative Dramatics HERE, and register for the upcoming Residency Week (The Jumping Jacks and the Beanstalk, June 26 – July 1) HERE!

It was a joy to see these students having a blast learning the ins and outs of musical theater during The Wizard of Oz residency week! Take a look at some of the highlights from Saturday’s two live performances:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Tom Smith and Marilynn Sting.
Thank you to the event’s sponsors, Ting and Carpet Plus, whose generous support of the Theater and its family programming allows The Paramount to bring quality programs such as The Wizard of Oz to the stage.