And the nominees for best party are….

No – I’m not talking about who’ll win what on Oscar night – I’m talking about where you’re going to party to celebrate! Dayton is a film community, and as such – we’ve got different parties for all different tastes to celebrate the Academy Awards. Want to dress up in your finest or stay cozy in your PJs? Want to watch the show for free or make a donation to a local nonprofit? Want to sit in a theatre and enjoy it on a big screen or hang out in a bar with friends to watch it on 14 smaller screens? Like I said – something for everyone. Here’s a taste:

You’re interested in a very “comfy” event? Check out Jeans ’n’ Jammies at the Little Art Theatre in Yellow Springs. There will be a screening of the ceremony and a cash bar will be available serving the Little Artini (among other tasty beverages). The Oscars at the Little Art will be preceded at 6:00 p.m. by a pre-party at the Winds Café, just a short walk from the theater, where heavy appetizers and complimentary wine will be served thanks to Mary Kay Smith and Kim Korkan of the Winds Café.  At 7:30 p.m. partygoers will proceed to the red carpet at the Little Art in time to catch the Oscars on the big screen – served up with free popcorn.  For those who wish to go early, the Hollywood red carpet arrivals will be showing at the Little Art at 7:00 p.m. Admission to the entire program is $50, of which $35 is a tax deductible contribution to the nonprofit Little Art Theatre Association. Attendees are invited to come in their pajamas. But, if they are not comfortable with relaxed attire in public, they may opt for jeans. Prizes will be awarded for best Jammies for couple and individual, for correctly predicting winners in the major categories, and for winners of a movie trivia contest. Local actor Howard Shook will emcee the event. Go to littleart.com or call Maureen Lynch at 937-901-1920 for more details and to RSVP.

Looking to stay closer to the center city, but still have that big screen experience? Don’t miss the Oscar Party at the NEON! This free event is a great chance to enjoy the ceremony with your friends in the very theatre that first showed many of the Oscar nominated films to our region.  Known throughout the Miami Valley for bringing the latest and best in independent and foreign cinema, THE NEON screened numerous films that have been nominated for Academy Awards.  Movies that screened over the past year garnered over 30 Oscar nominations, and that number will continue to grow in the coming weeks. Ballots are currently available in THE NEON’s lobby for attendees to begin making their Oscar predictions.  On the night of the party, ballots must be turned in before the first Academy Award is given – and prizes (including soundtracks, screenplays, and dvds) will be awarded throughout the evening for correct guesses.  At the end of the night, the person with the most correct predictions will win “The Star Treatment” – a gift basket from Square Salon & Spa and THE NEON.  (Must be present to win.)  Seating for this year’s party will begin at approximately 7pm and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. NOTE: The Neon is grateful to ThinkTV who provides assistance in acquiring a strong signal for the broadcast.

Like the casual feel, but want a more social night out? Check out the FilmDayton Oscar Party. Moving from the big screen to the small screen, they’ll have the ceremony broadcast on 14  flat screens at Geez Grill and Pub (off Far Hills in Centerville). Doors open at 7:30 PM and you’ll be able to grab some great food, enjoy the cash bar, bid on some great silent auction prizes, compete in a 50/50 cash prize for the best ballot, and play along with Oscar Bingo. Join FilmDayton to mingle with the filmmakers, film lovers, and friends who think the Oscars are a great excuse for a fun party. It’s a great night that encourages grabbing a table, chatting with your friends, and watching who wore what, who got Oscar, and who got robbed. $10 for FilmDayton members and $20 for nonmembers. More information here. This fundraiser for FilmDayton helps support the educational programming that the organization offers throughout the region and supports the annual FilmDayton Festival.