on the rocks

Sundance Hit THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION Starts Friday at The Neon

October 14, 2020 By Jonathan McNeal

This weekend, we’re adding a new film to the mix – a first time feature film from veteran playwright and television writer Radha Blank – THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION. This film was a huge hit at Sundance, and it’s currently rated “98% Fresh” on rottentomatoes. In addition, we are going to hold both ON THE ROCKS and THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7…and we have a couple special events coming next week too.

In our Virtual Cinema, we have two new films. MY NAME IS PEDRO, a film about a hero in public education, opened today. DATING AMBER, a coming-of-age film set in Ireland in the mid 90’s, opens Friday. More about both of those below.

Rave reviews for The 15th Annual Dayton LGBT Film Festival have been pouring in. People have loved our selections, and the virtual format seems to be going over very well. Many thanks to everyone who has supported this fest. There are still a couple selections you can check out before they expire. Check out the line-up at www.daytonlgbt.com

New Booking for In-Person Screenings:

Synopsis for THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION: This new, award-winning film from Radha Blank was a big hit at Sundance and is currently rated “98% Fresh” on rottentomatoes. “Radha is a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, who is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. Reinventing herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime, she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater in order to find her true voice.” Click this LINK to watch the trailer and click the image below to watch the a special piece about the creation of the film with Radha Blank.

New to our Virtual Cinema

Synopsis for MY NAME IS PEDRO: “Lillian LaSalle’s documentary explores what public education meant to South Bronx Latino maverick educator, Pedro Santana, and what he, in turn, meant to public education.” Click HERE to watch the trailer and click on the image below to purchase the film for $8.99.

Synopsis for DATING AMBER: “DATING AMBER is a poignant, honest and funny look at the highs and lows of teenage life where the only way to fit in is to not be yourself, even if this goes against your very being. Set-in Ireland during the mid-90’s, Eddie and Amber decide to stage a relationship in order to stop everyone speculating about their sexuality. Eddie is keen to follow his Dad into the military, while Amber dreams of moving to the liberal hub of London. However, their ‘ideal’ arrangement begins to fall apart, forcing Eddie deeper into denial as Amber realizes that a perilous future awaits her best friend unless she intervenes. DATING AMBER is a love letter to all those kids who grew up in a small town and who needed to escape in order to be themselves.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.

Continuing in our Virtual Cinema:

Synopsis for SAUL AND RUBY’S HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR BAND: Available now. “Like many survivors of the Holocaust, after World War II, Saul and Ruby moved to America, started families and careers, grew old, and retired to South Florida. For them, retirement could have been the last chapter in their story. But then they decided to start a klezmer band, named the Holocaust Survivor Band. This unique and compelling story is about having the courage to live one’s dreams, finding purpose and meaning in life at any age, the transcendent power of music, and the importance of speaking out against anti-Semitism and bigotry.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and then gain access to the film for $12.

Synopsis for AGGIE: Available now! “AGGIE is a feature-length documentary that explores the nexus of art, race, and justice through the story of art collector and philanthropist Agnes “Aggie” Gund’s life. Emmy-nominated director Catherine Gund focuses on her mother’s journey to give viewers an understanding of the power of art to transform consciousness and inspire social change. Aggie is internationally recognized for her robust and prescient support of artists–particularly women and people of color–and her unwavering commitment to social justice issues. After falling in love with art as a high-school student, Aggie discovers a new way of looking at the world.” Click the image below to watch the trailer and then access the film for $12.

A customer recently asked me to repost instructions as to how to use our Virtual Cinema. Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how it all works. Click HERE to see all the films that are still available in our Virtual Cinema.

Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.) On Oct. 21, we’ll open the festival hit MAJOR ARCANA, and on Oct. 23 we’ll open a doc about photographer Burk Uzzle (you might not know his name, but you’ve seen his work) – F11 AND BE THERE. On Oct. 28, we’ll open the recently restored (both in quality and length) important documentary from William Greaves – NATIONTIME, and on Oct. 30 we’ll open the Spanish/French thriller MADRE (if you come to THE NEON for Oscar nominated shorts, you’ve likely seen the short film on which this feature is based). On Nov. 6, we’ll open Fredrick Wiseman’s new highly acclaimed doc CITY HALL as well as RADIUM GIRLS (we’re hoping to set up a special Q&A with the film’s directors). More titles are on the way…stay tuned!

As a reminder…tickets for STEVIE NICKS 24 KARAT GOLD THE CONCERT are on sale now. Current scheduled shows are for Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:00 and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1:00 and 7:00. If you’re a Stevie fan, you don’t need more than an announcement to get your tickets…but if you’re not sure, here’s a TRAILER.

Local filmmaker and author Mathew Klickstein has a new book hitting the shelves, so we’re taking a look at a film that he produced & directed about the same kids.”ACT YOUR AGE: THE KIDS OF WIDNEY HIGH STORY (2010) is a rollicking rollercoaster of a rowdy ride up the West Coast during the world-famous Kids of Widney High’s 2008 headlining tour from Los Angeles to Seattle and back. Intimately chronicled through a punk-influenced DIY ‘video diary’ lens, ACT YOUR AGE takes the viewer into the green rooms, hotel rooms, bars, onstage and into the road-tripping van of the Kids, a group of singer-songwriters with developmental disabilities initially based out of an East Los Angeles special-ed music program.

This new tenth anniversary edition of ACT YOUR AGE has been polished and remastered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act and the release of the Kids’ first book, THE KIDS OF WIDNEY JUNIOR HIGH TAKE OVER THE WORLD!, out in stores now. Come see the world through the eyes of a ‘Kid.’ ACT YOUR AGE director/producer Mathew Klickstein – a longtime author/filmmaker/journalist and recent transplant to Dayton – will be in-person for a brief introduction and follow-up Q&A after the film.” (taken from press notes) Tickets, $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors, are now available on our website. We had this event on the books before we knew about the presidential debate…alas this is a one-time only event that celebrates differently abled young people. After that first debate, didn’t you wish you’d had other plans???

Because distributors continue to push back their titles, we will have more weeks when we need to explore some classics. So on Oct. 23, we’re going to take a look at some early favorites from Tim Burton – PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE and BEETLEJUICE. Please help us spread the word…these should be a lot of fun. (Maybe even free prizes for people who ride their bikes to THE NEON for Pee Week!! We’ll see.). We also plan to open POSSESSOR UNCUT – the new film from Brandon Cronenberg (a filmmaker who has a lot in common with his father – David Cronenberg).

We got news this week that we can open Ron Howard’s new film HILLBILLY ELEGY on Nov. 11. This highly anticipated film was partially shot in Middletown – home of the famous book’s author J.D. Vance.

THE BAD JUAN: A Dayton Legend

May 5, 2016 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Outside of the Kettering Elsa’s

Hey Gringo, looking to tie one on during Cinco De Mayo? Then take a sip of a true Food Adventure in a glass. Oh yes, the legendary Bad Juan margarita served exclusively at Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantinas around town.

Whether on the rocks or frozen, salt or no-salt, every Daytonian has a “Bad Juan” story about themselves or a friend. Hungry Jax, Chef House and The Big Ragu are no different. We have had to push stumbling pals into backseats of cars, or help lift some drunky pants ladies into the back of an SUV after a couple of these drinks. We have felt the wrath of Juan ourselves, having numb lips and the buzz that suddenly creeps up on you with this devilish drink.

Let’s be candid, Bad Juans are a Dayton icon. This badass drink even has its own website, badjuan.com. Here is some more on the man, the myth, the legend.. BAD JUAN !

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Since 1981, Bad Juans have been served frozen or on the rocks. They also come in a few flavor variations, but the original Bad Juan remains the most popular.

—Elsa’s has various locations in Centerville, Kettering and Dayton

A Bad Juan on the Rocks: The Legend

— Rumors have swirled about the ingredients. People have been trying to figure out the recipe for years. Food Adventures may have some inside scoop on the recipe, and although we can’t post it here, we can give you some info. Our inside source tells us that the Bad Juan is made up of only 3 secret ingredients: Triple Sec, Tequila and Lime Juice. We cannot tell you the brands used or the amounts. We can, however, confirm that Mountain Dew is NOT an ingredient, so lets finally put that rumor to bed.

— We believe the secret to the great taste is not only in the ingredients, but in the preparation. The Bad Juan’s are constantly mixed in those plastic, see-through drink machines you are used to seeing at convenient stores or food counters. The thorough mixing of ingredients in these machines blend the drink into that perfect drunken mixture.

— Elsa’s does limit the amount of Bad Juans that a customer can consume (usually 2 or 3 depending on your server). However, urban legends and tall tales have surfaced about people drinking a couple mini pitchers of Bad Juans, or somehow downing a half dozen of them unbeknownst to their waiter or waitress.

— You can even buy Bad Juans in the store, bottled. Yes, by the bottle in liquor and grocery stores from as far away as Covington, Kentucky’s famous Party Source. The bottled drink is 21 percent alcohol, or 42 proof. We believe that the in-house version mixed at the restaurants is a little higher than that. Heidelberg Distributors stats confirm that Bad Juans hold the all-time distributor record for the fastest selling new product.

Time for a breakdown of the baddest drink to grace the Gem City… here is our patented.. “Must Drinks”

MUST DRINKS:

— BAD JUAN on THE ROCKS: Simple, pure and lethal. This is for the heavy hitters who like to get down to business and gulp ’em down. They are however served with a tiny straw and a lime wedge for those who like to sip these slowly and savor the experience.

— FROZEN BAD JUAN: The chilled, traditional version of the legend are just as strong as the ones on the rocks. Served with a lime, it is curiously tasty when the mixture begins to melt. If you drink these too fast, beware of ‘brain freeze’ or a condition known as drunky pants.

— STRAWBERRY FROZEN BAD JUAN: Not big on tequila or margaritas? This flavored Bad Juan masks the alcohol taste, and is probably our favorite version of the iconic drink. Give it a try, we bet you like it! It is also available on the rocks for you purists.

— BLUE JUAN: This holiday season is a good time to give one of these a try. You may have a blue Christmas without it. It has a great taste and is available on the rocks only.

Honorable Mention: The Raspberry Bad Juan, the Watermelon Bad Juan and the calorie conscious “Skinny Juan”

THE BIG JUAN DEBATE: FROZEN OR ON THE ROCKS???

Miami Valley residents have long debated whether Bad Juans are better frozen or on the rocks. For the most part, guys tend to have them on the rocks, while girls seem to prefer the frozen margaritas. But we say…. hell, try them all and get a designated driver.

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD BAD JUAN STORY?? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

Have an opinion on Bad Juan? Be heard and post it below !

After more than 30 years Elsa’s is still having fun, and this drink is “Still the Juan.”

ARE YOU A DAYTON FOODIE ?? Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking HERE !! 6500 fans can’t be wrong !

Blue Juan and a Frozen Bad Juan

The Myth, the Legend – want Juan ?

Watermelon Margarita with all the trimmings

This will spin your mind – Tequila, Lime Juice and Triple Sec

The usual suspects

Blue Juan – hello, lover

Bad Juans make people crazy !

Frozen Strawberry Bad Juan – it is the only way the come…

Saleted or unsalted rim ?

The Bad Juan: A Dayton Legend

December 26, 2013 By Dayton937 5 Comments

Click to enlarge: Mr. Bad Juan

Hey Gringo, looking to tie one on during the holidays? Then take a sip of a true Food Adventure in a glass. Oh yes, the legendary Bad Juan margarita served exclusively at Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantinas around town. Whether on the rocks or frozen, salt or no-salt, every Daytonian has a “Bad Juan” story about themselves or a friend. The Food Adventures Crew are no different. We have had to push stumbling pals into backseats of cars, or help lift some hotties into the back of an SUV after a couple of these drinks. We have felt the wrath of Juan ourselves, having numb lips and the buzz that suddenly creeps up on you with this devilish drink.

Let’s be candid, Bad Juans are a Dayton icon. This badass drink even has its own website, badjuan.com. Here is some more on the man, the myth, the legend.. BAD JUAN !

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Since 1981, Bad Juans have been served frozen or on the rocks. They also come in a few flavor variations, but the original Bad Juan remains the most popular.

Elsa’s has various locations in Centerville, Kettering and Dayton

— Rumors have swirled about the ingredients. People have been trying to figure out the recipe for years. Food Adventures believes they have some inside scoop on the recipe, and although we can’t post it here, we can give you some info. Our inside source tells us that the Bad Juan is made up of only 3 secret ingredients: Triple Sec, Tequila and Lime Juice. We cannot tell you the brands used or the amounts. We can, however, confirm that Mountain Dew is NOT an ingredient, so lets finally put that rumor to bed.

— We believe the secret to the great taste is not only in the ingredients, but in the preparation. The Bad Juan’s are constantly mixed in those plastic, see-through drink machines you are used to seeing at convenient stores or food counters. The thorough mixing of ingredients in these machines blend the drink into that perfect drunken mixture.

— Elsa’s does limit the amount of Bad Juans that a customer can consume (usually 2 or 3 depending on your server). However, urban legends and tall tales have surfaced about people drinking a couple mini pitchers of Bad Juans, or somehow downing a half dozen of them unbeknownst to their waiter or waitress.

— You can even buy them by the bottle in liquor stores from as far away as Covington, Kentucky’s famous Party Source store. The bottled drink is 21 percent alcohol, or 42 proof. We believe that the in-house version mixed at the restaurants is a little higher than that. Heidelberg Distributors stats confirm that Bad Juans hold the all-time distributor record for the fastest selling new product.

Blue Juan – Tasty Twist on an Iconic Drink

MUST DRINKS:

— BAD JUAN on THE ROCKS: Simple, pure and lethal. This is for the heavy hitters who like to get down to business and gulp ’em down. They are however served with a tiny straw and a lime wedge for those who like to sip these slowly and savor the experience.

— FROZEN BAD JUAN: The chilled, traditional version of the legend are just as strong as the ones on the rocks. Served with a lime, it is curiously tasty when the mixture begins to melt. If you drink these too fast, beware of ‘brain freeze’ or a condition known as drunky pants.

— STRAWBERRY FROZEN BAD JUAN: Not big on tequila or margaritas? This flavored Bad Juan masks the alcohol taste, and is probably our favorite version of the iconic drink. Give it a try, we bet you like it! It is also available on the rocks for you purists.

Strawberry Frozen Bad Juan – Delicious !

— BLUE JUAN: This holiday season is a good time to give one of these a try. You may have a blue Christmas without it. It has a great taste and is available on the rocks only.

Honorable Mention: The Raspberry Bad Juan, the Watermelon Bad Juan and the calorie conscious “Skinny Juan”

DO YOU HAVE A GOD BAD JUAN STORY?? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW! Have an opinion on Bad Juan? Be heard and post it below !

After more than 30 years Elsa’s is still having fun, and this drink is “Still the Juan.”

ARE YOU A DAYTON FOODIE ?? Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking HERE !! Over 2200 fans can’t be wrong !

Don’t forget to browse our photo album below for some incredible pics of Dayton’s legendary drink !

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