What’s Showing at The Neon

NEW IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS:

Synopsis for THE LONELIEST WHALE: THE SEARCH FOR 52: “THE LONELIEST WHALE: THE SEARCH FOR 52 is a cinematic quest to find the ’52 Hertz Whale,’ which scientists believe has spent its entire life in solitude calling out at a frequency that is different from any other whale. As the film embarks on this engrossing journey, audiences will explore what this whale’s lonely plight can teach us – not just about our changing relationship to the oceans, but to each other.” (Bleecker Street) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.

NEW IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA

Synopsis for THE GOD COMMITTEE: Available starting July 9! “An organ transplant committee has one hour to decide which of three patients deserves a life-saving heart. Seven years later, the committee members struggle with the consequences of that fateful decision.” This film is available to watch on your computer or mobile device as well as via Roku, AppleTV and Chromecast. Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 48-hour access for $7.

CONTINUING IN OUR VIRTUAL CINEMA:

Synopsis for GOD EXISTS, HER NAME IS PETRUNYA: “In Stip, a small town in Macedonia, every January the local priest throws a wooden cross into the river and hundreds of men dive after it. Good fortune and prosperity are guaranteed to the man who retrieves it. This time, Petrunya dives into the water on a whim and manages to grab the cross before the others. Her competitors are furious – how dare a woman take part in their ritual? All hell breaks loose, but Petrunya holds her ground. She won her cross and will not give it up.” (Outsider Pictures) This film will be available to watch on your computer or mobile device or via your smart TV via mirroring/casting. Click the image below to watch the trailer and reserve 72 hour access for $12.

To read more about all the films that are still available in our Virtual Cinema, please visit our WEBSITE. Several critically acclaimed films and audience favorites are still available! Here’s a LINK with a video I made about how Virtual Cinema works.

Our Virtual Cinema is slowing down, but we still want to bring new films now and again that deserve to be seen! We’re working on securing a couple more titles, but for sure on August 13, we’ll bring the brilliantly strange new Polish film NEVER GONNA SNOW AGAIN. On August 20, we’ll start DRAMARAMA (there’s no trailer for this film just yet, but here’s some coverage from VARIETY). More titles are on the way…stay tuned!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:

Attention Families with Young Kids! Continuing this Saturday, July 10 at 11am, THE NEON and ThinkTV PBS will keep moving with our FREE Summer Family Film Festival. Each week, doors at THE NEON open at 10:30am, and tickets are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Featuring episodic shorts from popular characters in the PBS Kids library, these screenings will give an opportunity for families to enjoy the movie-going experience together in a budget-friendly way while keeping kids thoughtfully engaged over the summer. Each Saturday will focus on a different program, and activity books will be available for children to take home after the screenings. This film festival is made possible from the generous support of The RubiGirls Scholarship Initiative. Week #2 (July 10) will feature WILD KRATTS. Week #3 (July 17) will feature DINOSAUR TRAIN. Week #4 (July 24) will feature ODD SQUAD. (more title details coming soon)

Scripted in Black, an exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective that centers the work and collaboration of Black + Brown unconventional creatives, will be hosting a series of films over the next few weeks, and tickets are on sale now. “When SIB thinks of super chill kick back Thursday vibes, we envision a film series featuring just a few of the greatest Black classics + favorites to date. Whether we are learning from the past, relishing in hood politics, or examining the dynamics of friendship, this film series allows us to collectively experience the art of cinema, together. Featuring three Black-owned local businesses and partnering with THE NEON in Dayton allows for mingling amongst the creative community + supporting the local business ecosystem. This movie night series is a chance to celebrate as a community the importance of Black storytelling and the way it honors the multi-dimensional layers of our culture, experience, and perspective. This movie night series is the perfect way to close out a busy work week and step into the weekend with laughs, high vibes, + a little reminiscing on the good old days.” (Scripted in Black) Tickets are $20 each and come with a complimentary popcorn and soda. Each film will be preceded by a business mixer from 6:00-7:00 on THE NEON’s patio…then films will start at 7:15! Series sponsored by Westchester Education Services. July 8 – JUST MERCY, featured business – Dayton Young Black Professionals. July 15 – PAID IN FULL, featured business – AKenlo. July 22 – THE WOOD, featured businesses – Teddy’s World.

HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM, FREEDOM THROUGH HEALING – “This collection of short films reflects the Black experience in America’s modern criminal justice system. Adopting nuanced explorations of police brutality, incarceration, mental wellness, and the path to healing our communities. Featuring works from local artists Brie Hope, Dionte’ Allen, Leroy Bean, and Mariah Johnson. Premiering Sunday, July 18 at 7:30p and 9p EST. Tickets are $25 for the show, $35 for show and after party plus free 3pm reception at Ed Dixon’s Gallery with ticket purchase.” (The Artist Power Hive) Tickets are available HERE.

Local filmmaker Max Kaplan will host the local premiere of his latest short film HAWAII here on Wednesday, July 21 at 7:00 and 9:00. “HAWAII is a coming of age story that follows two high school sweethearts Erika Bierman (THE HUNGER GAMES, DUMB AND DUMBER TO) and Stone Taul (GOOD KIDS) as they say goodbye to everything they have known during their last summer before college; playing music, making memories, and chasing dreams, but ultimately learning how to say goodbye. The film is based on the director Max Kaplan’s high school experience and his time playing in the Dayton psych band Nudists on Strike. HAWAII boasts an incredible compilation soundtrack by both popular and local artists including Summer Salt, King Shelter, Surf Team, Nudists on Strike, and Sister Owsley. Two of Kaplan’s freshman shorts, GET THE F*CK TO CHURCH and SONG OF SONGS will also be shown. After the screenings there will be a Q&A with the cast and crew of HAWAII, actress Erika Bierman, director Max Kaplan and producer Savannah Webb.” (Luminous Coast) Tickets are $10 each and available now on THE NEON’s website and at our box office! Click the image below to watch the trailer for HAWAII.

A NOTE ABOUT COVID PRECAUTIONS. Starting Friday, June 25, THE NEON’s Board decided to make a change to our COVID protocols. Though every other row remains unavailable, we will only require one empty seat between parties sitting in the same row. As a reminder, All NEON Staff as well as unvaccinated patrons will still be required to wear masks…they are optional for all vaccinated patrons.

A CALL FOR GARDENING VOLUNTEERS! A couple months ago, while I was on my hands and knees pulling hundreds of weeds, a customer suggested that I put out a call to some of our supporters (who love gardening) who might be willing to help us manage some of our grounds. The corner of our parking lot (at St. Clair and Fifth St.) is in need of some major love, and I simply don’t have enough hours in the day. Is there any chance that any of you might be willing to come and volunteer a few hours to help spruce it up?

A farewell to Ian. If you’re a regular at THE NEON, then you know Ian Bonnett. He’s been working here for 8 years…first as a part-timer, then as a “third keyholder,” and now as our Assistant Manager. Ian will be leaving us this week. He had an opportunity that was too good to resist, and we will certainly miss him…he’s been a treasure to us at THE NEON. Please help us in wishing him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Thanks so much for all of your support!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan