Hello Everyone,
We’re very excited to open a film that is edgy yet accessible. It’s a love story with incredible performances, and I hope you’ll take my word and give it a chance. RUST AND BONE has not performed terribly well in other markets, so hurry down if you want to catch it. Marion Cotillard (who won the Oscar for portraying Edith Piaf in LA VIE EN ROSE) gives a performance that is absolutely brilliant! It’s been a while since I’ve given my own, personal endorsement for a film…both this (and the upcoming AMOUR) are films that I will eventually add to my personal library.
Synopsis for RUST AND BONE: “Ali finds himself with a five-year-old child on his hands – a son he hardly knows. Homeless, penniless and friendless, Ali takes refuge with his sister in the south of France. There things improve immediately. A man of formidable size and strength, Ali gets a job as a bouncer in a nightclub. He comes to the aid of Stephanie during a nightclub brawl. Aloof and beautiful, Stephanie seems unattainable, but in his frank manner Ali leaves her his phone number anyway. Stephanie trains orca whales at Marineland. When a performance ends in tragedy, a call in the night brings them together…Ali’s direct, unpitying physicality becomes Stephanie’s lifeline, but Ali too is transformed by Stephanie’s tough resilience. As their stories intersect and diverge, they navigate a world where strength, beauty, youth and blood are commodities-but where trust, truth, loyalty and love cannot be bought and sold, and courage comes in many forms.” (taken from Sony Classics)
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This Thursday at 7:30, Peace on Fifth will present a one-time screening of NOT MY LIFE. “January 1863 marked the first legal idea of freedom for slaves in the United States of America, but 150 years later there are more slaves and humans trafficked than ever before. Ohio is #5 in the nation for the most number of humans trafficked. With a reported 27 million people enslaved in the world, many US Americans may think this is a global problem that does not touch the shores of the US. In fact, who would ever think that Dayton is at risk or involved? The film covers five continents and shows multiple forms of trafficking/slavery. You will hear from victims, advocates and abolitionists that are on the ground living and fighting for freedom every day. Come out and see about modern day slavery and learn how you can change the world…right now!” (taken from press notes) Tickets at $10 at the door or $8.50 in advance at Peace on Fifth (located at 508 E Fifth Street). To learn more about Peace on Fifth, visit their official site.
By now, I’m sure you’re aware of our upcoming screening of the new documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon – THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE. We’re set to play it thanks to your support of a new distribution model called GATHR. Because 25 people have already purchased tickets to the screening, the date and time are secure. We’ll play the film on Thursday, February. 7 at 7:30. Tickets are $9 each. Visit our box office or the Gathr site to purchase advanced tickets (this is the LINK to the gathr site).
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ThinkTV has once again offered to help us get a signal for our FREE Annual Oscar Party. Mark you calendars for Sunday, February 24. Ballots are now available in our lobby and prizes have started to arrive (though you must be present at the party in order to win prizes). 15 films that are nominated for Academy Awards have screened at (or are coming soon to) THE NEON. Between these 15 films, there are 34 nominations. We hope you’ll make plans to spend this fun night with us. We will begin seating for this party as close to 7pm as possible…which is when the Red-Carpet pre-show begins. (We will begin collecting ballots on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Noon…collected ballots (only one per person present) will result in our seating priority.)
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Fri. Feb. 1 – Thur, Feb. 7:
RUST AND BONE (R) 2 Hrs
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Thursday: 2:30, 5:00
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (R) 2 Hr 02 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE (NR) 1 Hr 59
Thursday: 7:30
COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Feb 8 – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb 15 – QUARTET
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Late Winter/Spring – NO
Late Winter/Spring – THE GATEKEEPERS
Spring – ON THE ROAD
On Friday, February 1, the savvy, witty graphic novels of the present day collide – onstage! – with the bombastic camp of 1930’s radio serials as the Victoria Theatre Association presents 
Featured and praised on Conan and NPR’s All Things Considered (indeed, Dayton’s NPR affiliate, WYSO 91.3 FM, is sponsoring this performance), as well as in the Wall Street Journal and American Theatre Magazine, people are often not sure what to expect when confronted by The Intergalactic Nemesis, but two years of national touring, rave reviews, and the creation of a new sequel in response to popular demand…well, they all speak for themselves. Nemesis is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that will bring out the kid in you. Older audience members will enjoy the warm, nostalgic throwback to a time when entertainment was simpler and more was left to the imagination. Younger attendees will love the boundless energy, the over-the-top energy comedy (including some truly hysterical death scenes), and recapturing that childhood thrill they felt the first time they saw Indiana Jones outrun a boulder, the Goonies discover The Inferno, or the Ghosbusters face Gozer as life, love, and the future hung in the balance.
Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. A list of highlights for the February event is below. A 
The Dayton Theatre Guild
The Importance of Being Earnest
Beavercreek Community Theatre
The Dixie Swim Club
Many of us have been to art gallery hops where people wander about, looking at various works of art while sipping wine and discussing art with their friends and often the artists themselves. Sometimes you may even get to watch an artist in action – my artist friend 
Raise Your Brush can host private parties – for a birthday, retirement party, wedding shower, or even just a girls’ night out. They do private parties for kids as well, minus the alcohol, that feature kid-friendly paintings.
“So many people are intimidated to do painting or crafting themselves because there is so much involved. You have to go to three or four stores to find all of the materials, you don’t know how to use the tools, there is no one there to answer questions, it’s difficult to set aside time… and the worst part: set up and clean up! We take care of all of those problems (all of the materials in these sessions are included), and we put a drink in your hand as well!”
MEET AND GREET WITH THE DAYTON SHARKS!
On Thursday, February 7 through Sunday, February 10 at 8 p.m. in the
Choreographer Lula Elzy’s graceful, energetic routines authentically reflect the era and the carefree spirit of the West. The exuberantly perky “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” the lovely “Shall We Dance,” the ensemble-heavy “Slap That Bass” and “Stiff Upper Lip,” and the hoedown-inspired thrills in “I Got Rhythm” (winningly led by Snyder at the close of Act 1) are just some of the highlights of Elzy’s wonderful contributions. Musical director Timothy Olt, astutely incorporating a snippet of “Rhapsody in Blue” when the action briefly returns to the hustle and bustle of New York, leads an excellent orchestra.
