Here's a boon to folks who love movies but whose entertainment budgets are increasingly tight: The Little Art Theater in Yellow Springs is introducing a new free film series for the kids and some restaurant/movie packages designed for a special day or evening out.
"Saturday's Picture Show" is aimed at children ages 3-12, and will be held twice a month at the Yellow Springs movie theater.
Admission is free, though a $4 donation is suggested.
The new series premieres on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a Red Carpet opening at 1 p.m. The kids are encouraged to put on their movie star finery and walk down a real Red Carpet, complete with paparazzi.
The initial offering opens with a short film titled, "March On!" which honors the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The feature film is an animated movie from the Jim Henson Company, "Unstable Fables: Goldilocks & 3 Bears Show."
Younger children, ages 3-7, should be accompanied by an adult or older sibling. "All of the films we will show have been endorsed by the Coalition for Quality Media for Children as part of their KIDS FIRST! Film Festival," says Laura Carlson, Little Art Theatre Association programming committee chair.
She says the organization states that all of its films must meet baseline acceptance criteria of "no gratuitous violence, no racial or cultural bias, no inappropriate sexual content, no replicable unsafe behavior, and no condescension towards children."
Most importantly, she adds, the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival selects films that are "new, innovative, and inspiriting."
On March 14, the double-bill features a short animated music video, "Billy the Squid," and a live-action feature film, "Beethoven's Big Break."
Future dates are March 28 and April 11, show time is 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the children's series, Little Art owner Jenny Cowperthwaite has also announced a new partnership with two popular Yellow Springs restaurants: The Winds Café and the Sunrise Cafe.
Sunday customers can purchase a "Brunch and a Movie" package for $15 per person at The Winds. "Dinner and a Movie" on Mondays at the Sunrise Cafe and Little Art is $20 per person.
Included with either package is a special meal and a ticket to see any movie playing that day at the Little Art. The price does not include drinks, tips or tax. Both restaurants pride themselves on locally produced and organic foods.
On Mondays, dinner at the Sunrise Café is served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's located at 259 Xenia Ave. The Winds Café, 215 Xenia Ave., will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Both restaurants are just doors from The Little Art, located at 247 Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs, about 30 minutes from Dayton. Directions and more information are available at www.littleart.com
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.
