Silence is golden at Mother’s in Springfield

Silents are golden in Springfield these days.

The earliest films made between the late 1890s and late 1920s with no synchronized recorded sound have become a new social phenomenon with added interactions beside just the film.

“Mother’s Movie Night” will showcase the first of two silent events with the “Silent Disco Party: ‘Metropolis,’” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 at Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company.

Admission is free.

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DJ Chill and Hatch New Media are combining on the project. Attendees will watch the sci-fi classic “Metropolis” and experience three channels of various music while dancing the night away.

A longtime fan of “Metropolis,” Rod Hatfield of Hatch New Media got the idea of a showing a year-and-a-half ago when touring Mother Stewart’s brewing room.

“As I walked past the stainless steel kettles, it reminded me of ‘Metropolis.’ The ambiance hit me, this setting would be ideal for showing it,” he said.

Hatfield needed a novel way to present the sound and immediately thought of DJ Chill as the sound complement to the film.

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For several years, DJ Chill, also known as Christopher Chilton, has used mobile headphones with various music channels for a unique sensory experience he calls not so loud silent parties, which he offers all over the area.

The headsets will have three channels of music, ranging from different tunes Chill has put together, another channel of electronic music by Brian Traylor of Hatch New Media and a third Hatfield assembled with an eclectic mix of jazz, indy rock and avant-garde.

“Chill is the first star of this show,” Hatfield said. “You’ll go on an auditory rollercoaster ride.”

Hatfield also thinks the audience will get into “Metropolis,” which was ahead of its time in 1927 with a robot that inspired George Lucas to create C-3PO for the “Star Wars” films and sets that were a prototype for “Blade Runner.”

March 16 will offer another silent film at Mother’s, the suspense melodrama “The Wind,” which starred Springfield native Lillian Gish, one of the biggest stars of the silent era whose career lasted until 1987.

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A live jazz improv will accompany that film with several area jazz musicians, including some members of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Hatfield said these movie nights will be a good way to discover the silents along with different music.

“We’re really excited for it. It’s a chance to be with good friends and make new friends. Mother’s is like a public square and a platform for great entertainment.”


WANT TO GO?

What: Silent Disco Party: Metropolis

Where: Mother Stewart's Brewing Co., 109 W. North St., Springfield

When: Friday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Admission: free

More info: www.motherstewartsbrewing.com

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