Hello Everyone!

This weekend, we're holding both of our current films - THE DRAMA and FANTASY LIFE.  In addition, we're adding a new film to the mix - PALESTINE '36 (this film features two actors I love - Hiam Abbass and Jeremy Irons).  On top of all that, we have a handful of special screenings in the upcoming week - from BILLY PRESTON and JOHN PRINE to TONY FOSTER and The Minimalists.

Next Thursday, one of my personal favorites from last year's Toronto International Film Fest will open - THE CHRISTOPHERS.  Essentially a chamber piece, the dialog and scenes between Michaela Coel & Ian McKellen are pure gold...a Steven Soderbergh tennis match that I could watch for hours.

"Open Caption Mondays" are much appreciated by many of our regulars.  On Monday, April 13, our screenings of THE DRAMA and FANTASY LIFE will be presented with Open Captions (aka - captions presented on the screen).

Synopsis for PALESTINE '36: "In 1936, as Palestinian villages revolt against British colonial rule and Zionist immigration from Europe accelerates toward the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, Yusuf moves between Jerusalem and his rural home amid escalating unrest and a decisive moment for the British Empire." Starring Karim Daoud Anaya, Hiam Abbass, Robert Aramayo, & Jeremy Irons.

CULT MOVIE NIGHT:
DESPERATE LIVING 

TOMORROW! Cult Movie Night returns with the final installment of John Waters’s “Trilogy of Trash” with his 3rd film, DESPERATE LIVING!  Following up PINK FLAMINGOS & FEMALE TROUBLE is no easy feat, especially when you don’t have Divine as your star, but DESPERATE LIVING beat the odds and remains one of Waters' funniest and grossest films to date...Joining us in person will be star SUSAN LOWE in a very rare appearance, who will take part in an intro and Q & A after the film. She has appeared in 10 John Waters films and is excited to come to Dayton for the first time and meet everyone. 
This special event will be hosted by cabaret personality Delvis! 
Tickets are on sale now - $15 each.

THU, APR. 9 | 7:30

BILLY PRESTON:
THAT'S THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT

"Billy Preston was 5 years old when he backed gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. Over the following six-decade career, Billy contributed his signature sound to the greatest artists of his time, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Sly Stone, Ray Charles, Rufus, Eric Clapton, and others, while establishing himself as a Grammy-winning solo artist. Despite his success, Billy struggled to reconcile his deep relationship with the Black church with his sexuality, setting off a lifelong quest to find love and acceptance."

Join us on Saturday, April 11 at Noon for a special, one-time screening.
Tickets are $12.50 each.

SAT, APR 11 | NOON

YOU GOT GOLD
One More Encore!

We've had several people reach out and ask for one more screening...so we're gonna make it happen. Join us for this special concert documentary - celebrating John Prine - featuring Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brandi Carlile, Bonnie Raitt and many more! "This concert film was shot in October, 2022, over two nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. More than 70 artists gathered with family, the Nashville community, and music fans to remember and pay tribute to the life and songs of John Prine.
Prine, widely celebrated as one of history's greatest songwriters, captivated millions of fans and earned the admiration of icons."
Tickets are $12.50 each.

SUN, APR 12 | 5:00

TONY FOSTER:
PAINTING AT THE EDGE

In celebration of Dayton Art Institute's exhibition "Tony Foster, Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective," we're thrilled to partner with DAI to host a special, one-time screening of David C. Schendel's TONY FOSTER: PAINTING AT THE EDGE.  
Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30.  
Tickets are $12.50, and DAI members get free popcorn when they show their DAI membership card.
"Traveling mostly on foot, by raft or canoe, for over thirty years English artist Tony Foster has painted landscapes in the remotest of areas, across the world."
Tickets are $12.50 each.

WED, APR 15 | 7:30

MINIMALISM:
10th Anniversary Tour

"MINIMALISM is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special live event from The Minimalists. Join Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus—New York Times–bestselling authors and Emmy-nominated filmmakers—for a screening of the Netflix documentary seen by more than 94 million people, followed by a live, thought-provoking conversation about living a meaningful life with less."
This one-time event will take place Thursday, April 16 at 7:30.  
Tickets are $35 each.

THU, APR 16 | 7:30

Crafty Cinema presents 
CLUELESS

"Crafty Cinema for a Cause" is back!Get ready for an afternoon of creativity, entertainment, and social activism at Crafty Cinema for a Cause at THE NEON hosted by the Savage Stitcher (Angie). This unique charity event brings together the joy of crafting with the magic of film, all while supporting Gem City Action. Bring your own craft project that you can work on in your seat, such as crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, etc. and we will all enjoy an afternoon showing of CLUELESS with the lights up so you can work on a project. This is a free event with a suggested donation of $20 that will be collected at the door with all proceeds going to Gem City Action. There are a limited number of seats available for reservation on Eventbrite (payment will still be collected at the event) and the rest will be offered as first-come-first-serve at the door.

Here is the event'sEVENTBRITE LINKwhere you can reserve a spot.

SUN, APR 19 | 12:30

Gem City Groundlings presents: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

"Gem City Groundlings is Dayton’s only professional Shakespeare theatre company, dedicated to making the Bard immediate, exciting, and accessible for modern audiences; we believe his work thrives in all forms of storytelling, from stage to screen, where his plays have inspired some of the most dynamic film adaptations ever made, which is why we’re proud to partner with THE NEON to present MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and celebrate the enduring brilliance of Shakespeare in cinema as well as live performance. 
Join us Sunday, April 26 at 5 PM, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward creating Shakespeare in our community." (press notes)
Tickets are $10 - available now!

SUN, APR 26 | 5:00

Ohio Goes to the Movies:
CAROL

SAVE THE DATE! As part of the statewide initiative "Ohio Goes to the Movies," we are thrilled to present a FREE screening of one of the best reviewed films to ever be shot in Ohio!
On Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30, we will present CAROL followed by a discussion with several Ohioans who worked on the film!
Free tickets will be available in our lobby beginning this Friday, April 10. You can pick up tickets (limit 2 per person) in our lobby during our traditional operating hours.  We can not take reservations/place holds over the phone for this free screening.

WED, MAY 6 | 7:30

NEON Nostalgia Nights:
THE WAY WE WERE

For our next installment of NEON Nostalgia Nights, we're paying tribute to Robert Redford with the classic film THE WAY WE WERE.
Thursday, May 7!
"Opposites attract when, during their college days, Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand), a politically active Jew, meets Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford), a feckless WASP. Years later, in the wake of World War II, they meet again and, despite their obvious differences, marry. Hubbell wants to be a screenwriter, so the two move to California...but as the Hollywood blacklist looms, Katie's activism threatens her husband's reputation."
Before the movie, join us on our patio (starting at 6:30) for live music and cocktails...then enjoy vintage trailers on the big screen before the movie starts at 7:30.  Tickets, just $12.50 each, are on sale now!

Special thanks to our sponsor - Brian Sharp of SharpGroup Berkshire Hathaway Professional Home Realty.

THU, MAY 7 | 7:30

Daybreak presents:
NO ADDRESS

(Inspired by true events, NO ADDRESS follows the harrowing journey of Lauren, a young woman pushed onto the streets and forced to survive against all odds. Alongside a makeshift family of outcasts — each with their own haunting story of struggle and loss — Lauren discovers that home is not just a place, but the people who refuse to let you fall.
Join us at THE NEON for an evening exploring the systemic causes of homelessness.
The evening will begin at 6:00 PM with a networking reception on THE NEON’s patio. This is an opportunity to meet the staff of Daybreak and connect with others in our community who are working to end homelessness.
The film will begin at 7:30 PM and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring former Daybreak clients who have overcome housing barriers and are now working toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency." (press notes)

WED, MAY 13 | 7:30

REBEL WITH A CLAUSE

"One fall day, Ellen Jovin set up a folding table on a Manhattan sidewalk with a homemade sign that said 'Grammar Table.' Right away, passersby began excitedly asking questions, telling stories, and filing complaints. What happened next is the stuff of grammar legend. Ellen and her filmmaker husband, Brandt Johnson, took the table on the road, visiting all 50 states as Brandt shot the grammar action. But this story transcends grammar. It’s the story of an epic quest in a divided time to bring us all closer together."
Starting an hour before the film, come hang out with Ellen at the Grammar Table! She will answer grammar questions, resolve family grammar disputes, and take complaints. After the screening, stick around for a Q&A with Brandt and Ellen, followed by a book signing of Ellen’s national bestseller.
Tickets are $20 each - available now!

SUN, MAY 17 | 3:00

Thank you for all of your support!
Jonathan

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 – THURSDAY, APRIL 16:

THE DRAMA (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Wednesday (Apr 8): 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday (Apr 9): 2:50, 5:10
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Apr 10-12): 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30
Mon, Tue, Wed (Apr 13-15): 2:45, 5:10, 7:30
Thursday (Apr 16): 2:45, 5:10

FANTASY LIFE (R) 1 Hr 31 Min
Wednesday & Thursday (Apr 8 & 9): 3:00, 5:15, 7:20
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Apr 10-12): 2:50, 7:20
Monday & Tuesday (Apr 13 & 14): 5:15
Wednesday & Thursday (Apr 15 & 16): 3:00

Cult Movie Night: DESPERATE LIVING (NC-17) 2 Hrs+
Thursday (Apr 9): 7:30

PALESTINE ’36 (NR) 2 Hrs
Friday (Apr 10): 12:20, 4:50
Saturday (Apr 11): 4:50
Sunday (Apr 12): 12:20
Monday & Tuesday (Apr 13 & 14): 2:50, 7:20
Wednesday & Thursday (Apr 15 & 16): 5:00

BILLY PRESTON: THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT (NR) 1 Hr 45 Min
Saturday (Apr 11): Noon

YOU GOT GOLD: JOHN PRINE (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min
Sunday (Apr 12): 5:00

TONY FOSTER: PAINTING AT THE EDGE (NR) 1 Hr 43 Min
Wednesday (Apr 15): 7:30

MINIMALISM – 10th Anniversary (NR) 2 Hrs
Thursday (Apr 16): 7:30

THE CHRISTOPHERS (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Thursday (Apr 16): 7:45