App Theatre is Live | By Keith Martin

Appalachian Theatre Resumes Live Programming; Cinema Classics Series Joins BOONE DOCS on “Cinema Sundays”

Stateless at BOONE DOCS John McEuen

Appalachian Theatre is Live! By Keith Martin

The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) is reopening its doors to the general public for the first time since March 2020. This concludes an extended period of time during which ATHC produced 15 online broadcasts of seven films and eight “Live from the Appalachian Theatre” stage shows and private events. These events reached a virtual audience of thousands of dedicated supporters who sustained the venerable King Street landmark in downtown Boone during the global pandemic.

Executive Director Laura Kratt expressed gratitude to the sponsors, donors, patrons, trustees and other volunteers whose unwavering support over the past 16 months has enabled the ATHC to continue as a viable asset to the High Country region. “We were only open for a brief amount of time—less than five months— before closing for a period three times that long. We’ve been planning our ‘Grand Opening 2.0’ for quite some time, and are thrilled to announce those details to an audience eager to experience live performing arts.”

The fall season of ATHC-presented events includes five musical and comedy concerts by artists Roger McGuinn; Damn Tall Buildings; John McEuen & the String Wizards in an encore “Grand Opening 2.0” performance; Henry Cho; and the Malpass Brothers.

As the founder of The Byrds, Roger McGuinn is firmly established as an indisputable industry icon. From his signature 12-string Rickenbacker sound, to his instantly recognizable vocals on hits like “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Roger McGuinn didn’t just make music; he made history. Rolling Stone magazine said, “Music would be a very different place if it hadn’t been for Roger McGuinn.” He performed at the ATHC on September 3.

In their early days, Damn Tall Buildings didn’t rehearse—they busked. Now, whether sharing lead vocals and instrumental solos or blending their voices into loose, joyous harmony, the four members blend elements of bluegrass, blues, rootsrock and vintage swing to create a captivating, high-energy sound. The Boston Globe called them, “The Carter Family for the millennial generation.” They perform on Friday, October 1.

The first artists to grace the stage of the ATHC in October 2019 were John McEuen and the String Wizards. Two years later, they make a triumphant return for ATHC’s special “Grand Opening 2.0” concert on Thursday, October 14. McEuen, a founding member of the iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) and American Banjo Museum Hall of Famer, brings his banjo, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin to share music and memories from his 55-year life in music.

On Saturday, October 23, American stand-up comedian Henry Cho will entertain the audience with his special brand of side-splitting humor. His work can be heard nationwide several times weekly on XM Radio’s Channel 151, Laugh USA, Sirius Radio’s Blue Collar Radio Channel 103, and Pandora Radio’s PG Comedy Radio Channel.

The popular Malpass Brothers perform on Thursday, November 11. With sincerity and an ease on stage that belies their years, brothers Christopher and Taylor Malpass layer their smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship with the deep respect they pay to the country music legends who have paved the way.

In addition to these live performances, the theatre has announced their muchanticipated BOONE DOCS series of documentary film screenings as part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, plus a newly-launched App Theatre Cinema Classics series of muchloved, family-friendly films. On seven different weekends during the autumn months, “Cinema Sundays at the App Theatre” will bring both of these series to audiences throughout the High Country region and beyond.

BOONE DOCS

South Arts in Georgia selected the App Theatre as one of only 24 Screening Partner organizations in the southeast United States for 2021-22. The film selection process is equally rigorous with over 200 filmmakers competing to be presented during each local tour.

From September through November, BOONE DOCS presents five Southern Circuit documentaries hosted by the filmmakers, giving audiences a rare look behind the scenes with post-screening Q&As about film subjects and the filmmaking process. To prioritize the wellbeing and flexibility of Screening Partners, filmmakers, and audiences, the fall 2021 Southern Circuit season will feature online screenings via the Eventive platform.

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App Theatre: Continued from page 45

“Stateless” [aired on September 12] reveals the depths of racial hatred and institutionalized oppression that divide Haiti and the Dominican Republic. “At The Ready” on September 26 follows El Paso students training to become Border Patrol agents and the reality that their dream jobs may be at odds with the truths and people they hold most dear.

“Not Go Quietly” on October 10 tells the heart-breaking but uplifting true-life story of Ady Barkan. When he was diagnosed with ALS with only four years to live, he struggled to connect with his newborn son while using his final breaths to fight for healthcare justice. October 24 brings “And So I Stayed,” a documentary about survivors of abuse. This screening is in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Duty Free” closes out the series on November 7. After an immigrant mother gets fired without cause from her lifelong job as a hotel housekeeper, her son takes her on a bucket-list adventure to reclaim her life.

Cinema Classics

Perpetuating a cinematic tradition that dates back to 1938 when the art deco “movie palace” opened on King Street in the heart of Boone, the Cinema Classics series will formally launch during the upcoming holiday season. In the interim, it will tease theatre-goers with “The Princess Bride,” which will be screened at the theatre, in person, on Sunday, September 19 in conjunction with “International Talk Like a Pirate Day.”

A bonus “Cinema Sundays” event will be offered on November 14, the exact 83rd anniversary of the 1938 grand opening of the Appalachian Theatre. “Hollywood in the High Country” is a feature-length documentary that explores the 69-year history of Boone’s iconic main-street cinema prior to its closing in 2007. The magic of the movies comes alive through the stories of locals who grew up in front of the theatre’s silver screen. The film also recounts the efforts of the townspeople to purchase and renovate this long-closed theatre into a performing arts center. This will be a live, in-person screening.

For more information, visit the website at www.apptheatre.org.

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