About the day: Moviegoers encouraged to support local cinemas on January 18th | “Our goal is to bring awareness and educate consumers on the importance of supporting local, independently owned movie theaters in their communities,” said Rich Daughtridge, President and CEO of Warehouse Cinemas and ICA Marketing Committee Chair. “These cinemas in small towns and large cities alike are critical to the health of the cinema industry, especially now, with the many entertainment choices available to entertainment consumers.”
Launched as part of the ICA’s “Love Local Cinema” campaign, Independent Cinema Day will highlight the importance of independent movie theaters to the economic vitality and cultural vibrancy of our communities. Across the country, independent cinemas are encouraging their local communities to catch a movie on Saturday, January 18th and share their experience on social media."
During the big push several years ago as small cinemas were forced to upgrade their equipment is when I started following the struggle of yet another industry which began like so many others, as family-owned and operated establishments. That required upgrade in 2015 was the final blow for countless theaters across the county, and sadly as their doors closed, history, character and insanely beautiful lighting and signage, was lost forever. From coast to coast, many of these places rallied and turned to their communities to raise funds of approximately 100K needed for the conversion to digital film format. The Clayton's story was no different, as they moved to host numerous fundraisers, offering special "Support the Clayton" t-shirts, even producing a local cookbook and more (I still have the t-shirt). They went on to successfully complete the required technical upgrades and five years later, this is still the only place I will go to watch a movie.
As an individual who has been fiercely "loyal to local" for years, written numerous pieces on the value and character of independently-owned, created countless images in support of the mom and pop businesses all across our country, the closure of so many chunks and chapters of history left me with a deep sense of sadness. While I've had little time to focus on this industry during the last few years, I was thrilled to learn there was now an "Official" date dedicated to the small screens of America. I'm going to share with you some information about it, as well as news items and articles noting special events and celebrations taking place this coming Saturday. Please.....preserve the long-time, unique and distinctive presence of your community, town or city this weekend. Pack up the family and head to the neon-lit brick buildings which have been entertaining your neighborhood and family for decades. Pick up a poster or a t-shirt to help support them while you are there, and remind your children who may be clamoring impatiently for the heated recliner seats found in so many chain theaters today, that they can and will always be able to find those places - but the real heart and soul of a zip code or Main Street - well, that lies behind the marquees and ornate signage which still delight us all.
Here's the post via The Clayton Theatre in the Town of Dagsboro. Look up their website and find them on Facebook too. Visit the organization which launched this effort, the Independent Cinema Alliance, and as I find more updates I'll be adding them here on this post too.
News item | Knoxville, Iowa: As a proud member of the Independent Cinema Alliance (ICA), the Grand Theater in Knoxville will host the first annual “Independent Cinema Day” on Saturday, January 18, 2020. This social holiday is an opportunity for moviegoers nationwide to support their local independent cinemas. The Grand Theater is encouraging the local community to attend the movies on January 18th and share their experience on social media. Source
Stanley, Wisconsin | founded in 1936: The Stanley Theater is a small town movie theater serving the residents of Stanley and the surrounding community, providing newer movies weekly at reasonable prices. Visit their website and find them on Facebook.
Feel free to download and share my graphics above - just click to open a larger version in a new window. I am out of time and have to run! Check back later this week as I'll be adding more posts here - oh, and I have pics to post of The Clayton Theatre too. Don't forget to plan a visit to your favorite indie cinema this Saturday, invite friends and post on social media using the hashtag #IndependentCinemaDay.
Catch you later!
A.B.
community advocate | marketing consultant | dedicated to small business | fan of
classic cars and hot rods | beach lover | believer that "together we accomplish more"
