"Fly Away Home" a big hit with young and old. Next Saturday (August 23): "E.T."

Our friend, Deb, picked Saturday's movie, "Fly Away Home" and it was well-received.  The story of a young girl who finds meaning and a sense of purpose helping an orphaned gaggle of geese grow up and leave home was both touching and engaging.  And the weather was perfect.  Calm winds, hardly a mosquito and temperatures comfortably in the 70's made for a fun and memorable night.

Saturday, August 23, it's "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial"

Mingle: 7:00pm

Movie: 8:15pm

Fireworks: After the show

I haven't seen this movie since it came out TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO (can you believe it?), but I'm told it holds up well.  Hopefully we'll see you there!

So far, this summer's events have leaned toward the educational, artistic and sometimes serious.  Those in attendance have told us they've been some of the best nights in our backyard yet.

Still, we don't want to leave out the kiddies, so we're showing a classic film that's going to look and sound great on our big screen and our more than adequate stereo sound system (just ask our neighbors).  Thanks for being so great, Marcia & Matt. We promise we'll be quiet this winter!

Mark your calendars now for our fun family movie night:

FEATURE: "E.T." (1982)

DATE: August 23

MINGLE: 7pm

MOVIE:  8:15pm

(LEGAL) FIREWORKS: After the show

Don't forget to come early and meet our other friends and neighbors (who are quickly becoming your friends as well).  For many of our regulars, the mingle time is one of the most essential and enjoyable parts of Lawnchair Theater.  Also, free free to linger afterwards.  On warm summer nights, it's nice to just hang out and chat after the show...assuming you don't have kids to get to bed.

Hope to see you soon!

Documentarian Dawn Mikkelson offers a thought-provoking look at the complex reality of renewable energy in "Green Green Water"

Our special guest on August 2, filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson, once described herself to me as a person who "tells sad stories".  No question, the message behind "Green Green Water" is as dark and murky as the ravaged rivers that run through it.  The indigenous Cree of Northern Manitoba have had their way of life, their livelihood and their once beautiful land decimated for "the greater good"--that is, modern civilization's desire to have plentiful, affordable, and readily available electricity.  

Fortunately, Ms. Mikkelson's film didn't leave us completely sullen and bereft.  The conclusion offered hope that the tribes were taking back some of their power by closing the floodgates on further dam development.  And Dawn opened our eyes to another way we can show our support for less destructive and controversial renewable energy: by supporting Xcel Energy's Windsource Program.  Windsource is a encouraging initiative (although poorly publicized) that allows residential customers to buy all of their electricity from clean, renewable wind power. While this electricity is a bit more expensive, Xcel guarantees the power you're buying will be generated by their wind farms (they have 31 wind turbins) in southwestern Minnesota.  To learn more click here.

We were also able to learn more about Dawn's next documentary, which she'll be completing later this month called "The Red Tail".  It's the story of a lifelong Northwest airline mechanic who goes on strike with his union and, after the 444 day walk off comes to an end, learns that not only will none of his fellow mechanics be rehired, but their jobs are being outsourced to China.  In the film, Dawn travels to China with this ex-Northwest mechanic to meet the man who is now doing the mechanic's job.  Heavy stuff and, after watching Dawn's teaser promo, we can't wait to see more!

By the way, if you'd like to support Dawn's effort to finish this documentary, click here.  Fund raising is Dawn's least favorite part about making these films (who can blame her?), so if you appreciate what she's trying to do to help "the little guy", please give her a hand.

Pam and I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported our special events this summer.  While there is no movies scheduled at this point, rest assured we'll be showing several more films this summer and fall, including some all ages shows so you can bring your kiddies.  See you soon!