Since Nelson’s movie theatre rose from the dead there have been no flies on the Civic. This comes in handy when you’re hosting a celebration of the undead. This month, the Civic’s turning zombie.
Nelson’s first zombie walk will be led by our very own Zombie New Orleans Funeral Jazz Band on October 25. Fronted by Rick Lingard and Mary Defeo featuring the Oxygen Orkestar as the band’s backbone, the walk will commence at the Civic at 2 p.m.
For zombie wannabes, professional make-up artists will be in the Civic’s lobby from noon to 2 p.m. (there will be a small fee to cover supplies). Show up early if you want to get gory and join the fun. The walk is followed by a free classic zombie film at 4 p.m.
Zombies, ghouls, and other creatures-of-the-night love an audience, which is great because some of us would rather be the audience. On October 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. we have a special screening of National Theatre Live’s Frankenstein.
Directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle, Frankenstein features Benedict Cumberbatch (12 Years A Slave) and Jonny Lee Miller (Mansfield Park) alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and his creation. What began as a National Theatre stage sell-out has since become a cinema sensation.
There’s more: Austin’s Fantastic Fest is the biggest Horror and Fantasy film festival in North America, and we’ve nabbed two winners. The beautiful fantasy The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Audience Award!) screens in Japanese with dubbed English on October 24 at 7 p.m., October 26 at 2 p.m., and subtitled on October 28 at 7 p.m. Dead Snow 2 (Best picture in the Gutbuster Comedy Feature category) screens October 25 at 9 p.m. and October 28 at 9:40 p.m.
Freddy Mercury larger-than-life could be a little scary, but you know you love him. Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen Live in Budapest screens on October 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern Block rockers welcome.
Other tricks and treats include the 30th Anniversary restoration of Ghostbusters for the Member Monday on October 27 at 7:30 p.m. There’s also Borgman on October 24 at 9:40 p.m. and October 30 at 7:30 p.m. and finally Only Lovers Left Alive on October 26 at 7:30 p.m.
If we can embrace zombies, we can embrace change. And while change can be scary, the Civic’s next change is an exciting convergence of energy, expertise and wisdom.
Eleanor Stacey has been hired as our new executive director to lead us through our next (challenging? yes! scary? nothin’ scares us) development phase.
The daughter of Capitol Theatre director Margaret Stacey, Eleanor cut her teeth on Capitol productions — and now comes to us with a resume to die for. From Anguilla to New York City she has been involved in direction and development of major theatre associations and companies. Most recently she’s been executive director of the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance.
Clearly, Eleanor’s been around a much bigger block than our zombies will walk — and we’re thrilled to have her, live and in the flesh.
Sue Adam, who with her formidable skills brought us through the first development phase, will stick around for a bit to ease transitions. A management systems expert, Sue’s behind the strong underpinnings that make the Civic tick and which have positioned us beautifully for the next chapter.
Taking a start-up organization in hand is no small feat, and I can say with certainty that there have been no flies on Sue. The Civic owes a huge debt of gratitude to Sue and to all of its movers and shakers.
The Civic Theatre is a prime example of a community institution resurrected, but without the zombie aftertaste — think popcorn instead. Join us for the Civic Theatre’s second AGM on Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m., meet our oh-so-flyless heroes, and stick around for a free movie afterwards.
— Anne DeGrace is the past president of the Nelson Civic Theatre Society. To find out about the Annual General Meeting and all things Civic go to www.civictheatre.ca.