To Hell with Home Alone: We’ve Got Oscar Parties!
Come on, admit it, you love it: the red carpet fashion show, the fatuous exchanges between the stars and Chris Connolly, the host's lame jokes, the "humble" acceptance speeches (even when the Academy voters get it dead wrong). The Academy Awards is one of those ties that bind (OMG!; alas, the awful truth), so why watch it alone on a little screen, when you can see it with your friends and neighbors in Hi Def, and share the schadenfreude of discovering which stars have bad skin.
Chatham Film Club Screening and Party
The Chatham Film Club is taking the Awards personally this year and rightly so. Member Courtney Hunt, of East Chatham, is nominated for Best Screenplay and Melissa Leo, the star of Frozen River, which Hunt wrote, produced, and directed, is a Best Actress nominee. In Chatham the festivities begin early with an afternoon screening of Frozen River then continue that evening with a party at a nearby bar.
In addition to its two Oscar nominations, Frozen River has already won several awards including Best First Film from the New York film Critics Circle, Best Debut Director and Spotlight Award form the National Board of Review. Awards in festival competitions included the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the Opening Night Selection at New Director/New Films at MOMA. So the high hopes among local supporters and film buffs is not just pie in the sky. We could making history here; so why not watch with friends, neighbors and fellow-fans.
Chatham Film Club
Frozen River Screening, Crandell Theatre, Chatham, 2:30 p.m.
Admission: $6; $5/members
Oscar party, Peint O’Gwrw, Main Street (next door to the Crandell), 7 p.m.
Light buffet and cash bar.
Oscar Party at Images Cinema
Watch the Oscar Ceremony on their big screen with emcee Eric Kerns. Snacks and a special Oscar-themed drinks menu will be available for purchase.
You may also enter the “Pick-the-Winner” contest, which quite apart from any glory associated with anticipating the Academy voters’ choices, gives you a chance to win one of two gift baskets filled with goodies from local businesses (see below for details). Regardless of how wrong you are, the more you buy, the greater your chances of winning! Since party is free, they ask that you consider entering the contest to support Images Cinema. Or just enter
Gift Basket A: 2 Williamstown Film Festival Weekend Passes; $50 Gift Certificate from The Browns; 1 Hour Treatment at Day & Beth Healing Arts; $40 Gift Certificate from Spice Root; Vera Bradley change purse from The Cottage; Gear from Hardware the MASS MoCA store
Gift Basket B: 1 Night at Buxton Hill Guest House; 1 Private Yoga Session from Tasha Yoga; 9-inch Ice Cream Cake from Lickety Split; $40 Gift Certificate from Gramercy Bistro; $25 Gift Certificate from Zanna; Gear from Hardware the MASS MoCA store
Images Cinema
Williamstown, MA
7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free; ballots @$10 or 3 for $25
Upstate Films' Pajama/Black Tie Party in Rhinebeck
"Potluck! Trivia! Prizes!" promise the normally sober-and-serious-minded folks at Upstate Films, who are suggesting that attendees where either tuxedos or pajamas encouraged, and bring some food and/or drinks to pass around. There will be prizes for Best Outfit, as well as trivia questions, and Award predictions. The only cost: $5 per Awards ballot, all proceeds of which go to Doctors Without Borders and The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. Seating is limited, so reserve ahead; tickets are available now at box office, first come first served, with a limit of 4 tickets per person.
Upstate Films Oscar Party
Admission: Free; ballots @$5
Red Carpet coverage begins at 6 p.m.; Awards show, 8 p.m..
Hollywood-On-The-Hudson at TSL
Time & Space Limited in Hudson encourages you to bring your Oscar party to them: “Let TSL be your living room for the evening while you celebrate the 81st Academy Awards, watching the show on our big screen.” Just like at home, you can move between a comfortable chair and a big screen in their theater, and food and beverageS in their café, where the ceremony will also be projected on a smaller screen. Special food and desserts will be available for purchase, provided by Verdigris Tea. There will be a cash bar.
Time & Space Limited Oscar Party
434 Columbia Street, Hudson
Red carpet coverage: 7 p.m.
Food and drink for purchase.
Ballots: free
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