Two end-of-July fundraisers have been scheduled to help raise money for renovations and upgrades for the Kentucky Theatre.
At 7 p.m. July 25, the Friends of Kentucky Theatre will present a Lexington screening of "Our Nixon," an all-archival documentary co-produced by Lexington-based filmmaker, writer and UK professor of law Brian Frye. Frye’s films explore relationships between history, society, and cinema through archival and amateur images. Frye was named one of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film" in 2012.
Throughout Richard Nixon's presidency, three of his top White House aides obsessively documented their experiences with Super 8 home movie cameras. Young, idealistic and dedicated, they had no idea that a few years later they would all be in prison. This visual record, created by H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Dwight Chapin, was seized by the FBI during the Watergate investigation, filed away and forgotten for almost 40 years. "Our Nixon" presents these home movies for the first time, along with other rare footage, creating an intimate, complex and fascinating portrait of the Nixon presidency as never seen before.
Screening tickets are $20 and will include a post-screening discussion panel moderated by Chris Frost, a professor in the University of Kentucky College of Law. Frye, along with other distinguished, invited panelists will participate. All proceeds from the event will go to The Friends campaign for theatre upgrades.
On July 29, Nick Ryan’s Saloon (157 Jefferson St.) will donate 20 percent of the day’s lunch and dinner proceeds to The Friends campaign. In addition, artwork created by five local artists will be on display and available for purchase. A "Seat In" reception will be held at the restaurant that same day from 4 - 6 p.m. Cost is $25, and will include one drink, appetizers, and the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase the artwork. Twenty percent of all arts sales will be donated to the campaign to help cover the cost of new seats for the theatre. Menu and drink items for the day will follow the classic movie theme of “Gone with the Wind." Local artists participating are Ann Nave Bass, Sue Wilmes, Norene Mara, Deborah Westerfield and Marcia Cone. Reservations are recommended for dinner by calling NIck Ryan's at 233-7900.
To date $546,042 has been raised toward the campaign goal of $1.5 million. The Friends have raised $296,042 from the private sector and Mayor Jim Gray and the Urban County Council included $250,000 in the city budget for the project.
The mission of the Friends is to preserve, renovate and enhance the Kentucky Theatre and create a fund for its continued maintenance over the coming years. The 90-year-old cinema in Lexington has become a cultural institution through the historic grandeur of its building, its iconic marquee and the diverse, community-centered programming it provides. A charitable fund has been established with Blue Grass Community Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) and donations can be made online at www.kentuckytheatrefriends.org.