 | | | Last year's Oscar party Photo provided | | | | | | The Rheem Theatre will be the place to be for non-stop Oscar entertainment March 2, including dining, dancing, discovering film memorabilia in the only Classic Film Hall of Fame, intertwined with a live Oscar ceremony broadcast on the big screen. Special guest Margaret O'Brien, whose performance as "Tootie" in Vincente Minnelli's "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944) won her an Academy Award as Outstanding Child Actress, will share her story.
"This will be a fun night, Lamorinda!" claims California Independent Film Festival (CAIFF) president and founder Derek Zemrak. "This is only the second time we are having a full blown Oscar party in Lamorinda." Oscar party goers will be treated to drinks, a dinner catered by Orinda restaurant, Shelbys, and the music of local singer Diamond Dave Hosley, as well as Oscar-themed games.
"When people arrive, they will be given a swag bag that will include a commemorative wine glass and a name tag with one of the Oscar nominees, actor or movie," says Zemrak. "If their character wins, they will win a prize, too!" Like last year, people can bet on winners and also win prizes.
"Additionally this year we are opening a special Oscar exhibit in the Classic Film Hall of Fame and will be displaying very interesting and unusual memorabilia linked to the Oscars," says Zemrak, who is a movie director himself, well connected in Hollywood and has been collecting memorabilia for years. Many of the items in the Hall of Fame are from his private collection.
"My wife is happy that I am emptying the private museum that had taken over parts of our home," jokes Zemrak. For the first time, wardrobes of actors who were nominated to the Oscars will be on display. "For example we have Meryl Streep's original costume from the 2002 movie 'Adaptation' and Bradley Cooper's from the 2012 movie 'Silver Linings Playbook,'" says Zemrak. Visitors can view original autographed documents or explore the old movie poster room as they walk down memory lane. "This museum is unique in this country," says Zemrak. "It should attract people from all over to Lamorinda as a cool place to visit."
"This year, thanks to our sponsors, we've been able to cut the price of admission in half," adds Zemrak. "It does not mean that we don't need to fund raise anymore." The situation is quite the opposite, in fact, because the Rheem suffered a recent setback in its quest to become ADA compliant. The exterior elevator that required plans, structural engineering studies, and Town approval was rejected by the county on the grounds that it discriminated against people with disabilities because it required them to go back outside after purchasing their ticket to reach the theater's second floor.
"We are back with the option of an interior lift attached to the stair ramp," says Zemrak. "It's the same solution that failed us in the past and costs more than an outside elevator." CAIFF believes that the needed $12,000 to complete the project will be raised and the new lift should be installed within three months.
The Oscar party will be held from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2. Tickets, which are $50 per person and must be purchased before Feb. 16, are available online at lamorindatheatres.com or by calling (925) 388-0762.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA