Hello, Cincinnati!

This evening I'll be doing music for Buster Keaton's great film 'The General' (1927) at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, Kentucky -- just across the river from Cincinnati. I've never done a screening in this part of the country before, so I wanted to take a second to say hello and introduce myself.

Hello!

Thanks to all in the Cincinnati area who've shown such enthusiasm for tonight's screening. The talented folks at the Carnegie have done a great job getting out the word; in recent weeks I've found ticket giveaways on everything from the 'Adventure Mom' blog to a blog that promotes family-friendly activities in the region. Nice!

One idea I'd never seen before: on the 'Family Friendly Cincinnati' Web site, they ran a contest that asked entrants to say whether they'd prefer to be a hero or villain. Interesting answers! (My own answer carried shades of Jack Benny confronted by the robber in the park: "It all depends...")

And in a great article by Steven Rosen in CityBeat, I was surprised to learn that Cincinnati has been behind the curve in terms of screening silent films with live music. I'm so happy to be helping the community solve this very serious cultural situation. :)

Thanks to everyone at the Carnegie and beyond for drumming up so much excitement for 'The General.' Projecting ahead: If you enjoyed tonight's performance I encourage you to seek out other screenings in the area with live music. It's the only way to really experience the full power of silent film.

And if you liked Buster Keaton, you're really in luck, because there's another Keaton film being screened in Cincinnati next week. 'Steamboat Bill, Jr.' (1928) will be screened next week, on Thursday, May 9. Some details:

CINCINNATI, OH – The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall (SPMH) presents its first silent film – Buster Keaton in Steamboat Bill, Jr., featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer and acclaimed theatre organist Clark Wilson – at Cincinnati’s Music Hall Ballroom on Thursday, May 9 at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM. The event is being presented in cooperation with the Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Organ Society.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center or Music Hall Ticket Office. For groups of ten or more, call (513) 977-4157.

Music Hall Ballroom's Mighty Wurlitzer accompanies Buster Keaton in his acclaimed 1928 feature-length comedy silent movie, considered by many film critics as a masterpiece of its era. Originally installed in the ornate Albee Theater on Fountain Square in December 1927, The Mighty Wurlitzer was one of only 2,200 theatre-organs produced at that time to accompany silent feature films. Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience The Mighty Wurlitzer as it was meant to be heard – as a live soundtrack for the world’s first movies! FREE POPCORN will be available for munching during the movie!

Wow, free popcorn! How can you beat that?