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Posted 02-10-2006 THREE News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest.... ============ =============== ============== ========== ============ =============== ============== ========== ============ =============== ============== ========== 1- Three news publications of local history are on the way 2- Albright College's Sesqui-Centennial photo-history book 3- VERY EXCITING: 1st Annual (Berks) MOVIE MADNESS film festival ============= ============== =============== ========== ============= ============== =============== ========== ============= ============== =============== ========== 1- Very shortly, details will be provided in News-Bits concerning three new publications of local historical interest..."Women in History (Profiles," a 2nd Pat Blackwell book relative to Bally-area history, and an impressively well researched book on Exeter Friends Meeting House. ================ =================== ================ 2- The following illustration is self explanatory. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.] It's located in the Campus Center, which is that complex, visible from 13th St., that houses the threatres and art gallery. ============== ================ =================== 3- The following is a rather lengthy report BUT is FASCINATING and well worth reading through.... Berks Arts Council to Hold 1st Annual Film Festival: “Berks Movie Madness”---from October 4 through 8, 2006 Reading, PA, February 6, 2006—The Berks Arts Council (BAC) will hold its 1st Annual Film Festival: “Berks Movie Madness” from October 4 through 8, 2006, at various venues in downtown Reading. The focus of this first-ever festival will be on the careers and accomplishments of Reading and Berks County people involved in the cinema. “We are probably best known for our annual First Energy Berks Jazz Fest, which has gained international fame, as well as our support of and events related to the visual arts. It’s amazing how many people in our town are or were in the movies, so we’re glad to be able to cover this aspect of the arts,” said Connie Leinbach, executive director of BAC, the non-profit umbrella arts organization for greater Reading. The FIVE-DAY Berks Movie Madness Film Festival will feature numerous activities including screenings of contemporary and HISTORICAL films, appearances and participation by native celebrities, workshops and lectures, filmmaker question and answer (Q&A) sessions, a film/video competition for different age groups, and exhibits and special events. F. Alan Shirk, festival chairman and a member of the BAC board of directors, said the festival committee is putting together a diverse program with broad appeal. “Our goal is to showcase, celebrate and recognize the tremendous talent we’ve uncovered and to do all that we can to encourage and support local films and filmmakers,” he said. Among those scheduled to participate are actress Lisa Eichhorn, actor Michael Constantine, director/actor Ray Dennis Steckler, production designer/writer/producer Jim Steranko, film historian and Reading Museum director emeritus Dr. Robert Metzger, screenwriter John Zaring, retired New York City producer Jim Hubbard, actor/videographer Conrad Karlson, director/production manager Costa Mantis, Haydenfilms founder Hayden Craddolph, filmmaker Bob Cesca, photographer Megan Ulrich, filmmaker Kate Williamson and director/ cinematographer Brett Bagenstose. Among films being screened are those featuring local actor Ed Kemmer, actress June Earle (June Bixler), actress Dorothy Christy, actor JACK LUDEN, author Walter Farley, actress and Playboy Playmate Delores Wells and actor/stuntman Joie Chitwood. Screenings, workshops and special events will take place at Reading Area Community College, Canal Street Restaurant, the Oxygen Gallery and several locations along Washington Street, including the GoggleWorks, Trinity Lutheran Church, The Wyndham Hotel and the Hispanic Center in the former Berkshire Building. Most of the activities will take place on the weekend which will kickoff with a public gala “Hollywood Premiere” party at the Canal Street Restaurant and Pub, 535 Canal St., Reading on Friday evening, October 6, complete with a red carpet, searchlights, impersonators, stars and other show business touches. While final details are being worked out and will be announced as the festival draws nearer, Shirk said a major highlight will be the Oct. 7 evening showing of John Updike’s “Rabbit Run,” a feature film based on one of his novels and the only Hollywood feature film ever shot in Reading and Berks County. It starred James Caan, Anjanette Comer and Carrie Snodgress, premiered here in 1970 and was never released on video. The Updike event will also include the short feature “A&P,” an interview of him by the Boston Globe and a panel discussion. This will be preceded by an afternoon bill featuring two films (to be announced) of Steckler and Francis Ford Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” for which Steranko did the production design. Both will also be available for a Q&A session. Berks Movie Madness will also include blocks of programming for Latinos, featuring director Robert Rodriguez’ original “El Mariachi;” for children, featuring the classic “The Black Stallion” based on Farley’s book; and a mix of documentaries shown by Bullfrog Films, Oley. “Reading 1974,” a film by Gary Adlestein, Jerry Orr and Mantis, will headline works related to the city and county. Adlestein and Orr are the founders of Berks Filmmakers, Inc., one of America’s oldest experimental film showcases founded in 1975. The local works will also include a showing of the 1969 Group W documentary, “The Corrupt City.” A number of workshops are also planned, including an acting master class conducted by Eichhorn and an acting workshop led by Karlson. Other workshops and/or lectures will cover screenwriting, a history of Hollywood directors, how to make a movie, budgeting and production, music videos, commercials and Internet film festivals. Another highlight will be a night of films at the HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BERKS COUNTY, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, on THURSDAy, October 5. In addition to a variety of 8mm films of the Reading Fair and other attractions—including some never seen before—the society will show one of Jack Luden’s famous Westerns, “Rolling Caravans.” The Kutztown Strand, the Hamburg Strand and the State Theater in Boyertown plan to offer programming related to the film festival on the evening of Wednesday, October 4. Finally, the festival will end on Sunday evening, October 8, with a ceremony honoring the winners of a special Berks Movie Madness film/video (maximum 10-minute entry) competition organized by Comcast. The contest is open to any native or resident of Reading or Berks County and will include three age categories— high school students, college students, and all other ages. The festival is being funded by the Berks Arts Council and grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Private sponsors are also being sought with opportunities to sponsor the entire event or blocks of programming. Details of the Berks Arts Council’s Berks Movie Madness Film Festival will be posted on the council’s website: wwwberksarts.org. Or call the council at 610-898-1930.

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