Athens Film and Vidoe festival recreates junior high dance

by Laura Weinhardt
FOR THE POST

The concept of a junior high dance typically triggers memories of awkward moments with crushes, geeky clothes and the PTA president's sketchy nephew spinning bad tunes over fuzzy speakers.

But tonight the organizers of the 28th annual International Athens Film and Video Festival plan to recreate all the aspects of the adolescent ritual, sans bad music.

"The theme is 'Stars in Your Eyes,' and the dance is going to be really cheesy, like Sixteen Candles," said Erin Sanders, a film festival planner. "It will be rad."

Aside from bad clothes, people will get to vote for a royal dance court with a king and queen. And because dance attire is preferred, but not required, eclectic garb spanning the decades will get attendees $1 off the $5 cover charge.

The International Film Festival celebrates a wide range of films, including commercial, local, documentary and art movies. Competitors and attendees come from all over Ohio, the country and the world. The money raised tonight is going toward funding the film festival, which will take place April 27 through May 5.

"The night is totally to raise money for the film festival and everyone should come and support it," Saunders said.

ran. will open the show. This local band specializes in "all forms of loud, melodic, alternative rock" and has played many benefit shows in the past, said vocalist Justin Zimmerman

"We love to play benefits," Zimmerman said. "I'm a film student and I think that the festival is important because it brings films to Athens that we wouldn't normally get to see."

Folk-rock band Southeast Engine also is glad to support the festival.

"It's a good idea for local bands to take time out to raise money for a local organization," member Adam Remnant said.

Remnant said Southeast Engine members are going to dress in costume for the occasion.

"Three [of us] are going as gorillas, one as a basset hound and one as Chelsea Clinton," Remnant said.

I May Run, a Radiohead-influenced band from Cincinnati, rounds out the bill. The band has never played in Athens and is eager for its first Athens show.

In addition to the bands, Cary "Stewie" Miller is slated to entertain with his "two-man/one-man show."

The festivities begin at10 tonight at The Union.