BET ON BLACK
Special events, panel discussions, theater freebies planned across Bay Area
“Black Panther” — Hollywood’s first virtually all-black superhero movie — hasn’t hit the screen yet but already it’s being heralded as a watershed moment for African-Americans. Around the country, arts and cultural groups, neighborhood associations, fraternities, social groups and even the AARP are setting up screening parties, speaking engagements and more to mark the release of Oakland director Ryan Coogler’s latest.
Although the movie opens officially Friday Feb. 16 , a number of advance screenings on Thursday are planned. Many are sold out already; here are some Bay Area highlights of those that still had tickets, in chronological order:
Feb. 15 panel, mixer: Inspired by the movie’s Wakanda nation, a months-long schedule of “Oakanda” events will celebrate black culture and black future. On the night of the premiere, an Afrofuturism panel and mixer will feature Georgia Anne Muldrow (Stones Throw/ Mello Music), Jennifer Johns, the creators of the Black Comix Art festival; DJ-curated visionary music; plus cannabis-infused bites and other gourmet food. Wakanda-style attire or all-black clothing is encouraged but not required. Details: 4-7 p.m. at the E14 Gallery, 472 Ninth St., Oakland. Advance tickets, $20, at www.thesubversal.com/oakanda/.
Feb. 15-18 fan events, freebies: Look for fan events featuring free collectibles at AMC, Cinemark and Regal theaters. Order tickets in advance online to assure seating and collectible availability.
— Movie-goers who buy tickets to the AMC Theatres’ 3D showings at 6 p.m. on Feb. 15 will receive a collectible Black Panther coin and a free regular popcorn. Those who see the movie in Dolby Cinema on opening weekend will get a free Black Panther #1 comic book. But not all theaters are offering both promotions; to find out about specific locations, go to www.amctheatres.com/black-panther. The movie is showing at the AMC Bay Street (Emeryville), AMC Eastridge (San Jose), AMC Mercado (Santa Clara), AMC Metreon (San Francisco) and AMC New Park (Newark).
— At Regal Cinemas in Dublin, fans will receive a collectible Black Panther coin at the 6 p.m. screening Feb. 15. Any soft drink and 105-ounce popcorn combo will include a commemorative 44-ounce cup.
— At Cinemark’s Century theaters, the 6 p.m. Feb. 15 showings will come with the aforementioned collectible coin plus free popcorn in a commemorative tub. Promotion includes Century theaters in Pleasant Hill, San Leandro/Bayfair, Union City, Mountain View, San Bruno/Tanforan, Daly City, Milpitas/Great Mall and Redwood City.
Feb. 15 special Dublin screening: Event producers Joi Rhone Presents is teaming up with City of Refuge (United Church of Christ) to offer a private advance screening of the movie for families at Regal Cinemas in Dublin. Details: Screening starts at 7 p.m. at 5000 Dublin Blvd. Tickets, $15, at www. eventbrite.com.
Feb. 15 special Peninsula screening: Stanford University’s African and African American Studies program, Black Community Services Center and Institute for Diversity in the Arts have reserved a theater for a private screening. Admission includes bus transportation to the Redwood City Downtown 20 theaters for those who need it. Details: Tickets, $5, at www.eventbrite. com. Buses leave at 8 p.m. from Tresidder Union; the movie starts at 9:30.
Thursday {N} Feb. 15 {n} special South Bay screening: The African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) and the Santa Clara Valley National Pan-Hellenic Council will host a private advance screening at the Cinelux Almaden Cinema, 2306 Almaden Road, San Jose. Details: Seating is limited for the 7:30 p.m. screening. Tickets, $15, at www.eventbrite.com. Children must be accompanied by adults. 408-292-3157.
Feb. 15 special Oakland screening: Black Laurel Films will host an 8 p.m. screening at the Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Lake Ave. Details: Very few tickets remain; you can try to snag one at this www. eventbrite.com link. General admission is $11; senior/child tickets are sold out. Email: director@blacklaurelfilms.com.
Feb. 17 Wakanda party. They’ll spin new pan-African music and serve Nigerian, Ethiopian and American barbecue at this event hosted by Oakland’s Wakanda and Third Space Media at the Red Bay Coffee Roastery and Bar Details: Party runs from 9 p.m. until after midnight at 3098 E. 10th St. Tickets, $10-$20, at www.eventbrite.com. Feb. 21-22 AARP screenings: AARP members can watch the movie for free. The American Association of Retired Persons is presenting two Bay Area screenings. At 7 p.m. Feb. 21 the movie will be shown at the AMC Eastridge theaters in San Jose. On Feb. 22 there will be a 7 p.m. showing at the Regal Cinemas at Jack London Square in Oakland. Tickets are going fast; to register for a seat, send an email to moviesforgrownups@aarp.org.
Feb. 24 Oakland fundraiser: Proceeds from a morning screening will benefit the Onyx Scholars Program, a program that prepares inner-city students for admission to the nation’s HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Co-hosted by the Citadel of Praise Baptist Church’s scholarship committee. Details: Tickets, $15, at www. onyxscholars.org. The screening will start at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Regal Cinemas at Jack London Square in Oakland.
Feb. 24 Berkeley discussion: The I’M POP group (Intelligent Minds Positive on Purpose) will hold a free discussion for students and families on “Afrofuturism: Who is Black Panther Now?” with Duane Deterville, a visual culture scholar. The 2 p.m. event at the Berkeley Public Library (2090 Kittredge St.) will be followed by a screening of the movie across the street at the California Theatre. Details: Seating is limited; to register, send an email to impopus@gmail.com.