‘Metropolis’ to highlight Arts & the Park
Saturday’s screening of the 1927 silent film “Metropolis,” with live musical accompaniment by northwest Arkansas’ The Shadow Ensemble, will be one of the highlights of the opening weekend of Hot Springs’ 10 Day Arts & the Park festival, a festival spokeswoman said Friday.
“The film will be memorable, but its screening location is what will truly make it even more special — the lawn on the site where the Majestic Hotel once stood,” Mary Neilson said in a news release.
“This will be the first public event held at that location since the historic hotel burned in 2014,” Neilson said.
“The lawn will be opened to the public at 7:30 p.m. and the film will begin at dark,” she said.
The public is welcome to attend the free event, but should bring lawn chairs or blankets, their own refreshments, a flash- light and insect repellent, she said. The event is sponsored by Arvest Bank through partnership with the city of Hot Springs and Visit Hot Springs.
“Metropolis” is a German expressionist science-fiction drama directed by Fritz Lang, the release said.
“It is widely regarded as a pioneering work of the science fiction genre. It is set in a futuristic urban dystopia and follows the attempts of Freder, the wealthy son of the city’s ruler, and Maria, a poor worker, to overcome the vast gulf separating the classes of their city,” it said.
Established in 2015, The Shadow Ensemble seeks to recreate the textures, sounds and ambience of early silent film scores using a combination of acoustic instruments, vintage electronic hardware and a variety of sonic novelties, the release said.
“Specializing in early horror, suspense and science fiction, The Shadow Ensemble’s performances find inspiration in the improvisational works of early silent film organists. Led by conductor and violinist Ryan Cockerham, the ensemble creates their original scores in real-time, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind performances that serve as direct, organic responses to the films themselves. Dabbling in both convention and experimentation, The Shadow Ensemble’s scores are a blend of ‘old’ and ‘new,’ creating a compelling, constantly evolving sound world,” the release said.
A number of other festival events are planned for the opening weekend. More than
60 events are scheduled for the
10-day festival.
The festival begins with a launch party at the festival’s presenting sponsor, Mountain Valley Spring Water’s building at 150 Central Ave. on Friday. That location will also serve as the hub for the organization and Arts & The Park Pop Up Gallery for guest artist Kevin Kresse’s work during the festival.
Twenty-two artists are participating in Studio Tours, an opportunity offered free of charge for visitors to visit the artists to get a glimpse inside their creative space and have a chance to visit with them at any time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to the release.
Other events sponsored by community partners include a Farm to Table Taco Party at 5 p.m. Saturday and a special Variety Concert by the Muses Creative Artistry Project at 5 p.m. Sunday.