During the third week in September independent movie theaters all across America will be observing the third annual Art House Theater Day, which celebrates the art house theater and the cultural role it plays in a community. It is a day to recognize the year-round contributions of film and filmmakers, patrons, and staff, and the brick and mortar theaters that are passionately dedicated to providing access to the best cinematic experience.

Vicksburg’s Strand will be extending their celebration with three special programs over a four-day period ending on Art House Theater Day, Sunday, Sept. 23.

First, on Thursday, Sept. 20, the American debut in cinemas of London’s West End production of “An American in Paris” will be shown at the Strand at 7 p.m.. This breathtakingly beautiful Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical, inspired by the Oscar® winning MGM film, tells the impassioned story of discovering love in the ‘City of Light’. Featuring the gorgeous music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin, stunning designs, and show-stopping choreography. An American GI’s chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer leads Paris to become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war. Advance tickets for An American in Paris are $10 at Highway 61 Coffeehouse and online: https://aaipstrand.brownpapertickets.com/ and $12 at the door.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m., the Strand will present a free showing of the 1980 film, “The Blues Brothers” starring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. It’s free, so come early to get a good seat for the “Blues Brothers.”

Art House Theater Day will be celebrated at the Strand with a cast reunion and showing of the 2008 Mississippi made film, “Ballast” on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. Made in Canton and near Yazoo City, the film highlights the atmospheric fields of the Mississippi Delta. At the Sundance festival that year the film took two prestigious awards: for best dramatic directing and excellence in dramatic cinematography. 

We wanted to bring Ballast to Vicksburg for its 10-year anniversary. It not only won awards, but was critically praised. We think more people in Mississippi need to know about it and see it.  And meet some of the people who helped create it.

The screening will be followed by a conversation with Mississippi actors Tarra Riggs, Johnny McPhail, producer Nina Parikh and other members of the cast and crew of “Ballast.” The evening will conclude with dessert with the filmmakers, giving the audience an opportunity to socialize with the actors and others connected to the film.

Tickets for the “Ballast” screening and cast and crew reunion on Art House Theater Day will be $10 and are available at Highway 61 Coffeehouse.

Daniel Boone is film programmer of the Strand Theatre. For more information about Strand events, call 601-529-7252 or visit strandvicksburg.com.