ABCD Members’ Newsletter 3rd December 2013
Latest news and reminders
FUNNY FACE (Dec 12th) with AUDREY HEPBURN AND FRED ASTAIRE
This is our final screening for 2013 and as usual we are making it a social event with refreshments, too. Here is the outline for the evening’s festivities:
- 7.10 doors open
- 7.15 nibbles and pre-film drink (see below)
- 7.45 film
- 9.30 post-film refreshments
We don’t have a drinks licence, so do please bring your own wine and beer etc. We will provide soft drinks, nibbles, cheeses, mince pies etc. After the film we will solicit contributions to cover the costs of these items – you decide how much to put in the hat. If you would like to bring sweet or savoury items, please tell us by early on the day so that we can adjust our shopping.
And, as ever, do bring a guest or two.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 28th NOVEMBER
Unfortunately, not all the committee vacancies could be filled, notably in the “other members” category. These – “not less than 5 nor more than 7” is the constitutional requirement – are the non-officers, which doesn’t mean they don’t do anything. As things stand, we have four such “lay members” as they are sometimes called, so there is scope for up to three more. The meeting agreed that the committee may co-opt if they can find volunteers. Anyone thinking about joining the committee might like to attend a few meetings to get a sense of what might be involved before committing themselves to a whole year. Why not talk to a current member to start the process?
SAMPLER SUB – 3 FILMS FOR £12.50 (£10.00 full-time students)
We have decided to offer this as a means of attracting additional members. From the prospective member’s point of view it’s a low risk way of finding out what ABCD is like, whilst getting some sense of the range of films we screen. We hope existing members will mention this offer to their friends or even see it as a solution to their Christmas present problems.
- the sampler sub is only available to individuals who have never attended an ABCD screening
- it gives admission specifically to the ABCD screenings on 09/01/14 (Caesar Must Die); 16/01/14 (Ginger and Rosa); and on 23/01/14 (Gazon Maudit).
Anyone taking out a sampler sub will then be able to join for the rest of the season (8 screenings up to and including 27th March) for £22.50 (full-time students £18). Please note that the two special events after 27th March will carry an admission charge – this applies to all members.
RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PHOENIX
You may recall (it’s on your membership card) that the arrangement whereby full and half-year ABCD members may purchase reduced price tickets at the Phoenix cinema in Walton Street expires on December 31st. We have not yet established whether the arrangement will be renewed, so please assume that it will not continue into 2014. We will of course let you know if it does.
NEXT SHORT FILM: MOMMA DON’T ALLOW – January 9
A celebrated 22 minute record of an evening at the Wood Green Jazz Club with Chris Barber’s Jazz Band and an audience of young men and women. It was made in 1955 by Lindsay Anderson and Karel Reisz, using (sparse) funds from the BFI Experimental Film Fund (budget: £425). Writing in the Sunday Times in February 1956, Dilys Powell wrote: “The players and the dancers, the couples weaving their hypnotic repeated figures, the excited onlookers an the tepid visitors – observed with unforced sympathy, the film is infectious with high spirits. I have seen it twice, and I like it more and more.”
To be followed by CAESAR MUST DIE (Cesare Deve Morire), as programmed.
Finally, the ABCD committee wishes you well over the festive season, even that you enjoy it, and looks forward to seeing you frequently in the new year.
The next members’ newsletter is planned for early to mid-January.