Editor’s note: Columns represent the opinions of the author.
Fellow admirers of the cinema, did you know that once a month, during school semesters, Augusta University offers first-rate movie screenings at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre at the Summerville campus? Well, it does, and not only are the films free to the public, but they are shown both in the afternoon and evening on third Thursdays for all to be able to attend. It’s a gift to the community and an opportunity to see indie films in a relaxed and comfortable venue.
The night was cold on Nov. 17 when my husband Dean and I settled down in our seats front and center at the theater. As long-time fans of the Cinema Series at AU, we got to the venue super early to ensure we had the best seats in the house for that night’s offering.
Matthew Buzzell, Associate Professor of Film, welcomed attendees and introduced the movie “Moonage Daydream” by Brett Morgen. Dean and I both grew up with the songs of David Bowie and over the years witnessed all of his many reinventions. We were delighted and spellbound by the imagery, the soundtrack and the words of the man himself. If you admire Bowie and haven’t seen “Moonage Daydream” yet, I highly recommend you take in the motion picture. For music fans, this cinematic offering is a must-see.
The next film to be shown at the Maxwell is “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” a documentary film by Laura Poitras focused on the career and activism of photographer Nan Goldin. This will be screened on Thursday, Jan.19, 2023. Show times for all movies at the Maxwell are 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. If you choose to attend the afternoon showing, be sure to download the Park Mobile app and pay for parking on campus when you get there. There is no parking fee to pay for the evening show.
And a little tip I learned is that to have the best and most comfortable viewing of a film at the Maxwell, grab a seat in one of the first three rows. We sat in the third row, and it was like sitting in front of a television at home.
The Maxwell Theatre has a seating capacity of 736 and hosts just over 200 events per year. It is located at 2500 Walton Way in Augusta, off Fleming Avenue and to the right as you drive into the main entrance of Augusta University. Parking is behind the building. Doors open about 15 minutes prior to show time, so arrive a little early to get the best seats.
Visit the Maxwell Theatre online here: https://www.augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre/.
If you choose to attend the afternoon screening, learn more about the Park Mobile app here: https://www.augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre/park-mobile.php.
The holidays are all about the fun, and there are several seasonal events happening across the area. On Sunday, Nov. 27, the Church of the Good Shepherd celebrates the coming holiday with a Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. The Aiken Visitor Center and Train Museum begins its Festival of Trees on Saturday, Dec. 2. This free event is open 9 a.m to 5 p.m. every Monday through Saturday in December right up to New Year’s Eve. Make plans to visit Evans on Sunday, Dec. 4 for the Columbia County Christmas Parade. The fun starts at 3:30 p.m.
Columnist Francie Klopotic can be found about the town attending concerts, arts exhibitions and almost any event highlighting Augusta’s cultural offerings
