Upcoming Activities & Events
Back to EventsDodgeville to host exciting weekend of Free Films
3/13/2010
A free weekend of fascinating film entertainment is on the agenda for area families in SW-WI, March 11 through 14, with the "Making It Home" Film Festival coming to the Dodge Theater in Dodgeville.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council, this no-charge rare opportunity features award-winning films from around the world, each taking a unique look at our earth home. Doors open one half hour before each film. All tickets are free on a first come, first serve basis. Discussions will follow most films.
"Upstream Battle" (Thurs., March 11, 6:30 p.m.) tells the inspiring story of Northwest native Americans who fight to save their historic salmon fishing rights by working within the system -- with officials, farmers and power company execs so that everyone learns how to compromise and win.
A double feature is offered on Friday night, March 12. "Garbage Dreams" (6 p.m.) tells the entrepreneurial story of slum kids in Cairo, Egypt whose social class ingeniously recycles almost every scrap of the city's garbage and supports their families doing it -- until a big high cost, high tech company tries to muscle them out. "Greening of Southie" (8 p.m.) is an amusing tale of the burly south Boston construction workers who built the area's first LEED certified building -- and the ironic hurdles they faced with a healthy dose of skepticism. Warning: they use some strong language.
At the Saturday matinee (Sat., March 13, 1 p.m.) Aldo Leopold's granddaughter, Madelyn Leopold, will introduce "America's Lost Landscape: The Tall Grass Prairie". Akin to chopping down all of California's redwoods, 240 million acres of the Midwest's tall grass prairie were destroyed in a single generation -- but now diehard folks are restoring remnants. The movie traces the history and its consequences.
Perfect for the whole family, "What's On Your Plate?" (Sat, 4 p.m.) follows the rollicking trail of two NYC pre-teens as they sleuth out the source of all their food -- and eventually decide they'd better take charge by learning how to eat local and healthy.
"Ghost Bird" (Sat., 7 p.m.) traces the story of the Arkansas town that was turned upside town with the alleged sighting of an ivory-billed woodpecker and the millions of dollars diverted to the futile search. The film then steps back in history to discover how Teddy Roosevelt tried to save this magnificent bird from extinction -- when there was still time.
"Finding Farley" (Sun matinee, March 14, 1 p.m.) recounts the adventures and misadventures of a couple who spent five months in a canoe paddling across Canada with their two-year-old and dog -- following in the path of noted Canadian author Farley Mowat and discovering spectacular scenery and truths along the way.
"Yes Men Fix the World" (Sun. 3 p.m) is a hilarious, tale of a pair of professional rabble rousers who use razor-sharp satire to expose corporate hypocrisy and power abuse around the globe that lock us into unsustainable lifestyles without our consent. Dow Chemical's Bhopal disaster and Exxon-Mobil's clean up efforts after Hurricane Katrina are in their sights. Some suggestive scenes make this film for adults only!
In between the Saturday films, participants are invited to the Dodgeville Library Saturday afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) where they will find free environmentally friendly activities especially for children and a photo exhibit for adults. Downstairs in the City Council Chamber will be a local foods tasting and exhibits of area organizations involved in protecting the earth.
Also on the weekend agenda is a Land Management Workshop from 8:30-11:30 AM at Folklore Village. Three sessions include: Grassland Birds, Groundwater and Geology of Southwest Wisconsin, and Prairie Restoration. Workshops are free but RSVPs are required. Contact Katie Abbott: 935-2791 x134.
The Making It Home Film Festival is proudly presented by the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with support from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Weekend sponsors include Dodge Theater, Dodgeville Chamber of Commerce, Folklore Village, UW Extension, Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area, Upland Garden Club, Pizza Hut, Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin, Sustain Iowa County, Dodgeville Veterinary Service, Linens & Accents, Master Gardeners, Blue Mounds Area Project and the Nature Conservancy. Visit the website for more details.
Link:
Making Wisconsin Home
