Brown Paper Tickets uses cookies to provide the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

How Silver Bullet Productions Empowers New Mexico Tribal Youth

SilverBulletProductions-BPTGivingProgram“We create award-winning documentaries that expose esoteric topics, shatter stereotypes and expand cultural preservation,” – Silver Bullet Productions

Brown Paper Tickets is delighted to highlight Silver Bullet Productions, the most recent recipient of our Giving Program donation. Our $500 donation will go directly to purchasing two film equipment packages for New Mexico rural and tribal student workshops. After the workshops are complete, the tools will stay, so the group of young filmmakers can continue to make media on important community subjects.

In addition to making beautiful, topical films, we were also impressed with Silver Bullet Productions’ model. Truly a labor of love and mentor-ship, the entire operation is 100% volunteer run. Pamela Pierce, the CEO and President shared that the board, advisers, and workshop leaders are all dedicated to the mission of empowering youth to use film as a creative storytelling mechanism.

 Film Trailer

Excerpt from “A Thousand Voices” written by Maura Dhu Studi and directed by David Aubrey. View the full trailer here.

“SBP engages students and community members in an educational workshop or the creation of a film relevant to the geographic, cultural or historic vision of that community. The impact is educational change, historical awareness and preservation of culture,” notes Silver Bullet Productions.

We’re excited to see what they put out next and encourage you to check out some of their documentaries. Donate here to support their beautiful work.

Who should we donate to next? Nominate an amazing organization for a Brown Paper Tickets’ Giving Program donation.

Good Causes >

Q&A with Sophie Gergaud, Co-Founder of Festival Ciné Alter’Natif

Created in Nantes in 2009, the Festival Ciné Alter’Natif fights stereotypes pertaining to Native Americans by only screening films made or produced by Native American filmmakers. The festival has grown over the years and screenings take place in three different cities: Nantes, Paris and La Turballe.

The 2017 edition celebrates music. Reserve tickets for the opening event (Oct. 5), the premiere of the film Rumble or the closing Alvin Youngblood concert.

I met with Sophie Gergaud, artistic director and co-founder of the festival to find out more about the festival, its origins and what’s to come.

What triggered your interest for Native American filmmakers and their productions?

S.G.: I’ve always been passionate about Native American culture. I discovered documentary film making during my studies in ethnology. I went to the United States where I met several Native American filmmakers and realized that they produced a lot of films. But it was hard for them to find distribution in the United States or Canada. I wanted to do something for them in France. I had been a devoted spectator at the Cinéma Concorde (in Nantes) and I mentioned the idea to its director. I also met Sophie Vaillant (co-founder of the festival) at the Concorde. That’s how it got started.

Your festival is solely dedicated to films made on the American continent?

S.G.: Yes, at first we only screened Native American movies. Our team is so small and there are so many films to see that it seemed like a gigantic task. This year, the main theme is music and I really wanted to screen a movie from Greenland I had seen a couple years ago in Toronto. It is called: Sumé, le son de la révolution. So for the very first time, we will screen a production from outside the American continent. And I think this is something that will stick in the future because it is a bit frustrating to limit ourselves to films produced on the American continent. The idea will be to have a majority of Native American movies, while opening a window for productions from elsewhere. In the past 10 years, there has been an enormous amount of films in any format (short, medium and long features) produced by natives from all over the world: Australia, Finland, Norway, even Russia.

Can you tell us more about the 2017 edition…

S.G.: Two main themes have emerged this year. The first theme is music. I had been waiting for a few years for the movie Rumble to be finished. I know this film quite well because I have been involved in its making. So every time I watched movies related to music, I added them to my list so I could screen them the same year as Rumble. That’s how that musical theme emerged. The other theme explores our behavior and politics in Europe and their impact on the native lifestyles and or livelihood. For instance, the movie Inuk en colère shows in a dispassionate manner how environmental politics prohibiting seal hunting, and which seem totally justify in our eyes, have had an enormous impact on the lifestyle of Inuit hunters. After they had already suffered from colonization and mandatory settlements. This is a strong movie that challenges us directly and invites us to think.

The movie Rise is about the construction of the pipeline on the Standing Rock reservation. We could think: that’s far away and does not really concern us, but actually many banks, including French banks have invested money in the construction of the pipeline. So there again, our money and consumption modes have a concrete impact on the way of life of Native Americans. Everything is connected and we have to think about our actions. Even if our ideals might have some commonalities with those of Native Americans, on a day-to-day basis, our actions lead to different results.

Rumble will premier in France on October 5. What has been your role with the movie?

S.G.: I know the production team and was very involved early on. It all started with an idea from the musician Stevie Salas who initially contacted the production team. They consulted with me as an ethnologist. Catherine Bainbridge, the filmmaker, wanted to hire native collaborators from the get-go. It took four years to make the movie. It takes place all over the States and portraits 10 famous musicians from Seattle to the Mississippi Delta. I also had to conduct some research at the INA (Audiovisual National Institute) in Paris: some Native American musicians were totally looked down in their own country until they went to Europe where they became famous. We wanted to find footage for that. I also helped story edit the film, which was not an easy task as we had to present 10 stories and 10 different music styles.

Despite all their differences, is there a common message emanating from Native people worldwide?

S.G: Native people face completely different realities all over the planet, but they are all guided by the will to reclaim their right to self-determination and to make their voices heard. Why do we make a difference between movies made by Natives or movies made about Natives? A movie about Natives, as good as it might be, still retains the voice of an outsider, even if that person is close to their characters. It remains an outsider look. Even though we do need such viewpoints overall, the distribution is a lot more restricted for movies made by Natives. We have to listen to them, in their own terms. Let them choose their topics and their modes of expression. Give them the same freedom of speech and audience as enjoyed by non-Native filmmakers.

Film >

7 Seriously Cool Winter Festivals to Attend

Movement Arts Festival Sure, summer has a well-earned reputation as “festival season,” but winter is an excellent time to gear up and go out. Tickets tend to be cheaper, crowds aren’t as sweaty, and nothing chases away post-holiday winter doldrums like live events. Plus, cocoa.

1. San Francisco Movement Arts Festival

It’s back, it’s bigger and features new work and an additional venue. This year, the Movement Arts Festival takes place at the Cathedral St. Mary of the Assumption on January 13 and at the Grace Cathedral on January 20. Stations will feature movement choirs, spoken word, chanting and of course, dance.

Why we picked it: Instead of a traditional arts festival where all attendees watch the same performance, SMAF is farmer’s-market style. Visitors walk around at their leisure to catch the various performances. The festival’s unique format lends the opportunity for audience members to connect to (and be moved by) movement arts. How often, in this rapid-paced world, do we get to experience dance and theater in our own way, at our own pace? Get tickets for both events or one.

2. Winterfest Theater Competition

Get out of your sit-at-home Netflix snooze fest and see live theater. Held at the Hudson Guild Theater, Winterfest in New York caters to nascent playwrights, actors, and producers and offers a buffet of indie theater, along with a dose of friendly competition. Buy tickets for one or all of the performances.

Why we picked it: Part festival, part theater competition, Winterfest gives away prize money to best play, best actor/actress, best musical score, and so on. Plus, there’s certain magic to catching independent New York productions while snow swirls outside.

3. Stately City Psychic Fair

It will be cold, it will be very cold (ahem…. Buffalo, NY in Feb). But who cares? The $5 fair includes a chance to get up-close with well-recognized psychic mediums and talk to vendors. (Private readings are available at an additional cost.)

Why we picked it: It’s a psychic fest, early in 2017, ideal timing for those who want a look into the year ahead.

4.Chandler International Film Festival

The Chandler International Film Festival offers a year-round award competition and an annual festival featuring over 100 “unique, creative, and diverse” international films. The goal of CIFF is to “support creative, emerging filmmakers from all over the world and their projects.”

Why we picked it: Arizona isn’t exactly winter wonderland, but January is the ideal time to get a healthy dose of sunshine and see as many movies as you can stuff into a weekend.

5. Fort Bragg Whale Festival

Chow down on chowder, sip wines and microbrews, watch waves roll in on the California coast. During the whale festival, chefs will have “a chowder off” where the crowd gets to vote on best chowder.

Why we picked it: Winter at the beach is woefully underrated.

6. Frostival

When cold weather strikes, rather than shutting inside; bundle up and get out there. That’s what Fargo, ND decided to do with the Frostival, a two-day festival with all kinds of winter activities, including sleigh rides, a snowman toss, snowga and competitive, cold-weather tournaments, such as snow volleyball.

Why we picked it: We admire the spirit of this whole thing. If you can’t beat frosty weather, play in it.

7. Belgian Fest

Rain, rain won’t go away, for another two months in Seattle. How to deal with the gray days? Beer is best and those who prefer Belgian brews should head to this fest, which highlights over 100 beers crafted by Washington breweries. There will be Tripels, Dubbels, Saisons, Wits, Abbeys and Lambics; all beers brewed with Belgian yeast.

Why we picked it: Beer.

Photo credit. Dancer: Ms. Lucy Chen
Video/photo: 2nd20 Productions

Arts >

Artist Ticket Picks: Glen Miller Orchestra, Thin Lizzy and More

glenn_miller_orchest_67d7fd-1Friday, March 28 I Whiteside Theatre presents The World Famous Glenn Miller OrchestraCorvalis, Oregon

The Glenn Miller Orchestra has always been very musical, disciplined, and visually entertaining.  And it has its own distinctive “sound.” That sound is created by the clarinet holding the melodic line, doubled or coupled with the tenor sax playing the same notes; and the harmonies produced by three other saxophones, while growling trombones and wailing trumpets add their oo-ahs.

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra made a big impact right before and during the war. It had more hit records in one year than anybody in the history of the recording industry. In fact, its recording of “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” earned the first Gold Record ever awarded to a performing artist.

Back in the days of the big band era of the forties, any dance band “worth its salt” had a distinctive theme song. It was the musical signature with which they signed on and signed off at their engagements and radio broadcasts. The theme of Glenn Miller and His Orchestra was the beautiful “Moonlight Serenade”, and it is still the signature tune of the Glenn Miller Orchestra today.
Read More…

Arts >

Artist Ticket Picks: A Sinful Tour of Portland, Dance in Ann Arbor, Musical Legend Linda Perhacs and more.

marys-club-225x300Welcome to this week’s Artist Ticket Picks! The Artist Ticket program gives our customers a way to donate to causes that we care about.

If you’re an event producer, you can allow your ticket buyers to purchase limited-edition tickets printed with original artwork in your event settings. The ticket buyer will pay a small, additional charge of $0.25 and receive a limited edition, collectible ticket imprinted with original artwork. The current charity of our choosing will receive 100% of the additional charge. Physical tickets must be enabled on the event.

If you’re a ticket buyer, you can check to see if the limited edition ticket is available to you at the beginning of the ticket checkout process or by visiting the Artist Ticket page. You receive a small piece of collectible art and support a valuable cause just by checking the box in the Artist Ticket widget when you’re purchasing your tickets!

See a full list of events carrying the tickets on the Artist Ticket page, as well as find out more about the beneficiary for the current run of Artist Tickets.

So, without further ado, here are this week’s Artist Ticket picks:

Saturday, March 15 I Portland Sinful Walking Tour: Shanghaiers, Saloons & SkullduggeryPortland, Oregon

As a nexus for labor and shipping in the Pacific Northwest, Portland often had the repute of a rugged, rough and tumble town, more than willing to allow the miners, loggers, and fishermen an opportunity to part with their hard earned cash in whatever debaucherous manner they chose. In addition to the shanghaiers and con men, always on the prowl, saloons, gambling halls and bordellos also thrived in “Whitechapel,” “The North End,” or Old Town, as we know it today. Some of these storied establishments have come and gone, but others have survived, and many say that Portland, or “Strip City,” still has that vulgar and rugged reputation to this day.

Join Historian Doug Kenck-Crispin as he visits locations of famous saloons, bars and bordellos, card rooms and gambling dens, some of which are still in operation today! The tour will meet at Thirsty Lion Pub (71 SW 2nd Ave.). Feel free to stop by early for a pint and grub! Walk-ups are always welcome! The tour will “end” outside of Mary’s Club, one of Portland’s most hallowed strip clubs*. At the conclusion of the tour, you can join Doug inside for an adult beverage!

*This tour is best suited for those 21+
Read More…

Arts >

Artist Ticket Picks: Getting Back to Abnormal, Roxy Music, Body Painting and more.

getting_back_to_abnormalWelcome to this week’s Artist Ticket Picks! The Artist Ticket program gives our customers a way to donate to causes that we care about.

If you’re an event producer, you can allow your ticket buyers to purchase limited-edition tickets printed with original artwork in your event settings. The ticket buyer will pay a small, additional charge of $0.25 and receive a limited edition, collectible ticket imprinted with original artwork. The current charity of our choosing will receive 100% of the additional charge. Physical tickets must be enabled on the event.

If you’re a ticket buyer, you can check to see if the limited edition ticket is available to you at the beginning of the ticket checkout process or by visiting the Artist Ticket page. You receive a small piece of collectible art and support a valuable cause just by checking the box in the Artist Ticket widget when you’re purchasing your tickets!

See a full list of events carrying the tickets on the Artist Ticket page, as well as find out more about the beneficiary for the current run of Artist Tickets.

So, without further ado, here are this week’s Artist Ticket picks:

Sunday, February 3 I Getting Back to AbnormalSeattle, Washington

New Orleans’ long history of political dysfunction gets a new lease on life when Stacy Head, a polarizing white woman, wins a seat on the city council after Katrina. Four years later, she needs to get black votes to be re-elected. Getting Back to Abnormal follows the odd couple of Head and her irrepressible political advisor, Barbara Lacen-Keller, as they try to navigate New Orleans’ complicated political scene. Featuring provocative commentary from New Orleans cultural figures like David Simon (Treme, The Wire).

** WARNING! This trailer contains language that may be offensive to some viewers. **


Read More…

Arts >

The Pronto Podcast — Brown Paper Tickets’ Event Guide for Seattle

BPT_buttonWelcome to The Pronto! Brown Paper Ticket’s event guide for Seattle.

Tune in every Tuesday to check out a few of our favorite events in the Emerald City! You can check back to the blog every Tuesday at 10am or hit “subscribe” on the player and get each week’s Pronto delivered right to your computer.

Have a friend that’s visiting Seattle this week? Why not share this podcast with them and give them ideas of something to do? 

This week’s podcast features a writing workshop, a make-up class, a lingerie fashion show, break dancing and more.

Writer Bill Ransom speaks at Nuts & Bolts: Improve Your Writing 50% in One Hour at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture. This class focuses on poetry, fiction and dialogue. Tonight, Tuesday, February 4.

In Atomic Cosmetics’ Pinup Make-up Class on Capitol Hill, learn how to draw an all-star cat eye, perfect your pout and create that beautiful vintage look. Sunday, February 9 at Jen’s House of Beauty on Capitol Hill.

It’s really nowhere near Halloween but you still might want to head over to Re-Bar on Wednesday February 5, and Thursday, February 6, for Thriller: A Burlesque Horror Story based on Michael Jackson’s epic album. The King of Pop and burlesque. Anything goes!

If you’re a Lou Reed fan you definitely want to make your way to Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill on Thursday, February 6, for Music Craft: Lou Reed. This film showcases rare footage of Lou Reed moments, rock outs and makeovers.

On Saturday, February 8, it’s all about the 6th Annual Red Dress Party at Fremont Studios. This fundraiser is designed to raise money to help people living with HIV/ AIDS. And yes, a red dress is required.

Who doesn’t like lingerie? Get an eyeful at Neighbors’ Lingerie Fashion Show on Saturday, February 8. Featured lines include Twala Intimates, Love Letters Lingerie, Backpack Girl Lingerie and more.

Saturday, February 8, at Phinney Neighborhood Center it’s the Lunar New Year Celebration at Ridge Romp. This exciting show features music, lion dancers, drummers, marital arts and more.

The Northwest Royale goes down at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute on Saturday, February 8. Watch internationally known break dancers go nuts on the dance floor. Amazing moves. Amazing music.

Not into breakdancing, vintage make-up and lingerie? Not a big deal. We have tons of amazing theater events coming up this week.  Here are just a few of our favorites.
Read More…

Arts >

The Pronto Podcast — Brown Paper Tickets’ Event Guide for Seattle

BPT_buttonWelcome to The Pronto! Brown Paper Ticket’s event guide for Seattle.

Tune in every Tuesday to check out a few of our favorite events in the Emerald City! You can check back to the blog every Tuesday at 10am or hit “subscribe” on the player and get each week’s Pronto delivered right to your computer.

Have a friend that’s visiting Seattle this week? Why not share this podcast with them and give them ideas of something to do? 

This week’s podcast features local comedy, a masquerade party, a drag brunch and tons of great film screenings.

Want to know the nitty gritty legal aspect when working with art dealers and galleries? Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 29, at Safeco Plaza is the place to be for Gallery Law. Sponsored by Washington Lawyers for the Arts.

Thursday, January 30, head over to the Jewelbox Theater in Belltown for Now with Dames Presents: 66% New Dames. This local sketch comedy troupe keep it fun with plenty of feminine influence.

Head down to Georgetown on Thursday, January 30, for Snowball 2014 at Seattle Design Center. This sixth annual silent auction and dinner benefits the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Splinter Dance Company is a group of dancers who are coming together for An Art of Justice Performance at Seattle University.  This one is all about community awareness of critical social issues. Thursday, January 30.

Friday, January 31, head over to the Lake City Community Center for Chinese New Year Celebration and Lion Dance. Martial arts, tai chi, acupuncture and the lion dance. Not your average Friday night.

Masquerade Waltz 2014 happens at the Century Ballroom on Friday, January 31. It’s a passionate night of waltz, swing, foxtrot and tango. Details on the site.

When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me happens at the Broadway Performance Hall on Capitol Hill on Friday, January 31, and Saturday, February 1. Check out the tunes of Diverse Harmony, the nation’s first gay and straight alliance youth chorus.

On Sunday, February 2, and pretty much every other Sunday, head over to Julia’s on Capitol Hill for the Queen of the Brunch Drag Show. Eat an omelette and watch the show.
Read More…

Arts >

Artist Ticket Picks: A Roller Skating Party in San Diego, A Sinful Tour of Portland and more!

314458-250Welcome to this week’s Artist Ticket Picks! The Artist Ticket program gives our customers a way to donate to causes that we care about.

If you’re an event producer, you can allow your ticket buyers to purchase limited-edition tickets printed with original artwork in your event settings. The ticket buyer will pay a small, additional charge of $0.25 and receive a limited edition, collectible ticket imprinted with original artwork. The current charity of our choosing will receive 100% of the additional charge. Physical tickets must be enabled on the event.

If you’re a ticket buyer, you can check to see if the limited edition ticket is available to you at the beginning of the ticket checkout process or by visiting the Artist Ticket page. You receive a small piece of collectible art and support a valuable cause just by checking the box in the Artist Ticket widget when you’re purchasing your tickets!

See a full list of events carrying the tickets on the Artist Ticket page, as well as find out more about the beneficiary for the current run of Artist Tickets.

So, without further ado, here are this week’s Artist Ticket picks:

Sunday, February 9 I Roll’n’LoveSan Diego, California

Burners are taking over Skate World & fundraising for C.O.R.E.! (Circle of Regional Effigies). Admission includes skate rental and two raffle tickets. Tunes will be provided by DJs Lee Reynold and KnottyBoy (BOOGIE/Liquid). Circus entertainment provided by Cirque Quirk & Zephyrus Circus Arts.

Your raffle tickets qualify you for The Gambler’s Raffle. Here’s how to play:

1.) Locate the C.O.R.E table next to the DJ booth.
2.) Choose which prizes you’d like to win.
*Each prize will have a clear, glass jar so that you can SEE how many tickets OTHER players have put down on that item.
3.) Hedge your bets to win your raffle prize of choice!

There will also be a roller hooping contest, a photo booth and face painting by Bri.

_______________________________________________

Thursday, February 13 I Oly Old Time FestivalOlympia, Washington319199-250

Oly Old-Time Fest is coming! Come on down and enjoy a long weekend of jamming, dancing, learning, and breaking rule #1 1930’s style. There will be two dances, a concert, workshops, and lots o’jammin’!! Advanced purchase get you a ticket to the Thursday night dance, Friday night concert and Saturday night dance!

This year, will again be at The Olympia Ballroom inside the Urban Onion Building. There will also be additional workshop space at The First Christian Church, just a couple of blocks away.
Read More…

Film >

Artist Ticket Picks: Doktor Dolittle, Blackheart Romance, Chastity Belt and more!

lotte_reiniger_doctor_dolittleWelcome to this week’s Artist Ticket Picks! The Artist Ticket program gives our customers a way to donate to causes that we care about.

If you’re an event producer, you can allow your ticket buyers to purchase limited-edition tickets printed with original artwork in your event settings. The ticket buyer will pay a small, additional charge of $0.25 and receive a limited edition, collectible ticket imprinted with original artwork. The current charity of our choosing will receive 100% of the additional charge. Physical tickets must be enabled on the event.

If you’re a ticket buyer, you can check to see if the limited edition ticket is available to you at the beginning of the ticket checkout process or by visiting the Artist Ticket page. You receive a small piece of collectible art and support a valuable cause just by checking the box in the Artist Ticket widget when you’re purchasing your tickets!

See a full list of events carrying the tickets on the Artist Ticket page, as well as find out more about the beneficiary for the current run of Artist Tickets.

So, without further ado, here are this week’s Artist Ticket picks:

DVD_Dolittle_800Thursday, January 23 and Saturday, February, 1 I Do the Doktor DolittleSeattle, Washington

Long before Eddie Murphy or Rex Harrison appeared in the role on the big screen, Lotte Reiniger, a 29-year-old German animator, created the first feature film about Doctor Dolittle and his thrilling journey to Africa.

Reinger’s film, made near the end of the silent film era, is a masterpiece of intricate silhouette-animation techniques that weaves a magical tale of talking animals and the benevolent doctor who understands what they say.  We have commissioned Seattle musicians and composers Miles and Karina (Dave Keenan and Nova Devonie) to compose and perform a new score for the film, featuring guitar, violin, accordion, banjo and other instruments. To sweeten the deal, they’ve also scored three more short films created by Reiniger: her haunting 1922 version of Sleeping Beauty, and two other exquisite short films created as advertisements for, of all things, Nivea Creme and the British postal service. Special thanks to Allison Das, translator.

Program:
Dornröschen (Sleeping Beauty, 1922, 9 min)
Das Geheimnis der Marquise (1920, 2 min)
Doktor Dolittle (Reels 1 & 3, 1928, 22 min)
The Tocher (1937, 5 min)


Read More…

Film >