BACKSTAGE: Ratatouille is served,… for free

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: February 21, 2008

I would love to go see Van Halen or Cirque du Soleil or a host of other events scattered throughout this week’s playbill.

But there is that dollar issue.

A friend and I were talking the other day. What with all the big acts coming to town, the sporting events, the talents of local actors and musicians - it’s hard to stretch your entertainment buck.

Then, of course, I set out on my own mission to see as many Oscar nominees as I could before Sunday night’s Academy Awards show. I fell a “Juno” short of catching all five contenders for best film. But, shoot, a movie and popcorn will set you back a pretty penny.

Anyhow, the same abovementioned friend clued me in on a free event in town.

It seems a motivated group of students at Piedmont Virginia Community College has arranged for local folks to see some top-drawer films at no cost.

“We have some go-getter kids who got the funding to bring in these films,” said Beryl Solla, chair of the Visual Arts Department at PVCC.

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. the proud members of the college’s Student Art Club will be screening “Ratatouille” on the Main Stage of the V. Earl Dickinson Building.

Dinner is served.

Did I mention that the Disney film already has won a Grammy and a Golden Globe and is nominated for five Oscars- Remy the animated rat is no lightweight, and this film is just one that these PVCC kids have managed to snag.

“It’s money, baby,” Solla said with a laugh. “Anyone can rent these movies, if they can raise the money.”

That’s a switch. A venue shells out big bucks so we can be entertained for free.

But the club won’t be able to continue, unless we fill the seats. It shouldn’t be a hardship, and PVCC is definitely bringing in good movies.

“We have been showing one movie a month,” Solla said. “Last month it was ‘Gone Baby Gone.’ “

(Amy Ryan, by the way, is nominated for best actress for her role in “GBG.")

In March look for “No Country For Old Men,” while “Juno” is slated for April. Both are best film nominees.

“We have 500 unobstructed stadium seats and the sound is great,” Solla said. “We just need to fill the house to keep it going.”

Count me in.

And, thanks for the tip, Fast Kathy.

This just in

Add another act to your calendar.

Steve Earle will be performing a solo acoustic concert at the Paramount on April 15. He’s bringing along a special opening act - his wife, singer-songwriter Allison Moorer.

Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Feb. 29.

Call (800) 594-TIXX (8499) or visit http://www.starrhill.musictoday.com.

Hot off the email

We also got a neat note from Eli Cook.

“If the rain and ice on Friday has got you worried - guess what-” he wrote. “We are not playing until Saturday.”

You can catch our rockin’ blues singer at 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Saxx Jazz and Blues Lounge in Belmont.

“So," he added, “you can eat your dinner, take a nap, and still go out and rock with us.”

Stay tuned.