The unfortunate turn in the weather has put an unfortunate crimp in our weekend outdoor plans. The clubs will remain in the garage for yet another weekend. You'd best rethink that canoe trip. Any long walks in the countryside are apt to be wet and messy affairs. Fortunately, the weekend's preeminent activity, the Wisconsin Film Festival, is a predominantly indoor affair. With 182 films showing at 10 venues over four days (April 12-15), one can be snug as a bug the entire weekend and not be concerned about missing the glories of spring. We're still in the harsh reality mode of weather as a character-building exercise.
There will be some need to brave the elements. Ticketholders are asked to be on hand 15 minutes before the show. This implies some standing in line. Additionally, a number of rush tickets have been held back for every show and will be sold at the door - another reason to get in line early. And then, any seats that are unfilled at show time will be sold to those - you got it - waiting in line.
Isthmus and some of our co-sponsors will be helping those queued up at the Orpheum and Stage Door theaters. On Friday and Saturday we'll be providing a beverage service. With the help of Steep 'n' Brew, Community Car, Homer the Lion from Home Savings Bank and Kessler's Diamonds, we'll keep the hot brew coming as long as folks are in line those two nights.
Just in case you didn't hold on to the film festival program we provided four weeks ago, there's a two-page spread (pages 26-27, back near Movie Times) that gives you the highlights of the schedule in concise form. And even in concise form, there is a lot to choose from. Want some help in deciding?
Enter Kent Williams, Isthmus critic extraordinaire. He will help you decide, or at least give you a cross-section of the vast range of film experience this festival presents. In our arts feature this week, Williams picks some films that have piqued his interest. Though no cinephile he, says he, he sure has a healthy appetite for movies, which works out to your advantage. Unless you are a cinephobe.
If that should be the case, never fear, there are plenty of other things going on in Madison this weekend. Of course, we have them listed for you in The Guide, both in the paper and online. So no, it's not going to be very nice out this weekend, but that doesn't mean you have to sit at home and mope. Hey, you live in Wisconsin! You're tough!
