Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN, Hendrix College host Community Cinema; features free advance screening of 'For Once in My Life'
Posted 11 Jan 2011
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) and Hendrix College invite the public to a free screening of For Once in My Life as part of Community Cinema Thursday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Murphy Building on Hendrixs campus in Conway.
The film, directed by Mark Moormann and produced by Jim Bigham, explores the struggles and triumphs, and the healing power of music, as the bands members unique talents are nurtured to challenge the worlds perceptions.
For Once in My Life, features 28 members of the Spirit of Goodwill Band, all living with varying degrees of physical and mental challenges. The pianist, Christian, is blind and autistic; lead singer Terry never fully recovered from being dropped by his father when he was 14 months old; and drummer Sams development was stunted by his mother's efforts to hide her pregnancy. With the enthusiastic encouragement of Dennis Pastrana, president and CEO of Goodwill South Florida, and their dedicated music director, Javier Peña, the members of the Goodwill Band have grown from one piano into an orchestra with voice, percussion, keyboards, and a brass section.
The film follows the Spirit of the Goodwill as they prepare for the U.S. Mayors Convention that will feature an audience of over 1,000 and highlights the arduous process that becomes a test of patience, compassion and faith.
The screening will be held in the Murphy Building, located on the Hendrix campus at the corner of Washington Avenue and Winfield Street in Conway. Refreshments will be provided, and parking is available in lots adjacent to Bailey Library. For more information, call AETN at 800-662-2386, or visit www.aetn.org/engage.
A community discussion will be held following the screening. For Once in My Life will air Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. on AETN-3 PLUS/World and Sunday, Feb. 6, at 11 p.m. on AETN-1.
Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series engaging communities through film produced by the Independent Television Service (ITVS), features monthly screenings followed by panel discussions with leading organizations, local communities and special guest speakers. The program is designed to help people learn about and get involved in the social issues raised in the documentaries.
Hendrix, founded in 1876, is a selective, residential, undergraduate liberal arts college emphasizing experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college is featured in the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review as one of the countrys best 371 colleges, was identified as the nations top Up and Coming liberal arts college for 2010 by U.S. News and World Report, and is ranked among 44 Best Buy colleges by the 2010 Fiske Guide to Colleges. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansass statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).