Think Globally, Act Locally: An Inconvenient Truth @ MOCA

MOCA JACKSONVILLE OFFERS SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF AN INCONVIENT TRUTH WITH LOCAL CONNECTIONS

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville continues its film series “MOCA Summer Cinema” with a special presentation of the 2006 Academy Award winner for Documentary Feature An Inconvenient Truth on Wednesday evening, August 8 starting at 7 p.m. Following the presentation, a panel of environmental experts will be available for questions on related local issues for Florida.

A longtime advocate for the environment, former Vice-President Al Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. An Inconvenient Truth offers a passionate and inspirational look at one man's fervent crusade to draw attention to global warming and its dramatic effects on the environment. Interspersed with bracing evidence and future predictions is the story of Gore's personal journey: from an idealistic college student who first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young U.S. senator facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective; to the man who almost became president but instead returned to the most important cause of his life - convinced that there is still time to make a difference. With wit, smarts and hope, An Inconvenient Truth ultimately brings home Gore's persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue - rather, it is the biggest moral challenge facing our global civilization.

After the film, a panel of four local experts will answer questions relating the broad themes presented in the documentary to local issues of policy, conservation, and sustainability:

Berdell Knowles is director of government relations at JEA, following a 20+ year career with Gainesville Regional Utilities. Mr. Knowles’ responsibilities include monitoring and managing legislative and regulatory developments at the state and federal levels impacting JEA. Knowles is also founding president of the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, currently serving on its executive committee.

Jennifer McCharen is cofounder of the Jacksonville Carbon Neutral Initiative (JCNI), a local grassroots group working to stimulate public awareness and debate about global climate change. JCNI engages the public through education projects and working with the City of Jacksonville to encourage green initiatives.

Judy Landers is conservation coordinator with JEA, where she delivers programs that give JEA customers the tools and knowledge to help them use energy and water wisely. Ms. Landers has a BS in Environmental Science and Masters in Environmental Policy, and has worked in the government, non-profit and for-profit sectors, specializing in communications to promote behavior change.

Todd L. Sack, M.D., FACP was appointed to the Florida Energy Commission in 2006 and is a two-term member and chairperson of the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board. Additionally Dr. Sack is a member of the Florida Department of Health’s Community Environmental Health Advisory Board and a member of JEA’s Clean Power Advisory Board.

In 2006 An Inconvenient Truth received two Academy Awards, one for Documentary Feature and one for Original Song ("I Need to Wake Up," music and lyrics by Melissa Etheridge). Directed by Davis Guggenheim, USA; 93 minutes, color, in English (rated PG for mild thematic elements).

Admission to MOCA Summer Cinema is $6 for members/students, $8 for non-members. The MOCA Jacksonville box office opens at 6:00 p.m. Film starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. Seating is limited; please arrive early. For more information about the MOCA Summer Cinema, please visit on-line at www.mocajacksonville.org/events/film.

MOCA Jacksonville is funded in part by the City of Jacksonville; Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; The Florida Arts Council; National Endowment for the Arts; and through the generous support of our members.

Fried Eggs are Flying at MOCA

Tomorrow night is MOCA in the Middle and we have a great film and special guest for our film series. When Fried Eggs Fly gets its big screen Jacksonville premiere Wednesday night. This is a funny, inspiring, upbeat film highlighting the impact of arts in education. This is a full-length feature documentary of a NYC public school’s arts project created by music teacher Bruce Mack. Using his skills as a teacher, he took on a challenge that few others could: he made a commitment to get 162 eight-year-olds to compose, perform and record original music with their parents. And he did it. Throughout the process, Mack fights the same battle everyday that teachers fight everywhere – boredom, apathy, and lack of confidence while teaching the most elusive of skills – self-discipline and self-esteem.

Bruce Mack will be here for a Q&A after the film and returns on Friday for an encore performance and Q&A at 1pm.

Wednesday night's film starts at 7:00pm. So come early and have dinner or drinks or BOTH before the film.

Summer Cinema at MOCA

How does everyone feel about our summer film series? We have it on Wednesdays because of our Target Free Wednesday Night and partly because of ArtWalk. The Museum is already open late so it is a good fit. Also, movie goers can come early and see the gallery space for free courtesy of Target. Is 7:00pm a good start time? Has the movie selection been interesting? Is there something that you would rather see? How can we sell out EVERY week? Do you like the new Q&A on the second Wednesday? If so, what else would you like to see that night? Does anyone have a lead on a dynamite special guest? We are still working on our last Q&A for the summer. The movie is An Inconvenient Truth.

And now for my shameless plug. This week is Iron Giant. As David Edelstein put this week on Sunday Morning, it is "a sci-fi movie, set in the fifties, about a kid who befriends a colossal robot from space that the government wants to destroy. In its sense of wonder, "The Iron Giant" is worthy of comparison with Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. Spielberg influenced (writer/director Brad) Bird in all the right ways, like the way characters seize the foreground: Even in 2-D, they pop out." The Iron Giant is based upon the 1968 story, Iron Man, by the British poet laureate Ted Hughes. Bird's newest movie, Ratatouille opens this weekend so come out to MOCA Jacksonville this Wednesday for MOCA in the Middle and get your magic started. And if a movie isn't your thing, don't miss tonight's musical guests… The Bath Party. Grab a drink and enjoy the great music in the Atrium. Or better yet, come for early for happy hour. Listen to the great music. Have some drinks. Get dinner at Café Nola AND then take in the movie… a perfect evening to give you a break to your busy work week.

MOCA in the Middle: Cocaine Angel with Q&A

Wednesday night, MOCA Jacksonville launches MOCA in the Middle. We are trying something new. Imagine that! Here's the scoop. Everyone could probably use a break in the middle of the week so we have decided to host a little happy hour. And to make the happy hour a little happier, we have Shawn Lightfoot on Guitar in the Atrium from 5 – 7 pm. and free makeovers in our lobby courtesy of Daniel James Salon for those of you having a tough week. And to top it all off we are launching Wednesday Night Dinner at Café Nola.

But the biggest news comes from our Summer Film Series. Through the end of the summer we are planning a little something extra on second Wednesday for our film series. We have Q&As with special guests.

In June, Cocaine Angel captures a grinding and tragic week (day?) in the life of a weary young drug addict who is clinging to the remnants of his once hopeful existence amidst the stink, the sweat, and unforgiving heat of Jacksonville, Florida. This film sold out at the film festival last year… twice. And we will have writer/producer/star Damian Lahey in the Museum for a Q&A after the film.

The film starts at 7:00pm. So come early and have dinner or drinks or BOTH before the film.