Okay you mugs, listen up! This is the President speaking…
The President … of the Al Jolson Fan Club of Toronto, Canada, which a classmate and I started in 1960. We loved the first talkie, The Jazz Singer, made in 1927, and we loved Al Jolson who starred in it, so we started a fan club for the long-dead (even then!) singer.
In you live in Napa Valley… or will be visiting July 15, here’s your chance to experience the first talkie film… under the stars!... with live musical accompaniment! The celluloid experience doesn’t get any better, or more real, than this.
In celebration of its centennial anniversary, our wonderful, charming, and historically important local Cameo Cinema, in St. Helena, is hosting a delightful evening of music and film at the Castello di Amorosa, in Calistoga, Sunday, July 15.
Highlights
Highlights of the evening, called “Jolson and Jazz Under the Stars,” include a screening of the film outdoors, along with live jazz performed by internationally acclaimed guitarist Martin Taylor and jazz vocalist Alison Burns.
FYI: Alison Burns was recently nominated a candidate for “Best Jazz Vocalist of the Year.” The award will be announced at the Scottish Jazz Awards later this month; Martin Taylor has already been awarded the prestigious “Order of the British Empire” by Queen Elizabeth.
Also on hand for the screening of the first talkie at Castello di Amorosa will be writer/filmmaker Cass Warner, granddaughter of Warner Bros. founder Harry Warner, who financed The Jazz Singer.
Cass will share family stories about the making of The Jazz Singer.
Hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served by Knickerbockers’ Catering and wine will be poured by Castello di Amorosa, Cade Winery, Rasmussen Winery, Consentino Winery, Coquerel Winery, Domain Chandon, Casa Nuestra, and Swanson Vineyards.
Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets, which are tax deductible, are $125 in advance and $150 at the door. All proceeds will benefit Cameo Cinema Community Programming.
Tickets may be purchased at the theater’s box office at 1340 Main St., in St. Helena, every day an hour before the day’s first show time, or online at cameocinema.com.
For further information, visit the website or call the Cameo box office at 707-287-4172.
See you at the movies! See you under the stars!
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