Music, Movies & Magic

At Hardywood Park on Sunday, May 17, 2015, between noon and 6 p.m. the Bijou Film Center will present a springtime frolic -- "Music, Movies & Magic." The afternoon's variety show will offer live performances by three bands. Short comedy films will be shown between sets by the bands.

Admission to this benefit event will be free. The beer will be cold. For this occasion the nonprofit Bijou will receive a small percentage of Hardywood's take in beer sales. Stay thirsty.

Live Music by: 

• The Red Hot Lava Men are a surf-rock band that formed in 1997. They play righteous covers of classic surf guitar instrumentals from the late-'50s/early-'60s. Personnel: Mark Golden; John Gotschalk; Doyle Hull; Greg Weatherford.   
• The Happy Lucky Combo originated 10 years ago as a trio of local street musicians. Barry Bless, Pippin Barnett and Dave Yohe will be performing what STYLE Weekly's Chris Bopst says is, "timeless vaudevillian musical comedy." 
• Avers: Serendipitously, members of various bands with projects aplenty fell together a couple of years ago. Now Avers is seen as a noticeably talented six-piece rock band with a psychedelic flavor. Avers just knocked 'em dead at the South by Southwest Music festival (SXSW) in Austin. Tyler Williams, James Mason, James Lloyd Hodges, Alexandra Spalding, Adrian Olsen and Charlie Glenn are Avers. 

Classic silent films by breakthrough movie-making geniuses Charlie Chaplin  and Buster Keaton will be screened. Early on, Chaplin saw the making of films as akin to magic. Consequently, much like a magician he went to great lengths to keep his tricks/special effects a secret. Speaking of magicians, John Smallie, who is a familiar busker in Carytown, will also be working the room. Plus some raffles will be held; prizes will be awarded. 

Yes, admission is free but opportunities to contribute to the establishment of the Bijou Film Center will be easy to find at the event on May 17th. It promises to be a splendid party.