Wholesome Family Time under the Stars: Live Jazz and Movie brightens the night in Carson City
The favored Jazz player Ray Brown once said, "Jazz is something you have to feel, something you have to live."
During the family movie night at Mills Park on Friday, the audience experienced jazz music and the animated Pixar movie Soul, whose main character Joe Gardner is a school jazz instructor. The movie tells a story about Joe's passion for jazz and how music can carry life to one's soul.
Carson City Classic Cinema partnered with Garrett Lepire and Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space to host their annual summer family night, including live jazz music from David and Friends.
David and Friends is a part of a seventeen-piece band, the Mile High Jazz Band, established in 2001, led by David Bugli.
"Music is important; it kept people going during the pandemic, and it's a significant part of education for the kids," said Elinor Bugli, David Bugli's wife.
"Growing up in Carson City, I was frustrated that there wasn't much to do here," said Rhonda Abend, founder and director of Carson City Classic Cinema.
Rhonda wanted to create a space for families to come out, enjoy, and grow creatively together.
Carson City Classic Cinema has been putting on Family Movie Night and activities for wholesome family fun for six years.
"We have also included crafts before the movie to help grow arts in our community," said Abend.
Carson City Classic Cinema team tries to include activities that coincide with the movie's theme.
Abend thought pairing live jazz music with the Pixar animated movie Soul would help kick off the Jazz and Beyond Carson City Music Festival starting on Aug. 5.
To help celebrate jazz legend William "Count" Basie's birthday, the Mile High Jazz Band started as a one-day celebration which later turned into a two-week festival.
The festival presents over 25 events around Carson City from Aug 5 - 21.
With the help of Garrett Lepire, a real estate broker for Berkshire Hathaway, Carson City Classic Cinema can hold their Family Movie Night and activities for the community.
"Minus the bowling, there isn't much to do here, and I wanted to see a space for the kids to come out and enjoy themselves," said Lepire.
Lepire has been sponsoring Family Movie Night for the last six years.
"All of this wouldn't happen without the help from Garrett; he helps pay for all the outdoor license fees," said Abend.
For the future, Carson City Classic Cinema hopes to gain more sponsorship and venues to help put on more Family Movie Nights for the community.
Carson City Classic Cinema will host the animated movie UP on Aug. 5 at Mills Park for their next family movie night. Carson City Classic Cinema will also be hosting the move Invasion of the Body Snatchers, a 1978 Sci-fi/Horror classic for those who love classical movies.
Please visit their website for more information about the Carson City Classic Cinema and their upcoming movies.