First Friday Films Returns for Second Season at Donna Reed Theatre in Denison

Enjoy These Flicks on the Big Screen

The series, dedicated to bringing popular and classic movies to the historic theater, proved to be so popular and successful with both movie enthusiasts and sponsors that it returns for a second season. The movies were chosen by their sponsors and some have included a theme or contest related to the movie.

The second First Friday Film series includes:

January 3 – Ratatouille, sponsored by Reiney’s Kandy Kitchen.

February 7 – Wizard of Oz, sponsored by Tyson Foods

March 7 – Soul Surfer, sponsored by Our Savior Lutheran Church

April 4 – John Wayne in The Cowboys, sponsored by Steve Holt for House

May 2 – Red Dawn (1984), sponsored by Tacopocalypse, Sam Auen

June 6 - The Karate Kid (1984), sponsored by The Choice

Each movie begins on the first Friday of each month at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.

Season two also includes Saturday matinees of the films at 1 and 3 p.m.

“AMERICAN ICON SERIES” Celebrates 100 Years at the Donna Reed Theater and Anniversaries of Iconic U.S. Events

The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts presents its new "American Icon Series" featuring five special events from November, 2013 to April, 2014. The performances include a live concert, a historical documentary, two unique stage plays, and film screenings - all commemorating historic anniversaries impacting local and national histories over the past century. 

November 22, 2013 - 50th Anniversary of the Life and Tragic Death of JFK
December 15, 2013 - "It's A Wonderful Life" Screenings
February 8, 2014 - 50th Anniversary of the Beatles in America
March 20-22, 2014 - 60th Anniversary of Donna Reed's Academy Award®
April 11-13, 2014 - 100th Anniversary of the Donna Reed Theatre

Each performance will begin at 7 p.m. at the Donna Reed Theater, 1305 Broadway, in downtown Denison, Iowa, home of The Donna Reed Foundation and Museum.

Tickets can be obtained by calling The Donna Reed Foundation at 712-263-3334 or by e-mail at info@donnareed.org.

More about the performances
The American Icon Series 2013-2014 New Release - Adobe PDF

First Friday Films opens in Denison with a screening of "The Goonies"

New film series sponsored by The Donna Reed Foundation begins August 2nd.

It’s rare to find classic blockbuster films like The Goonies, E.T. or Ghostbusters showing on the big screen, but starting this month area residents can enjoy a unique night at the movies in Denison. 

“First Friday Films” is a new film series playing must-see films on the first Friday of each month with 7:00 pm showtimes. The series will kick off with a screening of the Stephen Spielberg produced adventure film The Goonies (1985) this Friday, August 2nd.

After E.T. and Ghostbusters are shown in September and October, the series continues in November with the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird, and the holiday comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) in December.

It's our 8th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser, Friday, May 3

Proceeds will benefit programs of The Donna Reed Foundation

Don't miss this event at the historic Donna Reed Theatre in downtown Denison on the corner of Broadway and Main. It's a wonderful place to sample various wines and beers, have some great food caterd by Hy-Vee, enjoy desserts from Reiney's and spend an enjoyable evening with friends.

Entertainment will be provided by "Happy Tunes" and you will have the opportunity to join in the karaoke fun beginning at 6:00 p.m. A karaoke contest will be held from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. and judges will award singers cash prizes at 9:00 p.m. - first place wins $50, with $20 going to second and third place finishers.

We conclude with a drawing for our door prize - a wine basket donated by ThermalFab. You must be present at 9:00 p.m.to win.

Tickets are $20 per person and available at The Donna Reed Foundation office or by calling 712-263-3334 or by e-mailing info@donnareed.org.

"Pirates! The Musical" Is Coming To Denison, IA

A Musical Theatre Workshop for grades K-8

How do pirates get to be such heroic figures in our modern world? They're dishonest, selfish, smelly, naughty and well, a whole lot of fun. That's how. And, they make terrific subjects for a musical.

It's why our workshop directors picked Pirates! The Musical for our summer production. It's a fun-filled week designed to teach the basics of musical theatre to kids in grades K-8 who love singing, dancing and challenges. The workshop runs from June 17-21. 2013 and concludes with a performance for the public on Saturday, June 22.

We've added something new this year. Former students beyond grade 8 are invited to come back as volunteers to help stage the production. Arrr! You don't even have to be a former student. ANYONE of ANY AGE can offer their assistance. Just contact the Foundation office.

Additional workshop information and tuition rates can be found by downloading our registration form or by calling 712.263.3334 or by stopping at the Donna Reed Foundation office, 1305 Broadway, Denison, IA.

The Donna Reed Foundation presents an evening of music with “An Iowa Songbook”

Last program in the American Icon Series – Focus On Iowa

Quick! Name three music legends with Iowa connections. Having trouble? Find help as The Donna Reed Foundation presents The Iowa Songbook this Saturday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Donna Reed Theater. You'll hear music made famous by Andy Williams, The Everly Brothers, Glenn Miller, Roger Williams and more. You'll need both hands to count the connections.

It's an evening of music performed by area artists Molly Benson, Polly Eason, Gwen Ecklund, Marin Garcia, Myriah Hacker, Steve Hammel, Lisa Langholz, Kerri Miller, Jena Nahnsen, Emily Sailer, Erin Tracy, Tim Tracy, Voice Exchange and Matt Weier.

The performance will take place at the Donna Reed Theater in downtown Denison. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youths under 18. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Donna Reed Theater Box Office at 712-263-3334, or by e-mail at info@donnareed.org.

Free Community Cinema Screening at the Donna Reed Theatre, March 24 at 1 PM

Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines

Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines traces the fascinating evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman. From the birth of the comic book superheroine in the 1940s to the blockbusters of today, Wonder Women looks at how popular representations of powerful women often reflect society’s anxieties about women’s liberation. The film goes behind the scenes with TV stars Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) and Lindsay Wagner (The Bionic Woman), comic writers and artists, and real-life superheroines such as Gloria Steinem, Kathleen Hanna, and others, who offer an enlightening and entertaining counterpoint to the male-dominated superhero genre. A film by Kristy Guevara-Flanagan and Kelcey Edwards, 

The screening is free to the public with concessions available for purchase. After the film, a discussion will be held with the audience.

Watch the Trailer for Wonder Women!: http://youtu.be/bwuGGoNRtgE

Learn more about the film: www.itvs.org/films/wonder-women