Source: Chain Theatre
Dec. 23, 2015 By Michael Florio
Long Island City residents can party on New Year’s Eve while helping to raise money for a displaced local theater.
Cinema Under the Influence, a Queens-based group that combines movie screenings and drinking into one event, will host a New Year’s Eve party at the Chain Theatre from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. to support its attempt to relocate in the neighborhood.
The Chain Theatre, located at 21-28 45th Road, will close in February, according to Director of Outreach Christina Perry.
She said the independent theater, which hosts musical and theatrical performances and comedy shows, needs to leave the space after the property owner sold the building to develop luxury condos.
The Chain Theatre had been at this location for the last three years. The building owner could not be reached for comment.
The theater has started a fundraiser on Indiegogo in hopes of raising $50,000 to open a center at a new location. So far, they have raised $1,780.
“We want to open an even bigger center,” Perry said.
She added that while they want to stay in Long Island City, it could be difficult. However, their goal is to ultimately remain in Queens.
The New Year’s Eve party, which will feature DJs, karaoke, an open bar and movie screenings, will help that cause, Benham Jones, founding member and curator with Cinema Under the Influence, said.
A $35 ticket includes a two-hour open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., followed by $3 beer and $4 punch. A $50 ticket gets an open bar all night. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the theater’s fundraiser.
“No one ever knows what to do on New Year’s Eve,” Jones said. “We hope LIC residents can come out, have a good time and help celebrate the Chain Theatre.”
DJs will include Future Punx and brian_constant and attendees can enjoy funk, Italian disco, and kraut, electronic dance music from the 70s, on the dance floor, according to Jones.
“I just want people to dance,” he said. “There will be good vibes and it’s a great way to bring in 2016.”
There will be screenings of “movies that will change your life,” such as “Boogie Nights” and “Rocky,” Jones said.
Other screenings will include a compilation of 100-years of psychedelic animations from flicks such as “Tron,” “Fantasia” and Studio Ghibli classics.
The popular Astoria eatery Queens Comfort is co-sponsoring the event, according to Jon Hogan, another CUI founding member.
“They have a treat lined up for midnight,” he said.
The Indiegogo campaign is online here.
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