Democratic Party activists in Southeastern Kansas – once home to the Socialist newspaper “Appeal to Reason,” – have organized a FREE screening of “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”

From their announcement:

A video showing of “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” has been scheduled promptly for 3 P.M., Sunday, June 26, Memorial Auditorium, Fifth & Pine, Pittsburg, KS.

Following the video, Topeka attorney, Steve Boyda, will provide brief commentary: “Citizen Reality vs The Republican Party of Smoke and Mirrors and Wizards behind Curtains.”

Boyda will then introduce Kansas State Democratic Party Chair, Joan Wagnon, Topeka. You will not want to miss her commentary. This is your opportunity to personally hear and meet the new leader of the Kansas State Democratic Party.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW. Arrive early, invite your friends and fellow Democrats. The screening and event will be open to the public and free of charge.

“What’s the Matter with Kansas?”
3 P.M., Sunday, June 26,
Memorial Auditorium,
Fifth & Pine,
Pittsburg, KS.

Before appearing in Emporia, KS the following day, director Joe Winston will take “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” to screen in Basehor, KS (in the Kansas City area) for one night only.

Here are the details:

Monday, February 21, 2011
6:30 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION

Basehor Community Library
1400 158th Street
Basehor, KS  66007
(913) 724-2828
www.basehorlibrary.org

After the screening, director Joe Winston will talk about the making of the film and take questions from the audience.

This presentation is co-sponsored by the Basehor, Bonner Springs and Tonganoxie Libraries. The library will be closed for regular business, opening in the evening for this special event only. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

On Tuesday, February 22 at 6:30 pm, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” will have a special, free screening at the historic Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St., in Emporia, Kansas.

Emporia State University is one of the main sponsors of the event, part of a series of discussions which honor Kansas’ 150th year of statehood.

Pulitzer Prize-winning editor William Allen White published his 1896 editorial, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” in the Emporia Gazette.  A rant against the progressive Populists who wielded considerable influence over late-nineteenth century Kansas, it’s well worth a read, and of course, inspired Thomas Frank’s book of the same title more than a century later.

For those wanting some background before the movie is shown, the Emporia Public Library is host for a discussion of Frank’s book “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” The discussion will be at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in the large meeting room of the library, 110 E. Sixth Ave. The free discussion will be led by Emporia State professors Rob Catlett and Michael Smith.

Director Joe Winston will answer questions and discuss the film after the screening, which is free of charge.

This film always provokes lively discussions, especially in Kansas, so if you’re in the area, don’t miss this opportunity.

“What’s the Matter with Kansas?” will air several times during late November and early December on LinkTV, available as DIRECTV Channel 375 | DISH Network Channel 9410.  The special screenings are part of LinkTV’s pledge drive.

Here are the first air dates, more to follow:

Friday, November 26, 2010 – 8:00 pm Pacific Time / 10:00 pm Central Time

Saturday, November 27 – 5:00 pm Pacific / 7:00 pm Central

Wednesday, December 1 – 9:00 pm Pacific / 11:00 pm Central

Friday, December 3 – 8:00 pm Pacific / 10:00 pm Central

Sunday, December 5  - 5:00 pm Pacific / 7:00 pm Central

Tuesday, December 7 – 4:00 pm Pacific / 6:00 pm Central

Saturday, December 11 – 3:00 pm Pacific / 5:00 pm Central

Monday, December 13 – 6:00 am Pacific / 8:00 am Central

More details on LinkTV’s web site.

In the wake of the 2010 midterm elections, Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine, IL has organized a free screening of “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” for one night only, Friday, December 10, 2010.

Members of the church organized the screening by contacting us and purchasing a Community Screening Kit (we have several offerings, depending on the size of the group and whether you want to charge admission, etc.)  Prior community screenings in various parts of the country have been very successful, a great way to bring art-house movies to audiences who might not otherwise see them.

If you are part of a group that might want to hold a screening, be sure to drop us a line at info@whatsthematterwithkansas.com and we’ll make it easy for you.

The screening will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers, conducted via Skype (ain’t technology great?)

Here are the details:

“What’s the Matter with Kansas?” community screening

Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist
1025 N. Smith Street
Palatine, IL  60067

Friday, December 10, 2010
7:00 pm
FREE admission

Q&A to follow immediately afterwards.

“What’s the Matter with Kansas? is a movie that needs to be seen in both red and blue states, by liberals and conservatives alike.” – In These Times

After the role of conservative activists and the Tea Party in the 2010 Midterm Elections, understanding the conservative movement, who is in it, where they come from, and what they want – is more important than ever.

A screening of What’s the Matter with Kansas? is the perfect tool to energize the conversation, get beyond the shouting and the stereotypes and engage people in a way that can make a difference.

BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Grassroots organizers can use a screening of What’s the Matter with Kansas? to create a community event.  Hold a discussion afterwards, invite guest speakers, use it as a fundraiser for your organization – the possibilities are limitless!

To bring this acclaimed film to your town, just write to us with your request, and we’ll get back to you with more details.  The address is info at whatsthematterwithkansas dot com.

Update: due to popular demand, the New York City run has been EXTENDED through Thursday, Aug 12, 2010.

What’s the Matter with Kansas? starts its commercial New York theatrical run on Friday, July 30th at the Producers’ Club IndieHouse Cinema, the latest addition to Manhattan arthouse cinemas. Located in Mid-town Manhattan, near the Theater District, IndieHouse promises to be a destination for independent film lovers.  Besides the theater, Producers Club offers an attached bar for post-show discussions to spill into (we used it a lot during opening weekend.)

The theater is brand new, has only been open since mid-July. What’s the Matter with Kansas? is only the third movie to play there.

NEW YORK:

Producers’ Club INDIEHOUSE Cinema
358 West 44 Street (Between 8th & 9th Ave.)
New York, NY 10036

daily shows at 12noon, 2:15pm, 5:00pm, 7:15pm, 9:30pm

Tickets $10

Extended through Thursday, Aug 12, 2010!

After running for eight weeks in Lawrence and Kansas City, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” will finally screen again in Wichita, in the heart of the state, where much of the filming took place.

The Wichita Public Library will screen the movie on Thursday, July 8 at 6:00 pm.

The screening is part of the library’s 25th Annual Academy Award Shorts program.

After the screening, director Joe Winston will talk about the making of the film and take questions from the audience.

“What’s the Matter with Kansas?” screening and Q & A

Thursday, July 8, 2010
6:00 pm

Wichita Central Public Library
223 S. Main
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 261-8500
http://www.wichita.lib.ks.us/Locations/CentralLibrary.htm
ADMISSION IS FREE

What’s the Matter with Kansas? will have a single screening on Sunday, June 20, 2010, as part of the Sunday Matinee Indie Film Festival at the lovely Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan, which is easily accessible from the Chicago area.  Filmmakers Laura Cohen and Joe Winston will hold a Q & A with the audience afterwards.

In 2001 Kim Clark and David Fink, who live in Chicago, picked Three Oaks, Michigan (approximately 70 miles from downtown Chicago and 60 miles from Kalamazoo) as their second home when they bought a 101-year old abandoned corset factory. After nearly two years of construction, the facility re-opened in 2003 as the Acorn Theater, a 250-seat multi-disciplinary space used for high-quality professional performances and live theater.

The other movies screening as part of this new festival are Hannah Free on Sunday, June 13, and Dear Mr. Fidrych on Sunday, June 27.

The Acorn boasts a full service bar and other refreshments.

Sunday, June 20, 2010
3:00 pm
The Acorn Theater
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks, MI

All Info and Ticket/Reservations Info: 269. 756. 3879
Tickets can be purchased by Visa or Mastercard at: www.acorntheater.com

$10/ticket; a ticket to all three screenings, purchased at the same time: $25.

What’s the Matter with Kansas? will screen for ONE WEEK ONLY at the Ross Media Arts Center in Lincoln, NE starting on Friday, May 28, 2010 (the start of Memorial Day Weekend.)

Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske, a star of the film, will appear on opening night after the 7:30 pm screening, and take questions from the audience.  He’ll be joined by John Hansen, President of Nebraska Farmers Union, and Josh Cramer of Nebraskans for Peace.

SHOW TIMES:

Friday, May 28:
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 29:
1:00, 2:55, 5:00, 7:00, & 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 30:
1:00, 2:55, 5:00, & 7:00 p.m.

Monday, May 31:
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 1:
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 2:
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 3:
5:00, 7:00, & 9:00 p.m.

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
313 N. 13th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

For more details, and advance ticket purchase, go here.