FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 7, 2008
Contact: Toni Karle, (304) 208-4525, (740) 867-3112

 

Tickets available for red-carpet premiere of
Marshall student filmmaker’s docudrama on alcoholism

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Tickets are on sale for the upcoming premiere of “Back to The Bottle,” a docudrama on alcohol addiction directed by Francesca E. Karle, a Marshall University student.

The premiere will be Thursday, April 17 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and will feature a special filmed introduction from a major Hollywood motion picture star. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership.

The film is being presented on opening night of the Appalachian Film Festival and is Karle’s second social justice film. “On The River’s Edge,” her documentary about the homeless, debuted in 2005.

Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at the United Way on Madison Avenue, Midway Barber Shop on 1st Street-4th Avenue, and First Sentry Bank 8th Street. To charge tickets by phone, call (304) 523-2764.

A Hollywood-style red carpet event featuring Rick Dayton of WOWK-TV as the Master of Ceremonies will be open to the public at 5 p.m. for seating in the bleachers. There will be free refreshments, prizes and a live radio remote. For general seating, ticketholder dress is semiformal or formal attire. Ticket holders may enter onto the red carpet at 6:15 p.m. at the corner of 10th Street and 4th Avenue (4th Avenue will be closed between 9th and 10th streets).

A Mediterranean dinner will be served beginning at 6:15 p.m. in the theater and is provided by Rocco’s Restaurante, Sodexho at Marshall University, Pullman Plaza Hotel Catering, Brunetti’s Bakery, Uno Chicago Grille, Bob Evans Restaurants, Heiner’s Bakery, Pepsi and Starbucks.

The VIP red carpet entrance will commence at 7:15 p.m. Among the celebrities will be Ashley McNeely of MTV’s “A Shot at Love” and “That’s Amore” and David “Punk” Otunga of VH1’s “I Love New York 2.”

The program begins at 7:45 p.m. with Tim Irr as the Master of Ceremonies. Opening remarks will be made by a representative from Gov. Manchin’s office, Ann McGee of the Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership and Tim White, Youth Empowerment Leader for Cabell County.

The film’s theme song, which was written by Karle, will be performed by Rick Ruggles of the Saturday Night Jamboree. Local artists Eddie Riffe and Tony Maynard of ETA also will perform. National recording artist George Huff of American Idol fame will be performing selections live from his current CD, “Miracles.”

“Back To The Bottle” will begin at 9 p.m. and run for approximately 35 minutes.

Major sponsors for the premiere include Wal-Mart Supercenter Route 60, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Trifecta Productions, Clear Channel Communications-WKEE and WTCR, The Herald-Dispatch, BrickStreet Mutual Insurance, Bulldog Creative Services, Huntington Regional Film Commission, Oasis Behavioral Health Services and Prestera Mental Health Services.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Media space for red carpet coverage must be pre-registered by April 15. Please call Ken Bannon at (304) 697-4222 to reserve your spot.
• Immediately following the premiere, there will be a private meet-and-greet event for the media, VIPs and their guests at the Apex Reception Hall, 734 4th Ave.
   

Additional Information for the Media

Schedule

6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Ticket holders proceed on the red carpet/dinner provided in the theater.
Organ interlude by Bob Edmunds.

7:15 p.m.
Celebrities and special guests enter on the red carpet (viewed from inside the theater on the screen).

7:45 p.m.
Introductions…….Master of Ceremonies: Tim Irr, WSAZ-TV
Tim White……… Residence Services Supervisor
Coordinator of Cabell County Youth Empowerment Program
Huntington Housing Authority

8 p.m.
ETA – Eddie Riffe and Tony Maynard……………Too Drunk To Two-Step (BMI)
Rick Ruggles …………………………………….When You Don’t Have A Home (BMI)
Rick Ruggles……………………………………..Back To The Bottle (BMI)
                                                                              Theme Song written by Francesca E. Karle
Jessica Cline
Russell Akerley
Sam St. Clair

Special Guest:  George Huff……………………selections from Miracles (TBA)

9 p.m.
Back To The Bottle

9:35 p.m.
Closing Remarks………Ann McGee, Director, Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership

For more information, go to www.francescafilms.com.

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