Classic 1928 Silent Comedy Feature "Steamboat Bill Jr." with Live Wurlitzer Unit Orchestra!
Schedule
Sun May 05 2024 at 02:00 pm
Location
581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY, United States, New York 13209 | Syracuse, NY
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The Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum is excited about our first silent film feature for 2024 with Donnie Rankin providing the accompaniment to the 1928 silent film "STEAMBOAT BILL JR." starring Buster Keaton.Following through on a promise to his mother, William Canfield Jr. goes to River Junction to meet his father who has not seen him since he was a child. The younger Canfield isn't quite what the elder was expecting but the old man has bigger problems. He's being put out of business by J.J. King, who not only owns the local hotel and bank, but has recently introduced a new paddle wheel steamer that puts Canfield's older boat, the Stonewall Jackson, to shame. Bill Jr. and Kitty King take a liking to each other much to the dismay of both of their fathers. When a fierce storm hits River Junction, Bill Jr. is forced to save Kitty, her father and his father.
The accompanist, Donnie Rankin was born in Ravenna Ohio and was immediately immersed in music. After hearing his great-grandfather Don Sr. play the electronic organ at home, Donnie first took an interest in the theatre organ at the age of three when he heard the sounds of the Wurlitzer at the Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. After building a musical foundation in the school band, at age 12 Donnie’s family acquired their own organ and he began taking formal lessons. Classical piano training followed at age 16, and his budding talent quickly blossomed into first rate musicianship. Since then, Donnie has won several competitions and awards, including being named the Overall Winner of the American Theatre Organ Society's Young Theatre Organist Competition when he was 18. After his win in 2007, Donnie began a 5 year journey studying with noted organist Jelani Eddington. In the course of his career, Donnie has performed for several American Theatre Organ Society annual conventions, and has played for theatre organ audiences around the world, including appearances in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to performances, Donnie has presented playing clinics as part of the ATOS Summer Youth Adventure and at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. His work as an organist and percussionist have been broadcast on countless stations including NPR, and BBC 2. In 2023 Donnie was named the American Theatre Organ Society's Organist of the Year. Donnie resides in Ravenna, Ohio where he runs a piano studio outside of his normal working hours. He remains on call as an organist at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, and the Akron Civic Theatre.
About ESTMIM:
The Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum is located in the Harriet May Mills Art & Home Center on the New York State Fairgrounds. It was established in 1966 as a Nonprofit and Educational Organization, Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. The Wurlitzer organ was built in 1925 for the former RKO Keith’s Theatre in downtown Syracuse where it was used principally for silent film accompaniment and musical interludes. It was saved and reinstalled permanently in the Empire Theatre at the State Fairgrounds as the centerpiece of the theatre and musical instrument museum.
More information about the museum is available at https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseWurlitzer/ or by calling (315) 451-6551 Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm or (315) 687-3580 on Sunday.
WHERE:
Empire Theatre, NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse NY 13209
WHEN:
May 5, 2024
Show Hours: Doors open at 1:30pm, concert starts at 2:00
ADMISSION:
Non-members - Adults $15.00, Children $5.00 - General seating tickets are available at the door prior to the program
Event web site: https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseWurlitzer/
Freshly popped popcorn will be available and free tours of the pipe organ chambers will be held following the program.
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Where is it happening?
581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY, United States, New York 13209Event Location & Nearby Stays:
