by Di Saggau

On Wednesday, April 7 at 12:30 p.. BIG ARTS will show “Seymour: An Introduction” the first in their Critically Acclaimed Documentary Series. The film runs 1 hour 24 minutes and will be shown in the Christensen Performance Hall.  After the movie, I will lead a discussion in the theater.

The film is about a very charming classical pianist, Seynour Bernstein, in his 80s, who at the midpoint of his career at aged 50, gave up public performances and became a teacher of piano instead.  Actor Ethan Hawk, directed the film and conducted a few interviews with Seymour.  The two met when seated next to each other at a dinner party. We learn Seymourr’s life story, his perceptions on art, and his philosophy on life in general. Throughout the picture, Seymour interacts with genteel people who quietly deplore what they see as the American perception of art and art-making. In between these interactions, Seymour works with young students on techniques, including how to get one’s pinkie to just this particular distant piano key in time to make the musical phrase coherent. We learn that Seymour’s mindset as a musician saved him while in service, because he was used to doing what he was told to do.

The remaining films in the series are “Mike Wallace Is Here:, April 14; “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles”, April 21; and “The Disappearance of my Mother” April 28.

Tickets are $10 and available in advance or on the day of the film at the BIG ARTS box office, located at 900 Dunlop Road on Sanibel. For more information, call 395-0900 or visit wsw.bigarts.org.

Di Saggau, is a member of the BIG ARTS Movie Committee and Feature Writer for the Island Sun Newspaper and The River Weekly.

ABOUT BIG ARTS

BIG ARTS, established in 1979, is a nonprofit organization devoted to providing quality artistic, cultural and educational experiences to Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors. Visit www.BIGARTS.org to learn more about our 2021 Season, and don’t forget to visit us on Facebook!

BIG ARTS is practicing the highest standards of safety during this challenging time. All visitors are required to wear masks throughout the facility. Please be sure to put on your mask before entering the building. We ask that you are mindful of physical distancing. With physical distancing precautions in mind, BIG ARTS is selling only 50% of the seats in Christensen Performance Hall. Until further notice, only 200 seats will be available for any event in the Hall, and a maximum of 25 people will be allowed in the gallery at any given time. BIG ARTS has enhanced its air filtration system, all surfaces are wiped down between use, a professional sanitation fogger is being used after each gathering, and there are hand sanitation “stations” throughout the ground floor.