The gap between Hollywood and Mozart might not be as wide as you think.
François Girard’s 1998 film “The Red Violin” will be shown at the Galaxy Theatre in Atascadero. The film show is a fundraiser for two of San Luis Obispo County’s art festivals: the San Luis Obispo Film Festival (SLOIFF) and Festival Mozaic.
“We’ve been looking at the really close relationship between music and film,” said the executive director of Festival Mozaic Bettina Swigger.
Festival Mozaic is the oldest classical music festival on the Central Coast. Each year, a theme is chosen around which concert pieces are selected.
Scott Yoo, the Mozaic music director, chose this year’s theme, “Influences in Popular Culture.” Yoo also chose the featured piece and finale of the concert to be John Corigliano’s violin concerto from “The Red Violin.”
“It’s a fabulous concert piece,” Swigger said.
She said the inspiration for the film fundraiser came after the choice of the finale concerto.
“We wanted to give a chance for people to see the film before hearing the song at the festival,” Swigger said.
After deciding to preview the concert with a viewing of the film, Swigger approached the SLOIFF with the idea of hosting a collaborative fundraiser for both festivals.
“We love to partner with other non-profit groups in the community,” said Wendy Eidson, the SLOIFF festival director.
“The Red Violin” film follows a violin from its maker in Italy during the 17th century to an auction room in Montreal. The violin passes through the possession of a diverse group of people, over a period of 300 years. The film also won many awards, including an Oscar for best original score in 2000.
The fundraising event will include a wine reception before the movie, featuring donated wine from Lone Madrone winery in Paso Robles.
Both festival groups rely on fundraising events for about half of the financing. The other half comes from ticket sales at the festivals.
The Galaxy Theatre in Atascadero will host the event in its new VIP room.
“The VIP room is only open for those 21 and over because we serve alcohol,” said Jenny Stark, manager of the Galaxy Theatre. “This is only our second or third event since we opened the room in March.”
The purpose of the SLOIFF is “to entertain, enlighten and educate filmgoers and filmmakers,” Eidson said.
The film festival was founded in 1993 and continues to grow yearly.
“We bring a huge selection of international films to our little town,” Eidson said.
The 2011 film festival ended in March and featured more than 100 films and a wide variety of filmmakers and special guests.
Festival Mozaic was founded in 1971 as the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, and is in its 41st season.
“We bring the absolute best in the music world on the Central Coast,” Swigger said.
The concerto performance is on Sunday, July 24 at the Cuesta College Performing Arts Center. “The Red Violin” will be shown from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight. Tickets for “The Red Violin” are available at the door for $15.