You could not know what Rick Sebak appears to be like like (till now) however you’ve got in all probability heard his voice, particularly if you happen to’re a fan of PBS and different documentary movies. From sizzling canine to previous amusement parks, Sebak shares Americana with viewers and might be in Bloomington to speak all about it for 2 Cicada Cinema packages.
Super Duper Weenie (Fairfield, Connecticut) would possibly even grow to be your favourite sizzling canine truck after watching Sebak’s “A Hot Dog Program.” Anyway, Sebak’s colleagues apologize on YouTube in the event that they “do not get to your favourite (sizzling canine) stand.”
Award-winning filmmaker Sebak, the charming Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WQED TV (Pittsburgh’s PBS station) producer, might be in Bloomington April 26-27 for 2 completely different exhibits.
You are invited to look at screenings of his movies, take part in a Q&A with Sebak and catch a efficiency by Sebak followers Busman’s Vacation (brothers Lewis and Addison Rogers).
“Rick might be in attendance each nights, and that is the primary time Cicada Cinema has welcomed a visiting filmmaker to Bloomington,” mentioned Jared Cheek, outreach affiliate at Monroe County Public Library and “Rick Sebak super-fan.”
Sebak’s documentaries’ success startled even PBS
Along with clips of Sebak’s work, full screenings are supplied: the favored “A Sizzling Canine Program” (twenty fifth anniversary), “Pennsylvania Diners & Different Roadside Eating places” (a rankings win for PBS, which in 1993 startled even PBS) and “That Kennywood Summer season,” a half-hour documentary utilizing footage Sebak and his WQED crew obtained in 1988. They had been engaged on his program “Kennywood Recollections,” and “That Kennywood Summer” is considered one of WQED’s Pittsburgh Historical past Sequence’ most asked-for packages. “Kennywood Recollections” appears to be like at Pittsburgh’s Kennywood amusement park, which opened in 1898 as a trolley park.
You’ll have heard Sebak narrating his nationally syndicated PBS packages together with different “scrapbook documentaries” akin to “Nice Previous Amusement Parks,” “Shore Issues,” “Sandwiches That You Will Like,” “A Flea Market Documentary,” “Nice Previous Amusement Parks,” “A Trip Alongside the Lincoln Freeway,” “An Ice Cream Present” and “A Cemetery Particular.”
Creator of the “scrapbook documentary”
Sebak created the scrapbook documentary idea, which makes use of previous movies and images, dwelling motion pictures, postcards and different memorabilia to make a kind of time capsule. Different stations have used the format and report elevated donations when a scrapbook documentary is proven throughout fund drives. Though he is not in his movies, followers know his voice and acknowledge his narrations.
His matters evoke enjoyable, however Sebak and employees work exhausting to doc and document happier issues. At 70, Sebak continues his analysis and writing.
He was born in Pennsylvania and attended the college of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. In 1984 he experimented with a nostalgia documentary, a movie a few standard dance in South Carolina.
“Like Addison Rogers of Busman’s Vacation (one other Rick Sebak super-fan who helps arrange this occasion) I’m not an official Cicada Cinema volunteer,” Cheek mentioned. Rogers and Cheek share a love of Sebak’s work with Cicada’s Josh Brewer. They have been collaborating to make this duo of Sebak occasions occur.
“Through the years we have typically instructed our mates about these documentaries and the way a lot we get pleasure from them,” Cheek mentioned, “and we’re very excited to do that on a bigger scale, with the person himself driving all the best way from Pittsburgh to be there as properly!”
Even if you happen to hate sizzling canine, come watch “A Sizzling Canine Program”
“I am really not an enormous fan of sizzling canine, haha, however I nonetheless discover myself wanting one after watching Rick’s 1999 basic ‘A Sizzling Canine Program,'” Cheek mentioned.
“Even if you happen to hate sizzling canine, seeing the folks and locations that he options throughout the nation is fascinating leisure. For this twenty fifth anniversary screening on the I Fell Gallery, The Orbit Room might be there promoting sizzling canine, beer, wine, and so on.”
Sebak’s movies additionally doc what the world was like at a sure time. “As you may see in ‘That Kennywood Summer season,’ watching crowds at an amusement park within the ’80s is a charming view of a world that’s a lot completely different than in the present day’s,” Cheek mentioned.
Cicada Cinema is a pop-up, volunteer-run movie show.
Generally a sizzling canine is greatest when it is loaded. “Weight-reduction plan would not exist right here,” says a Sebak’s “Sizzling Canine Program” server on Youtube.
Should you go
Be aware: There are two separate packages, each free.
WHAT: Cicada Cinema presents Rick Sebak and “A Sizzling Canine Program”(1999, 1 hour, twenty fifth anniversary screening) and “That Kennywood Summer season” (2019, half-hour)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 26
WHERE: I Fell Gallery, 415 W. Fourth St.
MORE: Free however ticketed, for all ages. Get your ticket on-line at cicadacinema.com. Sizzling canine might be obtainable for buy from The Orbit Room, which might be onsite. Beer and wine for folks age 21 and older.
WHAT: Rick Sebak clip present; the 1-hour model of “Philadelphia Diners & Different Roadside Eating places”; Q&A with Sebak; and Busman’s Vacation efficiency
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 27
WHERE: Upland Brewery Wooden Store, 350 W. eleventh St.
MORE: Free however ticketed, for all ages. Get your ticket on-line at cicadacinema.com.
