The Nickelodeon Theatre, South Carolina’s only non-profit art house film theater, will work with Mashburn Construction to begin demolition and renovation of Main Street’s Fox Theatre on Monday, November 1. Once construction is complete, the Nickelodeon will move from its current 75-seat, storefront theater at 937 Main Street, where the Nick has been since the theater opened in 1979, to the Fox Theatre, which will feature two screens, greater education capabilities, and more opportunities for film lovers.

The Nick, run by the non-profit Columbia Film Society, has always cultivated an appreciation of media arts by featuring independent films, encouraging aspiring directors and aligning itself with innovative cultural events. Now the Nick is becoming even more of a cultural ambassador as it leads a new wave of revitalization on Columbia’s historic Main Street through its Move the Nick capital campaign (www.movethenick.org).

“This is about so much more than expanding the Nickelodeon. Columbia has been on the cusp of really becoming an arts destination for a while, and revitalizing this historic theater will help us reach that goal — all while bringing more people back to Main Street,” said Larry Hembree, executive director of the Nickelodeon Theatre. “It’s a great opportunity for our theater because while we’ll be able to attract bigger indie films, we’ll also be able to delve into more experimental films on the second screen. We’re planning on staying true to our roots in independent cinema, but we’re ready to spread that message instead of remaining Columbia’s best-kept secret.”

The Nickelodeon and its board anticipate that construction will be complete in approximately 12 to 18 months. The Nickelodeon has reached approximately half of its $3 million fundraising goal through grants, corporate partnerships and individual donations, but there are still several opportunities for the public to contribute to the Move the Nick campaign, including naming rights for theater seats for a $500 donation.

For more information on the Nickelodeon Theatre or the Move the Nick capital campaign, please visit www.nickelodeon.org or www.movethenick.org.

For more information on construction and to arrange interviews, contact Katie Alice Walker at Riley Communications, kwalker@RileyCommunications.com or (803) 227-0914.

The Nick staff will be at El Burrito this Thursday, October 14th for the fall festival. It’s the last music of the season, featuring two great bands from Athens: Packway Handle Band (http://www.packwayhandle.com/) and Hope for Agoldensummer (http://www.hopeforagoldensummer.com/).

There will be pumpkins, dollar beer and adult cider, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Nickelodeon Theatre’s capitol campaign!

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5.

Check it out on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=124179754303646

Nickelodeon Theatre today announced a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The funds will be used to support Nickelodeon’s operations while the organization’s fundraising efforts are focused on completing a $3 million capital campaign.

“Bank of America is a valued partner in the Nickelodeon’s efforts to foster a media literate culture in Columbia,” said Sanders Tate, President of the Nickelodeon Theatre’s Board of Directors. “Thanks to their support, we have been able to screen a wider variety of films and collaborate with local and regional artists to present original work. As a result, while much of the arthouse cinema world was struggling, the Nickelodeon experienced record attendance numbers this year.”

Bank of America’s operating support is critical to the theater’s ability to continue bringing the best in foreign, independent, documentary and classic film to Columbia, as well as offering specialized film programming that highlights local and regional artists and deepens the traditional movie-going experience.

“One of the ways Bank of America supports local economies is by working with arts organizations critical to the financial, cultural and social health of our neighborhoods,” said Kim Wilkerson, South Carolina president for Bank of America. “We are proud to support the Nickelodeon Theatre and their educational programs in the community, while also contributing to the economic development and revitalization of one of downtown Columbia’s most historic buildings.”

About Columbia Film Society / Nickelodeon Theatre
The Columbia Film Society is a community arts organization whose aim is to stimulate discussion and enhance appreciation of media arts in the community by presenting a wide variety of alternative films and sponsoring media arts events and educational programs. The Society screens over 100 films, 362 days a year at its home, the Nickelodeon Theatre, a 77 seat storefront theatre in downtown Columbia. The organization hosts special screenings by both local and national independent filmmakers.

Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, last year Bank of America embarked on a new, 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2009, making the bank one of the largest corporate cash donors in the United States. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and sustain a culture of service, the bank announced the “Million Hour Challenge,” a pledge by the company’s associates around the world to donate 1 million volunteer hours by the end of 2010. In 2009, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 800,000 hours to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation

Sup guys? We wanted a creative way for everyone to celebrate Halloween this year, and I think we’re on to something. On Thursday Oct. 28th Mo’ Betta Soul will start off by having a 70s themed costume dance party at Immaculate Consumption (933 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201) from 8-11. Then immediately after the party, go next door to the Nick to see screening of the Blaxploitation classic ‘Blacula’. Pretty damn awesome right? More details are coming soon. If you don’t know about the awesomeness that is ‘Blacula’, check the trailer below.

So, you missed the funeral of Larry Hembree? Don’t fret. We have pics of all the fun to make you feel like poo poo for not being there. Check them out by clicking the photos icon on the side or click HERE to go to our official flickr account. We will also get the photos from our other blues-induced fundraiser ‘Kind of Blues’. We had a great time at both and there’s more to come….we promise. All photos were taken by the wonderful Molly Harrell (tell her she did a great job and that we sent ya).

Thanks to Columbia readers we are voted the best movie theater in this year’s “Best of Columbia” in the Free-Times. We appreciate the love. More to come.

Okay, now that Larry has died and resurrected, it’s now time to get ready for some more music, art and film. In celebration of the August 20th Nick Fundraiser titled Kind of Blues, we will be showcasing the artists that are apart of the event that night. Introducing Sounds Familiar Records recording artists DayClean.

The group consists of Marcus Thomas (guitar/vocals) and Idris Chandler (cello/vocals) is a unique blend of soul, hip-hop and gospel. Be sure to get a copy of their debut album from Itunes. Check out the first single “Talk to You”. Enjoy.

The State: “What Wait Until You’re Dead?”
By OTIS R. TAYLOR JR. – otaylor@thestate.com

Larry Hembree has a script for his actual, real funeral.
Really.

And it’s being kept by a state leader. Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk, D-Kershaw, has the script. She laughed about the preposterous scenario, but did admit to the existence of the document.
“I think I have a copy,” Funderburk said. “But I’m not going to divulge it.”
Much like his fundraising fake funeral, Hembree wants his funeral to be a festive affair. And since he can’t attend, participate or direct it, he has given orders of what’s to be done.
And Funderburk will be the officiant.
“If that’s what he told you,” she said. “He has a right to change his mind between now and when he dies.
“I don’t want to limit him in changing the script.”
How did Funderburk get involved in such a fantastical request? She auditioned for a production of “Tom Sawyer” that was going to be staged at the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County when she was in middle school. It was not long after Hembree arrived to direct community theater in Camden.
“I was involved in just about every play” through high school, Funderburk said. “Now Larry didn’t cast me much.”
She did the more important backstage stuff. It was in the ’90s, Funderburk recalled, when Hembree gave her the list of performers for his funeral.
“That’s pretty heavy stuff when someone hands you a script to their funeral,” she said.
Hembree said that his funeral plans — at least the one Funderburk is keeping — will include a concert.
“When she was right out of high school, I gave her the list of everything I wanted at my funeral and said will you MC it,” Hembree said. “It was going to be a concert at the Fine Arts Center.
“It was never a funeral in a church.”
It sounds like the script needs to be revised and updated.

Here is the fake obituary to go with a fake funeral to raise money for the Nickelodeon Theatre’s capital campaign. CLICK HERE p(1) (2) (3)

Free-Times: The Life and Times of Larry Hembree
Hint: He’s Not Really Dead

BY NATASHA WHITLING

There are those milestone events that people are eager to plan — a wedding, a retirement party or a family reunion — but “funeral” rarely makes the list. Fortunately for the Nickelodeon Theatre, its executive director Larry Hembree is willing and kooky enough to examine his own mortality, albeit in an incredibly flamboyant and humorous way.

If you haven’t heard by now, Hembree is scheduled to pass into the great beyond this weekend. The legend will say that he was found in sweet repose, nestled underneath the oldest tree in Gilbert, a nearly empty bottle of George Dickel bourbon on one side and a pink and silver sparkly notebook on the other. Written within those pages: the complete outline for his funeral service, which is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the CMFA ArtSpace (914 Pulaski St. in the Vista).

Of course, Hembree isn’t really dead — but try telling that to the cast of 40-plus actors, singers and colorful characters who are populating the farce dubbed Larry’s Last Laugh. It’s all a benefit for the Nickelodeon’s capital campaign, which Hembree claims is what fictionally offed him.

“I’ve always been enamored with planning my funeral,” Hembree says. “I wanted it to be different and funny and these people [the actors] are crazy. It is totally politically incorrect and irreverent.”

This is the second unorthodox fundraising event for the Nickelodeon Hembree has overseen. Last year, he threw a mock family reunion that was an eclectic gathering of some of Hembree’s fictitious — and some not-so-fictitious — rural relatives. There was singing, dancing and hula hooping (Hembree is a champion hula hooper) plus each guest was encouraged to bring a dish for the potluck. The event raised $10,000 for the Nickelodeon’s capital campaign to move to the Fox Theater on Main Street.

“We found a niche where we could fundraise,” Hembree says. “We’ve tried galas and such, but it just felt awkward. This works for us.”

This year, the team took some of the same elements and upped the drama factor. As at the family reunion, funeral-goers are encouraged to bring a dish. After all, what’s a good Southern funeral without comfort food? There will still be plenty of singing and dancing, but this year will have a more tightly woven narrative.

The one big change is the venue. Last year’s reunion was held at the Fox Theatre during the height of the summer with no air conditioning. Hembree decided grieving and sweating don’t go well together, so he moved the funeral proceedings to CMFA.

As it did last year, The Nick again wants to celebrate local arts figures. This year’s cast includes S.C. Philharmonic Conductor Morihiko Nakahara, local theater veteran Gerald Floyd and drag queen Patti O’ Furniture. Joining in the festivities are musical groups Total Denial, the No Expectations String Band and We’re Not Your Mother’s Tabernacle Choir.

There will also be a silent auction of some of Hembree’s cherished possessions. The macabre mixture includes a framed photo of Hembree and Patti O’Furniture, some artwork and a dog-eared copy of Taming the Troublesome Board Member. Mourners can pose with the “deceased” in his coffin (it also doubles as the bar) for a small donation.

Dunbar Funeral Home has also donated fans for the occasion.

Publicizing a funeral is a delicate matter — as Hembree and his staff quickly found out a few months ago when they sent out a Facebook teaser to Hembree’s more than 1,200 friends.

“We were so careful to try to word it so it was clear I wasn’t actually dead,” Hembree says.

“But we forgot that people who read the message on their phones can only see part of it.” He received more than 200 messages from people who thought Hembree had actually kicked the bucket.

Lesson learned.

So, the Nickelodeon has sent its executive director to a family reunion and six feet under — what’s next?

“Next time we’re going to do a resurrection!” Hembree says. “I don’t know how you do one, but we’re going to do one.”

Tickets for “Larry’s Last Laugh” are $30, $25 for Nick members. Visit nickelodeon.org or call 254-8234 for tickets and information. The funeral is only open to mourners over the age of 18.