The Bing Crosby Advocates will bring back its popular Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival this December at the Bing Crosby Theater.
The Bing Crosby Advocates, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to promoting the legacy of the legendary entertainer, has staged the annual yuletide film and entertainment festival since 2006. This year the Festival will be showing the star’s perennial favorite, “White Christmas” , which will be shown twice.
The highlight of this year’s festival will be a special presentation of movies from Bing Crosby’s private collection by Robert Bader, Curator of the Bing Crosby Archive. The event will also stage live entertainment featuring “Big Bing Theory” (Gonzaga University’s a cappella group), and the Zonky Jazz Band.
Tickets are $22 for adults and free to those who are 17 and under. All guests must present a ticket for entry.
Tickets are good for all films/entertainment at the Festival. Exit and re-entry are permitted with ticket.
Showtimes for Saturday:
- Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m. - White Christmas
- 12:30 p.m. - Birth of the Blues
- 3:00 p.m. - Live music from “Big Bing Theory”
- 4:30 p.m. - Live music from “Zonky Jazz Band”
- 6:00 p.m. - Treasures from Bing Crosby’s Own Archive
- 7:30 p.m. - White Christmas
* * *
This year’s tribute will feature a special presentation of films and photos from Bing’s private collection as well as two screenings of his most popular film, White Christmas, and live musical entertainment.
“Treasures from Bing Crosby’s Own Archive” will be highlighted by several of the entertainer’s personal home movies and photos from his private collection — most of which have never been seen by larger audiences. A selection of these will be shared by Robert Bader, president of Bing Crosby Enterprises and curator of Crosby’s papers and media artifacts.
“We’re particularly excited to have Robert Bader join us this year to share Bing’s rarely seen private movies and photos,” said Dave Reynolds, president of the Bing Crosby Advocates, which is again hosting the festival. “Along with the perennial screenings of Bing’s most popular film, White Christmas, and our special screening of Birth of the Blues, this promises to be one of the most memorable holiday festivals we’ve ever put together.”
This year’s day-long yuletide salute to Spokane’s most famous son will also include a screening of Birth of the Blues, Bing’s 1941 film co-starring Mary Martin. Gonzaga University’s Dr. Jadrian Tarver will be on hand to offer commentary on the film’s focus on African American influences on American jazz music. In addition, there will be live performances by The Zonky Jazz Band and the popular Gonzaga University a cappella group, The Big Bing Theory.
As usual, the festival will begin and end with screenings of White Christmas, Irving Berlin’s musical 1954 extravaganza co-starring Bing, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. This fall marks the 70th anniversary of the making of this holiday classic – the first movie made in the widescreen VistaVision format, the highest grossing film of 1954, and the biggest hit of Crosby’s 36-year movie career. The film will be shown at 10 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.
The Bing Crosby Advocates launched the annual festival in 2006 to celebrate Crosby’s enduring legacy and his personal connection with his hometown of Spokane. Crosby and his singing partner Al Rinker performed at what was then known as the Clemmer Theater in 1925, when it was a silent movie venue. The theater, located at 901 W. Sprague Ave., was renamed for him in 2006.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Bing Crosby Advocates, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate Bing Crosby’s life and legacy and showcase his connections to his hometown of Spokane. The Advocates also volunteer as docents to support the Bing Crosby House Museum, Bing’s boyhood home from 1911 to 1925, located on the campus of Gonzaga University at 508 E. Sharp Ave. in Spokane. For more information and to become a member, visit bingcrosbyadvocates.org.