2010 SEASON MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Deborah Becker - State Farm Insurance

THE BASICS:
The Back Alley Summer Cinema Series is Volume One's Monday-night film series screening classic and out-of-the-mainstream films of all kinds. Movies are shown in the alley that would-be 205 Graham Avenue in downtown Eau Claire, and start at 9:30pm sharp. The space holds no more than 200 people, so show up early for a good spot.

WEATHER UPDATES:
Check back on the website at 4:30pm on the day of a show for the final call on weather-related cancellations.

PAST SERIES MULTIMEDIA:
Cinema Series: Photos!
Cinema Series: Audio Slideshow!

2010 SCHEDULE
July 5: Raising Arizona
July 12: This is Spinal Tap
July 19: Enter the Dragon
July 26: Field of Dreams
(see below for descriptions)

TIPS TO ENJOYING THE SHOW:
- Be aware of film ratings, not all films are for everyone.
- Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
- Bring some cash to buy concessions including popcorn, candy, soda.
- It gets cool in the evening, bring a blanket or jacket, bug spray, etc.

RULES:
- Follow all the standard movie rules: No talking, no cell phones, etc.
- Don't hog space, don't block the aisle down the middle, don't be stupid.
- Under no circumstances may anyone remove their shoes.
- Absolutely no alcohol or illegal substances allowed.

2009 CINEMA SPONSORS:

Raising Arizona [PG-13/94 min] This cult classic comedy from 1987 is the second film helmed by the infamous Coen Brothers (The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men). It follows a former outlaw (Nicolas Cage) and his wife, a former police officer (Holly Hunter), who find out they’re infertile and cannot adopt so decide to kidnap a baby. Slapstick hilariousness and impressive pyrotechnics ensue as they become entangled with a headhunter and two prison escapees.

This is Spinal Tap [R/82 min] Both the ultimate rock movie parody and the movie that invented the “mockumentary,” This is Spinal Tap has been a cult comedy staple since its release in 1984 and turned up to 11 ever since. It follows a heavy metal trio several decades into their career, as they hope to relaunch themselves with a new album and tour. Actors Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest hysterically improv their way through the backstage drama and on-stage mishaps.

Enter the Dragon [R/98 min] Widely regarded as the greatest film featuring martial arts master Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon was also his swan song as he died shortly after. The 1973 flick was Hollywood’s first stab at kung fu, and surrounds an exclusive fighting tournament on an island organized by a Shaolin master-turned crime lord. As an undercover agent with a thirst for vengeance, lets just say Bruce Lee wants more than to win the tournament.

Field of Dreams [PG/107 min] As inspirational and feel-good as they come, this movie epitomizes baseball season, Iowa, and the bond of a father and son. Kevin Costner stars as a small farmer inspired by a mysterious voice (“If you build it he will come”) to build a baseball field in which the spirits of players from yesteryear gather. James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, and Ray Liotta also star in this summertime “hit.”

PREVIOUSLY SHOWN FILMS (most rain out nights have been removed):

2005 SEASON
Ghostbusters
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Short Film Night: Comedy
American Splendor
Rear Window
Ghost World
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Saved!
Triplets of Belleville

2006 SEASON
Back to the Future
Amelie
Riding Giants
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Murder Ball
Kung Fu Hustle
American Movie
The Graduate
Rushmmore
High Fidelity
Welcome to the Dollhouse

2007 SEASON
The Goonies
Little Miss Sunshine
Who Killed the Electric Car?
The Jerk
Short Film Night: Comedies
Thank You for Smoking
Big Trouble in Little China
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

2008 SEASON
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Hoosiers
Persepolis
Shaun of the Dead
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

2009 SEASON
The Karate Kid
Waitress
Young @ Heart
Lars and the Real Girl
The Princess Bride

2005 SEASON
Ghostbusters
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Short Film Night: Comedy
American Splendor
Rear Window
Ghost World
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Saved!
Triplets of Belleville

2006 SEASON
Back to the Future
Amelie
Riding Giants
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Murder Ball
Kung Fu Hustle
American Movie
The Graduate
Rushmmore
High Fidelity
Welcome to the Dollhouse

2007 SEASON
The Goonies
Little Miss Sunshine
Who Killed the Electric Car?
The Jerk
Short Film Night: Comedies
Thank You for Smoking
Big Trouble in Little China
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

2008 SEASON
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Hoosiers
Persepolis
Shaun of the Dead
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

2009 SEASON
The Karate Kid
Waitress
Young @ Heart
Lars and the Real Girl
The Princess Bride

THE BASICS:
The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is Volume One's Thursday-night gig in downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park. Local bands play to crowds of approximately 1,000 people each night on the banks of the Chippewa River in June, July, and August. The show runs from about 6:30pm to 8:30pm, but new in 2010 is a "pre-show" set from area singer/songwriters at 6pm.

WEATHER UPDATES:
Check back here at 4:30pm on the day of a show for the final call on weather-related cancellations.

FOOD & DRINK:
Food will be available from Burrachos Fresh Mexican Grill and Mike's Smokehouse. Ice Cream and treats from 9 Degrees. Iced coffees and smoothies from The Coffee Grounds.

2010 SCHEDULE
June 3 – Laarks + The Last Semester
Pre-show: Feathe

June 10 – The Old Fashioneds + Mages
Pre-show: Coconut

June 17 – EverGreen Grass Band + New North String Band
Pre-show: Greg Gilbertson

June 24 – Irie Sol + Downers Grove
Pre-show: Leiah Webb

July 1 – The Klenz/Walk Sextet + The Jayson Collins Sextet
Pre-show: Thresher Shark

July 8 – The Sue Orfield Band + Quinn Elizabeth
Pre-show: Wintertime Carousel

July 15 – The Gentle Guest + The Excellent Adventure
Pre-show: Vinny Weible

July 22 – The Jim Pullman Band + The Michael Rambo Project
Pre-show: Jon Seeley

July 29 – South Farwell + No Loving Place (acoustic)
Pre-show: Brian Bethke

August 5 – The East Hill Bluegrass Band + Magic Mama
Pre-show: Adelyn Rose

August 12 – Mike Perry & the Long Beds + Meridene
Pre-show: Cadence (acoustic)

August 19 – The Daredevil Christopher Wright + Dead Dogs
Pre-show: Shillelagh Lads

August 26 – Duncan Ninja + The Heart Pills
Pre-show: More Amore

TIPS TO ENJOYING THE SHOW:
- Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
- Bring a picnic and/or some beverages (carry-ins are allowed).
- Bring your leashed pet.
- Bring some cash to buy the local music and Volume One swag.
- Bring your appetite for ice cream, hot dogs, and more.
- Bring typical outdoor gear: sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, etc.

15-SECOND VIDEO - A QUICK SWEEP ACROSS THE CROWD (in July 2009):

This "five minutes of feathery fury" has become an annual tradition in the heart of downtown Eau Claire. Hundreds of young-at-heart locals come out to this celebration of foolishness each year with increasing enthusiasm, costumes, and surprises. This is the fight's fourth year, and it's going to be bigger and better than ever!

WHAT: V1’s April Fools’ Day Pillow Fight
WHEN: Thursday, April 1.  6pm, sharp.
WHERE: Parking lot at the corner of Madison Street & Forest Street (across from the downtown Farmers’ Market, in the official Stella Blues parking lot).
WHO: Familes, Friends & Neighbors – the more people the better!
WHY: A celebration of a great American holiday.

NEW THIS YEAR: Get there early for pre-game festivities and events. Then, after the fight, we're giving away prizes for the following:
- Best-Costumed Individual
- Best-Costumed Team
- Best Pillow Case

PILLOW FIGHT TIPS & SUGGESTIONS:
- DO take off any glasses or any sort of headgear
- DO pick on people your own size and don’t try to hurt them
- Do NOT swing at people WITHOUT pillows or WITH cameras
- Do NOT be stupid and ruin this for everybody

SERIOUS DISCLAIMER:
Anyone who participates in the pillow fight does so at their OWN RISK. Volume One, the property owners, or any other affiliated party are not responsible in the unlikely occurrence of personal injury or wounded pride. If you do not wish to assume your own risk, then you must leave the premises. NOT leaving signifies you accept your own responsibility and are ready for some feathery fury.

A day-long festival of chalk art, music, food, and more on the sidewalks of Wilson Park in downtown Eau Claire. On a mid-summer Saturday, more than 50 professional and amateur artists (along with hundreds of kids) gather to create large-scale chalk masterpieces in front of thousands of visitors. Official website.

Chalkfest 2009: Official website!
Chalkfest 2008: Photos!

A community-based discussion event created in conjunction with Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. where civic leaders and community members of all kinds gather in a casual environment (read: with beer) to discuss the topics and issues of our area.

Idea Lounge: Photos!