August Centennial Gift: Cleveland Foundation Weekend at Cinema at the Square on Aug. 21-24

Foundation to provide nearly 2,700 free tickets to each of five classic film screenings at PlayhouseSquare

RELEASE DATE: 8.4.2014

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Foundation today announced its August centennial gift to the community – Cleveland Foundation Weekend at Cinema at the Square – which recognizes the key role the foundation has played in saving and sustaining PlayhouseSquare. The gift will make available more than 13,000 free tickets to five classic films being shown Thursday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 24. This will be the first free weekend in the 17-year history of PlayhouseSquare’s Cinema at the Square event, which is being held at the Connor Palace Aug. 7-24.

Please click on the movie titles below to reserve tickets for Cleveland Foundation Weekend at Cinema at the Square:


Up to six tickets per household per movie are available by selecting above or calling PlayhouseSquare’s ticket office at 216-241-6000 starting at 11 a.m. August 8. Tickets are required for admission and seating will be general admission.

 

Download the event flyer

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“As we reflect on our history of impact in our community, we are especially proud of the role we played in helping to save the PlayhouseSquare theaters,” said Robert E. Eckardt, executive vice president of the Cleveland Foundation. “Today, it’s difficult to imagine our city without PlayhouseSquare. We hope our gift opens the doors to Greater Cleveland families who have never before enjoyed a show at this grand performing arts center.”

PlayhouseSquare was primarily a movie theater venue in the early years after it was established in 1922. Today, it’s the largest performing arts center in the country outside New York. The Cleveland Foundation has provided nearly $20 million to support this vibrant theater district throughout the past four decades. This investment includes funds to help preserve and consolidate theater properties, renovate the theaters and support innovative community programming.

“Given the Cleveland Foundation’s consistent and significant support of PlayhouseSquare from our very beginning, we are thrilled to be chosen as one of its centennial gift partners,” said Art J. Falco, president and CEO of PlayhouseSquare. “PlayhouseSquare would not be what it is today without the long-term support of the foundation. Through this gift, we look forward to welcoming thousands of Greater Clevelanders into the Connor Palace to step back in time and enjoy some classic films with their families.”

In celebration of the foundation’s centennial, PlayhouseSquare is helping make Cleveland Foundation Weekend at Cinema at the Square special by rolling out the red carpet for movie-goers – literally! Guests will enter the Connor Palace by walking the red carpet and posing for photos, which will be displayed on the big screen – the largest non-IMAX screen in Ohio – during pre-film programming.

In addition, one hour before each film’s start time, audiences will be invited to participate in a sing-along of favorite movie songs. Guests will also be encouraged to dress in costumes reflecting characters from each respective movie. Those in costume will be given the opportunity to participate in a pre-movie parade on the theater stage.

PlayhouseSquare is the 12th nonprofit organization the Cleveland Foundation has partnered with for its centennial gifts to the community. The gifts are meant to highlight organizations the foundation has played a role in establishing or enhancing throughout its 100-year history.

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The Cleveland Foundation

Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world’s first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $2.1 billion and 2013 grants of $89 million. For more information on the Cleveland Foundation, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Purpose and follow us at Facebook.com/ClevelandFoundation or @CleveFoundation on Twitter.