Special invitation to celebrate holiday season

The Robinson Film Center is premiering “Holi-dazed,” a pop-up installation and special event project that’s billed as transforming the Robinson Film Center’s Abby Singer’s Bistro into “a smorgasbord of sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the holiday season” beginning Nov. 26.

The center’s executive director, Meghan Avallone, said, “We’re really excited to be partnering with Apex Events and C&C Mercantile and the artists that work for those two organizations. Basically, our bistro is going to be turned into a special art installation for this holiday season, and it’s going to be lights and décor and special props that have been made just for this event.” The six-week presentation is bringing together Downtown Shreveport Unlimited/Mudbug Madness, C&C Mercantile and Lighting, and Apex Communication to promote downtown as the fun place to come for the holidays.

The transformation will occur from the center’s lobby and continue upstairs to Abby Singer’s Bistro. The halls will be decked with hundreds of strands of multicolored lights along with oversized holiday props and fixtures created by Derek Simmons and Lauren Ross Simmons of C&C Mercantile and Lighting.

In announcing “Holi-dazed,” Downtown Shreveport Unlimited/ Mudbug Madness Executive Director Mary Helen Marrs said, “We wanted to do something different in downtown Shreveport this year. We had seen this concept in other cities and decided to create our own version using local talent and resources. It is a family-friendly environment that also doubles as a great place for adults at night.”

The center will be bringing its usual complement of holiday movies to their screens for cinema buffs, including “White Christmas,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Lethal Weapon,” which organizers assure us is a holiday film.

A complete listing of events at the Robinson can be accessed online at www.robinsonfilmcenter.org, including times and prices. Some of the highlights are a family matinee of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on Nov. 27, a ladies-nightout dinner and a movie combination of “Last Christmas” on Nov. 30, Book Lovers Supper Club discussion of “Great Expectations” on Dec. 6, a concert film series screening of “The Gorillaz: Song Machine Live” on Dec. 8 and — naturally — the silver screening of “White Christmas” on Dec. 14.

Shoppers can find the perfect present for the food or film lover on their list in the center’s gift shop, and there are several holiday gift deals available. On Dec. 8, visitors to the RFC Holiday Gift Market will receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres at the cash bar while they peruse one-day-only deals.

The transformation of RFC into a Christmas Wonderland is scheduled for Nov. 26 through Jan. 8. The center is open Tuesday through Sunday for showtimes. Abby Singer’s Bistro will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Note: Abby Singer’s is open for dinner only on Saturday.

The holiday spirit will spill outside to the RFC exterior and be visible to motorists as they drive down Texas Street. There’s also a rumor that a “familiar iconic holiday figure” might be seen sitting atop the balcony railing.

The entire package is designed to help locals and their friends and holiday guests get into the Christmas spirit all season long. “So, you’re going to come, you’re going to have a drink, you’re going to have a snack, you’re just going to be in awe of the Christmas decorations that are all around the bistro,” Avallone said. “The reason people are going to want to come downtown for this is to see it. To see the sights, to take a picture with all of the décor.

“It fits into what we’re already doing for the holidays. We’re a great destination for holiday parties. We’re a great destination for a place to eat. We’re a great destination for all of your holiday movies.”

“The Holi-Daze transformation of the Bistro fits right in with the holidaythemed things that we have going on for the month.”

Avallone added, “We would love for people to come try us out for the first time. If you love us, bring a friend. This is the perfect time to try out the Robinson Film Center if you’ve never tried it before.”