She Likes to Watch

Every year, thousands of people head into Nevada’s Black Rock desert for eight days of art, fire, radical self-expression and exploration into the unknown.
The annual festival known as Burning Man is the subject of “Journey to the Flames,” a documentary being screened tonight by HopeDance Magazine.
In the film, director Doug Jacobsen follows a group of friends over eight years as they explore the wild world of the avant-garde artists, fire-breathers, free thinkers and musicians that populate Black Rock City.
Participants barter for goods instead of using money, travel in modified “art bikes” and “mutant vehicles,” and abide by a simple principle: leave no trace.

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Watch “Journey to the Flames” tonight at sunset at Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. The film will be screened outside on the wall of Staples, so bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged. For more information, visit HopeDance’s Web site.

How does SLO County celebrate National Bike Month? With a screening of the world’s best-ever bike movie, of course.
“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” will be shown tonight in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero in two free outdoor events.
Bike enthusiasts will meet at Atascadero’s Sunken Garden at 6:30 p.m. for a children’s parade and mixer before a 45-minute bike ride at 7:30 p.m. The movie will be shown at 8:30 p.m.
In San Luis Obispo, gather at Mission Plaza at 6:45 p.m. for a bike ride to Johnson Park at Southwood Drive and Augusta Street.
“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” will be screened at 8:30 p.m. on the wall of the YMCA, 1020 Southwood Drive, in SLO.
For more information, call 781-1385 or check out the Bike Month Web site.

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The fun continues next weekend with the BiKE FiLM Festival sponsored by HopeDance Magazine.
On May 17, bike lovers can meet at 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Utopia Bakery for a free outdoor screening of “Indecent Exposure to Cars: The Story of the World Naked Bike Ride.”
The bakery is at 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo.
Short films about bikes, created by local amateur movie makers, will be shown at 7 p.m., May 18, at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. The suggested donation is $5.
Come back to the library at 7 p.m., May 19, for two bike-related documentaries. “Contested Streets” looks at New York City’s crowded streets, while “Pedal” examines the unique subculture of that city’s bike messengers. Admission is $10, or $5 for bicyclists and pedestrians.

– Sarah L.

HopeDance Magazine returns in May with progressive-minded documentaries about bikes, Buddhism and biodiversity.
The film series kicks off today with “Manufactured Landscapes,” Canadian filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal’s stunning look at humankind’s impact on the world around it.
The film, which starts at 7 p.m., follows photographer Edward Burtynsky as he documents the effects of industry and manufacturing on landscapes throughout the world. Tickets are $5.
All films will be shown at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.

Catch the following films this month:

MAY 14
“Words of My Perfect Teacher,” 7 p.m.
Three students on a quest for wisdom seek out one of the world’s most eminent Buddhist teachers. Cameos by Steven Seagal and Bernardo Bertolucci. $10.

MAY 18
Amateur Bike Shorts, 7 p.m.
Love bikes? HopeDance kicks off its BiKE FiLM Festival with an evening of short films by locals. As per festival rules, each film has a strong pro-bike or anti-car message and runs 10 minutes or less. $5.

MAY 19
“Contested Streets” and “Pedal,” 7 p.m.
HopeDance’s celebration of National Bike Month continues with these two reels-on-wheels. “Contested Streets” chronicles the evolution of New York City’s busy, bustling streets, while “Pedal” looks at that city’s bike messengers. $10, $5 for bicyclists and folks on foot.

MAY 21
“Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton,” 7 p.m.
Filmmaker Morgan Atkinson brings insight to the spiritual journey of the well-known Trappist monk, theologian, author and activist. He’s set to speak after the screening. $10.

MAY 22
“Planet Earth: The Future,” 6:30 p.m.
This companion series to The Discovery Channel’s eye-opening “Planet Earth” highlights the issues surrounding the conservation of Earth’s natural splendor. Donation requested.

MAY 25
“America: From Freedom to Fascism,” 4:30 p.m.
Aaron Russo connects the creation of the Federal Reserve system to the loss of civil liberties in America in this documentary, also screened last month. Donation requested.

– Sarah L.

Love bikes? Love movies?
HopeDance Magazine is looking for original short films to screen at its Bike Film Festival in May.
The movies should be 10 minutes long or less and promote a strong pro-bike or anti-car message.
According to the magazine, “We’re not looking for art here, just a good old propaganda that will move the audience to go home and set fire to their SUVs and Hummers.”
HopeDance offers prizes for the top three films: $150 in cash, a $100 gift certificate to The ARTery in Atascadero and a $50 gift certificate to Wally’s Bicycle Works in San Luis Obispo.
Mail DVDs to HopeDance Magazine, P.O. Box 15069, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.
Submissions are due this Friday, April 20.

HopeDance’s National Bike Month event will run May 18 and 19, featuring the films “Contested Streets” and “Pedal,” Peter Sullivan’s documentary about New York City bike messengers.
Organizers are also planning a “World Naked Bike Ride” on May 17, starting at the parking lot of Utopia European Bakery Cafe, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo.
Contact HopeDance Magazine at 544-9663 for more information.

– Sarah L.