She Likes to Watch

This month, it’s time to learn a little.
Through HopeDance Magazine’s ongoing film series, moviegoers will follow locally grown food from the fields to the dinner table, learn about water rights, and explore the Mayan calendar.
The series kicks off Thursday with a screening of “Tableland,” a documentary about local growers, chefs, oyster farmers and bakers who treasure their Central Coast resources.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with dinner from Naked Food Live Cuisine, a raw food delivery service in San Luis Obispo, followed by the film at 7 p.m.
Afterward, there’s a talk by employees of HoneyMoon Café in Pismo Beach.
Tickets are $8 for dinner, or $25 for two people or $15 for one person for dinner and the movie.

December also features the following:

“Escape From Suburbia,” Dec. 10
Environmentally and socially savvy folks seek alternatives to the rampant materialism and waste plaguing today’s world.
The film is followed by a discussion with Cal Poly physics professors Peter Schwartz and Dave Hafemeister, plus Adam Hill, running for the county Board of Supervisors.
A $10 donation is suggested.

“A Drop of Life” and “Water: A Clear Solution,” Dec. 20
The first short film looks at how India and indigenous peoples deal with water, compared to the modern West. The second tackles water scarcity issues.
The event will feature a speaker from SLO Green Build discussing water conservation and sustainability practices.
Organizers suggest a $5 donation.

“In Between 2 Worlds,” Dec. 27
Ever wonder about the differences between the ancient Mayan calendar and the Gregorian calendar we use today?
Filmmaker José Jaramillo examines how measuring time can affect our psyche and our direction in the world. The Mayan scholar will speak at the screening.
A $10 donation is suggested.

All films will be screened at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.
For more information, visit www.hopedance.org.

– Sarah L.

Another month, another slew of socially progressive movies from HopeDance Magazine.
This September, HopeDance FiLMs focuses on subjects like crop circles, hallucinogens and Mexican factory workers. Central Coast cinephiles can expect movies with a conscience and a message.
The monthly film series starts Friday with “Hacking Democracy,” a documentary about vote-tampering and the flawed vote-counting machines used in the American electoral process.
The film will be shown at sunset in the parking lot of Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. Bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged.

The following is a brief rundown of this month’s HopeDance FiLMs:

Sept. 10
“Zeitgeist: Beyond 9/11”
A humorous look at God, money and the truth behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 7 p.m. San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. $5 suggested donation.

Sept. 14
“The 11th Hour”
Leonardo DiCaprio narrates this documentary about the state of the global environment, and practical solutions for restoring our planet’s ecosystems. This HopeDance fundraiser includes a raffle. 7 p.m. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St., SLO. $10.

Sept. 17
“Star Dreams”
A look at the art and mystery of crop circles. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

Sept. 21
“Peace One Day”
Peace activist Jeremy Gilley works with the United Nations, world and religious leaders and ordinary citizens to declare a global Day of Peace. Sunset. Utopia Bakery. Donation suggested.

Sept. 22
“Maquilapolis”
Works struggle for survival in the massive sweatshops just across the Mexican border known as maquiladoras, often owned by the world’s largest corporations. 7 p.m. Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Free.

Sept. 28
“Entheogen: Awakening the Divine Within”
Documentary director Rod Mann will be on hand to speak about hallucinogens and the modern world. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

For more information, visit HopeDance’s Web site.

– Sarah L.