State Theatre premiere to benefit Northwest Food Coalition

Next Monday, the State Theatre in Traverse City will hold Michigan's premiere of Charlie Wilson's War, which, says Michael Moore, is "one of the holiday season's most anticipated films." And because that night, December 17, will mark the one-month anniversary of the re-opened State Theatre, the premiere will benefit the Northwest Food Coalition. One hundred percent of the evening's ticket proceeds will go the coalition, which serves 35 food pantries in Northwest Michigan: Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford counties.

While many of us in the region are blessed to enjoy the food and drink we write about on Up North Foodies, many of our neighbors are struggling. The number of children living in poverty in the area has increased during the first part of the decade, with approximately 1 in 10 kids living in poverty.

Here's what Moore writes about the movie:

"Charlie Wilson's War" is the latest film from the great Mike Nichols who, 40 years ago this year, made his first film, "The Graduate." It stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It tells the story of a congressman who never amounted to much -- until he came up with the genius idea to send arms to a rebel group in Afghanistan that was, at the time in the early 80s, fighting the Soviet invaders. The rebel group included a really tall guy who went by the name of Osama. And they were ever so grateful to Charlie Wilson and the Congress, and everyone lived happily ever after.

Tickets are on sale now at $10 each, and are expected to sell out. This is a one-night deal at the State and the film starts at 7 p.m. Help it sell out, enjoy a great film, and all for a good cause. It doesn't get any better, or easier, than that!

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