A History of How About Dinner And A Movie?
January 25, 2022
It has been a quarter of a century of laughs, tears, great food, friends, and most importantly, giving back to the community. Park Center Board Member Barbara Daane, whose passion is Park Center, had an idea in 1997 after attending countless fundraisers and parties throughout Nashville. She wanted to help and wanted to do something different. What is more relaxing, easy-going, and fun than asking a friend, "How About Dinner And A Movie?" And that's how it started.
The Belcourt Theatre was the desired location, but the beautiful venue was not what it is today. Operated by another organization, Mrs. Daane secured the venue rental. Still, the theatre was about to close before the first fundraising event. Fortunately, with the hard work, grit, and determination of Mrs. Daane, the event prevailed and Park Center's first "How About Dinner And A Movie?" started a tradition that has lasted since.
Over the years, a committed and influential committee of local volunteers has helped secure auction items from hundreds of local businesses. They have helped usher in hundreds of passionate friends and neighbors to educate them about Park Center's work and the impact their contributions can make. In addition to the thousands of dollars raised, this event has honored someone special to Park Center almost every year. Here is a look back at the Honorees and movies from the last 25 years.
Honorees
1998: In Memory of Frances Garrison
1999: In Memory of Frances Garrison and Tipper Gore officiating
2000 - 2004: No Honoree
2005: Charlie Hawkins
2006: In Memory of Arthur Fox
2007: Barbara Daane
2008: In Memory of Connie Duprey
2009: 25th Anniversary of Park Center
2010: Louise Katzman
2011: Jennie Adams
2012: Emmylou Harris
2013: Dewey, Barbara, and Whitney Daane
2014: Robert Lipman
2015: Amy and Frank Garrison and In Memory of Louise Katzman
2016: In Memory of Alex Steele
2017: Bill Forrester
2018: Bill Young
2019: Edie Bass
2020: Ron Samuels
2021: Healthcare Workers
Movies
1998: Kundun
1999: Savoir
2000: Cries of Silence
2001: Song Catcher
2002: The Cat’s Meow
2003: Mondays in the Sun
2004: Eulogy
2005: Dear Mrs. Cash
2006: A Good Woman
2007: Laura Film Noir
2008: The Last Romantic
2009: The Soloist
2010: The Visitor
2011: Cedar Rapids
2012: Dean Spanley
2013: The Untouchables
2014: Summer in February
2015: Serena
2016: Life is Beautiful
2017: Saving Banksy
2018: Pecking Order
2019: Into the Canyon
2020: The Graduate
2021: The Outside Story
For more history on Park Center, click here.
For more history on the Belcourt Theatre, click here.
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