FOOD FOR THOUGHT - THE REVISIONARIES
Thursday, May 16 - 7:00 pm, $8.00

Food For Thought is a monthly evening of food, film and discussion with a focus on films of social, political, environmental and community interest. Held on the third Thursday of each month, the night will feature food samples by Honest Weight Food Co-op, a feature film screening, and an open panel discussion.

This Months Film: The Revisionaries

The theory of evolution and a re-write of US history are caught in the crosshairs when an unabashed creationist seeks re-election as
chairman of America's most influential board of education. In Austin, Texas, fifteen people influence what is taught to the next generation of American children. Once every decade, the highly politicized Texas State Board of Education rewrites the teaching and textbook standards for its nearly 5 million schoolchildren. And when it comes to textbooks, what happens in Texas affects the nation as a whole.

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Food For Thought is a monthly evening of food, film and discussion with a focus on films of social, political, environmental and community interest. Held on the third Thursday of each month, the night will feature food samples by Honest Weight Food Co-op, a feature film screening, and an open panel discussion.

This Months Film: The Revisionaries

The theory of evolution and a re-write of US history are caught in the crosshairs when an unabashed creationist seeks re-election as
chairman of America's most influential board of education

In Austin, Texas, fifteen people influence what is taught to the next generation of American children. Once every decade, the highly politicized Texas State Board of Education rewrites the teaching and textbook standards for its nearly 5 million schoolchildren. And when it comes to textbooks, what happens in Texas affects the nation as a whole. Don McLeroy, a dentist, Sunday school teacher, and avowed young-earth creationist, leads the Religious Right charge. After briefly serving on his local school board, McLeroy was elected to the Texas State Board of Education and later appointed chairman. During his time on the board, McLeroy has overseen the adoption of new science and history curriculum standards, drawing national attention and placing Texas on the front line of the so-called "culture wars." n his last term, McLeroy, aided by Cynthia Dunbar, an attorney from Houston and professor of Law at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, finds himself not only fighting to change what Americans are taught, but also fighting to retain his seat on the board. Challenged by Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, and Ron Wetherington, an anthropology professor from Southern Methodist University in Texas, McLeroy faces his toughest term yet. THE REVISIONARIES follows the rise and fall of some of the most controversial figures in American education through some of their most tumultuous intellectual battles.

Director's Statement

A few years ago I was inspired by an article by physicist Brian Greene called "Put a Little Science in Your Life." The article encouraged educators to communicate science in ways that capture the drama and excitement of new discoveries mixed in with the standard technical details. My fifth grade science teacher created this energy, sparking my imagination and interest in science and so I sought to produce a short portrait of a science teacher in Texas that's also moving minds with an intense and electrifying message.

At the time, I discovered a survey stating that half of the American public did not accept the theory of evolution and so I decided to focus my film on a Biology teacher and the lessons on evolution. Not long after I started following these classroom discussions, I learned about the political debate on the State Board of Education in Texas over how evolution would be taught in science and later how the concept of "separation between church and state" would be understood in social studies, among other controversial topics.

I became more interested in the political issue over time, but remained focused on having a character driven story. As I continued to seek intimate access to a few people that were heavily involved, I was drawn to the magnetic personality of Don McLeroy, chairman of the board, and outspoken creationist on a mission to convince the public and next generation of students that evolution is not sound science and that America is exceptional in part because it was founded on Christian principles. After a year of efforts to gain access, Don slowly opened up to me, eventually allowing me full access to his personal life at work, in his fourth grade Sunday school class and in his home.

I'm grateful for Don's willingness to have shared such exclusive aspects of his life for the documentary and my goal is for the compassion and complexities of Don's character to be appreciated and understood beyond the stereotypical persona that's been given to this small town dentist in the past.

This evenings musical performer

JACK EMPIE

Jack Empie began playing guitar spontaneously on a Christmas Day when he discovered a guitar (intended for his younger brother) under the tree. Jack went on to study music at Berkley College and Towson University. His diverse range makes it difficult to place his music in a particular genre but his personal voice is discernible to even an unsophisticated listener. Jack has worked as a professional musician in bands and as a solo performer since he was a teenager. His passion for music is infectious because of his joy in sharing and relating it others. He is presently working to release a new CD and continues to perform at various local venues.

AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY
Tuesday, May 14 - 7:00 pm, FREE

a film by Alison Klayman

Presented by Amnesty International Local Group 361

The inside story of a dissident for the digital age. Ai Weiwei is China's most famous international artist, and its most
outspoken domestic critic.

Sundance Juried Award
New York Times Critics Pick

Followed by a Q&A

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ANNUAL PHIL OCHS SONG NIGHT
Saturday, May 11 - 8:00 pm, $18.00

Once again The Linda is excited to present the annual Phil Ochs Song night hosted by Phils' sister Sonny Ochs and our own host of The Hudson River Sampler, Wanda Fischer. This years list of performers includes:Magpie, Happy Traum (who knew Phil well in NYC in "the old days") Bob Warren, Betty and the Baby Boomers and Geoff Bartley

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GABRIEL KELLEY
Friday, May 10 - 8:00 pm, $15.00

presented by WEXT 97.7

with special guest Mary Leigh Roohan

Having launched a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $26,000 for his debut album, Nashville-based Gabriel Kelley just might become your favorite new singer/songwriter.

The Georgia native's history is a one-of-a-kind journey that includes having been an exchange student in Sweden as well as a worker at a school for orphans in Guatemala where he designed a music program for the students.

Kelley eventually made his way to Nashville and signed on as a staff writer with a publishing company in 2006. Feeling unfulfilled, he waited until his contract expired and then sold everything he owned so he could spend the next four years living, writing and recording his demos in an RV.

Then came the Kickstarter campaign, resulting in $26,000 in 60 days which led to his debut album, the appropriately titled It Don't Come Easy.
"It's called It Don't Come Easy for a reason," Kelley said. "After a while on the project, it became evident that there was going to be no short cut making this record. It needed time, and we recognized that - we didn't force it along, but gave it everything we had - by choice."

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LADYFEST
Saturday, May 4 - 6:00 pm, $15.00
General Admission tickets are sliding scale $15-25

Ladyfest Upstate is a 3 day community based, not-for-profit global music and arts festival that presents the work of women and trans gender nonconforming (GNC) artists. The festival will take place in Albany at Grand Street Community Arts and The Linda from May 3-5, 2013. It will feature educational workshops, informational skill shares, music, visual art, poetry, performance art, and films. The purpose is to give artists and educators local to the Capital Region and New York State an opportunity to showcase their work to the community. It will be the first festival of its kind and the goal is to have it become an annual event in our community.

6:00 - doors open
6:30 - Naima + Adaku (one dancer + spoken word)
7:15 - xela (hip hop artist)
8:00 - Taina asili (world band)
8:45 - Bell's roar (solo artist)
9:30 - b steady (solo artist)
10:15 -12:00 dance party (2 DJs)

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