Movie Palace Encounters

At the beginning of the academic year, there are a string of receptions, luncheons and dinners to welcome new and returning faculty to campus.  Most of these events are, to be frank, dull and tense.  First, academics are not the most socially gifted demographic, and in the days before the semester starts they are all nervous and strained about getting their courses organized.  This combination of factors rarely makes for a good party.  Still, when my friend invited me to one of these events, I tagged along, thinking that at the very least I'd get a free dinner.  Against all expectations, I came away with much more.  

The dinner was at the Fox Theatre, an Atlanta institution that started life as a Shriners Temple, became a movie palace with an Egyptomania aesthetic, and now hosts concerts, parties, and the occasional film screening.  Early in the evening we went on a tour - it was great fun to hear about the Orientalist decor, the early air-conditioning system, the huge cinema organ, and the elaborate fire-control systems (since the building dates from the era when film was extremely flammable - explosive, actually).  If I teach "Intro to Film" in Atlanta I plan to take my students there so they will know how fabulous a movie theatre can be. 

After the tour I got in line for the bar, and started chatting with a guy who, like me, had been invited by a friend to come along for a free dinner.  He told me that he works for the local newspaper, but I soon discovered his real profession:  magician.   We hit it off, and had dinner together courtesy of Georgia Tech.  Since then we've taken Atlanta by storm - swing dancing, the drive-in, and this weekend we're going to a laser show about the history of Georgia.  He has promised to teach Mollie a magic trick so she can show up all the other therapy dogs.