On Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m., Tryon Fine Arts Center Film Committee presents Dirty Dancing. This “Carolina Connection” is a perennial favorite, especially for folks who remember it being filmed in Western North Carolina. Prepare for a full evening of fun, which will include a dance competition at 6 p.m. and a picnic supper beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Dirty Dancing was a low-budget film by, despite its name, a virtually unknown new studio, Great American Films Limited Partnership. The 1987 romantic musical drama became an immediate smash hit, earning over $200 million and was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video. Set in the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York, but actually filmed in Lake Lure and Polk County, the story tells of a teenage girl (Jennifer Grey) and her romance with a dance instructor (Patrick Swayze) whom she meets while on vacation with her family at a summer resort.
The song, “I’ve Had The Time of My Life” from the soundtrack by the film’s producer, Jimmy Lenner won both the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for the Best Original Song, as well as the Grammy Award for the best duet. The Film’s choreographer was Kenny Ortega, whose career has included the creation of spectacular numbers for Gene Kelly, Madonna and Michael Jackson, as well as the opening ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Tryon residents, actor and dancer Dallas Johann and his wife, photographer Susan Johann will judge the dance competition, which will begin at around 6 p.m. Mr. Johann’s movie career includes Viva Las Vegas and Kissin’ Cousins and he also appeared in numerous Broadway musical productions. Winning dancers will receive season tickets for the Fall TFAC movie series.
The final movie in the Spring series will be the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of The Secret Garden on Tuesday, May 20.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.on Tuesday, May 6, when drinks and picnic bags will be available for purchase and dancers can sign up for the competition. The movie will begin at approximately 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at the box office or at the door. Please call the TFAC Box Office at 828-859-8322 to place an order for a picnic bag.
– article written
by Frances Flynn