Oscar Night Benefit Returns to Vashon Theatre

Vashon Film Society and the Oscar Night committee are bringing the island’s annual Academy Awards bash back to the Vashon Theatre on Sunday, March 2.  

It will be the group’s seventeenth year of spotlighting Vashon’s historic movie house by producing a local gala that incorporates the glitzy Hollywood Oscar awards show broadcast with homegrown entertainment on the commercial breaks.

The Oscar party is also a significant milestone for theater owners Eileen and Gordon Wolcott who have been marking their tenth year of showing movies at the Vashon Theatre. More than a decade ago, Vashon Film Society managed to convince a Seattle television station to feature its Oscar Night gala on the evening news, and the resulting publicity about the island’s down-but-not-yet-out independent theater convinced the West Seattle Wolcotts to take a ferry the next day to find out about buying the single screen cinema.

The Vashon Oscar Night party differs from swankier big city Academy Awards galas in several significant ways. Tickets cost much less, families with kids are welcome, and islanders are known to comb the aisles at Granny’s Attic and other consignment shops to come up with funky, original spins on the haute couture donned by Hollywood stars. Before the real Academy Awards are shown live on the big screen of the Vashon Theatre, a swarm of local “paparazzi” interviews arriving islanders on the red carpet, and rides around the block in a classic limousine are a favorite activity from 4 to 5 pm.

Once inside the theatre, party guests of all ages can compete in a costume contest with eleven categories including the “Cher” award for most outrageous garb. Other categories are Best Dressed Child (Female and Male), Best PJs (for those preferring comfy flannel attire and a blankie over formal wear), Celebrity Look-alike, Best Dressed Adult (Female and Male), Best Dressed Teen (Female and Male), Best Dressed Adult Couple, and Best Ballot.

Snapdragon Bakery and Café is catering the dinner again this year and promises vegetarian and gluten-free options, and wine sales will benefit Vashon Maury Community Food Bank. Soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages and movie snacks will be available all evening at the theatre concession stand.

During breaks from the live Hollywood broadcast, community activist (and well known bus driver) Larry Flynn will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the local Vashon-centric activities that take place on the stage of the Vashon Theatre. Proceeds from Oscar Night ticket sales go toward annual scholarships that Vashon Film Society awards to aspiring film makers through Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation.

Tickets are $10 advance ($12 day of show), and the $30 Superstar Deal offers a substantial $5 savings by packaging admission, limo ride with photo, beverage and meal together.  Tickets can be obtained at the Vashon Theatre box office, Vashon Bookshop and Brown Paper Tickets.