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A Movie, a Museum, and 101 Very Cool Kids

Here is the truth about running a historic theatre: some of our favorite mornings do not involve a national touring act, a marquee announcement, or a single ticket sale. Some of our favorite mornings involve 101 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, a Super Mario movie, and the sound of a whole downtown showing up to say welcome.


On August 4, the Newark Boys & Girls Club came downtown, and The Reporting Project was there to tell the story.


The day started right here at The Midland, where the Club members packed our house for a Super Mario movie on OUR screen. From here, they walked over to The Works for a full slate of STEM activities and a lesson in Newark history, then finished the day at Canal Market District for a cookout hosted by the Newark Police Department, who provided the food, and helped serve it alongside our Midland team.


Day Downtown started small. A summer movie. That was it. The idea grew out of a conversation between Amanda Vozzella, regional director of the Newark Boys & Girls Club, and our own Maryann Crist, and it quickly became something bigger, a partnership between the Club, the Midland, The Works, the Canal Market District, the Newark Police Department, and more community organizations than we can fit in one sentence.


"One of the most rewarding parts of the day is watching the kids connect with adults who genuinely care about them," Maryann told The Reporting Project. "Those conversations, experiences and moments of encouragement can make a lasting impact."

Jacob Palmer, the Club's assistant director, said it best: "It takes a village, but we have spectacular leaders in our community, and that was definitely showcased through this event."


The kids, meanwhile, had opinions. The Reporting Project caught up with Club members Alexa, Rosalie, and Laeyana before the group headed downtown, and let the record show: the real MVP conversation of the day was a spirited debate about who is the best Gaga ball player. We are staying neutral on that one.


This is why we do what we do. A morning at a movie can become the moment a kid realizes downtown belongs to them too. That the marquee, the museum, the market, and the folks running them, all of it is theirs. That is what "Arts for All" actually means around here. Not a slogan. A day like this one.


Enormous thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, Amanda Vozzella and her team, The Works, Canal Market District, and the Newark Police Department for making Day Downtown what it is. And to Noah Lebowitz and The Reporting Project for telling the story so well.



The Midland Theatre is a proud partner in Newark's downtown community.


 
 
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