The Official Blog of Laemmle Theatres.

blog.laemmle.com

The official blog of Laemmle Theatres

You are here: Home / Contests

TOP SPIN: Ping Pong Exhibition and Table Giveaway!

by

ts-posterAn inside look at the offbeat sport of ping pong, the new documentary TOP SPIN turns one of America’s favorite pastimes on its head and reveals a coming-of-age story where success and failure come down to mere millimeters.

Laemmle Theatres and First Run Features are planning special events for our TOP SPIN screenings, including:
– Raffle to Win an Olympic Quality Ping Pong Table!
– Live Ping Pong Exhibitions by Elite Players
– Lots of Q&A’s

Click here to buy tickets to see TOP SPIN!
 

RAFFLE

Everyone who attends ANY screening of TOP SPIN at Laemmle will be given a FREE RAFFLE TICKET to win a top-of-the-line JOOLA Ping Pong Table! This is a  tournament-tested refurbished Olympic-quality table that has been used by the pros.  JOOLA lists this item at approx. $1400.  We will have a sample table at the Playhouse from August 19 to 23.

Grand prize:
JOOLA 3000SC Table Tennis Table, the Official Table of USATT. The JOOLA 3000SC is an ITTF approved high quality centerfold table. It has four heavy-duty durable wheels serving the undercarriage, which is made of powder-coated metal and contains a 50 mm metal frame under its Olympic-quality 22 mm fast playing surface. The 3000SC also boasts adjustable, solid rubber levelers underneath each corner leg and includes a professional quality WM net.

JOOLA will ship the table directly to the winner anywhere in the continental United States.

Joola_3000SC_new_v2

Runner up prizes:

Joola Hit Set Table Tennis Set: Four JOOLA Hit rackets with eight balls.

Joola Falcon Set: High end recreational racket with a protective racket case.

For official Raffle Rules, click here.
 

PING PONG EXHIBITONS

Elite ping-pong players will be at the Playhouse 7 for Q&A’s and LIVE PING PONG EXHIBITIONS at select Top Spin screenings:

Fri. 8/21: 6:30pm – 7:00pm and 9:15pm to 9:30PM* (at the Paseo next to the box office)
Sat. 8/22: 6:30pm – 7:00pm and 9:15pm to 9:30PM* (at the Paseo next to the box office)
Sun. 8/23 – 6:30pm – 7:00pm and 9:15pm to 9:30PM* (location TBD)

* Before and after the 7:30pm screening of Top Spin

Players include 2012 Teenage Olympian ERICA WU and U.S. National Team member, GRANT LI, as well as professionals KIM GILBERT and ADAM BOBROW.

 

Clockwise, from top-left: Erica Wu, 2012 U.S. Olympian; Grant Li, 2015 U.S. National Team Member; Adam Bobrow, Professional Ping Pong Player and Actor; Kim Gilbert, Professional Ping Pong Player
Clockwise, from top-left: Erica Wu, 2012 U.S. Olympian; Grant Li, 2015 U.S. National Team Member; Adam Bobrow, Professional Ping Pong Player and Actor; Kim Gilbert, Professional Ping Pong Player

 

Q&A’S

Playhouse 7 Q&A’s: 

Wed 8/19: Filmmakers Mina T. Son & Sara Newens + Teenage Olympian Erica Wu in Person

Fri 8/21: Filmmakers Mina T. Son & Sara Newens + Teenage Olympian Erica Wu in Person

Sat 8/22: Filmmaker Mina T. Son & Teenage Olympian Erica Wu in Person

Sun 8/23: Filmmaker Mina T. Son & Teenage Olympian Erica Wu in Person

Weekday Q&A’s: 

Mon 8/24 (NOHO 7) : Filmmaker Mina T. Son in Person

Tues 8/25 (ROYAL): Filmmaker Mina T. Son in Person

Wed 8/26 (CLAREMONT 5): Filmmaker Mina T. Son in Person

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=539TOEBuPqM

It’s Not Too Late to See Oscar Nominees and Enter Our Oscar Contest

by

The Academy Awards air this Sunday which means entries for our Umpteenth Annual Oscar Contest are due Sunday morning. The person who most accurately predicts the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s choices wins ten pairs of passes, second place wins eight pairs and third place wins six pairs.

The best way to up your Oscar game is to see the nominees. Watching THE 2015 OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORTS ANIMATED, DOCUMENTARY, and LIVE ACTION will certainly put you ahead of the pack.

Best Foreign Film nominees LEVIATHAN and TIMBUKTU expand to Claremont and NoHo this Friday. IDA is playing in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, WILD TALES and TANGERINES won’t be released prior to the awards.

Other nominees of note still playing at one or more of our theatres include: SONG OF THE SEA, STILL ALICE, WHIPLASH, CITIZENFOUR, TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT, THE IMITATION GAME, AMERICAN SNIPER, and more.

BONUS TIP: Take the tie-breaker question seriously!

ENTER HERE

Ride with Greg Laemmle and Win a 2015 Movie Pass

by

It’s time for our 3rd Annual Ride with Greg Laemmle Climate Ride Contest!  Don’t miss your chance to participate in this life-altering event.  Last year our team was 14 strong and we’re expecting to surpass that number for 2015.  Join us and become part of our amazing group!

What’s more, tell us why you want to ride with Greg and you could win an Unlimited Laemmle Movie Pass for the remainder of 2015, free registration for Climate Ride California, and a $2500 contribution toward your Climate Ride fundraising goal from the Laemmle Charitable Foundation.  See the second and third prize packages, eligibility requirements, and all contest details over on the contest entry page.

An outside panel of judges will select the winners based on the quality of their entry statement so take the time to craft something that’ll really knock their cycling socks off! But don’t wait too long, the deadline for entry is Monday, February 16!

Climate Ride California 2015 is a fully-supported, five-day group ride covering approx. 300 miles of stellar Northern California scenery starting with the awe-inspiring Redwood State Park,  down miles of spectacular coastline, through California wine growing country, and culminating with a jaunt over the Golden Gate Bridge and into the City By the Bay.  Bike fitness is recommended, but the ride caters to all levels of ability.

ENTER HERE

Bicycling Cinephiles! Bike L.A. with Greg Laemmle on the TOUR DE LAEMMLE

by

L.A.’s premiere destination for independent film, LAEMMLE THEATRES, is excited to announce the first-ever TOUR DE LAEMMLE.  Theatre owner and cycling advocate GREG LAEMMLE will be riding his TERN commuter bicycle (AKA, “The Pirate Ninja”) to all seven Laemmle locations SATURDAY, JUNE 21.  And he’s inviting the public to pedal with him!

Laemmle Theatres President Greg Laemmle

The TOUR is FREE to all participants. Riders may join Greg for the entire route, which starts at the ROYAL THEATRE in West L.A. at 6 AM, or for one or more of the ensuing legs. The full circuit (which returns to the Royal in the early evening) will cover 124 miles throughout the L.A. region including Santa Monica, Claremont, Beverly Hills and Encino at its most outward points.  See below for more route details.

Greg will be GIVING AWAY his “Pirate Ninja” bicycle to the grand prize winner of the TOUR SWEEPSTAKES! (see details below).  In addition, the FIRST 50 people who register for the Tour at www.Laemmle.com/Tour will receive a FREE Laemmle  T-SHIRT.  Plus, ALL REGISTRANTS will receive a FREE Laemmle History Book, which commemorates three generations of family ownership and a 75-year legacy of contributing to cultural life of Los Angeles.

The TERN Pirate Ninja Grand Prize

At each theatre stop, cyclists can refuel with refreshments provided by the theatre and from the Tour’s sponsors including KIND BAR, O.N.E. COCONUT WATER, and others TBD.

The Tour celebrates the launch of Laemmle’s first BIKE CORRAL.  The corral is part of a pilot program by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Bike Program, where the City partners with a local business to provide on-street bicycle parking.  The corral will be installed on LANKERSHIM BLVD. near the entrance of the NOHO 7, the chain’s acclaimed venue in the heart of the North Hollywood Arts District. Joining us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be L.A. Councilman and Metro Board Member PAUL KREKORIAN.

This new bike parking in combination with close proximity to the North Hollywood Metro station (just up the street), puts NoHo 7 on the cutting edge of accessibility for Angeleno movie-goers.  Further, it underscores Laemmle’s commitment (via its business operations and charitable foundation) to give back to its patrons and make L.A. truly a more livable and sustainable place for all residents.

The first 200 cyclists who use the new corral will receive a $2 DISCOUNT for any regularly priced NoHo 7 movie ticket AND will receive a FREE HEALTHY TREAT courtesy of KIND BAR.

In addition, one lucky person who enters the Tour de Laemmle Sweepstakes will pedal away with the top prize – the very same, high-end, Eclipse X20 TERN folding bicycle Greg will be riding that day! Known as the “PIRATE NINJA” this is one of TERN’s top-end models. It lists new at $2200!  This particular bike was recently given to Greg to use for CLIMATE RIDE 2104 (www.ClimateRide.org), a four-day, 250-mile charity ride in Northern California which took place last month.  Other sweepstakes prizes include Laemmle 75TH ANNIVERSARY merchandise, MOVIE PASSES, and more!

TOUR SCHEDULE

NOTE: Departure times below are estimated.  Please refer to the web page at www.Laemmle.com/Tour for official schedule.

LEG 1 –  6:00am – Official start at ROYAL Theatre (West L.A.)

LEG 2 –  6:15am – Departure from MUSIC HALL (Beverly Hills)

LEG 3 –  10:00am – Departure from CLAREMONT 5 (Claremont)

LEG 4 –  12:00pm – Departure from PLAYHOUSE 7 (Pasadena)

CEREMONY –  2:00pm – Ribbon-cutting ceremony for NOHO 7 Bike Corral (North Hollywood) with PAUL KREKORIAN

LEG 5 –  3:00pm – Departure from NoHo 7

LEG 6 –  5:00pm – Departure from TOWN CENTER 5 (Encino)

LEG 7 –  7:00pm – Departure from MONICA FILM CENTRE (Santa Monica)

ARRIVAL –  7:25pm – Back at ROYAL Theatre

END –  7:45pm – Official close of Tour

FREE MOVIE SCREENINGS
For cyclists and non-cyclists wishing to participate in Tour de Laemmle, the company is offering two free, BICYCLE THEMED MOVIE SCREENINGS open to the general public.  These will include the cycling classic “BREAKING AWAY”, and the much loved “PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE.” Both films are family friendly.  Screenings will take place the morning of the Tour at both the Claremont 5 (“BREAKING AWAY”) and NoHo 7 (“PEE WEE”).  The latter will be timed so that those attending the screening can also be present for the Bike Corral Ribbon Cutting just after the movie lets out.  More details TBD.

PARTNERSHIP WITH L.A. RIVER RIDE
The Tour de Laemmle occurs one day prior to the LACBC’s (Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition) annual L.A. RIVER RIDE.  L.A. River Riders are encouraged to use one or more legs of Tour de Laemmle as a tune-up. Greg Laemmle, who is a board member of LACBC, will himself be riding the next day. Moreover, Greg just returned from captaining TEAM LACBC at the recent CLIMATE RIDE CALIFORNIA.

The team raised over $70,000 for sustainable transit. All who wish to support the GROWTH OF SAFE CYCLING in L.A. are encouraged to donate to Greg’s River Ride fundraising campaign.

LEG #5
Per “Advisory” below, Greg will be riding at a relatively fast pace.  However, he is inviting more moderately skilled cyclists and families to ride with him on LEG#5 –  North Hollywood to Encino (LEG #5). This portion will feature riding along the protected Metro Orange Line Bike path at a significantly reduced speed.  Joining him on LEG #5 will be his wife and Laemmle Foundation Board Member, TISH LAEMMLE, and his father BOB LAEMMLE, who is the second-generation owner of Laemmle Theatres.  LEG #5 departs from the NoHo 7 Theatre at 3:00pm.

ADVISORY
Tour de Laemmle is not a “supported ride.”  Riders ride at their own risk. With the exception of LEG #5 (North Hollywood to Encino), it is recommended for experienced riders only!  For those wanting to keep up with Greg, he will be riding at an approximately 15 MPH clip and will NOT be stopping between theaters.

WHAT IS PROVIDED

–  Route Slips & Departure Schedule

– Registration Perks (see above)

– Theatre Refreshments and Edible Treats provided by our sponsors
(at all stops EXCEPT Beverly Hills & Santa Monica).

– Free Movie Screenings (per above)

WHAT IS NOT PROVIDED

– Route Markers

– Official pit stops other than theatre venues.

– Repair or maintenance services.

– SAG or other transportation services.

A WORD FROM GREG LAEMMLE

‘The Tour de Laemmle is a great opportunity for L.A. cyclists and the general public to support sustainable transit in our city.  With measures like the new corral at NoHo 7 and situating new theaters adjacent to public transport, we’re hoping to make it easier for movie-goers to get out of their cars and make healthier, more cost-efficient transportation choices.  I personally look forward to riding and celebrating with you Sat. June 21!”

Last Remaining Seats: CITIZEN KANE and WEST SIDE STORY Ticket Giveaways

by


Here’s you chance to travel back in time to see classic films in vintage movie palaces courtesy of our friends at Last Remaining Seats.

You can win tickets to a special screening of WEST SIDE STORY at the DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION with special guest GEORGE CHAKIRIS (dancer, singer, and Academy Award-wining actor) in conversation with dance critic DEBRA LEVINE. Enter to win tickets for Saturday, June 14 screening here.

You can also enter to win tickets to the Saturday, June 28 screening of CITIZEN KANE at the ORPHEUM THEATRE. The evening will be hosted by BEN MANKIEWICZ, weekend host of Turner Classic Movies and features pre-show organ music by TONY WILSON. Enter here.

Last Remaining Seats is the Los Angeles Conservancy’s annual program that combines classic film with L.A.’s historic theatres. Visit the L.A. Conservancy’s website for this year’s full schedule of screenings.

Climate Ride Contest Winners!

by

We received a lot of great entry essays to our Climate Ride contest and from among them have chosen one first place winner, two second place winners and two third prize winners who will ride with Greg Laemmle from San Francisco through wine country to Sacramento this May to raise awareness about climate change and money to help combat it. Here’s who won and their fabulous prizes!

Grand Prize, an Unlimited Laemmle Movie Pass for the rest of 2014, Free Registration for
Climate Ride, and a $2500 contribution toward their Climate Ride
fundraising goal, goes to David Rindlaub.

Second Prize, an Unlimited Laemmle Movie Pass for the rest of 2014, Free Registration for
Climate Ride, and a $1250 contribution toward their Climate Ride
fundraising goal, goes to Eddie Beres and Dalila Mendez.

Third Prize, an Unlimited Laemmle Movie Pass for the rest of 2014 plus Free Registration for Climate Ride, goes to Aaron Ratliff and Alan Bair.

Congratulations to all five of them! Please consider supporting their efforts because they have a long way to go before reaching their fund-raising goals. Click on the above links to learn how and why they have made such a big commitment to raise money for climate change-related causes.

Greg Laemmle

Laemmle Oscar Contest: Results!

by

Well, the 2014 Oscars are in the books and though the results were predictable the show was entertaining — I, personally, think it was a good idea to include full performances of all the nominated songs — and the winners deserving.

And the passes go to:

First place: Alex A. of Hollywood, who gets 20 passes;

Second place: Andre C. of Los Angeles, who gets 16 passes;

Third place: Kenneth O. of West Hollywood, who gets 12 passes.

Congratulations, guys, and happy moviegoing!

This year we had double the usual number  of entries. No one guessed all 24 categories correctly but four missed only one category: one missed the Best Documentary Feature category and picked “The Act of Killing” instead of “20 Feet to Stardom.” The other three missed Best Animated Short and chose “Get a Horse!” instead of winner “Mr. Hublot.” The shorts categories are tricky!

Since there were four first place ties, the tie-breaking question decided the ultimate winner. The winner guessed 210 minutes — only four minutes off the actual Oscar Telecast running time!

There were only two major troublesome categories for patrons this year. Best Original Score winner Steven Price (“Gravity”) only received 30% of the vote while the other nominees equally split the rest. Best Animated Short was the other. Winner “Mr. Hublot” received only 20% of the vote. “Get a Horse!” was the favorite chosen by our patrons. The average number of correct answers was 13.  Thanks to all who played.

Lupita Amondi Nyong'o accepts her Oscar

Laemmle Theatres’ Umpteenth Annual Oscar Contest

by

Laemmle Theatres will bestow fabulous prizes (movie passes) upon the people who most accurately predict the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s choices in all 24 categories, from the shorts to the Big Kahuna, Best Motion Picture. (Why INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is not the tenth nominee in the latter category, we do not know.) We’ve got some smart cookies for customers so we have a tie-breaker question: you also have to guess the show’s running time. Take a crack at it! FABULOUS PRIZES (movie passes) to the those who can best predict the winners. First place wins ten pairs of passes, second place wins eight pairs and third place wins six pairs. Good luck!