Bag It
St. John Film Society Presents:
Directed by Susan Beraza – 78 minutes, documentary
7:30 pm / St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. When Jeb discovers that he and his partner are expecting a child, his plastic odyssey becomes a truly personal one. How can they protect their baby from the health dangers associated with plastics? Jeb looks beyond single-use disposable plastics and discovers that virtually everything in modern society – from baby bottles, to sports equipment, to dental sealants, to personal care products – is either made with plastic or contains potentially harmful chemical additives used in the plastic-making process.

The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about twelve minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas.  The film explores these issues and identifies how our daily reliance on plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too.

Featuring interviews with scientists and experts from around the world, Bag It is a first-person documentary in the style of Michael Moore, asking how we can incorporate healthy, more environmentally friendly practices into our lives, our cultures, and our communities.

Find out more about Bag It

Rustenberg Horsemill Wall

Rustenberg Trail Map

Estate Rustenberg Ruins
For those of you who would like to experience a St. John Off the Beaten Track experience, but would rather not exert themselves too much, a visit to the Rustenberg ruins would be an ideal choice. It’s a short walk along a level trail shaded by aromatic bay rum trees. The ruins are extensive and beautiful in their natural surroundings.

To get there, park across from the Cinnamon Bay trailhead on Centerline Road and walk up the road west, towards Cruz Bay, where you should find the trailhead, which may be more or less obvious depending on climatic conditions. Another alternative is to enter the forest about 50 yards or so and walk uphill until you reach the trail on the ridge and go left on the trail until you get to the ruins.

See more Rustenberg photos

St. John Film Society Press Release

Queen of the Sun

What the Bees are Telling Us
Directed by Taggart Siegel:  83 minutes,  Documentary
Free Film, Presented by the St. John Film Societey

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 7:30 pm
St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

This full length feature documentary is a a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva.

This film takes us on a pilgrimage around the world, 10,000 years of beekeeping is unveiled, highlighting how our historic and sacred relationship with bees has been lost due to highly mechanized industrial practices. The film goes on to reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

Join Mr. Smalls and other St. John bee keepers and learn about these wonderful insects that provide us with sweet honey and more.

Read more about the film on the website: http://www.queenofthesun.com

St. John Live Music Schedule Monday 4/30

High Tide – Mikey P- 8:00 – 11:00 – 714-6169
La Tapa – Samba Combo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Maho Bay Camp – Open Mic with Lauren – 6:30
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304

Weekly Schedule

St. John Film Society Presents

A “NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT!”
“Proceed and Be Bold!”
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
7:30 pm at St John School of the Arts
Directed by Laura Zinger
90 minutes, 2008, Documentary

Proceed and Be Bold
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an internationally recognized printing press artist known for his socially and politically charged works of art. At age 40 and unsatisfied with his comfortable, middle-class life, Amos traded in his computer for a printing press and his white collar for a pair of overalls. Armed with life, liberty, peanuts and a meager yearly income of $7,000, Amos cranked out a new, rebellious declaration of independence.

The film joins Amos in a fascinating account of his story, while examining the pretensions and provisions of the art world. The work of this self-proclaimed “Humble Negro Printer” raises emotionally-charged questions and reveals remarkable depth beneath the bold print. By learning the rules and then choosing to break them, Amos redefines what life (and letterpress printing) can be: exhilarating and revolutionary.

JOIN DIRECTOR LAURA ZINGER AND AMOS PAUL KENNEDY JR. FOR DISCUSSION AFTER THE SCREENING!

Laura Zinger is the founder and owner of Chicago-based, creative content production company 20K Films. Her 2008 initiative, Proceed and Be Bold has been screened in countries around the world. Zinger has worked for various film companies, including MGM, Pretty Pictures and MOJO, a post-production trailer house. In addition to 20K Films, Zinger works as the Web Video Producer for Milk For Thought, a new national website dedicated to connecting, empowering and supporting breastfeeding mothers.

Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is a journeyman letterpress printer living in rural Alabama, and the thought provoking subject of the film Proceed and Be Bold! He will be present at the screening and will have his posters available for sale!

New Novel Takes Place On St. John

Rebecca M. Hale

By Richie Ann Ashcraft ?Monday, February 27, 2012
Tropical islands with sky blue water — a slave princess whose ghost is rumored to cause disappearances and shipwrecks — and only one person who knows the truth.
That’s the premise of Rebecca M. Hale’s latest mystery novel, “Adrift on St. John,” which releases in paperback and e book this week…. read article

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Tuesday, February 28

Castaways – Karaoke Night – 9:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – James Cobb & Michael Beason – 700 -10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Erin Hart – 4:00 – 7:00 – 714-6169
Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354
Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 -693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:30

See the weekly St. John live music schedule

Bubbly Pool Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Surf’s Up! Good time to visit the Bubbly Pool on Jost Van Dyke, natures own Jacuzzi.

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Tuesday, February 7

Castaways – Karaoke Night – 9:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – James Cobb & Michael Beason -700 -10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Erin Hart – 4:00 – 7:00 – 714-6169
Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354
Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 -693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:30

See the weekly schedule

St. John School of the Arts Presents: Free Film Night

Concrete, Steel and Paint
7:30 pm at St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

ST. JOHN FILM Society – PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 13, 2011

Free Movie Night: BEATBOXING – THE FIFTH ELEMENT OF HIP HOP

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM, St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay
St. John Film Society launches its ‘On Screen/In Person’ screening series with a lively 55 minute documentary directed by Klaus Schneyder and produced by Angela Viscido, which celebrates the incredible art form of making music using only the human body. The evening is sure to arouse the Beatboxer in all of us, and especially in Virgin Islands musicians looking to perfect their personal style of the ‘Human Beatbox’.

Beatboxing started as part of the Hip Hop movement in the late 1970’s stemming from the hardship of poverty and lack of instruments.  A pioneer was inspired to imitate drum rhythms and musical instruments with his mouth – his brilliance creating the term ‘Human Beatbox’. Hip Hop artists picked up on the approach which is now a global
phenomenon fueled in part from the sharing of Beatboxing knowledge and styles via websites and internet tutorials.

The film documents the history and evolution of this incredible art form starting with its genesis within Hip Hop culture and its use in various musical fields in countries across the world.  Four generations later, Beatboxing has become a multilingual, diverse and technically complex form of expression.  The documentary features artists from New York, California, Florida, Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Austria and Germany, who demonstrate their amazing techniques.

Our post film discussion will be led by Producer Angela Viscido, who will provide personal insight into the documentary filming, the people in it and the future of Beatboxing as a legitimate, sustainable musical format.

SAVE THIS DATE FOR OUR NEXT “MEET THE FILMMAKER” SCREENING EVENT:
Tuesday December 6th: WHAT’S ORGANIC ABOUT ORGANIC?

All screenings take place at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay, 7:30 pm.

For more information about upcoming films, St. John Film Society or to become a Film Society member visit: http://www.stjohnfilm.com

*On Screen/In Person is made possible by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Regional Touring Program and the Virgin Island Council of the Arts. St. John Community Foundation is our fiscal sponsor.

The mission of St. John Film is to inspire a positive appreciation for the history, culture and environment of our US Virgin Islands by establishing a free monthly film series open to and for the benefit of our local community.  We present independent films that celebrate the human spirit with a focus on the Caribbean.

Media Contact:  Kathy Guidi
340-201-9919
stjviff@gmail.com

St. John Film Society www.stjohnfilm.com
Please respond to this email address: *stjviff@gmail.com*
Contact phone: *340-201-9919*

ST. JOHN FILM – PRESS RELEASE

Free Movie Night: FREE SWIM Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM, St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay.

St. John Film Society will open its fall 2011 film series with a free screening of the award winning documentary FREE SWIM, a 50 minute documentary directed by Jennifer Galvin.

The film is about the paradox of Caribbean coastal people not knowing how to swim. Taking place on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas we follow a group of kids as they overcome their fears, and reconnect with their environment by learning to swim in open waters. With fresh memories of a friend drowning and the conflicts of growing tourism, for these kids it’s not just about floating, but gaining new skills for their future.

In the U.S. about 60% of ethnically diverse children are unable to swim and African-American children drown at three times the rate of Caucasian children. FREE SWIM uses the topic of learning to swim as a way to explore more complicated aspects of life on Eleuthera, such as influences on community function by the media, drowning, tourism, overfishing, and education. The story thread is woven with footage of children learning to swim in their backyard sea. Underwater footage shows the challenges of learning to breathe in a new environment and the powers of discovering a beautiful, new world.

The post film discussion will discuss St. John programs that teach our youth how to swim. Featured guests include Dean Doeling, “Using Sport for Social Change” and the ‘Just Swim’ event and Laurel Brannick, champion of the VI National Park ‘Learn to Swim’ program.

The challenges of learning to swim on St. John are similar to those on Eleuthera and of interest to parents, visitors and everyone who enjoys our ocean waters as a playground.

St. John Weather Update
Plenty of thunderstorms with some cloud to ground lightning throughout last night associated with a low pressure system. At 6:30 this morning it’s partly cloudy and breezy. TS Ophelia is expected to effect our weather on Sunday.

St. John Photo of the Day

Century Plant (Agave missionum)

Century Plants used to one of the most commonly found and easily identifiable plants on St. John. Even though they bloomed only once after about 20 years, around Easter time, the full bloom Century Plant could be seen in bloom just about anywhere there was dry forest or scrub land. Now due to the ravages of the Mexican Snout Beetle, the century plant has become a rare and endangered species.

Press Release
St. John Film Society

Free Movie Night
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 7:30 pm
St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

SUGAR – A feature length film by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (120 min) 2008

SUGAR follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Sugar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro De Macoris, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States’ minor league system, but when his play falters, he begins to question the single mindedness of his life’s ambition.

St. John Music Schedule Saturday April 23

Castaways – Kenny Floyd – 8:00 – 11:00 – 777-3316
Fatty Crab – Sambacombo- 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – 693-5244
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Rhumb Lines – Lauren & Bo – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-0303
Skinny Legs – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 6:30 – 9:30 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

See Weekly Music Schedule

Note: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

St. John Film Society Press Release:

FREE MOVIE NIGHT IN CRUZ BAY

Tuesday, April 5th
7:30 pm
St. John School of Arts in Cruz Bay

Welcome Academy Award Nominee Rick Goldsmith who will be present for the screening!

THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA:
Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

by Rick Goldsmith and Judith Ehrlich (92 min) 2009
Nominated for a 2010 Academy Award as Best Documentary Feature

Daniel Ellsberg narrates his own true story in “The Most Dangerous Man in America”. In 1971 he was a leading Pentagon Vietnam War strategist who concluded the war was based on decades of lies. He leaked 7,000 pages of top-secret documents to The New York Times, a daring act of conscience that lead directly to Watergate, President Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam War.

St. John Music Schedule

Beach Bar – Cat, Lauren & Luba – 9:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Steven Sloan – 7:00 – 777-3316
Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 5:30 -7:00 – 776-6944
High Tide – Chris Carsel – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – James Cobb – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Larry’s Landing – James Jams – 10:00 – 693-8802
Sun Dog Cafe – Open Mic – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 8340
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime - David Laabs – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

St. John Photo of the Day
Skim Boarder at Cinnamon Bay

Press Release: St. John Film Society

FREE MOVIE NIGHT
Tuesday March 15, 2011
7:30 PM at Sputniks in Coral Bay

ST. JOHN FILM SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTS

A TRIBUTE TO ANNIE LOVE:
A short 8 min film by local filmmakers
Jeremy Garza and Trent Myers

Followed by our feature presentation:

HEART OF THE SEA
by Lisa Denker, Charlotte Lagarde (57 min) 2002

HEART OF THE SEA is a portrait of Rell “Kapolioka’ ehukai” Sunn, who died in January 1998 of breast cancer at the age of 47. Known worldwide as a pioneer of women’s professional surfing, at home in Hawaii Rell achieved the   stature of an icon – not only for her physical power, grace and luminous beauty, but for her leadership in a community that loved her as much as she loved it.

By the time she lost a 15 year battle with breast cancer, Rell’s legacy had grown far beyond athletic feats. HEART  OF THE SEA tells her larger-than-life story.

Remember to bring your own chair & call Juliette at Sputniks (775-7373) if you would like to order one of her delicious roti.

St. John Music Schedule Wednesday March 9

Beach Bar – The Diviners – 4:00 – 8:00, 777-4220
Castaways – Steven Sloan – 7:00, 777-3316
Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 5:30 -7:00 – 776-6944
High Tide – Chris Carsel – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – Big Rick – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Larry’s Landing – James Jams – 10:00 – 693-8802
Shipwreck – Tom Mason & the Blues Buccaneers – 8:00 – 10:00 – 693-5640
Sun Dog Cafe – Open Mic with Mark Wallace – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 8340
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – David Laabs – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

Press Release: St. John US Virgin Islands

St. John Film Society
info@stjohnfilm.com
715-0551

Free Movie Night
7:30 pm Tuesday March 15^th
St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay.

A TRIBUTE TO ANNIE LOVE: (2010, 8 minutes) a short film by Jeremy Garza and Trent Myers.  This film documents the memorial tribute that took place in Coral Bay for Annie Love.

HEART OF THE SEA
by Lisa Denker, Charlotte Lagarde (57 min) 2002

Heart of the Sea is a portrait of Rell “Kapolioka’ehukai” Sunn, who died in January 1998 of breast cancer at the age of 47. Known worldwide as a pioneer of women’s professional surfing, at home in Hawaii Rell achieved the stature of an icon—not only for her physical power, grace and luminous beauty, but for her leadership in a community that loved her as much as she loved it.

By the time she lost a 15 year battle with breast cancer, Rell’s legacy had grown far beyond athletic feats.  HEART OF THE SEA tells her larger-than-life story.

St. John News

Merchants Question Timing of Park Renovation
While many agree that Cruz Bay Park needs to be upgraded, area merchants question why the work must be done during the height of the winter tourist season.
by Lynda Lohr for the St. John Source

Live Music on St. John Today, Saturday, February 12

Castaways – Kenny Floyd – 8:00 – 11:00 – 777-3316
Larry’s Landing – Craig Greenberg – 10:00 – 693-8802
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – Piano & Vocals – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Rhumb Lines – Lauren – 7:00 – 10:00
Skinnylegs – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 6:00 – 9:00 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution to my visitors: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule