Published: October 12, 2009 07:52 pm      

Granada Kids Matinee season starts Saturday

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Granada Center for the Arts Classic Kids Matinee Series season will get under way with a viewing of “Shrek” on Saturday.

“The parade is at 2 p.m. Saturday, so we need to show the movie at 4 p.m.,” David Lister, vice president of the Granada Board, said. “This way, people can come in from the parade and watch the movie.”

This is not only the kickoff movie for the Classic Kids Matinee, but also the first showing in the theater since the Granada was informed it had won an Illinois Governor’s Home Town Award.

“Shrek” features the vocal talents of Mike Myers as the lead character, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad. The animated story tells the tale of Shrek, an ogre who travels along with the annoying Donkey, to rescue Princess Fiona from the castle of Lord Farquaad in order to save his swamp. Farquaad hopes that by marrying Princess Fiona, he will make himself king of all the land.

Classic Kids Matinee performances are free to the public, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.

“Shrek” is being sponsored by Old National Bank, which will provide a $100 U.S. Savings Bond to one of the children attending the showing.

The remainder of the season, movies will be shown at 2 p.m., with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m. the day of each showing. The next Kids Classic will be “Kung Fu Panda,” sponsored by Community First Bank of the Heartland, followed by “The Grinch” on Dec. 12, sponsored by U.S. Bank; “The Bee Movie” on Jan. 9, 2010, sponsored by Peoples National Bank; “An American Tale” on Feb. 13, sponsored by Integra Bank; “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial” on March 13, sponsored by Mid Country Bank; “The Muppet Movie” on April 10, sponsored by First State Bank of Dix; and “Dr. Suess’ Cat in the Hat” on May 8, sponsored by Banterra Bank.

Additional information on the Granada Center for the Arts and special movie showings is available online at:

www.granada.mvn.net.