The Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego (MCASD), 700 Prospect St., will become something of a surfer’s mecca next week as two major surfing film events will take place at the Sherwood Auditorium on back-to-back nights with enough salt-watery action to satisfy any wave rider out there.
On Thursday, June 22, the world premiere of “Ultimate Sessions,” presented by Ira Opper Sports and Radio 91X, will screen at 7 and 9 p.m. to benefit the Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego Chapter. Admission is $10.
“Ultimate Sessions” is a cherry-picked collection of the finest moments from some of the best surfing movies dating back 35 years. Featured film moments include 1969’s “Cosmic Children” by filmmaker Hal Jepson, 1972’s “Morning of the Earth” by Albert Falzon, 1974’s “Fluid Drive” by Scott Dittrich, 1975’s “Free Ride” by Bill Delaney, 1983’s “Ocean Fever” by Steve Soderberg, 1986’s ‘Amazing Surf Stories” by Scott Dittrich, 1993’s “Searching for Curren” by Sonny Miller and 1999’s “September Sessions” by Jack Johnson (yes, the surfer/filmmaker turned recording star). Featured surfers from four decades include Jeff Hakman, Rabbit Bartholmew, J. Riddle, Shaun Tomson, Mark Richards, Dane Kealoha, Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian and other mega-talents in their prime, displaying the fascinating evolution of modern high-performance surfing at some of the planet’s best surf locations.
“It’s an anthology of both the surf film and surfing itself during the short board revolution,” stated producer Ira Opper.
Recent interviews with some of the key surfers and filmmakers will also provide some interesting behind-the-scenes stories.
Raffles for prizes that include surfboards from Novack and OP will be held at both shows, and the showings will be hosted by 2006 XXL Big Wave Winner Brad Gerlach. For more information, click onto www.ultimatesessions.com.
On Friday, June 23, One Drop Entertainment and the San Diego Surf Cinema presents the San Diego premiere of ” Postcards from Paradise” by filmmaker Ryan Ray, with two shows at 7and 9 p.m. at MCASD’s Sherwood Auditorium.
“Postcards from Paradise” is a tightly edited tropical wet dream immersed in perfect waves of emerald greens and crystal blues. The equatorial warmth permeates this visual stunner and clearly illustrates why surfers enjoy such a unique relationship with the world’s oceans. With exotic sites like Tahiti, the Mentawais Islands, Bali, Java and Hawaii and world-class riders like Taj Burrow, Andy and Bruce Irons, Kelly Slater, Danny Wills and others cutting loose ” well, it’s enough stimulation to make viewers want to paddle out as soon as the movie ends!
The pre-show will feature live music by Wise Monkey Orchestra and there will be free raffles and prizes from Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Sector 9 Skateboards, GromMom Apparel and other sponsors. Doors will open 45 minutes before show times. Advance tickets are $8.50.
For information, visit www.onedropentertainment.com.
