The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
March 15, 2012
What You Will Find…
□ Dakota Digital Film Festival
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ Association News
Dakota Digital Film Festival
Inaugural Kickoff March 30
For a few years, there have been rumblings about hosting a film festival here inBismarck. Now organizers, including member Dakota Media Access, are making it happen. The Dakota Digital Film Festival will be Downtown March 30 in the historic Belle Mehus Auditorium. “The Belle” represents turn of the century beauty inBismarck.
There were a few reasons that Downtown was chosen to host the event, “We choose the Belle because it was downtown, large enough to accommodate our cameras for recording the event and a place to provide lunch for the students during the day,” said Mary Van Sickle of Dakota Media Access.
This festival welcomes students, teachers, production specialists, and film makers who will be attending workshops, reviewing screenings, learning from industry presenters, and networking with other film makers. Their mission of the festival is to support and encourage film-making and audio/video production in all forms by providing a venue for professionals in the industry and students to meet and show their work.
The structure this first year will have an 8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daytime session which will include workshop presentations by production professionals and screenings of student films. An evening session will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include screenings of several unique, short films and a chance for the public to interact with the filmmakers. There will also be evening activities Downtown.
As ourUrbanCentercontinues to grow, exciting new enterprises like this will become available for our community to enjoy and be proud of.
You can find information on the inaugural Dakota Digital Film Festival on Facebook or at www.dakotamediaaccess.org.
Downtown Updates
— The CowanBuilding(4th and Broadway) was officially sold at auction last week. The new owner is still looking at planned uses for the building.
— Roots Boutique, located within Spaces Inc. at 122 EastMainwill be doubling in size. Spaces Inc. has broken down the walls within their current building and will be doubling their size. Within the next 4-6 weeks, all construction should be completed and with an new interior design studio along with more items to choose from in Roots Boutique.
— The Bismarck Police Department is no longer marking tires with chalk as a monitoring system for timed parking. Instead they will use a handheld computer that will track the vehicles more accurately. Please let your customers or employees know of the new system.
— With all the curiosity around the new construction projects in Downtown Bismarck, we have added updated renderings of Rick Becker’s project onMain Aveand Broadway Centre on West Broadway, go to our website and see the updates on our “Real Estate” section.
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin Downtown…
March 15-25
Dakota Stage Presents:
Rabbit Hole
March 15-17
ND Girl’s Class B Basketball
BismarckCivic Center
March 18
The Belle Project -Concert
Historic Belle Mehus
March 20
Blake Shelton Concert
BismarckCivic Center
March 24
Bis-Man Symphony Presents:
“A Placeof Heritage”
www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
March 30
Dakota Digital Film Festival
Historic Belle Mehus
March 30-31
Dakota Stage Presents
“Lowest Commedy Denominator Tour!”
Downtowners’ Association News
Organization and member news …
Find all of our member’s information on our website!
□ Member Steep Me a Cup of Tea will have a visit from the Easter Bunny in their store, Monday March 21 from 10am -12pm Get your photo taken with the Easter Bunny! There may also be some prizes for the kids!
□ Member URL Radio is hosting a QR Code Scavenger Hunt for Big Prizes! Here’s how it works, stop by and scan the QR codes (with your phone) at these businesses:
J&R Vacuum and Sewing, Jacobsen Music, Kirkwood Mall, Our Place Tavern, Peacock Alley, Spaces, Sam’s Club, Borrowed Bucks, Sweet Treats, Kobe’s, Epic Cycle and Sports, Toasted Frog, and URL Radio. Scan QR Codes at participating businesses and it will give you a clue to the song we’re looking for. The codes may also have a coupon inside with a buy one get one deal, 50% off, 25% off, or other in-store deals. Once you think you’ve figured out the song we’re looking for, submit your answer at any of the participating businesses. All the correct answers will be thrown into a drawing on March 31, and given away at URL Radio’s Third Anniversary Bash, Saturday, March 31 at the Amvets inBismarck. Prizes will be awarded at 9 p.m. Must be present to win! Stop by these participating businesses and start playing today! The Contest goes through March. You could win: a new bike from Epic Sports, Gutters and downspouts from Today’s Homework, or a 32″ flat screen TV!! Plus, at least $1,000 in smaller prizes from our sponsors.
□ 2012 Downtowners Membership Renewals were sent out in December and the month of your renewal, be on the look out for yours!
□ The 39th Annual Downtowners Street Fair vendor applications were also be sent out in January. Those who participated in last years Street Fair will receive 2012 applications. Or you can download them at: www.downtownbismarck.com.
Please send all member business news and events to: kate@downtownbismarck.com.
Check the Downtown Business Association’s websites for updated news and events www.downtownbismarck.com or www.bismarckribfest.com.
Please forward this on to people interested in Downtown news!