The Beloit International Film Festival is bigger than a Film Festival. For ten days, in addition to watching great films, Beloit’s largest event turns the downtown into a BLOCK PAARRTTTYY. Ten days and eight events–no tickets necessary. There’s something for everyone.
The party kicks off on BIFF Eve, Thursday, Feb.18, with 52 Special Featuring Glenn Davis & Matt Goodwin at the Grand Avenue Pub from 7:30 -10 pm. These local legends will satiate your appetite for some tasty blues. The event also offers the first opportunity to meet some of the filmmakers who will be arriving in Beloit.
Saturday evening’s post viewing party features Kevin Patrick performing solo at Suds, from 9-midnight. Kevin has been touring most of his life and has opened for some of the biggest recording artists, from Ricky Scaggs to the Beach Boys. This will be the first of two visits during the week for the virtuoso guitarist.
If you are looking for a reason to get going early on the weekend, BIFF has it for you. On each Saturday morning of BIFF, the Badger Chordhawks barbershop singers will join with dancers at Beloit College’s Hendricks Center for the Arts Lobby at 11am. Joining the celebrated barbershop group on Feb. 20 will be the award winning Trinity Irish Dancers from Milwaukee, and on Feb. 27 it will be the Polish Dance Ensemble.
A good impetus to get up and get moving on Sunday, Feb. 21, is the Wisconsin Artisan Cheese Tasting at Bushel and Peck’s Local Market starting at 10:30 am. Beloit native Greg Long will explore the nuances of Wisconsin’s cheesemakers and indulge us with some of Wisconsin’s finest artisanal cheese.
Monday, Feb. 22, tops off with Comedy Night at The BOP, from 9:30-11pm. It is a lineup of regional favorites including Rebekah Gibson of Janesville, Stevie Crutcher from Madison, Andrea Guzzetta of Rockton and Vickie Lynn and Shawna Lutzow, both from Beloit. It is a witty way to start the week.
Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 4-8 pm BIFF cordially invites you to join board members and staff at Beloit Culver’s for the Scholarship Fundraiser Night. Help BIFF give back to our community and get a taste of Wisconsin at Culver’s while you’re at it! Proceeds from the evenings go toward the BIFF Scholarship Fund which will help finance one of BIFF’s college interns for their next semester.
Friday, Feb. 26, is the night to see the true talents of visiting filmmakers, cast and crew–or take a try yourself at Karaoke Night at Suds O’Hannahan’s from 9 pm- midnight. Back by popular demand, BIFF’s Karaoke Night 2016 is certain to be memorable. You will be awed by the many talents of our community.
And to wrap up the party, on Saturday evening, for the first time in years, The Orphans, featuring Kevin Patrick and Greg Gerard will be rockin’ at The Rock, 9:30 pm-midnight. A mainstay in the music scene of the upper Midwest for two decades, they have carved out their niche with their harmony and rich sound. They have stayed true to the original Orphans creed: Play songs that everyone knows and loves that no one else will play.
The Beloit International Film Festival, celebrating its 11th year, is sponsored by the Hendricks Group in association with Beloit College and with funding from Visit Beloit. Support for the Festival comes from area businesses and civic organizations, and individual support for BIFF is provided through membership in the BIFF Founders and the Film Society of Beloit. For more information, please visit the BIFF website at BeloitFilmFest.org.
