By Rachel Beckman
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Before the Osbournes, the Hogans and the Lohans, there were the Louds from Santa Barbara, Calif. The Louds became the first reality-TV family in 1973, when the 12-part series "An American Family" aired on public television. It followed Bill and Pat Loud as they divorced and their eldest son, Lance, came out.
The last public viewing of the show was in 1991 (not counting the bootleg copies on YouTube), so the Silverdocs film festival screening of the entire series next week is a rare treat.
"I would never do that to a family again," says Philadelphia filmmaker Susan Raymond, who with her husband, Alan, created the series. "I would never choose one family to represent the entire United States. It's too hard on the family. It's too much examination and dissection of what they did right and what they did wrong."
Yet the Raymonds caught up with the family in 1983 and again in 2003, the latter at Lance's request. Both of those specials will also show at Silverdocs.
In the second episode of the series, Pat Loud visits then-19-year-old Lance shortly after he moves to New York. Squirm-worthy moments include Lance taking his mother to a "transvestite variety show" and watching her meet his flamboyant new friends at the Hotel Chelsea.
When "An American Family" first aired, media outlets tsk-tsked the parents for splitting up and for letting the cameras barge in on their lives in the first place. In the follow-up show, "An American Family Revisited: The Louds Ten Years Later," the family is naive no more. More difficult to watch is "Lance Loud! A Death in an American Family"; Lance died of AIDS-related hepatitis C in 2001.
Silverdocs is showing four episodes a day on three consecutive mornings, at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the AFI Silver Theatre. (If you have to choose, Alan Raymond recommends episodes 2 and 9.)
Friday at 9 a.m., the festival will show the two follow-up specials. And next Saturday, the Raymonds will be on hand for a discussion at 12:30 p.m.
All "An American Family" events are free; tickets will be available at the theater on the day of the screening. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. Information at http://www.silverdocs.com or call 877-362-7849.
This Week & Next The DistrictToday
FESTIVALS: 33rd Annual Capital Pride Tonight in Dupont and Logan circles will be one of the defining events of Pride Week: the parade. Get to the review stand by 5:30 for live entertainment before the parade at 6:30. The main event, which features floats and, well, thousands of people in the streets, starts at 23rd and P streets NW and ends at 14th and N streets. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tomorrow, Cap Pride ends with a street festival on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between Fourth and Seventh streets. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details, visit http://www.capitalpride.org.
EXHIBIT: Patterned Paintings With a Cell-Like Feel Kevin Kepple's solo show at Addison/Ripley Fine Art features square-shaped art in such colors as aqua, red and peach. He uses glue, ink and varnish to create the works, with images akin to the view through a microscope in biology class. Free. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Through June 21. 1670 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-338-5180.
TomorrowTHE SCENE: Real Men Cook The Historical Society of Washington hosts a Father's Day event tomorrow called, enticingly, "Real Men Cook." The family event is set up like a giant food tasting, where attendees can go from booth to booth, skewering all kinds of succulent morsels with toothpicks. Did we mention all the food will be cooked by men only? Proceeds go to a nonprofit called the Faces Project, which aims to increase awareness about prostate cancer among African American men. $25 at the door; children, $15. 3-6 p.m. 801 K St. NW. For details and information, visit http://www.realmencook.com/washington.htm.
TuesdayLITERATURE: "The Last Mrs. Astor" The story of the late philanthropist and grande dame of New York society Brooke Astor began to unwind rather publicly in the press in the past couple of years, when allegations emerged that she was being mistreated in old age while her offspring benefited from her riches. Astor died in 2007, and her son and a lawyer are alleged to have stolen millions from her. Tuesday, Frances Kiernan (a former New Yorker editor) will visit the Arts Club of Washington to discuss her biography of Astor. Free. 7 p.m. 2017 I St. NW. 202-331-7282.
MarylandToday
FESTIVALS: For Those (Kids) Who Are Ready to Rock Get the little ones (ages 3-10) to burn off some energy by dancing at Gaithersburg's fourth annual "Musiganza." Performers include Miss Lori, the South American duo Cantaré and rock band Milkshake (not to be confused with the Kelis song "Milkshake," which would be a touch too suggestive for the sippy-cup set). Also on tap: face-painting, balloons and more. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (rain or shine; picnicking is okay). Gaithersburg City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave. 301-840-3208.
ON STAGE: Family Dynamics Playwright Christopher Durang didn't have to look beyond the four walls of his childhood home for inspiration for his play "The Marriage of Bette and Boo," which starred a young Joan Allen in the show's 1985 off-Broadway debut. Spooky Action Theater presents Durang's story of 30 years in his parents' marriage, with all kinds of dysfunction and laughs along the way. $10; $5 students at the door. Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m., through June 29. The Black Box Theatre at Montgomery College, East-West Highway and Chicago Avenue, Takoma Park. 800-494-8497 or 202-248-0647.
EXHIBIT: Movin' Out Since 2003, Gallery Neptune founder Elyse Harrison has displayed art exhibitions in the front of her tiny space in downtown Bethesda and taught children's classes in the back. In September, Harrison will relocate her gallery to a larger space a few blocks away on Wilson Lane (they'll be in the 5000 block), but not before a goodbye show called "Move It!," featuring about 50 artworks. Free. The artists' reception is tonight from 7 to 9. The show is up noon-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday through July 12. 4901 Cordell Ave., Bethesda. 301-718-0809.
Northern VirginiaToday
FESTIVALS: A Bite of Reston For those who would rather graze than commit to a meal, Taste of the Town at the Reston Town Square is an ideal event. Thirty restaurants (mostly chains, alas) will offer food samples for $1 to $3 a pop; beer and wine is also available. Bring the family; there are all sorts of kids activities and live music, too. Admission is free. Noon-11 p.m. Market Street from St. Francis to Presidents streets. http://www.restontaste.com.
TomorrowCONCERT: The Puppini Sisters The vintage clothes! The red lipstick! Oh, yes -- and the music. The ultra-stylized Puppini Sisters bring their three-part harmonies to the Birchmere tonight in support of their album "The Rise & Fall of Ruby Woo." Keep you manicured fingers crossed for their retro cover of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love." 7:30 p.m. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $22.50. 202-397-7328.
TuesdayON STAGE: Dance at Wolf Trap Pilobolus dance company is known for its humorous and acrobatic style. Dance world outsiders might remember the troupe for its performance last year at the Academy Awards, when the dancers formed the shape of a stiletto-heel shoe (a nod to "The Devil Wears Prada"), among other bodily contortions. $38; lawn, $8. 8:30 p.m. Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. 877-965-3872.
Save The DateCONCERT: Rain -- You, Too, Can Experience the Beatles Experience This particular tribute act (which specializes in portraying all the incarnations of the Beatles, from moptops to maharishi-heads) rolls through town with some frequency; Rain was at Strathmore just over six months ago. (But you know how people get about their Beatles.) Next week's show at Wolf Trap is almost sold out, so get your tickets fast. Lawn, $22. Thursday at 8 p.m. Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. 877-965-3872.
CONCERT: Country-Style Springsteen Goofy, vivacious country singer Pat Green returns to the 9:30 club June 27 to perform songs from his 10-plus years in the biz. People magazine called the San Antonio native "the Bruce Springsteen of the Southwest," and he's known for his ceaseless touring and energetic performances. Green's concerts tend to draw a rowdy Texan crowd, so it might be smart to practice your Longhorn hand signs before arriving. His new album is slated for release this fall (most recent is 2006's "Cannonball"), so listen up for teases of new material. $27.50. 9 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 202-397-7328.
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