Bantam Cinema & Arts Center — Attraction in Litchfield

Jerry Garcia would have liked it just fine. The Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, which hosted the 2023 Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies Thursday night, has the kind of bucolic complexion that would have fascinated the late guitar legend and his band mates.

The Litchfield Distillery, just a few miles East, poured out samples of its exquisite products. Celluloid heroes of the distant past regaled the walls. When nature summoned me, a portrait of the lovely, largely forgotten Jean Harlow peered out over the proceedings.

Jerry would have liked that, too. According to his road manager and friend of 38 years, Big Steve Parish, he and Jerry spent many happy hours watching the classics.

This year’s Meet-up masterpiece featured a 1991 show at Soldier’s Field in Chicago. Jerry was just five years removed from a diabetic coma that left him unconscious for five days and forced him to relearn the guitar. The enduring years of touring had left him heavy and haggard, but his playing and singing were still top-shelf.

Rhythm guitarist Bob Weir was at his peak, his voice as strong and clear as ever. Vince Welnick, who replaced the late Brent Mydland in 1990, was joined in the keyboard section by the redoubtable Bruce Hornsby. Their collaboration produced a mellifluous background for Jerry’s sharp licks. Percussionists Bill Kreutzman and Mickey Hart did what they do best. Bassman Phil Lesh was … well, Phil Lesh.

The scenery, the music and the fresh popcorn were a picnic for the senses. About 100 DeadHeads upheld their concert traditions, some spinning and flapping wildly to the music, others transfixed by the lyrics. Goodwill and peace filled the hall.

Yes, Jerry would have loved to see that what he and the Dead started in the throes of the counterculture-driven mid-60s still has life nearly 60 years later. And nearly 100 years later, the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center has plenty of...

I was dragged off by the woman to see the female national anthem aka Barbie. The movie was (as my fellow Kens would say) not completely my type of genre but this theater is the most charming and nostalgic place that I’ve been to in awhile.

The idea for this venue comes straight out of a New Englander’s embrace of the star studded Bogie & Bacall era of old Hollywood. You can’t help but appreciate the history of this place and the small cinematic story that they play before the feature that illustrates it.

The staff is attentive, helpful, and seem to share a love of what Bantam Cinema represents. Thanks for a great night and a new favorite...

A quintessential art house in the Borough of Bantam. Kudos to the local citizens who banded together to form a nonprofit to reopen the cinema after the pandemic. Bantam Cinema offers blockbuster and foreign films, unique arts programming, and special events in partnership with a myriad of area nonprofits. Local craft brew options, signature cocktails in cans from Litchfield Distillery, and curated wines selections are available for sale alongside popcorn and candy at the concession stand. This is a great place to enjoy a movie and...