Rosendale Theatre Collective’s 15 Year Anniversary + film: Join or Die
The Rosendale Theatre Collective is celebrating it’s 15-year anniversary with four member-driven organizations coming together to save your life. Not only does the fate of America depend on you joining us, but your chances of dying over the next year are cut in half by joining one of our groups.
Learn all about it by coming to a free screening of Join or Die, a film about why you should join a club and how the levels of American community connections were in decline over the past half-century. The film is followed by a networking mixer with members, volunteers, and board of directors from the Rosendale Theatre, Rondout Valley Business Association, Rosendale International Pickle Festival, and the High Falls Food Co-op. Join the party, meet your local organizations, enjoy the cash beer/wine bar and some snacks donated by our local eateries.
In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis. Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly… What can we do about it?
The Rosendale Theatre was purchased 15 years ago, on August 19, 2010, from the Cacchio Family, who owned it since 1949. When the building went up for sale, the community organized and created a Collective that purchased and preserved it as a cultural center and theater. The Collective became a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the community has operated the theater ever since with a working Board and an army of volunteers who believe that the power of art and film creates meaningful community.
