J. Hunter Todd, the indefatigable founder-organizer of the WorldFest/Houston International Film Festival has hit upon a surefire way to attract moviegoers to two festival flicks: He’s giving away free tickets. That’s free as in nada, nothing and/or bupkis when it comes to the price of admission.
Freebie No. 1:Truth Be Tolled, William H. Molina’s advocacy documentary about a home-schooling mother turned anti-toll activist who launches a grassroots campaign to halt what she sees as a proliferation of Texas toll roads. The film screens at 5 p.m. today at the AMC Studio 30. “Just come to the inside ticket booth,” Todd says, “and ask for Truth be Tolled tickets. There’ll be no limit on how many you can get. And the director will be there in person for a post-screening Q&A.”
Freebie No. 2:Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta, an award-winning IMAX film that merges drama and documentary while recounting the origins of the Hajj -- the 1,400-year-old ritual that calls for all Muslims to undertake at least one pilgrimage to Mecca to celebrate the prophet Abraham. Filmed on location in the deserts of Morocco and around the Ka'bah at Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and narrated by Sir Ben Kingsley, Journey to Mecca will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
“It’s a really superb IMAX film,” Todd promises. “And if you want to see it – for free – all you have to do is pick up tickets ahead of time at the AMC Studio 30 ticket booth. There’s a limit of four tickets per person. But they’re four free tickets.”
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
