Live band and singers including amazing talent from throughout the Stateline area including Dr. Rob Tomaro as John Belushi’s character, Jake.
Get your BIFF experience into high gear with the BIFF Sing-Along presentation of the greatest musical adventure film of all time, The Blues Brothers, starring Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and a mind-blowing array of timeless musical figures from Cab Calloway and James Brown to Chaka Khan, John lee Hooker and Aretha Franklin. The music almost never stops. Whether you know the words to sing—the words will magically appear on the screen—or you just want to hum along, it will be a great group experience!
This year’s BIFF Sing-Along will highlight the first weekend of BIFF 2020 on Saturday Feb. 22. It marks a return to The Castle at 501 Prospect Ave in downtown Beloit, which was the setting for BIFF’s sold out silent Phantom of the Opera several years ago. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30. There will be music and a cash bar before and after the screening.
The audience is invited to come attired as their favorite characters from the film. Sister Mary Stigmata, muse of the Blues Brothers, will be on hand to judge costumes and award prizes.
The BIFF Sing-Along is once again Sponsored by the Janesville law firm of Brennan Steil S.C. Attorneys. The 1980 film, set in Chicago, follows Jake and Elwood Blues as they put their band back together in order to raise the funds needed to pay the overdue property taxes and save the orphanage where they grew up.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students of all ages. Tickets are currently available online at www.BeloitFilmFest.org, at the IronTek pre-festival box office (635 3rd St. in Beloit) or at the door. If you need additional assistance, call Ana Kelly at (773) 818-5010.
There is limited seating and past events at The Castle have sold out in advance. BIFF suggests that you purchase your tickets soon.
The Beloit International Film Festival this year marks its 15th season as the region’s major international cultural event. BIFF is sponsored by the Hendricks Family Foundation and Visit Beloit in association with Beloit College. Support for the Festival comes from area businesses and civic organizations, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Critical individual support for BIFF is provided through gifts and membership in the BIFF Founders and the Film Society of Beloit.
Dr. Robert Tomaro, originally from New York, is the Maestro of the BJSO and a grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and composer extraordinaire. He has taught at Beloit College, instructed Kids Composing Music classes for BIFF, starred in musicals, plays in various bands, and currently has several Christmas music videos out that are major hits throughout Europe. Filmed locally and available on YouTube, be sure to check out Has Christmas Forgotten Me. Rob Tomaro has enriched the community of Beloit greatly with his talents and is one of the best jazz guitarists on the planet.
Gaia Galvan continues to entrance, inspire and effect Stateline audiences with her enchanting voice. Gaia performed at The Castle with the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra in 2015 for the film festival’s silent film showcase, Phantom of the Opera, and the following year for The Wizard of Oz.
Gaia can be heard on the children’s album “Poems in a Pail”, and her first full length album, “Whole Again”. She also won the first Midwest Artist Solo Vocal Competition in 2009. Singing with gospel choirs and Danny Gokey in 2001 is a memorable highlight. Currently, Gaia works alongside her husband, John, at a thriving downtown Beloit Upscale Resale shop named “J & G’s”, leads worship at The Father’s House Church, and freelances recording & singing gigs in the Stateline area.