In the midst of celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Nightlight Cinema, an independent theater in Akron, has set a fundraising goal of $15,000 this summer.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit cinema, the place’s ticket sales alone don’t cover the cost of bringing in the “essential films” that it shows. Tomorrow, for example, the theater will open The Dead Don’t Die, the latest flick from Akron native Jim Jarmusch.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, July 5, the Nightlight will host a special five-year anniversary party. The event includes champagne upon arrival plus two drink tickets for select beer or wine or soda served in the lounge and at the bar.

From 5 to 6 p.m., there will be live music, and Crave will provide the heavy hors d’oeuvres. There will be door prizes and a silent auction. The theater will show two screenings of a Nightlight Film Society film and unveil its Georges Méliès inspired celestial photo booth.

An after party will take place from 10:30 p.m. until midnight.

The theater is also hosting a film competition. It costs $5 to submit a short movie for consideration.

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This article appears in Jun 19-25, 2019.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.