Theater aims to ease tensions and provide a safe space during strikes

It was just another routine business day for Johnny Ray as he sat in his office at The Beacon Restaurant in Marblehead. There were lots of promotions to fine tune with the holidays closing in fast. As director of marketing and entertainment for The Beacon Restaurant and Bar on Pleasant St. and its adjacent business, Warwick Cinemas and Event Center, Mr. Ray says, "There's never a dull moment. It's a constant clearing house of ideas, graphic design, and execution." This day was a little different though as he noticed the traffic was lighter during his short commute from the historic district to uptown. At the time he didn't realize the schools were closed in Marblehead for the teachers strike. "I noticed a lot of activity over the weekend at different intersections around town and especially at the old town meeting house where the jovial protesters could be heard over my Sunday coffee. Like most neighbors I waved and honked my horn in support of the teachers who were spending their weekend in large groups raising public awareness. Like everyone else I hoped there would be a quick and equitable resolution that would cause as little harm as possible to all parties concerned, especially the kids."

It was while fielding emails and text alerts that Mr. Ray was inspired by an inquiry about students and teachers having extra time on their hands during the strike. With parents scrambling to find ways to occupy their kids and the sudden change in their busy schedules Mr. Ray liked the idea of showing kids matinees at The Warwick that could provide a safe and inexpensive way for parents and teachers to decompress. "Our team immediately shifted away from holiday events to finding kids movies we could show for a discounted ticket price." Working with their consultant and cinema programmer, Harold Blank, Johnny and his team were able to put together a menu of movies and began posting the matinees to great response on social media. "Warwick Cinemas is an historic cinema with over 100 years at the same location" says Ray, "It's not just a historic movie theater but a community gathering place that should always be available for the public to use. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful gem in our town and I am humbled to be one of the partners shepherding its latest incarnation."

Warwick Place Cinemas and Event Center is located next to The Beacon Restaurant at 123 Pleasant St. Marblehead, Ma. 01945. The owners plan on showing matinees every day for the duration of the teachers strike. For more information visit their web site @ www.warwickcinemas.com Or call 781-639-1720