Janis Ian: Breaking Silence - Film Screening and Q&A with Janis

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence - Film Screening and Q&A with Janis

Come Join Us for a screening of a film from Janis Ian and hear from the legend herself.

By Johnson Hall Opera House

Date and time

Starts on Wednesday, September 24 · 7:30pm EDT.

Location

Johnson Hall Opera House

280 Water Street Gardiner, ME 04345

Refund Policy

No Refunds

Agenda

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Doors Open

Johnson Hall Opera House

7:30 PM

Show Begins

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

About this event

  • Free venue parking

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence - Film Screening and Q&A with Janis!


In the mid-60s, Janis Ian, a teenage singer-songwriter from New Jersey, scores a controversial hit single called "Society's Child," about an interracial love relationship. The song launches her illustrious career but also ignites death threats, plunging her into an emotional tailspin--only to emerge from the ashes in the 1970s with an even bigger hit, "At Seventeen," ahead of its time in confronting lookism and bullying. Janis overcomes significant obstacles--embezzlement, record industry misogyny, and heartbreak--to find love and produce an indelible body of searingly honest songs that earn her a devoted following and critical acclaim.


Janis Ian: Breaking Silence chronicles the life, music, and times of maverick singer-songwriter Janis Ian, beginning with her teen years as a precocious member of the vibrant Greenwich Village folk scene jamming with such legends as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. In the mid-70s, she ascends to international stardom with such hits as "Stars," about the transient nature of fame (covered by Nina Simone and Cher), and "Jesse," the wistful lament of a lonely person waiting for their lover to return home (covered to great success by the R&B singer Roberta Flack and Folk icon Joan Baez). With her megahit "At Seventeen," her masterful take on adolescent pain and alienation, Ian cements her place as a voice for outsiders everywhere. In the 1980s, beset by financial difficulties, Ian moves to Nashville and reinvents herself as primarily a songwriter, collaborating and falling in love with the great songwriter Kye Fleming. With the release of her album “Breaking Silence,” she begins to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Ian eventually returns to performing and continues to write songs that address challenging subject matter, such as the Holocaust, the murder of Matthew Shepard, and gay marriage. In 2022, she releases her final album, “Light at the End of the Line,” and launches her bittersweet final tour. Ian's music endures attracting new fans, inspiring listeners with her disarmingly candid lyrics and unwavering resilience in the face of personal and professional challenges. Janis Ian: Breaking Silence features interviews with Ian's extraordinary community of friends and collaborators, including folk luminaries Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Tom Paxton, as well as Hollywood greats Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart, and Laurie Metcalf. Her notable work has earned her an honored place in folk and pop music history. Janis Ian continues to influence new generations of artists and activists. While she embraces her Jewish upbringing, upholds feminist values, and advocates for LGBQT+ rights, her story and music transcend the boundaries of identity politics, making her career a universal story relatable to all.


Watch Trailer: https://tinyurl.com/JanisIanBreakingSilence

Film Length: 114 Minutes

Q&A with Janis Ian 30 Minutes

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer refunds?

No, refunds are not issued for any live event. If the event is canceled or otherwise not fully performed, or the event is postponed and not rescheduled within 90 days of the postponement, a refund will be issued. Please review our full policy here: https://www.johnsonhall.org/policies/

What can I bring inside Johnson Hall?

For the safety of our staff, crew, performers, and patrons, the following are not allowed inside Johnson Hall Opera House: backpacks, large bags, weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, and/or outside food or drink. All bags are subject to searching at any time.

Can I bring my camera?

Cameras are not allowed inside Johnson Hall. You may use your cell phone to take photos, but please do not use the flash.

Organized by

Website: https://www.johnsonhall.org/

$35.64