You may not know what Rick Sebak looks like (until now) but you've probably heard his voice, especially if you're a fan of PBS and other documentary films. From hot dogs to old amusement parks, Sebak shares Americana with viewers and will be in Bloomington to talk all about it for two Cicada Cinema programs.
Super Duper Weenie (Fairfield, Connecticut) might even become your favorite hot dog truck after watching Sebak's "A Hot Dog Program." Anyway, Sebak's colleagues apologize on YouTube if they "don't get to your favorite (hot dog) stand."
Award-winning filmmaker Sebak, the charming Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WQED TV (Pittsburgh's PBS station) producer, will be in Bloomington April 26-27 for two different shows.
You're invited to watch screenings of his films, participate in a Q&A with Sebak and catch a performance by Sebak fans Busman's Holiday (brothers Lewis and Addison Rogers).
"Rick will be in attendance both nights, and this is the first time Cicada Cinema has welcomed a visiting filmmaker to Bloomington," said Jared Cheek, outreach associate at Monroe County Public Library and "Rick Sebak super-fan."
Sebak's documentaries' success startled even PBS
In addition to clips of Sebak's work, full screenings are offered: the popular "A Hot Dog Program" (25th anniversary), "Pennsylvania Diners & Other Roadside Restaurants" (a ratings win for PBS, which in 1993 startled even PBS) and "That Kennywood Summer," a half-hour documentary using footage Sebak and his WQED crew obtained in 1988. They were working on his program “Kennywood Memories,” and "That Kennywood Summer" is one of WQED’s Pittsburgh History Series’ most asked-for programs. "Kennywood Memories” looks at Pittsburgh's Kennywood amusement park, which opened in 1898 as a trolley park.
You may have heard Sebak narrating his nationally syndicated PBS programs including other "scrapbook documentaries" such as "Great Old Amusement Parks," "Shore Things," "Sandwiches That You Will Like," "A Flea Market Documentary," "Great Old Amusement Parks," "A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway," "An Ice Cream Show" and "A Cemetery Special."
Creator of the "scrapbook documentary"
Sebak created the scrapbook documentary concept, which uses old films and photos, home movies, postcards and other memorabilia to make a sort of time capsule. Other stations have used the format and report increased donations when a scrapbook documentary is shown during fund drives. Although he isn't in his films, fans know his voice and recognize his narrations.
His topics evoke fun, but Sebak and staff work hard to document and record happier things. At 70, Sebak continues his research and writing.
He was born in Pennsylvania and attended the university of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. In 1984 he experimented with a nostalgia documentary, a film about a popular dance in South Carolina.
"Like Addison Rogers of Busman's Holiday (another Rick Sebak super-fan who is helping organize this event) I am not an official Cicada Cinema volunteer," Cheek said. Rogers and Cheek share a love of Sebak's work with Cicada's Josh Brewer. They've been collaborating to make this duo of Sebak events happen.
"Over the years we've often told our friends about these documentaries and how much we enjoy them," Cheek said, "and we are very excited to do this on a larger scale, with the man himself driving all the way from Pittsburgh to be there as well!"
Even if you hate hot dogs, come watch "A Hot Dog Program"
"I'm actually not a huge fan of hot dogs, haha, but I still find myself wanting one after watching Rick's 1999 classic 'A Hot Dog Program,'" Cheek said.
"Even if you hate hot dogs, seeing the people and places that he features across the country is fascinating entertainment. For this 25th anniversary screening at the I Fell Gallery, The Orbit Room will be there selling hot dogs, beer, wine, etc."
Sebak's films also document what the world was like at a certain time. "As you'll see in 'That Kennywood Summer,' watching crowds at an amusement park in the '80s is a captivating view of a world that is much different than today's," Cheek said.
Cicada Cinema is a pop-up, volunteer-run movie theater.
Sometimes a hot dog is best when it's loaded. "Diet doesn't exist here," says a Sebak's "Hot Dog Program" server on Youtube.
If you go
Note: There are two separate programs, both free.
WHAT: Cicada Cinema presents Rick Sebak and "A Hot Dog Program"(1999, 1 hour, 25th anniversary screening) and "That Kennywood Summer" (2019, 30 minutes)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 26
WHERE: I Fell Gallery, 415 W. Fourth St.
Free but ticketed, for all ages. Get your ticket online at cicadacinema.com. Hot dogs will be available for purchase from The Orbit Room, which will be onsite. Beer and wine for people age 21 and older.
WHAT: Rick Sebak clip show; the 1-hour version of "Philadelphia Diners & Other Roadside Restaurants"; Q&A with Sebak; and Busman's Holiday performance
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 27
WHERE: Upland Brewery Wood Shop, 350 W. 11th St.
Free but ticketed, for all ages. Get your ticket online at cicadacinema.com.
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