On Sept 24. locals will have the opportunity to participate in the first ever Art House Theater Day, which will be held at the Strand Theatre on Clay Street.

“What is an art house theater? According to the Oxford Dictionary, an Art House Theater is a movie theater that specializes in films that are artistic or experimental rather than merely entertaining,” Daniel Boone said.

Boone is the film programmer for the Strand Theatre and because of his efforts in providing foreign films, documentaries, independent films and classics at the local facility, the Strand will be one of more than 160 theaters and the only theater in Mississippi participating in a day set aside for movie enthusiasts.

“I attended the annual Art House Convergence, a conference for theaters who show this mix of films, back in January and was excited when they announced the first ever Art House Theater Day. We signed up immediately,” Boone said, adding that Sept. 24 is not just a day set aside for viewing films, but it is also a day to celebrate the role of theaters like the Strand within their communities, and the role of the community within the theater.

“As a 501(c)(3), the Westside Theatre Foundation, which is the parent organization of the Strand, has a mission of delivering arts programs of varied kinds to Vicksburg and downtown specifically,” Boone said.

“Engaging the community with films that start conversations is job one of the film component of the foundation. We believe offering our local audience the opportunity to see the same interesting films that are playing in New York, L.A. and other big cities makes Vicksburg richer culturally and a more attractive place to live.”

Boone said it has also been a priority to bring in filmmakers to the community so locals can interact with them and try to learn and understand that film is a process rather than just something to consume.

“One of the programs we are most proud of was our 2013 weekend of films by Vicksburg born director Charles Burnett,” Boone said. “We flew Charles in from his home in Los Angeles and introduced him to his hometown.”

Also on several other occasions, Boone said the Strand has had directors and other participants contribute either in person, by Skype or telephone conversation.

In addition to the films and filmmakers the Strand Theatre has hosted, Boone has also been able to bring in recorded operas, ballets and other performing arts programs from around the world.

Patterned after Record Store Day and Comic Book Day, Art House Theater Day will include giveaways, prizes and activities.

“We also see it as a day to bring children to the Strand,” Boone said.

Offerings for ages 3 to 7 will include “The Visitors,” “Octopus,” “One, Two, Tree,” “Object at Rest,” “Looks” and “Tiny Tunes: Food.”

Geared for ages 8 to adult, screenings will include “My Grandfather was a Cherry Tree,” “One Hell of a Plan,” “Two Left Feet,” “A Cat in Paris,” “Two Friends” and “The Man, The Boy, and The Donkey.”

“Time Bandits,” which was written and directed by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame will be shown following the kids films, and the first three dozen attendees of this show will receive a souvenir map just like the one in the movie, Boone said.

Later in the afternoon, Verdi’s “Requiem,” recorded in 1967 and featuring Luciano Pavorotti and Mississippi’s own Leontyne Price will be offered.

“The Requiem will be followed by a reception in our lobby, and hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants will be served on the porch,” Boone said.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the comic murder mystery “Porches and Private Eyes,” will be shown.

“This film was shot in Brookhaven earlier this year, and the director, Travis Mills, will present the film,” Boone said.

Cast and crewmembers will also be in attendance to answer questions afterwards.

The cost of an all-day pass for Art House Theater Day will be $25. For individual pricing and show times visit facebook.com/ westsidetheatrefoundation.