Film Society to host Oscar viewing parties

Where's a better place to watch the Oscars than a movie theater?

Burns Court and Lakewood Ranch Cinemas will be rolling out the red carpet - literally - for their Academy Awards viewing parties at 7 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 24).

Tickets ($20 for members, $25 for nonmembers) include an open beer, wine and soft drink bar and  hors d'oeuvres. There will be also a silent auction.

The 85th annual awards, broadcast live on ABC, will be shown on the big screen at 8 p.m.

"There will be trivia games during commercial breaks, and the winners will get upgraded memberships," said Tim Calandra, Sarasota Film Society's director of community outreach and public relations. "We also have everybody fill out an Oscar ballot, predicting the winners before the show. The winner will get an upgraded membership, too.

"It's a great party, probably one of our events that's the most fun, and we get a great turnout. It's always an eclectic bunch of people."

For tickets, go to the theater box office, visit filmsociety.org, or call 955-3456. Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive #8, Lakewood Ranch.