Tonight’s surf flick is free

In an attempt to reconnect with its audience, the Balboa Performing

Arts Theater is teaming with Huntington Beach-based surf and apparel

company Quiksilver to present a free movie event tonight.”Young Guns

II,” a surf movie starring world champion Kelly Slater, premieres at

Peninsula Park as part of Quiksilver’s Family Movie Night. The event,

which runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., will also include a skateboarding

movie.

“Part of what we are trying to do is demonstrate that Balboa

Theater is unique in the fact that we are at the beach and can do

what others can’t do,” said Mary Lonich, executive director of the

Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation, the group charged with

reviving the theater, which has been closed since 1992.

Quiksilver will be giving away a surfboard, a snowboard and a

skateboard to audience members, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Lonich didn’t promise an appearance by Slater, but he said some of

Quiksilver’s top sponsored athletes will be available to sign

autographs before the screening.

Starting at 8 p.m., the movies will be shown on a large screen at

one end of the park, which is near the base of Balboa Pier.

Families are encouraged to picnic outside before the event, Lonich

said.

The theater, scheduled to reopen in fall 2008, has prepared a

video that will be shown between the films.

Lonich said it’s a mix of information about the theater and

testimonials from former patrons, including Quiksilver founder and

president Bob McKnight.

Money from event concessions will go toward the foundation’s

capital campaign.

Lonich said this is the first partnership between the theater and

Quiksilver.

“We’re excited about this event and hope it’s one of many we do in

the future,” she said.

Additional information is available by calling the Balboa

Performing Arts Theater at (949) 673-0895.