71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 413-648-SHEA

Shea Presents: CINEMASTORM

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm
We are pleased to welcome two very special guests to this month's Cinemastorm, John Sayles and Maggie Renzi! Beer. Flicks. Trivia. Free Admission!!

March CINEMASTORM is back on Wednesday, March 25th with an extra special 7:00PM viewing. We are thrilled to have Writer, Director, and Producer, John Sayles, and Actor and Producer, Maggie Renzi, as our very honored guests at the Shea! We will be airing two flicks written and directed by Sayles- MATEWAN and CITY OF HOPE.

Matewan (1987) is a historical drama film written and directed by John Sayles, based on the 1920 Battle of Matewan, a violent coal miners' strike in West Virginia. The film focuses on union organizer Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper) uniting Black, white, and immigrant miners against the coal company, featuring an ensemble cast including James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, and David Strathairn. Known for its authenticity, strong performances, and Oscar-nominated cinematography by Haskell Wexler, it's a critically acclaimed but modest box office success that explores themes of labor, race, and violence.

City of Hope (1991) is a John Sayles-directed ensemble drama set in a fictional New Jersey city, exploring urban corruption, crime, and racial tensions through the interconnected lives of dozens of characters, including a disillusioned contractor (Vincent Spano) and an idealistic politician (Joe Morton). The film weaves together multiple storylines centered around a controversial development project, examining themes of greed, responsibility, and the struggle for integrity in a city rife with political chicanery and moral compromise.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna •Gagne Wealth Management Group • Gill Tavern • Gilmore and Farrell Insurance Company • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill • Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening V: The Bestiary

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received generous grants from the Mass Cultural Council as well as the Community Foundation of Western MA to support our 2025 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening V: The Bestiary.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 50 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by Aesop's Fables, George Orwell's Animal Farm, newly imagined cautionary tales, and creature myths of all origins.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!