FESTIVA NEWS: Valley-made movie set to premiere at Carmike

>> Valley-made movie set to premier in Edinburg

>> Local Christian hardcore group to release limited edition CD

>> Community members fight to close Sapphire Club

>> Local drummer's Hollywood band to release debut album nationwide

>> Feature filmmakers holding casting call

>> Cinesol sponsors poster contest

>> Valley-made movie set to premiere in Edinburg

The Red Queen, a feature length film shot locally last summer, will premiere in Edinburg's Carmike Cinema March 22 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. as the opening event for The University of Texas-Pan American's Festival of International Books and Arts.

All ticket sales will benefit The Children's Miracle Network and the university's communication department.

The film stars UTPA alum Valente Rodriquez ("The George Lopez Show",) Estephenia LeBaron ("The Alamo,") and Harley Jane Kozak ("Parenthood.").  This year was the first time a movie produced as part of the Pan American Summer Television Program features local and Hollywood talent.

Kozak and LeBaron will be on hand for the premiere.

The Red Queen, the 17th production from the summer film program, is an action-filled thriller that focuses on a young woman's search for the true identity of her deceased mother. 

Associate Professor David B. Carren wrote and directed the movie, which was based on a story conceived by Professor Jack R. Stanley.

Tickets are available at the University Theater Box Office. Price is $8 for UTPA students and faculty and $10 for general admission. For more information call (956) 381-3581.

Festiba 2009 runs March 22 through 28 on the UTPA campus.

>>Local Christian hardcore group to release limited edition CD

The Requested, McAllen's homegrown Christian hardcore band, will release a limited edition 7-song CD Thursday.

The band will sell 30 copies of the album to fans in attendance at a show. The Requested will play 7 p.m. at Hot Topic in the La Plaza Mall.

The album will sport new cover art, based on The Requested's song "Optimus Prime Needs a Serious Shave." The leader of the Autobots stands on the front with his gun hoisted. A picture on the back shows him rocking a massive robotic beard.

The Requested front man Cody Peña says the art will only be available this one time, and he hopes a massive crowd floods the mall.

"We want the mall cops to be like some of you guys have to leave," he says. (ZQ)

>>Community members fight to close Sapphire Club

Residents near north McAllen night spot Sapphire Club have circulated a petition and fliers to close the bar, The Monitor reported last week.

The City Commission could decide whether to renew the spot's liquor license this month. McAllen's planning and zoning commission has recommended the commission rule against the bar.

Sapphire opened in the summer at 5248 N. 10th St., where Tequila's once was. Billed as a Las Vegas style nightclub, it gained notoriety by bringing in MTV reality show cast members on a regular basis. Sapphire also offers one of the only rooftop bars in town.

This effort comes after the city denied a license renewal to night spots Dubai and McClain's. McClain's has retooled and remains open as a restaurant while Dubai stays closed. (ZQ)

>>Local drummer's Hollywood band to release debut album nationwide

Julien-K, a Los Angeles-based band with a drummer from the Valley, will release its debut album across the country Tuesday.

The album is called Death to Analog. Elias "Bones" Andra, who grew up in Alamo, plays drums for the group. Local music fans likely remember Andra from the Valley's homegrown industrial metal group Psycho Plague, which disbanded in 2001.

This album marks the first major release for Julien-K, which started as an electronic-powered side project by two members of the alternative rock group Orgy. Julien-K has opened for Evanescence and Mindless Self Indulgence during those bands' North American tours. The band has also collaborated with Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington.

The album should be available in record stores across the country. Julien-K has announced a 12-date summer tour starting in June with The Birthday Massacre and MSI. (ZQ)

>> Feature filmmakers holding casting call

Today is the last day to audition for My September, a movie directed by local filmmaker Charlie Brenner.

Auditions are being held inside the Jeffers Theatre at The University of Texas-Pan American's communication building, located off of Sugar Road. They will be held 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

They are looking for males and females, ages 9 to 60. Those with resumes and headshots have audition priority.

My September follows the story of an orphan boy as he struggles to care for his two younger siblings and is faced with difficult choices along the way.

For more information, e-mail Brenner at charliewbrenner@yahoo.com or call (956) 789-0071. (SG)

>> Cinesol sponsors poster contest

The Cinesol Film Festival is looking for the best design for the 16th annual event's official poster.

They are offering $250 and "unlimited and priceless exposure" to the person who designs the winning poster.

Deadline to enter is May 1 at 5 p.m.

There is no limit to the nuber of entries that can be submitted but all entries must have "16th Annual Cinesol Film Festival 2009" incorporated into them.

For more information, e-mail festival organizers at info@cinesol.com or call (956) 793-8783.  (SG)