Share Tweet Share Email

Think global, shop local at Green Night Out, planned April 25 throughout downtown DeKalb

April 22, 2013

Green Lens Environmental Film Festival logoThe Green Lens Environmental Film Festival will conclude Thursday, April 25, with a Green Night Out party and Best of the Fest screening in downtown DeKalb.

Beginning at 5 p.m., community members are invited to spend a fun-filled evening viewing award-winning films, eating, shopping and sharing ideas for going green.

Organizers say that participants should check in at the Egyptian Theatre or Eduardo’s to get a “Green Card” – a map to the night’s activities and specials. From there, participants can explore downtown and get their Green Cards stamped at participating businesses when they listen to short talks about environmental issues, see unique artwork that focuses on nature, and get deals on everything from candy to manicures.

For the past week, the Green Lens Film Festival has been entertaining community members with family-friendly nature hikes, craft parties and special screenings of independent films that focus on environmental issues. Organizers from NIU Outreach and the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy (ESE) see Green Night Out as the perfect way to end the celebration.

“We wanted to throw a big party and give people a chance to learn quick, easy ways that they can make changes in their everyday lives,” says festival co-director Gillian King-Cargile of NIU Outreach. The short environmental talks at downtown restaurants will focus on topics such as home composting, gardening with native plants and using Pinterest to increase your eco-awareness, she adds.

Shopping local is one of those easy ways for people to go green, King-Cargile says; “We have so many great restaurants and shops right here in DeKalb. When you spend your time and money downtown, you’re not just supporting your community; you’re also saving gas and reducing your carbon emissions.”

Recycling symbol in green grassParticipating locations and specials for the Green Night Out include:

  • Tapa La Luna – Short talks on sustainable restaurant practices, green drink specials ($3 for Irish Recycling Bins)
  • Small Town Skate Shop – Environmental art exhibit, short talks on long-boarding for the environment, sale
  • Helen’s Hair Design – Free eyebrow waxing or shellac manicure
  • Eduardo’s – Short talks on vermicomposting, gardening with native plants, eating weeds and more!
  • O’Leary’s – Green drink specials ($3.50 for Green Hornets and Emerald Isles)
  • Confectionary – Candy specials and extended hours until 8 p.m.
  • Gallery 215 – Environmental art by Anna Miller
  • Cracker Jax – Extended hours until 8 p.m. and deals on vintage and up-cycled clothing and furniture
  • Rosita’s – Drink specials (margaritas $3.50, flavored margaritas $3.80)

At 8 p.m., participants can return their Green Cards to the Egyptian Theatre and enter a raffle for a chance to win a prize package.

Also at 8 p.m., Green Lens will screen the winning films from this year’s film festival. The program will include the winning short films from the student, documentary and narrative categories, as well as the Audience Choice and Committee Choice winners. Tickets for Best of the Fest are $5.

For more information, email gkingcargile@niu.edu.

Related: