For people with autism spectrum disorder, an afternoon at the movie theater can sometimes be more challenging than fun. The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) and Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company (APBC) are partnering to change that — if only for a day — by hosting a sensory-friendly screening of the holiday crowd-pleaser, Elf.
Simone Seitz, regional development associate at the ASNC, says the event “allows people who live with autism to participate in an activity that they may not have, and to engage with others in our community.”
The screening, which takes place Sunday, Dec. 22, at APBC, will have lower-than-normal volume and the lights will not be dimmed. Perhaps most notably, viewers won’t be shushed by fellow patrons if they speak out. “The movie theater is not a typical environment where we allow the individual to move around if they need to, or even if they need to vocalize,” says Seitz. “So [at the screening] they can be themselves — they can dance, they can move, they can speak.”
Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co. will donate all ticket proceeds to ASNC, and offer a 20 percent discount on food and nonalcoholic beverages purchased during the event.
The showing of this PG-rated film will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at 675 Merrimon Ave. in North Asheville. Tickets are $3; all ticket sales and donations will benefit ASNC. For more information, contact Simone Seitz at 236-1547. For more information about APBC, contact Lisa Leokum at 254-1281 or visit ashevillebrewing.com.
— lmclellan@mountainx.com 251-1333 ext.127
