Rick’s Caf and MSU’s radio station, WMSV, are taking one for the student population for a fourth year running. Students long accustomed to being shamelessly overcharged and undercompensated will be granted sanctuary, if only for a day. On Monday, Sept. 10th, Rick’s and WMSV are going in halvsies to pick up the tab at Hollywood Premier Cinema’s “Movie Night” for all attending the 7:00 p.m. viewing slot.
As it has been in the past three years of Movie Night’s existence, the event will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, and, when coupled with this year’s net growth in students, attendance should quickly exceed yesteryear’s watermark (read: come early).
Rick Welch, Rick’s Caf’s owner, views Movie Night as “a way to say ‘Thanks’ for past business,” and also as “a chance to welcome back the students.”
He laughs in agreement that the $7 break given to students goes farther than the value suggests.
Rick, whose bar hosts many of Starkville’s main musical attractions, is quick to acknowledge WMSV’s Steve Ellis for his role in the planning Movie Night.
Ellis, an award winning broadcaster for MSU’s radio station, shaped the idea for “a twofold purpose,” one part being “to express thanks to the community” and the other aimed more to “getting information [about WMSV] out to the public.” Movie Night dually benefits both sponsoring parties.
While the event raises awareness for Rick’s and WMSV, it also fosters a healthy public perception of the organizations involved – something more local businesses should take note of.
In addition to their Movie Night, WMSV and Rick’s will be combining their efforts to bring to Starkville performances by Paul Thorn and Monte Montgomery.
Thorn, described by Ellis as “a Southern Storyteller” with a sound similar to that of John Prine, is slated for Oct. 11 at Rick’s Caf.
On the other hand, Montgomery, who is tentatively set to perform at Rick’s in the coming months, is not the easiest subject for which to find a musical comparison.
“[Montgomery] is a musician’s musician,” Welch said.
Montgomery’s act is centered on his expertise with a guitar, as Welch and Ellis will attest to.
You can catch the free 7 p.m. showings during Movie Night at Hollywood Premier Cinema located off of Stark Rd. The performances will take place at Rick’s Caf on Miss. Hwy 182.