Sundance 2011: The sun shines on Ogden

Ogden is a growing part of the Sundance family.

Since 1998, the northern Utah city has played host to the annual Sundance Film Festival, and over those 13 years has expanded to include screenings on all 10 days of the festival.

Ogden is one of four festival locations, along with Salt Lake City, Park City and Sundance Resort, that will showcase independent cinematic talent in the categories of documentary, dramatic, shorts and animation spotlight. Beginning today, 14 films will be shown in Ogden.

"Sundance continues to send us more films," said Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey. "And they get better every year."

The venue for those films, Peery's Egyptian Theater, is a "jewel of Sundance," says Dan Musgrave, President of the Ogden Downtown Alliance.

Built in 1924, the theater escaped demolition after being boarded up for several years in the 1980s. At the final hour, it was purchased and in 1997 was restored to its full grandeur, thanks in large part to donations from the community.

According to the history of the theater, it is one of only two "Egyptian Atmospheric" theaters in the nation.

"Sitting in the theater before the movie starts, the lights above you twinkle just like you are sitting outdoors," Musgrave said.

Among Ogden's other benefits, according to Musgrave, are FrontRunner access, parking, a free downtown trolley and restaurants on Historic 25th Street. A new app, iOgden, is ready for free download.

"With the iOgden app, we try and make it convenient for people coming from in and out of town to quickly find a good place to eat," Godfrey said.

A reception will be Jan. 25 following the screening of "The Music Never Stopped," playing at 6:30 p.m. Those with a ticket stub from the movie will be admitted free to the event, which has a 1960s theme. The event has been a crowd pleaser in the past, with directors and actors also in attendance.

Tickets, which went on sale Jan. 17, can be purchased at the Peery's Egyptian Theater box office, 2415 Washington Blvd., or online at sundance.org.

Amy Wilde is a writer living in Brigham City, Utah. You can follow her blog at amywildeatmosphere.blogspot.com/ or e-mail her at wilde.amy@gmail.com.

What: 2011 Sundance Film Festival

When: Jan. 20-30