"An Experience That Can't Be Downloaded"
Looking for quality programming online streaming services can't compete with?
The Invincible Czars' live silent film soundtrack shows are a movie and a concert all in one. As our friends at Vancouver's Rio Theatre say, it's "an experience that can't be downloaded!" We love independent cinemas, classic movies and film soundtracks and champion all three with these shows!
Fun, Educational, Quality Live Entertainment Performed by Humans
Our tastefully modern soundtracks have made us favorites at independent cinemas, schools, and arts organizations. You won’t find another silent film accompaniment act that’s as fun and engaging for contemporary audiences who value novel entertainment experiences - something independent cinemas can really use these days!
When you host us, you'll present a meticulously prepared live performance that is both entertaining and educational and performed by actual humans without the aid of computer generated backing tracks* or a click trac. We play everything you'll hear.
Combining delicate elements of a chamber group with the energy of a rock band, our ensemble includes violin, flute, clarinet, piano, drums, guitar, and keyboards. Each musical passage is crafted to enhance the story on screen at any given moment. We rehearse extensively to ensure precise timing. We know these movies in and out and while we strive for cohesion with the picture, each performance is unique.
Easy to Present
Equipped with our sound engineer and a digital mixer, we can seamlessly integrate with any live music sound system - or use our own PA suitable for rooms up to 900 seats. Specifics are detailed in our tech rider.
We Promote
We provide custom 30-second promotional trailers or still-image announcements for each show, proven to boost audience engagement and ticket sales when used show in pre-show trailers. We also have marketing assets available for online and traditional promotion.
* We sometimes use a pre-recorded instrument tracks and sound effects because it's less stuff to set up. but even those were performed by us!
WHY AUDIENCES LOVE US
In short - we're fun, impressive and we love interacting with people at our shows!
Our music and performances are meant to honor these early motion pictures. While we can do so in a reverent manner, our live shows are meant to be fun and engaging for contemporary audiences, many of whom experience silent film for the first time with us. We encourage attendees to dress in spooky attire and join in the soundtrack - howling, laughing, whispering and even leaving their seats. This practice evolved organically as we noticed audiences from city to city behaving the same way at the same moments each night. We simply began giving them permission. The more fun they have, the more we can bring!
Audiences love the novelty of our shows and instrumentation. It's quite a feat to perform these soundtracks live and audiences appreciate the attention to detail. Our favorite comments have been, "You made this movie actually scary," and, "I never want to see Nosferatu without your score again!"
We draw influences from contemporary composers audiences know - Bernard Herrmann, Mark Korven, John Carpenter, Ennio Morricone, Bela Bartok, etc.
We also create custom artwork for each film and bring posters, t-shirts, DVDs, CDs, etc. for anyone who wants to take a piece of the show home. We're happy to pose for photos with attendees, staff, etc.
SOUND
We bring our own sound engineer and digital mixer that can run out to a house sound system or we can bring our own PA suitable for approx. 700 seats. We bring all our own instruments. We're happy to be in the hands of a capable house engineer, too. Check our tech rider below for specifics.
PICTURE
We also have various media options available for each film.
Alabama
Montgomery - Marquis Theatre
Mobile - Crescent Theatre (closed)
Arizona
Phoenix - Majestic Chandler & Tempe
Tucson - The Loft Cinema
British Columbia
Vancouver - Rio Theatre
California
Chico - Pageant Theatre
Eureka - Eureka Theater
Sacramento - Crest Theatre
Larkspur - Lark Theatre
Nevada City - Nevada Theatre / Onyx
Santa Ana - Frida Cinema
Los Angeles - Alamo Drafthouse, Secret Movie Club
Oakland - New Parkway
San Francisco - Alamo Drafthouse Mission
Colorado
Denver - Alamo Drafthouse Littleton, Sie Film Center
Ft. Collins - Lyric Cinema
DC
Alamo Drafthouse Bryant
Georgia
Atlanta - The Springs
Athens - Cine
Idaho
Boise - Egyptian Theatre
Illinois
Carbondale - Varsity Center
Chicago - Music Box Theatre
Normal / Bloomington - Normal Theater
Iowa
Des Moines - Fleur Cinema
Michigan
Detroit - Cinema Detroit
Missouri
St. Louis - Alamo Drafthouse
Springfield - Alamo Drafthouse
Nebraska
Omaha - Alamo Drafthouse
New Mexico
Albuquerque - Guild Cinema
Santa Fe - Center for Contemporary Art
New York
Buffalo - North Park Theatre
Brooklyn - Alamo Drafthouse
Huntington - Cinema Arts Centre
Ithaca - Cornell Cinema
Yonkers - Alamo Drafthouse
North Carolina
Raleigh - Alamo Drafthouse
Ontario
Toronto - Fox Theatre
Ottawa - Bytowne Cinema
Kitchener - Apollo Cinema
Oregon
Portland - Clinton Street Theatre, Alberta Rose Theater
Pennsylvania
Emmaus - Emmaus Theatre
Lancaster - Zoetropolis
Texas
Austin - Alamo Drafthouse, AFS Cinema
Dallas - Texas Theatre
Houston - Alamo Drafthouse
San Antonio - Alamo Drafthouse, Urban 15
Laredo - Alamo Drafthouse
Corpus Christi - Alamo Drafthouse
Lubbock - Alamo Drafthouse
El Paso - Alamo Drafthouse
Utah
Salt Lake City - Broadway Center, Tower Theatre
Virginia
Ashburn - Alamo Drafthouse Loudon
Arlington - Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City
Woodbridge - Alamo Drafthouse
Washington
Bellingham - Pickford Film Center
Olympia - Capitol Theatre
Seattle - SIFF Egyptian and Uptown
Tacoma - Grand Cinema