St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites the community to three fun events on Sunday, October 29: the annual Fall Festival with Trunk or Treat, 5-7 p.m., the new Cruise-In Car Show, 5-7 p.m., and “Mark of Zorro” Silent Movie, accompanied by the West Texas A&M full orchestra, playing live score in the sanctuary, beginning at 6:45 p.m. All events are free to attend and will take place at St. Andrew, 5801 W. Plano Parkway.
The fall festival features trunk or treat, carnival games, and bounce houses. Chili, hot dogs, and other concessions are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Ministry. All children are invited to come in costume. Additionally, the United Methodist Men are hosting the first Cruise-In Car Show that evening, which they plan to make an annual event. Cars will be on display near the fall festival on the northeast side of the church campus.
Following the festival, “The Mark of Zorro,” a 75-minute silent comedy film will play on the big screen in the sanctuary with the West Texas A&M Symphony Orchestra playing live score. In addition to its performances of symphonic works, opera productions, choral-orchestral masterworks, and dance collaborations, the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra has gained notoriety for its live cinema presentations of silent films with newly-composed synchronized soundtracks. The 70-member orchestra includes graduate and undergraduate students, both those majoring in music as well as those studying other majors. The ensemble frequently tours the West Texas region, but in May 2016 completed its first international tour with performances in Prague, Budapest, and Vienna.
“We are delighted to welcome West Texas A&M and director Dr. Mark Bartley to Plano, Texas, for this fun event,” said Taylor Davis, director of music and worship, St. Andrew UMC. “Under the direction of Dr. Bartley for the past decade, the orchestra’s accompaniment of these silent films has become a huge draw in the Panhandle. This will be their first performance in the North Texas area.”
“We urge everyone to come and experience the original Zorro film as it was originally presented – with the soundtrack performed live,” said Dr. Mark Bartley, director, West Texas A&M Symphony Orchestra. “In an era when movie stars performed their own stunts, Douglas Fairbanks’ acrobatics as the suave but nimble masked-man impress even today. The West Texas A&M Symphony looks forward to this special appearance at St. Andrew UMC.”
For more information, call St. Andrew United Methodist Church at 972.380.8001 or visit standrewumc.org.