Special Screening

VESELKA

Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 6:30pm

Little Theatre 1 (240 East Ave.)
Doors open at 6:00pm

Regular ticket prices
Tickets available online in advance, at our box office during open hours, or at the door (if available).

VESELKA: THE RAINBOW ON THE CORNER AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD is the story of New York City’s beloved Ukrainian restaurant Veselka and its father and son proprietors, Tom and Jason Birchard. In 2020, Jason takes ownership of Veselka from his reluctant-to-retire father. He has large shoes to fill, but Jason’s biggest challenge becomes the war in Ukraine. He is unexpectedly thrust into the role of surrogate father to support his Ukrainian staff impacted by the war. Jason must explore his past working relationship with his own dad to “feed” his war-torn team as he keeps his business afloat.

Narrated by Golden Globe Winner and Little Ukraine native David Duchovny, VESELKA: THE RAINBOW ON THE CORNER AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD is a thoughtful exploration and celebration of family and community.

Director Michael Fiore will join us for a live, virtual Q&A following the film screening.

Michael Fiore is a New York City-based Writer/Producer/Director. He owns and operates Fiore Media Group, a movie production and distribution company. Michael is quickly becoming the Frank Capra of documentary storytelling with the release of Veselka. As with his previous documentary, the beloved Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (Netflix, TCM, Criterion Channel), Michael turns his lens towards people who stand up for a cause, the marginalized, and those who are dismissed amidst power. These are people who are the bright lights in a world leaning into darkness. Michael first learned of Veselka in the late 1990s as a film student at the neighboring NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Michael warmly recalls, “For 70 years, Veselka has been a second kitchen to the community…and NYU students, including myself. It has been the vibrant and welcoming heart of the Little Ukraine community and beyond. Today, Veselka’s role, and Tom and Jason Birchard’s, are more vital than ever.”

RocMaidan

RocMaidan is a community organization initially formed to support Ukraine’s democratic voices at Kyiv’s EuroMaidan. Their group of diverse professionals represents organizations and individuals in the Rochester area. They provide information, resources, advocacy, connection and communication with federal, state, and local officials, information sharing with media and educational institutions, and the general public. Read more