The Shannon Theatre and The Heart of Rock Foundation present A Day Out At The Movies for Special Needs on Saturday, July 18.

The day will begin with a special “sensory-friendly” screening of the new Universal Studios release, "Minions" to benefit Bittersweet, Inc. Families with loved ones or children with Special Needs or Disabilities can register online for free admission at: http://heartofrock.org/DayOut.

The general public is also invited to enjoy this screening, available on a first-come basis, for $3 admission per person.

Doors open at 9 a.m. for the screening that begins at 10 a.m. The “sensory-friendly” screening will include the house lights raised and the sound lowered to offer a lower stimuli environment for persons sensitive to dark rooms and loud noises.

Noon concert features Jesse Henry and Bradley Wright

The day will continue after the movie screening with a free concert featuring Jesse Henry, of The Spikedrivers and Bradley Wright, of LiftMaster Garage Band Contest winner Nashville Crush - who are both Bluffton-natives.

That concert will take place at noon on the Bluffton Presbyterian Church lawn. Persons are encouraged to bring your own lawn chairs.

Several organizations from the special needs community will also be on hand to distribute information.

All proceeds will go directly to Bittersweet, Inc. – an organization that serves people with autism. 

The Heart of Rock Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support organizations in the special needs community with their programing and events by connecting them with resources and volunteers.

The organization was founded by Bluffton-native and BHS grade, Shane Geisheimer, and was born out of an effort to create an event for the special needs community that has become to be known as The Heart of Rock and Roll Prom.

The Heart of Rock Foundation

More information on The Heart of Rock Foundation and The Heart of Rock and Roll Prom can be found online at: http://www.rockandrollprom.com

Bittersweet

Bittersweet, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch. The organization provides programs and activities that are designed to meet the wide range and abilities of persons from the entire spectrum of autism disorders.

These activities include agriculture, horticulture, fencing and landscaping, construction, repair and maintenance, produce collection and marketing, animal feeding and care and craftmaking and woodworking.

Bittersweet Farms was the first farm model for adults with autism in the United States. Bittersweet has locations in Whitehouse and Pemberville and operates Betty’s Farm in Lima. Bittersweet can be found online at: http://www.bittersweetfarms.org