The Art Theatre will premiere the screening of Kiss the Joy: The Story of Joan Lind Van Blom, a documentary about one of Long Beach’s most inspirational and accomplished athletes who passed away in 2015 after a hard-fought battle against an aggressive, incurable form of brain cancer.
The showing on Friday, May 18, will highlight Van Blom’s achievements as the first United States woman to win an Olympic medal for rowing, bringing home the silver from the 1976 Montreal Olympics, who continued to pursue her passion for the sport through indoor rowing and masters-level sculling competitions. A Wilson high school and Cal State Long Beach alum, she also became a long time educator within the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD).
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A beautiful, inspirational film about women in sport, organizer Kerstin Kansteiner said in an email, the film will be free to LBUSD students with a student ID. Following the screening, a panel of former Olympians will speak with the audience during a Q&A session.
A reception will begin at 6:30PM and the film will start at 7:00PM. Tickets cost $11.50 for adults and $8.50 for seniors and children. To purchase tickets, visit the link here. For more information, visit the Art Theatre’s Facebook Page.
The Art Theatre is located at 2025 East 4th Street.