Premiere Party
To celebrate the debut of “Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia,” the Imax 3D Theater will host a premiere party Thursday, April 4, sponsored by TVA. The event will begin with a reception in the theater lobby at 6 p.m., followed by the screening at 7 and a post-film discussion with the film’s producer.Tickets are $20 for Tennessee Aquarium members, $25 nonmembers, which includes a drink ticket and light appetizers.Register online at community.tnaqua.org/events/2019-member-events/q2/hidden-rivers.
How can you appreciate something you don't know exists?
For conservationists in the Southeast, this question is at the core of the struggle to inspire others to protect the region's diversity of aquatic life.
Rivers and streams flowing through Southern Appalachia teem with an astonishing variety of rarely seen wildlife. More than 1,400 aquatic species live within a 500-mile radius of Chattanooga.
If you go
› What: “Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia”› Where: Tennessee Aquarium Imax 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.› When: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4› Admission: $11.95 adult, $9.95 children› For more information: www.tnaqua.org.
Yet despite the nearness of this biological abundance, few Southerners have had the opportunity to peek below the surface to see their aquatic neighbors for themselves.
So the Tennessee Aquarium Imax 3D Theater is offering the next best thing.
Thursday night, April 4, the Imax will screen the new documentary, "Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia" for one show only. The documentary is an experience that's the closest thing to trekking to a nearby stream with a snorkel and dive mask.
Freshwaters Illustrated began working on "Hidden Rivers" in 2011 with the aim of documenting the unseen beauty of animals living in Appalachian waters. Through biannual visits to the region for shoots lasting six weeks or more, the filmmakers captured scenes packed with vividly colored animals and fascinating behaviors witnessed by few outside the conservation and scientific communities.
"Even on a global scale, Southeastern rivers are just incredibly full of life, diversity and amazing behaviors," says Freshwaters Illustrated Director Jeremy Monroe. "You've got so many species that have been in these streams for so long, and they've come up with ways to survive and interact with their habitat and with one another.
"Our hope is that everyone who sees this film finds something to love, cherish, and protect in Southeastern rivers," Monroe says. "We hope they think of ways they can personally connect to their backyard waters, either through exploration or conservation."
"When I was young, I thought that I could only study beautiful, colorful fish by swimming in coral reefs or by heading to the Amazon," says Dr. Anna George, the Aquarium's vice president for conservation science and education. "What I didn't realize was how many beautiful, incredible fish we have right here in the Southeast.
"Freshwater biologists around the world are in awe of our waters' riches. What excites me about this film is knowing that it will take viewers in a new, but parallel, direction with the Aquarium experience. It's another opportunity to celebrate fresh water, the many amazing creatures that live here, and how we can help to protect them," she says.
Because there is only one showing for this film, anyone interested in attending is advised to purchase tickets online as soon as possible at www.tnaqua.org.