Portsmouth, RI (May 3, 2023) – Newport Polo is excited to announce a sneak peek premiere of Polo Passport, a new travelogue series in the works by BCN Productions at the Jane Pickens Theater on Friday, June 2 at 6PM to benefit Ukraine, as part of Opening Weekend festivities, followed by a cocktail reception next door at official team headquarters, The Vanderbilt from 7-9PM to meet & greet the film makers and Ukraine Polo delegation.

The Premiere and Meet & Greet reception take place on the eve of Opening Day at the Newport International Polo Series presented by Turkish Airlines, launching 32^nd season with USA vs. Ukraine making its debut at 5PM on Saturday, June 3. 

“We are very excited to have a special screening of this epic project and see it on the big screen, for the opportunity to raise money to help Ukraine recover from their devastating homeland invasion”, explains Dan Keating, USA Captain, and Polo Series founder. “It's quintessential summer on the Newport waterfront for one of the biggest nights on our agenda - the eve of Opening Day to launch our 32nd season with Team Ukraine.” 

The 50-minute screening will feature the first two episodes of Polo Passport, filmed in Jamaica and Rome in a series that journeys across the planet in search of polo's diverse culture, cuisine and amazing characters that bring their game to Newport Polo, led by affable commentator William Crisp. 

Tickets for the one-night engagement at the Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center can be purchased at www.janepickens.com for $35 and by phone 401-846-5474 or at the box office window at 49 Touro Street on Washington Square in Newport, RI.  Each ticketholder will receive a token upon entry to the theater for a complimentary cocktail at the Meet & Greet reception following the premiere by RSVP, courtesy of sponsors Pure Insurance Company and Triton Insurance Agency.

The first in a series of Cocktail Meet & Greet soirées this year, Newport Polo invites supporters to the cocktail reception with filmmakers and the Ukraine Polo delegation at their official headquarters, The Vanderbilt from 7pm-9pm by RSVP.  Capacity is limited.  The cocktail pouring will take place al fresco in the garden courtyard. Cash Bar.  Attire is Newport Chic. Dinner reservations afterwards in the Garden, Dining Room or Roof Deck are welcome by reservation - call to inquire (401) 846-6200.  Parking is available in the adjacent metered lot on Mary Street.

Proceeds from the screening benefit LUkraine.lu, the nonprofit organization supported by Team Ukraine's global tour and endorsed by the Ukrainian Polo Federation, and will fund armored ambulances and ipads for educational institutions to enabale the children living in the conflict areas to study online. 

“It has been a tremendous adventure to meet and share the polo experience with players globally in their own backyard,” adds filmmaker Kevin Friend of BCN Productions.  Produced by acclaimed BCN Productions, Polo Passport is intended for streaming services and a succession of mini-series TV broadcasts, national syndicated TV airings.

Jane Pickens Theater, the world-class art house cinema has been the site of numerous premieres over the years, supported by personal appearances by Hollywood actors, directors & producers.  “This is another unique opportunity to present the work of veteran filmmakers Kevin Friend and Victor Ramos, and to bring quality art and entertainment to the Newport community,”  adds Kathy Staab, owner and curator of the Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center. “And we enjoy being supportive of RI Filmmakers.”

The Filmmakers:

BCN Productions’ Kevin Friend directed and co-produced Polo Passport with Victor Ramos.  Friend, owner of BCN Productions, has produced a number of full length social and cultural documentaries for a wide variety of clients, created over 300 nationally distributed programs featuring sports, travel and leisure, and has directed over 1000 live sporting events, including the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and Harvard University Athletics. 

The BCN Production team BCN brings together a core group of film and video personal and graphics/animation talent to round out the production process, backed by the twenty five years of broadcast production experience, the creative team behind the acclaimed broadcast series Golfing the World and The Mountain Report.  BCN Productions is a film/video multimedia broadcast production company based in New England, specializing in documentary film, broadcast television, business communication, and live event production since 1988.

About The Vanderbilt:

Official Team Hotel and proud sponsor of the Newport International Polo Series, The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection is a former mansion-turned-storied 33-room luxury resort located at 41 Mary Street in downtown Newport. Originally built in 1908 by scion Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the property is the coastal city’s social hub and a vibrant, historic gem waiting to be explored. Brimming with alluring eccentricities, the mansion has been meticulously restored to its glory, boasting elegant fireplaces and museum-quality artwork in the welcoming lobby entrance, Mezzanine and Parlor Room. Dining options include The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt, which features a forward-thinking menu of coastal New England classics, The Living Room, offering light bites and bar favorites, and The Conservatory, where guests can dine indoors as well as outdoors on the Garden Terrace. Guests can also enjoy evening drinks at the popular Roof Deck, which offers sweeping views of Newport Harbor. The Vanderbilt presents a spa and fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a variety of local experiences, such as sailing journeys on the Newport coast, private culinary classes, and more.  

Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center:

Built in 1834, the JPT building was converted to a live theater in 1918 and finally found its niche in 1922 when it became a movie palace known as The Strand Theater, with the advent of silent film. The historic single-screen theatre is beloved by Newport residents, not only as the only movie house in downtown Newport, but for presenting a mix of first run movies, documentaries, classic films and current releases, as well as live simulcast opera and dance productions, to a broad community audience and to an important tourist base.  As one of America’s oldest theater buildings, the Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center is an important part of the social fabric of the city of Newport and one of the few places where film has been shown in all its evolving formats for over 90 years.”

About Newport International Polo Series:

Newport Polo hosts the Newport International Polo Series, featuring teams from around the world, for the past 31 years and is the only forum in the world dedicated to international polo competition.  Ukraine will be the 36^th nation to participate, joining Spain, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Jamaica, England and South Africa this season, as well as major US city rivals.  Matches are held every Saturday, June through September.  Receive timely news and announcements by private Subscription to its monthly Emagazine.

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