SALA News:

SALA Los Alamos Event Center presents a dynamic and meaningful week of programming from August 11 to 17, 2025, with a mix of community films, new releases, classic cinema, and the much-anticipated opening of the Oppenheimer Festival. The week’s lineup showcases a celebration of storytelling, heritage, and community dialogue.

SALA Events This Week

LAFC Monthly Movie & Dinner: The Gods Must Be Crazy
An offbeat comedy classic that follows a bushman’s encounter with modern civilization after discovering a Coca-Cola bottle. The film is paired with a group dinner and discussion.

• 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12 

Parallel Cinema: The Unimaginable Journey of Peter Ertel
This award-winning documentary traces the life of a former Nazi soldier who became an unlikely American hero, offering a deeply personal reflection on war, transformation, and peace.

• 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14
  Sponsored by: CM ArborCare.

Community Screening: Ritual Mountain Bike Film Tour
This energetic film event celebrates the adventure and artistry of mountain biking culture.

• 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14
• Doors open at 6:00 PM | Film begins at 6:30 PM
• Tickets: $15 in advance at sala.losalamos.com, $20 at the door
  Presented by: Los Alamos Tuff Riders

August 15–17: New Reels

Sketch – A girl’s drawings come to life from a strange pond. Now her family must stop the monsters they unleashed.

Freakier Friday – A comedic body-swap tale with a supernatural twist, offering laughs and heart for audiences of all ages.

• 1 & 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday
• 2 p.m., Sunday
  Sponsored by: Casa Los Alamos

Teen Movie Nights
A thrilling evening for teens featuring a free movie, gaming, virtual reality, and refreshments. More information at: losalamosjjab.com. Lobby opens at 7:30 p.m., free movie at 8:30 p.m.

• 7:30–11 p.m., August 15, Friday
  Sponsored by: JJAB

Classics: From Here to Eternity
The Oscar-winning WWII-era romantic drama featuring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr returns to the big screen in this special tribute screening.

• 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16
  Sponsored by: Wiemann Wealth

The Oppenheimer Festival 2025 — Aug. 16–31, 2025
The Oppenheimer Festival officially opens Saturday, August 16, with two weeks of programming dedicated to the life, legacy, and moral questions surrounding J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. The festival includes film screenings, immersive media, discussions, and community events.

• Festival details: oppenheimerfestival.com
• Festival Passes: Explorer Pass (Free), Peace Pass ($60), Legacy Pass ($60), or individual tickets ($15)
• Booking and schedule: app.oppenheimerfestival.com
• Daily Free Programming — Aug. 16–31
  • Morning Sessions at 9, 10, and 11 a.m., featuring The Atomic Tree: A film and VR experience exploring memory, trauma, and healing through the story of a Hiroshima bonsai tree.

Opening Day Highlights — Saturday, Aug. 16

• 9 a.m. — Walk to Restore the House: A community event supporting the restoration of the historic Oppenheimer House. are invited to walk in honor of preserving this vital part of Los Alamos history.
• 12 p.m. — Free Community Screening: The Manhattan Series Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2:
  • You Always Hurt the Ones You Love
  • The Prisoner’s Dilemma
• 4 p.m. — Oppenheimer: Science, Mission, Legacy: A free screening examining the complexity and scientific achievement of Oppenheimer’s life and work.
• 6 p.m. — Opening Dinner and Tribute to Nancy Bartlit: A special evening in honor of local historian Nancy Bartlit. Reception access is available to all SALA Members. RSVP required.

Sunday, Aug. 17 Festival Events

• 12 p.m. — The Manhattan Series: Season 1, Episodes 3 & 4
  • The Hive
  • Last Reasoning of Kings
• 4 p.m. — Doctor Atomic: A stirring modern opera that delves into the emotional tension of the atomic bomb’s creation. Access via Peace Pass, Legacy Pass, or individual ticket.

Oppenheimer Festival Tours

Daily guided and self-guided tours are also available throughout the festival, offering an immersive journey into Los Alamos’ Manhattan Project history. These include walking tours, storytelling stops, and augmented-reality-based explorations.

Tour options and full information are available through the official Oppenheimer Festival App app.oppenheimerfestival.com or website at oppenheimerfestival.com.

Ticket Information

SALA Events (Non-Festival):

• Reserve tickets at: salaeventcenterlosalamos.simplybook.me/v2/#book/category/6/

Oppenheimer Festival Access:

• Get Festival Passes or individual event tickets at: app.oppenheimerfestival.com

About SALA Los Alamos Event Center

SALA is a community-centered venue transforming the historic Reel Deal Theater into a dynamic cultural space. With a mission to enrich Los Alamos through film, education, and live events, SALA provides a space for reflection, dialogue, and connection. For more updates, visit sala.losalamos.com