For the first time in the museum's 30 year history, the Board of Directors will feature one of the most talked about love affairs of the century -- Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. The 2011 Ava Gardner Festival theme will be "Frank and Ava:· Their Lives, Love and Friendship".

Ava first met Frank Sinatra when she was married to Mickey Rooney, and Frank was married to Nancy, however, it would be 1949 before they would strike up a romance. Frank was at one of the lowest points in his career, as his golden voice was letting him down, and he had left his wife Nancy living a bachelor's life in Hollywood. Frank was deeply loving and totally devoted to his children. But alas, his love for Ava, would change the course of many lives.

With the affair splashed in the media, Nancy announced on Valentine's Day, 1950, "My married life with Frank has become most unhappy and almost unbearable...we have therefore separated."  Nancy and Frank would finalize their divorce in November 1951, and one week later Frank & Ava married. But marriage did not bring tranquility, as both Ava and Frank were high-strung, possessive and jealous people. This primal jealousy would go on to poison their relationship which ended in just two years. They would not divorce until 1957 - and would remain friends for life.

Visit the Ava Gardner Museum in Downtown Smithfield this October 7-9, to learn more about this Romance of the Century, and enjoy new exhibits and films from these two icons of Hollywood's most glamorous age.

Ava Gardner Festival - Schedule of Events

Friday, October 7

7:00pm···· Entertainment at Howell Theatre

Enjoy local entertainment at the theatre where Ava first went to the movies with her mother, then enjoy an reception at the Ava Gardner Museum. A musical tribute to Frank Sinatra by Phil Bruschi of Wilmington will set the mood for the unveiling of the new exhibits.
Tickets including museum reception:· $25.00 per person (limit 200 tickets)

8:00pm···· Cake and Champagne Celebration

Following the Frank Sinatra entertainment at the Howell, a special delivery from Frank's hometown of Hoboken, a specially designed cake by Carlo's Bakery.  Enjoy a slice of cake made especially for this celebration and new museum exhibits.  Beverages provided by our local winery, Hinnants Vineyards of Pine Level.

4pm-9pm     Frank and Ava Movie Showcase

Escape to the Smithfield Cinemas for vintage films on the big screen:  4pm "From Here to Eternity", 6:30pm, "Show Boat", and 9pm "Ocean's Eleven"

Saturday, October 8

The Ava Gardner Museum opens at 9am in Downtown Smithfield with the new Frank & Ava Exhibit and heritage tours will run at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.  Visitors will be given a guided tour of points of interest in Ava's hometown, including Ava's birthplace, the Brogden Teacherage where she grew up, the Howell Theatre, and will end with a visit to her gravesite at Sunset Memorial Park.  Heritage tour tickets are $12.00 per person.

Tickets for the museum admission are $7.00 for all day passes.

Frank and Ava movies continue to run at Smithfield Cinemas:  11am, "Show Boat", 1:30pm "Bhowani Junction", 4pm "From Here to Eternity", 6:30pm "Show Boat", 9:00pm "Ocean's Eleven".   Movie Passes are $5.00 per person to receive a Ava Festival Gift Bag which includes a gift, and museum admission valid from Oct. 10-June 30, 2012.

Sunday, October 9

The movie weekend continues at the Smithfield Cinema and the museum will open early at 1pm for the festival.

Movie schedule for Sunday will be:  11am "Bhowani Junction, 1:30pm "From Here to Eternity", 4pm "Show Boat", and 6:30pm "Ocean's Eleven".

Additional information on the Ava Gardner Festival coming soon!