Lexington Venue's monthly movie discussion group will screen "Dear Lara," a 95-minute documentary about sexual abuse in the classical music world, on Wednesday, July 22, at 7 p.m.

The film is directed and narrated by violinist Lara St. John, who traces her own experience of being sexually assaulted at age 14 by an instructor at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 1986. After she published her account in The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2019, fellow survivors reached out, and St. John traveled across North America and Europe to document their stories. The documentary exposes what the film's official website describes as a pattern of institutional complicity across elite conservatories and orchestras.

St. John also composed and performed original music for the film, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Friday, February 6. Organizers added a fourth screening after the first three sold out. Reviewer Peter Wilson of Violinist.com called it "a beautiful film about horrifying events" in a March 6 review.

"Music was my voice even before I spoke," St. John said on the film's official website. "With Dear Lara, I'm now using that voice to help others reclaim theirs."

The Lexington screening is listed on the Dear Lara film website as the only current upcoming U.S. showing. Lexington Venue, an independently run two-screen theater at 1794 Massachusetts Ave., hosts the event as part of its regular movie discussion series, which pairs screenings with group conversation. No ticket price is listed on the venue website; residents can confirm details at lexingtonvenue.com or by calling (781) 861-6161.

Patrick Hamm produced the documentary. The event listing was posted on The Lexington Observer on Wednesday, July 16.

Upcoming community events

  • Wednesday, July 22: Summer Sidewalk Sale, Concord Center, Walden Street, 10 a.m.
  • Wednesday, July 22: Summer Concert Series, Nashoba Brooks School, 200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 22: Gypsy Jazz with Swing440!, Hancock United Church of Christ, 1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 23: Hadestown: The Musical, Lexington Venue, 1794 Massachusetts Ave. (5 nights only)
  • Wednesday, July 29: Candlelight Garden concert with Dashing Rock Celtic Trio, Hancock United Church of Christ, 1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 5: "No Country For Mothers" free community screening, Lexington Venue