With just 40 days to go until the US premiere of Downton Abbey: Series 4, fans of the hit period drama are practically chomping at the bit to find out how Lady Mary and others of the Crawley household have been faring since Matthew’s untimely demise. To help ease the pain of waiting, various PBS member stations across the country are hosting special screenings in advance of the new season debut.
Downton devotees lucky enough to have already secured tickets to the free sneak previews will be treated to the first hour of the Series 4
Phoenix, AZ
Eight, Arizona PBS is close to capacity for both its free screening and the VIP reception that precedes it. Both will be held at the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix, on Sunday, 8 December.
Those of you who would like to indulge in a bit of aristocratic fun, Crawley-style, will want to attend the VIP reception from 5-6 PM. Guests are invited to celebrate the return of the Crawley clan by dressing in their best “Roaring ’20s” attire and enjoying live entertainment, a Downton-inspired costume contest, hors d’oeuvres and champagne, and exclusive Downton Abbey giveaways.
Tickets to the VIP event, which also provide premium, reserved seating for the sneak preview, are $90 per person and available for purchase at www.azpbs.org/downton. Proceeds benefit Eight, Arizona PBS.
The Downton Abbey Sneak Preview begins at 6 PM, immediately following the VIP reception. While the screening is free and open to the public, attendees must register online at www.azpbs.org/downton to secure tickets.
San Diego, CA
KPBS currently has just 3 tickets remaining for its Downton sneak preview, so act quickly and go to www.kpbs.org/previewdownton to claim yours.
The screening will take place on Wednesday, 11 December, at 7 PM in the Sherwood Auditorium of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and will be followed by a dessert reception. This event is also free and open to the public, but you will need to register for tickets in advance by using the link above.
Maryland
Maryland Public Television is having not one but two Downton events. The first will be held on Friday, 3 January 2004, in Bethesda at the Strathmore, the second on Saturday, 4 January, in Owings Mills at The Gordon Center for Performing Arts.
The screening begins at 8 PM for both events, but that’s only half the fun. Soon after doors open at 7 PM, there will be a costume contest, so go dressed in your best period attire for either event for your chance to win fabulous prizes.
The deadline to register for tickets for the Bethesda or Owings Mills sneak peek is Sunday, 15 December. Visit www.mpt.org/downtonpreview to get yours before they’re gone.
Other PBS member stations with events that are not yet at capacity will be added to this list in future updates.
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