Starry Night Theater will present newly released, award-winning independent films every third Thursday of the month through Sept. 16. Tickets are $10 and seating at The Windmill is limited. Season tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early and hungry. Moe’s barbecue will open its Windmill Market location for “Movies at the Market” to serve Alabama-style barbecue along with beer and wine. After the film, those who attend can trade their ticket stubs for a complimentary beer at My Place Bar across the street.

All proceeds from “Movie at the Market” benefit Jones-Gallaspy’s BayART Project, a local nonprofit organization promoting the creation of public artwork by youth. The BayART Project is currently collaborating with the Baldwin County Trailblazers to create 14 murals to be installed on the map kiosks stationed along the Eastern Shore Trail, from Battleship Park to Weeks Bay Reserve.

When she began mulling over the idea of a film series, Jones-Gallaspy didn’t have far to look for a location. The Windmill Market is across the street from her studio on Bancroft Street.

“I think I just looked over there one evening and thought, ‘That would be a good place to show a movie,’” she says. It just sort of evolved. My interest (is) in looking at film as an art, which is part of the mission of the BayART Project, to expand public art in Mobile and Baldwin counties — and film and performance art is something I don’t see a lot of here.

“To have something on the Eastern Shore sort of fits in with the summertime atmosphere of Fairhope, visitors and the locals, kind of an easy, laid-back lifestyle,” she says. “It made sense to try it. . . . I wanted it to be something that people would enjoy and get something out of.”

Thomas B. Harrison

Read more….

Still from 'Planet 51'

On Friday, March 26, the City of Prattville will present a free showing ofPlanet 51 on a 30-foot inflatable movie screen at Cooters Pond Park for the entire family to enjoy.

The film is an animated adventure comedy and features the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, and John Cleese.

Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker (Johnson) lands on Planet 51 and to his surprise finds that it is inhabited by little green people who are happily living in a white picket fence world, and whose only fear is that it will be overrun by alien invaders … like Chuck! Baker must rely on his robot companion, Rover, and his new friend Lem in order to find a way back home before it’s too late.

So, bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets and prepare to blast off into space! The movie begins at dark and Ria’s Pizzaria will be onsite selling $5 large pizzas. No alcoholic beverages are allowed.

This is the second year that movie under the stars will be held at Cooters Pond Park.

“We have had great success with our free movie series in that location,” said City of Prattville Special Events Director Kellie Cook. “It is a great, open area and the grounds make a natural theatre seating effect.”

Melissa Parker

Read more….

The city of Mobile has invested about $10,000 in portable movie theater equipment to launch a new outdoor entertainment campaign that will begin Friday.

This past Wednesday, Open Air Cinema and Swank Motion Pictures hosted a free screening of Transformers 2 at the National Parks and Recreation Association (NRPA) national congress in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The screening was a blast, and everyone really enjoyed watching the movie on the huge 30′ screen. It was really great because everyone was able to see the screening on a brand-new system.  The sound was amazing, and the projection was stunning.  National Parks and Recreation administrators from all over the place came to see the screening: Alabama, Texas, Utah, California, New York, Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and many other places.  Here is an excerpt of a review from io9:

“Critical consensus on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is overwhelmingly negative. But the critics are wrong. Micheal Bay used a squillion dollars and a hundred supercomputers’ worth of CG for a brilliant art movie about the illusory nature of plot.

Oh, and I would warn you that there’ll be spoilers in this review — except that, really, since I still have no idea what actually happened in this movie, I’m not sure how much I can spoil it.

Since the days of Un Chien Andalou and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari filmmakers have reached beyond meaning. But with this summer’s biggest, loudest movie, Michael Bay takes us all the way inside Caligari’s cabinet. And once you enter, you can never emerge again. I saw this movie two days ago, and I’m still living inside it. Things are exploding wherever I look, household appliances are trying to kill me, and bizarre racial stereotypes are shouting at me.

Transformers: ROTF has mostly gotten pretty hideous reviews, but that’s because people don’t understand that this isn’t a movie, in the conventional sense. It’s an assault on the senses, a barrage of crazy imagery. Imagine that you went back in time to the late 1960s and found Terry Gilliam, fresh from doing his weird low-fi collage/animations for Monty Python. You proceeded to inject Gilliam with so many steroids his penis shrank to the size of a hair follicle, and you smushed a dozen tabs of LSD under his tongue. And then you gave him the GDP of a few sub-Saharan countries. Gilliam might have made a movie not unlike this one.”

Read more at http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-finally-made-an-art-movie

Mobile, Alabama residents and visitors won’t want to miss this opportunity to beat the heat: Oakwood Swim and Racquet Club hosts outdoor movies at the pool each Friday. The family-friendly movies are free and have included titles such as Shark Tales. Kids, friends, and families can watch the dive-in movie while swimming in the pool, or from blankets and lounge chairs around the pool. Again, admission is free, but they will be selling concessions, and ask that you purchase food there rather than bring your own in order to keep the movies under the stars funded. The Oakwood club purchased the outdoor cinema equipment necessary in order to produce the dive-in movies, so support this great community event!

Oakwood is a member-owned private club located near a public elementary school and nestled in a residential suburb of West Mobile. Its facilities are surrounded by beautiful trees and landscape and provide a quiet escape from the hectic pace of city life. If you are new in the city or have lived here a lifetime, Oakwood is a well-kept “Secret Oasis” waiting for your enjoyment.

Oakwood official website

Free Movies in Marysville Parks

That’s how little you can pay to see a movie on Saturday nights in Marysville this summer.

The city is sponsoring “Popcorn in the Parks,” a free outdoor movie series, for the second straight year. The series is scheduled to resume at dusk Saturday at Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road, with a showing of “The Goonies.”

Last summer, the city averaged 200 to 300 people on nine Saturday nights, city parks director Jim Ballew said. The movies are rotated between several parks.

“We’ve received all kind of inquiries if we’re doing it again,” he said.

City officials had the idea years ago, Ballew said. Last year, City Councilwoman Donna Wright, a member of the Snohomish-Camano Island Board of Realtors, got the organization to put up $12,995 for a portable movie screen, Ballew said.

The 16-by-9-foot inflatable CineBox screen, obtained from Open Air Cinema of Lindon, Utah, is designed to be viewed by up to 250 people. The self-illuminating screen comes with a built-in DVD player, speakers and other components connected to a custom case.

Verizon FiOS is paying for the licenses to show the movies, about $300 apiece, Ballew said.

“Between those two entities we can afford to do it,” he said.

The Kiwanis Club of Marysville is springing for the popcorn.

New features planned this year include a hot dog vendor for movies at Jennings Memorial Park. On July 25 at the park, 3-D glasses will be distributed for a showing of “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439, sheets@heraldnet.com.

Popcorn in the Parks

All movies begin at dusk

June 27, “The Goonies,” Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road.

July 11, “The Longshots,” Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex, 6100 152nd St. NE.

July 18, “The Great Outdoors,” Foothills Neighborhood Park, 58th Street NE.

July 25, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (3-D), Jennings Memorial Park.

Aug. 1, “Jumanji,” Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex.

Aug. 8, “Top Gun,” Ebey Waterfront Park, 1401 First St.

Aug. 15, “August Rush,” Jennings Memorial Park.

More info: 425-363-8400; http://ci.marysville.wa.us.

By Bill Sheets
Source: http://heraldnet.com/article/20090626/NEWS01/706269893

Prattvllle’s Free Movie Under the Stars Draws Large Crowd

The saga of a tiny large-eared brave mouse on a quest to save a princess was the main attraction Friday night during Prattville’s Free Movie Under the Stars. An animated film,The Tale of Despereaux, was shown on a thirty-foot inflatable movie screen at Cooters Pond Park.

A large crowd of about 1,000 people of all ages gathered for the fun, food, and fellowship. The hot summer night was not a deterrent for the moviegoers; in fact, some expressed concern that it might rain to cut short the night of festivities.

A spokesperson for Ria’s Pizzeria, Ashley Ramspeck, said that they were selling both pepperoni and cheese pizzas for $5 each, but that pepperoni had edged above the cheese in sales.

“I hope the weather holds out. Last time we had to pack it up halfway through the movie because of storms,” Ashley said.

Joe Sanders, who was working the popcorn machine, agreed with Ashley about the weather, “I’m glad there won’t be any rain tonight.” Joe works for Pepsi/Buffalo Rock and stated that the City asked him to sell popcorn tonight. “I’m doing this for the high school cheerleaders.”

Tristen Watson and Justin Roberson (of Prattville) were standing in the very back, propped up against their parked car. “We’re here to support my older brother,” Justin said. “He’s sixteen years old and is running the Shaved Ice stand.” This was their first time at the Movie Under the Stars and they were enjoying themselves.

Hannah Hubbert who lives in Millbrook said that not only did she bring her own food, but she may sample the pizzas as well. “This is my first time here and I’m looking forward to enjoying the movie.”

The Tale of Despereaux is based on a 2003 children’s fantasy book written by Kate DiCamillo and was adapted into an animated film in 2008. It features the voices of Matthew Broderick as Despereaux, Emma Watson as Princess Pea, Dustin Hoffman as Roscuro, and Tracy Ullman as Mig.

Article by Melissa Parker

© 2009 Our Prattville. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written consent of the publisher.

Surce: http://www.ourprattville.com/article/prattvllles-free-movie-under-the-stars-draws-large-crowd

This summer, Prattville is sponsoring new family friendly entertainment events for residents to enjoy free of charge. “Prattville’s Free Family Fun Summer” will feature two free outdoor movies in June, the annual Independence Day celebration in July and a back-to-school street dance in August. The movies under the stars and dance are new additions to the city’s summer lineup.

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and “The Tale of Despereaux” will be shown on a large inflatable screen at the amphitheater at Cooters Pond Park. Residents are urged to bring folding chairs and blankets to take in the outdoor movies. Food vendors will be on hand, and no alcoholic beverages will be allowed.

Originally, the city had planned to show one outdoor movie in June and another in July.

“We talked about it and decided that it was too hot in July to have an outdoor movie,” said Mayor Jim Byard Jr. said with a grin. “We want folks to have a good time and enjoy themselves; we don’t want them to be miserable.”

Patricia Baxter applauds the city for offering the outdoor cinema events.

“I love it that Prattville has all these things to do during the year,” she said. “Even though we are a city, I like it that we hold onto those small-town traditions of parades and events that bring the community together.”

The state of the economy played a role in the expansion of the free events this year, said Kellie Cook, the city’s special events director.

“Everyone is focusing on ‘staycations’ lately, but sometimes there is not anything fun and exciting going on for families to do,” she said. “These events will give everyone the opportunity to participate. They are fun for the entire family, but best of all they are free.”

Source: “Prattville summer plans free and family-friendly” by Marty Roney -Montgomery Advertiser. Read full article at: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090530/NEWS01/905300309/Prattville+summer+plans+free+and+family-friendly.

Event planners across the country are rejoicing in the grand opening of thirteen new Fun Flicks Outdoor Movie Company locations in twelve states. The highly anticipated grand openings signify a new way to throw a community event or backyard party by combining the fun of the Drive-In with the convenience of a mobile cinema for a fun-filled night of watching movies under the stars. With 21 locations already underway, Fun Flicks is looking for new licensees across the United States.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 22, 2009 — The Fun Flicks Outdoor Movie Company is reporting they have had 13 successful grand openings in twelve different states since the start of the year. This brings the total of Fun Flick territories up to 21 different locations across the nation.

Fun Flicks provides event planners a unique way of ensuring their function is the talk of the town by offering outdoor movie equipment to rent for a fun-filled night of watching movies under the stars. Fun Flicks delivers a complete cinema with huge inflatable movie screens to schools, pools, neighborhoods, backyards, churches and parks and recreation departments. Utilizing the latest technologies, Fun Flicks has designed a system to offer quality service at half the price of competing companies – which helps save budgets during these current economic times.

The event planner simply provides the outdoor location and a movie, Fun Flicks does the rest by bringing a huge mobile inflatable movie screen, along with the projection and sound systems to entertain family and friend groups from 5 to 5,000.

The response has been overwhelming, with 10 states including Los Angeles, Austin & Phoenix opening up in less than 12 months. The latest round of grand openings were announced in Connecticut, Long Island, Virginia Beach, New Orleans, Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, along with Dallas and Houston in Texas. This goes along with the existing businesses in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Todd Severn, President of Fun Flicks, said: “One of the greatest joys we have experienced is the countless ‘thank yous’ we receive from parents, school officials, offices managers and event planners who have thrown the party of the year with Fun Flicks Outdoor Movies. We know we can’t duplicate that nostalgic era of the 50’s Drive-In, but we can sure bring some of its fun back, and we want you to contribute!”

Fun Flicks is offering licenses to entrepreneurs who want to start their own business in other cities and states. Similar to a franchise, Fun Flicks introduced its successful home-based business model in 2008 to entrepreneurs who want to own their own unique home business but are looking for a proven blueprint for success.

Severn said: “Fun Flicks offers entrepreneurs a proven, unique business opportunity and our licensees tell us how much fun they have running a business that helps people have fun by hosting outdoor movie events.”

The reason for the success of Fun Flicks licensees is how Fun Flicks supports its entrepreneurs. Each business owner has the option to complete an education program to learn the proven system. They are provided with custom ad design and a creative website. Business owners also have a network of other support under the Fun Flicks Brand umbrella.

Furthermore, each licensee receives unlimited customer leads from the top placement of advertising on Google, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL and other major search engines. Each approved licensee has a protected territory with absolutely no competition, making territories a premium.

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2282514.htm

The Chicago Street Farmers Market will kick off Friday, May 22 in downtown Foley. Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun as local and regional farmers back their trucks up to Heritage Park and take part in the Chicago Street Farmers Market.

Every Friday night beginning at 4 pm Chicago Street will transform into a local market full of fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, honey, seafood, eggs and more! Local musicians will take the stage at 5:30 p.m. for a free concert. The entertainment will continue at dark with a movie on the 20 x 16 inflatable movie screen. Admission is free.

The Chicago Street Farmers Market and Music and a Movie is presented by the City of Foley and co-sponsored by Riviera Utilities, Hotel Magnolia, WHEP, Sunny 105.7 and The State of Alabama Farmers Market Authority. So pack your lawn chairs and blankets and join us in downtown Foley every Friday night for a family oriented, fun filled evening under the stars. For more information please contact the Foley Convention and Visitors Bureau at 251- 943-1200.

Source: http://mulletwrapper.com/article.cfm?ID=1047

From the film "Hotel for Dogs"

The Coterie Club hosted an outdoor movie under the stars last Friday, and it hopes the event will become an annual fund-raiser. Jennifer Palmer, who is a Coterie member and chairperson of the fund-raiser, said the club worked with Special Events Network out of Atlanta to host the movie under the stars.

A 36-foot inflatable screen was erected at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds and those who attended were encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Palmer said the club sold local advertisements that played on the outdoor movie screen to help cover the cost of the event. Coterie also earned money from admission, which was $4 per person, and concessions.

“We had pizza, nachos, candy, popcorn and the works,” she said. “We also sold glow necklaces and toys.”

She said a family of five could probably enjoy the evening out, including admission and supper, for $40 or less.

“The movie we’ve chosen, Hotel for Dogs, just came out on video,” she said. “This is the first time we’ve ever done this. We hope it will be an annual event, and we want feedback from community.”

Palmer said she previously worked with the company to do an outdoor film fund-raiser for the Andalusia Middle School PTO.

The Coterie Club also hosts the Coterie Run for Kids each fall and the Storybook Festival in the spring. It uses its proceeds to fund projects for children.

“We raise money for the children of our community,” Palmer said. “We give scholarships to all county schools; if students have a field trip they want to go on, if they’ve made it to competition, but need money to travel, they write us a letter about why they need it, we decide what we can do with it.”

Excerpt from “Coterie Club offering ‘movie under stars’” by Michele Gerlach -Andalusia Star-News. Read full article at: http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/news/2009/may/01/coterie-club-offering-movie-under-stars/.

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets and get ready for the City of Prattville’s 3rd annual Movie under the Stars! This year’s featured outdoor movie “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” will be shown on a 30 ft. inflatable movie screen at the Cooters Pond Park in Prattville, on Friday, March 27th. The outdoor film will begin at dark. Admission is free to the public. Ria’s Pizzaria will be selling $5 large pizzas and will be set up by 6:30 p.m. No alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is the sequel to 2005′s “Madagascar”, in which New York Zoo animals, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, still stranded on Madagascar, start to leave the island. All of a sudden, they land in the wilderness of Africa, where Alex meets the rest of his family, but has trouble communicating with them after spending so much time at the Central Park Zoo. The Dreamworks movie features the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkette-Smith and David Schwimmer.

This year the outdoor cinema event will be held at Cooters Pond Park. “The overlook area of the park is absolutely breathtaking, and the grounds make a natural theatre seating effect”, said Kellie Cook, Special Events Director for the City of Prattville. “Cooters Pond Park is a perfect location and we would like to see the park utilized more with family-friendly events.”

The movie will be held in conjunction with the City of Prattville’s 4th annual Fountain City Arts Festival. The outdoor movie event will take place in Pratt Park on Saturday, March 28th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Over 50 regional artists are slated to participate, including Zachary Wickham, Russell Everett, Kasey Hope, Nancy Raia, and Charlie Lucas. Live entertainment includes The John Bull Band, Blast from the Past, Lisa and the Elusions, The Prattville Pops, The Prattville Community Chorus, Miss Fountain City-LeNa’ Powe, , Ventriloquist- Ken Karter and local favorite musical group Once Over Twice.

The Fountain City Arts Festival is sponsored by The City of Prattville, Target Corporation, The Prattville Council for the Creative & Performing Arts and The Prattauga Art Guild. For more information, please visit www.prattville.com or call (334) 358-0297.

Source: “Prattville to host free outdoor movie” -WSFA12 News. Read full article at: http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=10035355&nav=menu33_2.