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Carolina Beach, North Carolina: Affordable Vacation with Outdoor Movies at the Beach

By Open Air Cinema on April 2, 2010 in Outdoor Movie Events

Savvy families are looking for the maximum value they can find in their summer vacation, and one beach town along the Carolina coast is delivering that little extra by providing free first-run movies in the park all summer.

As Catey Hill, money editor of the NYDailyNews.com, said during her interview on CBS, there are a variety of options to save money at the movies. She gave tips on snacks and timing, but obviously, the best option is free.

Carolina Beach, N.C. is renowned for its great beaches and friendly people. From lounging on the beautiful beach, to walking the boardwalk or fishing from the pier, Carolina Beach and its neighboring beach community of Kure Beach have been the choice of families for years. Whether it’s indoor fun or outdoor fun, this area has it all, including historic attractions like the Fort Fisher State Historic Site & Civil War Museum and the educational and fun North Carolina Aquarium.

But, unlike most beach vacation spots, the outdoor fun at Carolina Beach is not just about surf and sun. A few years back, the town began to lure in vacationers with free first-run films as it launched a Film & Fireworks Series. In 2010, Sundays from May 30 to September 5 mean movie nights under the stars at Carolina Beach Lake. Movies are first-run, some still in the theaters, and are perfect for an evening of family fun. This year’s playbill includes hot tickets like Avatar, Blind Side, and The Princess & The Frog. And, it just gets better. Every Thursday night this summer, there’s free live music and fireworks near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

Durham, North Carolina: Filmmaker who Organizes Outdoor Screenings to Show at Film Festival

By Open Air Cinema on January 22, 2010 in Outdoor Movie Events

“Between terrifying normality and sublime fever dreams lies Strange Beauty,” states the press materials for a new film festival that begins today, the Strange Beauty Film Festival.

Beauty, strange or otherwise, takes many forms in the films to be screened at the festival. “More Control” is a music video — shot in sharp, high contrast black and white — by filmmaker Steve Daniels of Columbia, S.C. It takes its inspiration from the quote that “Cinema is an evil force” bent on exerting “control over people and events.”

Wilmington filmmaker Andre Silva’s “Ichthyopolis” mixes animation and live actors to produce a colorful, surrealistic set of images. “Fledgling,” a documentary by Elizabeth Heny and Tony Gault of Colorado, is the story of a family that raises a stray baby crow and sets it free. “Scene 32,” by Durham filmmaker Shambhavi Kaul, is a quiet meditation on several different landscapes.

Each filmmaker’s mood and method is different, but they all work in the medium of short films, most well under a half hour. Their films are among 46 shorts that will be screened today and Saturday at the Strange Beauty Film Festival at Manbites Dog Theater.

Durham filmmakers and husband and wife Jim Haverkamp and Joyce Ventimiglia have organized and curated the event. Ventimiglia said the festival has been in the works for about a year. They put out a call for submissions and have been selecting the films for the past three or four months.

They have chosen fiction, documentary and experimental films for the festival. Haverkamp and Ventimiglia got the idea for Strange Beauty while attending various film festivals. “Whenever we go to a film festival, there’s always one film that stands out,” Ventimiglia said. “We thought to ourselves, it would be great to put on a festival of just that kind of film.”

Short films have a do-it-yourself quality that makes them appealing, Ventimiglia said. “I think because a lot of times they’re made on a limited budget, they’re very personal films, and people tend to take more risks.”

Ventimiglia and Haverkamp both have made films themselves. She did location work for Haverkamp’s short documentary “Armor of God,” about musician Scott Irving. They collaborated on “Hot Dog Man,” a short documentary about people’s reactions to a hot dog statue in downtown Durham. Haverkamp was also one of the producers on “Monster Road,” a documentary about animation artist George Bickford.

During today’s screenings, Durham filmmaker, scholar and collector Tom Whiteside will present films he has curated for Strange Beauty on two simultaneous screens. Whiteside is president of Durham Cinematheque, which puts on outdoor screenings downtown during the summer months. On the two screens, audiences will see excerpts of newsreels, home movies and snippets from famous films, all drawn from Whiteside’s extensive and eclectic film archive.

Haverkamp and Ventimiglia already are planning for a second Strange Beauty festival. They will see what goes right this year, and get more people involved for the second year, she said.

Cliff Bellamy

source-http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/140302847

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Durham, North Carolina: Film Festival Organizers Use Outdoor Movies to Draw in the Crowds

By Open Air Cinema on December 15, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Passes go on sale today for the 13th annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, to be held in Durham April 8-11.

For the first time, the 13th festival will have two nights of free outdoor film screenings. The screenings will be at the Durham Farmers’ Market area in Durham Central Park, at 8 p.m. April 9 and 10. Food vendors will be on hand for the screenings.

The festival always presents free screenings to schoolchildren and the public. The outdoor event is a way to expose more people to the festival, said Ted Mott, director of production for Full Frame.

“We want to keep that community energy going, and that’s hard to observe if everyone’s inside,” Mott said. Festival officials hope the screenings will make the festival more accessible and inviting, he said.

Festivalgoers may purchase passes in three categories. The Priority Pass (general admission price of $500) provides first access to tickets and events, and a total of 25 tickets to films, panels and premium events. The Festival Pass ($200) gives the holder 20 tickets for films, panels and premium events. The Film Pass ($125, $75 students) gives the holder tickets to 15 films. Convenience fees for online purchases are lower this year, Mott said.

Passes, along with more details, may be purchased at www.fullframefest.org/passes. For festivalgoers who prefer to mail their payment (and avoid a convenience charge), a form will be available today on the Web site.

Passes come with a few new perks for the 2010 event, Mott said. For the first time, holders of the Festival and Film passes will not have to pick up tickets the same day as the screenings. “We’re not going to make you go to the box office if you don’t want to,” Mott said. “We’re trying to get people to see more movies,” not stand in more lines.

In January, the festival will announce the thematic series and the career award, which honors an important filmmaker. Film titles will be announced in early March. The film schedule for the 2010 festival will be announced March 18, and festival tickets go on sale April 1.

Festival organizers expect to screen more than 100 films next year. Films will be shown at five venues in the downtown area — the Carolina Theatre, the Durham Convention Center, the Durham Arts Council’s PSI Theater, Rigsbee Hall, and Durham Central Park.

The 2009 thematic series was titled “This Sporting Life,” a series of sports films that Steve James, director of “Hoop Dreams,” curated. Also during the festival, James, filmmaker Peter Gilbert and William Gates, one of the subjects of “Hoop Dreams,” were on hand for a panel discussion and screening of the acclaimed basketball documentary.

Other films and special guests at the 2009 festival were “The September Issue,” with a visit by Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley; and “Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie,” with a visit by Wavy Gravy, also known as Hugh Romney.

During each festival, awards are made in 10 different categories — among them the Grand Jury Award, the Audience Award, the President’s Award and the Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights

Cliff Bellamy

source-http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/138849738

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Morganton, North Carolina: A Look Back at Outdoor Movies in Historic Drive-In Theaters

By Open Air Cinema on October 24, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

America’s love affair with drive-in movies began on June 6, 1933, when Richard Hollingshead opened an outdoor movie theater where people could sit in their cars at Camden, N.J. By January 1942, there were 95 drive-ins in 27 states.
Gas rationing stunted their growth during world War II, but by the late 1940s there were nearly 1,000 (the peak was about 4,100 in 1958).
Burke County got its first drive-in in 1948. That spring, Joe Accardi and Y.E. Spake acquired a lot of land from Duke Power. The property on U.S. 70 West adjoined Riverside Air Park near the current site of the Catawba River soccer complex. At the time, it was a mile outside the city limits.
Movie-goers could stop at the next-door River Side Camp and get a fine fish dinner to take into the drive-in.
A private road led to the parking area at the Skyline (also known as the Riverside) Drive-In. Plainly visible from the highway was a huge screen. The “tower” was a triangular structure, 46 feet high. The screen itself was white-painted Masonite, 34 by 44 feet, and mounted at an angle so it appeared square to patrons looking upwards.
About 225 feet in front of it was a low block building with the projection room, a concession stand and restrooms.The parking area could accommodate 400 automobiles. When it opened, the Skyline had loudspeakers positioned around the parking area. People who parked at the rear might have had trouble hearing, but probably had other things in mind and didn’t care about sound. (Nobody knows how many drive-in visits resulted in marriages — sometimes hasty ones.)
After two months, the owners installed individual speakers at each parking spot. Hung on metal posts, patrons could remove the speakers and put them in their cars, usually on the window or door frame. People sometimes drove off with a speaker still on the car, despite a warning on each one: “Please replace the speaker on the post when you leave.”
The Skyline opened on a Saturday, May 1. It had two showings nightly at 7 and 9 except on Sundays when there was one at 9 p.m. All were first-run movies. Albert Hargrove operated the film machines.
There were specials in all seasons. On Jan. 31, 1949, a Monday, the movie was free.
Children 12 and under got in free when accompanied by an adult. For people who didn’t want to sit in their cars, there were 100 parquet seats. (Such people soon learned to bring their own cushions.)
Burke County’s second outdoor theater was High Peak (also called Hi Peak) Drive-in at the main Drexel intersection on U.S. 70 east. B.J. Norris of Lenoir built it. Joe Rector and his wife, Angie, co-owned it. The entrance was to the left of Rector’s barbershop.
As best I could determine, High Peak opened around Easter in April 1949 — at least that was when their movie ads showed up in the paper. The drive-in was on the side of a hill, which made for good viewing, but it could accommodate only 160 or so cars. It, too, had a blockhouse with a projection booth, restrooms and concession stand.
The third theater, Midway Drive-In, was between Hildebran and Icard on Curley’s Fish Camp Road. Fred M. Smith, president of Midway Mills and owner of Smith’s BBQ and Tourist Cabins near Long View, operated it. It closed in the late 1960s.
What killed the drive-in theaters? Higher land prices, for one thing. Many drive-ins started outside cities whose expanding limits passed them by (adding higher property taxes, too). Daylight saving time, adopted nationwide in 1966, subtracted an hour from outdoor evening viewing time. Color televisions, VCRs and video rentals lured away movie-goers, too. And the drive-in business always was at the mercy of the weather.
I remember going to the High Peak in the late 1970s. One of the last specials was a carload for $5. Both it and the Skyline Drive-In closed in the 1970s.
About 400 drive-ins remain. The News Herald’s editor, Steve Welker, tells me the Bright Leaf in Mount Airy still does good business.
Otherwise, there is very little evidence of where these drive-ins existed. Looking at an aerial photo, I can spot the concrete pad occupied by the projection booth and concession stand at the old High Peak site.
Driving by these sites, however, older folks might remember the movies and the fun of watching the stars under the stars.

Michael “Jake” Conley

Source-http://www2.morganton.com/content/2009/oct/20/conley-please-replace-speaker-post/

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Asheville, North Carolina: Food Vendor Finds Outdoor Movies Make the Party

By Open Air Cinema on October 8, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Some of the girls bundle up to watch a movie at Alyssa Wadham's recent backyard birthday party, set up by John Frank, with a hot dog cart and video projector.

John Frank calls himself a “party in a box.”
While squirting mustard and relish on the hot dogs he serves downtown, he was dreaming of something bigger.

Frank has operated a hot dog cart in Asheville for more than three years, and before that was a sales manager at a used car lot. He’s had a hand in many pots and pans, but making others happy seems to be his niche.

His most recent venture is called Firefly Backyard Movies.

Frank packs a 12-foot inflatable screen, a projector, his fully loaded hot dog cart and a commercial popcorn popper into his truck with the mission of making others happy.

Alyssa Wadham recently became the recipient of Frank’s evening magic. For her eighth birthday, the Black Mountain girl invited about 10 other little girls to her party.

Tired of the usual suspects for special events, Alyssa’s mom, Kathy Wadham, knew Frank from his hot dog business. He told her he was trying to get into the backyard entertainment business, and Kathy’s family became one of his first bookings.

On a chilly October night, Frank stood watching the group of girls, bundled in blankets and curled up in chairs. He popped in “Monsters Vs. Aliens,” the birthday girl’s choice, and gave his new business a trial run.

“I’d heard about people doing this, and it seemed like something that’d be fun to do,” he said. “I’ve got a nice, friendly neighborhood in West Asheville, and getting a group together and showing movies or sporting events is something different.”

Kathy knew it would be a night to remember.

“He’s my bud,” she said, shivering in the cold as the group of girls watched their movie. “He did everything. All I had to do was make the cake.”

For about $225, those who want a party in a box receive the works. This includes Frank and all his wares: hot dogs, bratwurst, toppings, drinks, popcorn and the big screen.

“It was definitely worth the money, and all the kids said it was the best party they had ever been to,” Kathy said. “My daughter was queen for the day at school because everybody was talking about the party.

“It was exactly like having a drive-in theater in your backyard.”

Frank said he’s not limiting himself to movies. The ideas are as endless as the toppings on a dog. He visualized groups interested in sporting events and games, or those wanting to play Nintendo Wii with a bunch of friends.

Frank said his prices start at $125, which includes the screen, projector and popcorn for 25 guests. For the full showdown that includes food and drinks, the price goes up to $225 or more, depending on the number of people.

“If you do something well,” Frank said, “people will give you an opportunity to do something more.” He’s proof of the strength and success of an entrepreneurial spirit.

While doing the dogs, a woman from Biltmore Lake remembered him, and he’s since catered a half-dozen events in that area.

He’s also proof that in a tight economy, people will continue to eat hot dogs and watch movies.

Alyssa Wadham is already planning her next birthday. And yes, she’s having the hot dog man and his party in a box.

“It was great,” she said. “It was the best time ever.”

Susan Reinhardt

source-http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091008/COLUMNISTS16/910080311/1007/COLUMNISTS

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Fort Bragg, North Carolina: Fort Bragg Builds Community Bridges Through Fun, Relaxing Outdoor Movie Events

By Open Air Cinema on September 25, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Open Air Cinema’s Screen is used at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. A story was recently featured in Cross-Walk magazine, a publication for military families in the SE region. Here is what the article said:

Fort Bragg has about 30,000 residents who are all in on a secret. They have access to one of the most relaxing, family friendly venues around. Fort Bragg is now home to a giant 30-foot tall inflatable movie screen that the Family and Morale Welfare and Recre- ation (MWR) team uses to show mov- ies on the sandy beach at Smith Lake.

Marilyn Flynn is the business man- ager for the Smith Lake Army Travel Campground at Fort Bragg. She and her team wanted to make Smith Lake the main destina- tion of choice for the Fort Bragg community. The Campground hosts an event called “Movie Night at the Beach” once a month. It is open to the public, anybody can attend, and it is free for campground customers.

“We have hundreds of people who come out to Movie Night at the Beach,” Flynn said. “We have peo- ple from the campgrounds, on the base and even from the surround- ing community join us. Before each event, we pass out comment cards to the attendees. The feedback we have received has been nothing but glow- ing, positive responses. The biggest critique we have is that we should have it more often than once a month, which we just might start doing.”

The events are especially popular with families with children because they can sit to watch the movie or run around on the sand. The point is for everyone to simply enjoy spending time together. In fact, one of the main objectives for the movie program is to provide a relaxing venue that brings people together.

“It is often the case that when a Soldier gets deployed their fam- ily remains here at Fort Bragg,,” she said. “We feel a tremendous obliga- tion to host activities that can bring people together with other Fami- lies. Because our park is open to the general public, it helps build bridges between the outside com- munity and the military community.”

The size of the screen is a big draw— it is so large, it can be seen from the other side of the lake. The visitors set up their towels and lawn chairs in the shadow of the screen on the beach be- fore it gets dark. Logistically, the giant screen from Open Air Cinema takes just a few minutes to inflate; the entire system with the audio and projection equipment, takes less than an hour to set up. While they visitors are loung- ing on the beach waiting for the mov- ie, they get to listen to music playing and watch the sun set over the lake.

“It’s just an amazing, absolutely beautiful setting.” Flynn added. “The kids come in their PJ’s with their snacks and their blankets. It is such a nice, open, friendly envi- ronment that it helps people relax and feel welcome in what can be an otherwise stressful, hectic life.”

The team uses the movie event as an opportunity to introduce people to the rest of the amazing facility. Visi- tors see the swimming area, where they rent paddle boats, canoes and other programs. “It gives us a chance to talk about our campground and it opens up discussions about what else we have to offer,” she said.

Some creative thought by the team at Fort Bragg in combining natural re- sources with a growing trend in out- door entertainment has provided the community with a family-friendly venue where they can relax and en- joy the North Carolina evenings.

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Fort Bragg, North Carolina: Fort Bragg Builds Community Bridges through Fun, Relaxing Outdoor Movie Events

By Open Air Cinema on September 17, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Fort Bragg has about 54,000 residents who are all in on a secret. They have access to one of the most relaxing, family friendly venues around. Fort Bragg is home of the Airborne and U. S. army’s Special Operations Forces but it also is home to a giant 30-foot tall inflatable movie screen that the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) team uses to show movies on the sandy beach at Smith Lake.

Marilyn Flynn is the business manager for the Smith Lake Army Travel Campground at Fort Bragg. She and her team wanted to make Smith Lake the main destination of choice for the Fort Bragg community.

“To become the main destination spot for the area, we knew we needed to offer something different, even unique,” Flynn said. When we brought in the Open Air Cinema system through the GSA Schedule we brought an instant family hit that enables us to have a fun, engaging and huge program that people love—at a minimal cost.”

Lakeside Movie under the Stars

The campground hosts an event called “Movie Night at the Beach” once a month. It is open to the public, anybody can attend, and it is free for campground customers.

“We have hundreds of people who come out to Movie Night at the Beach,” Flynn said. “We have people from the campgrounds, on the base and even from the surrounding community join us. Before each event, we pass out comment cards to the attendees. The feedback we have received has been nothing but glowing, positive responses. The biggest critique we have is that we should have it more often than once a month, which we just might start doing.”

“Here at Fort Bragg, it is often the case that when a soldier gets deployed, their families are left behind,” she said. “We feel a tremendous obligation to host activities that can bring people together with other families. Because our park is open to the general public, it helps build bridges between the outside community and the military community.”

Family-Friendly Fun

In today’s economy, many families are finding it a challenge to find inexpensive activities that they can all do together–that they all can enjoy.

The size of the screen is a big draw—it is so large, it can be seen from the other side of the lake. The visitors set up their towels and lawn chairs in the shadow of the screen on the beach before it gets dark. While they are lounging on the beach waiting for the move, they get to listen to music playing and watch the sun set over the lake.

“It’s just an amazing, absolutely beautiful setting.” Flynn added. “The kids come in their PJ’s with their snacks and their blankets. It is such a nice, open, friendly environment that it helps people relax and feel welcome in what can be an otherwise stressful, hectic life.”

The team uses the movie event as an opportunity to introduce people to the rest of the amazing facility. Visitors see the swimming area, where they rent paddle boats, canoes and other programs. “It gives us a chance to talk about our campground and it opens up discussions about what else we have to offer,” she said.

Logistically, the giant screen along with the audio and projection equipment, which was purchased from Open Air Cinema through the GSA, takes less than an hour to set up.

More than Movies

The value of the movie screen and system goes beyond showing movies on the beach; they have used it as a vehicle to generate revenues. “We have other groups wanting to hire us to set up the movie screen for their own special events,” she said. “For instance the Library will hire us to set up the screen to show movies at other places around the area.”

The future holds a great deal of promise for the equipment as well. The team is planning on hosting a drive-in movie at the fairgrounds and using it for a Better Opportunities for Single Service Members (BOSS) BOSS program bringing in video game competitions where contestants can play with video game characters that are 30-feet tall. Flynn is also using the giant screen in conjunction with a program called Roughing it Camp. They have guests go on a mountain biking ride, horse back ride, canoeing and a nature hike. Then the day is topped off with a movie under the stars.

Some creative thought by the team at Fort Bragg in combining natural resources with a growing trend in outdoor entertainment has provided the community with a family-friendly venue where they can relax, unwind and enjoy the North Carolina evenings.

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Ashville, North Carolina: Outdoor Movies a Big Hit

By Open Air Cinema on September 12, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Those four words are enough to get me to change out of my sweats, miraculously find my car keys and hit the streets.

Last weekend, the promise of Paul’s baby blues was the only carrot I saw dangling outside my apartment’s door. The peanuts; now that snack was an added bonus.

That’s because I caught a showing of the late, great Newman’s classic “Cool Hand Luke” at the Wedge Brewery as night fell last Saturday.

I’ve been meaning to visit the Wedge for an outdoor movie some time now. Since June, the brewery in the River Arts District has shown movies — from the Woody Allen farce “Bananas,” to the 1958 ode to moonshining, “Thunder Road” — in its gravel parking lot just this side of the railroad tracks.

Drive-in theaters hold a certain appeal for me. It’s not really due to a nostalgic notion. In the interest of full disclosure, if it was nostalgia, it really would be that I am nostalgic for a time I never experienced. The drive-in’s golden years had long tarnished by the time I was seeing movies.

Growing up, I did get to see a few films at a drive-in before the area theater rolled its final credits. The last outdoor movie I saw was “Jurassic Park II.”

Seeing a movie at the drive-in really made it seem like a real occasion. Comparing a movie in a multiplex to the drive-in is like comparing a dinner date to the prom; at the drive-in, you would remember the experience leading up to and after the main event. You weren’t just sitting anonymously in the dark; there were stars on screen and in the sky above. And believe me, those “Jurassic Park” dinosaurs were scarier on the outdoor screens, in some scenes looking as if they were peering out from the trees around the movie screen.

The Wedge doesn’t transform into a classic drive-in theater, but it does do a pretty good impersonation.

With the flip of a switch on a projector, a tractor-trailer became the movie screen for the audience lounging in fold-out chairs. As an amusing extra, they also screened old reels on the dangers of carbon monoxide during the film’s intermission (don’t ever fall asleep in your cars, folks). Other shorts urged a trio to the concession stand.

And The Wedge did have a make-shift concession stand — actually a grill. I didn’t see any marching popcorns or dancing hot dogs.

But of course, the Wedge does have something the drive-ins of yesteryear didn’t — beer. Good beer. To keep with the movie theme, I got a pint of the Golem on tap (I’m not sure if it’s a reference to the “Lord of the Rings” character, but I couldn’t resist saying that out loud at a bar and actually not getting gawked at this time).

I enjoyed my brew with a few friends on the porch outside the bar and took advantage of the complimentary bowls of peanuts. See, I told you there would be peanuts.

A few times during the movie, a passing train rolled by behind the movie screen. While noisy, the trains didn’t interrupt the whole feel of the evening. Trains — like drive-ins — continue to be romantic, even exotic to the 20-something set.

It was a great change of pace from my typical Asheville night life. If the Wedge ever decided to do anything else remotely retro, like serve bottle Cokes and host a sock hop, I’d be the first to take off my shoes.

This is the opinion of Citizen-Times staff writer Carol Motsinger, who writes an entertainment column every Friday for Take5.

Original Article Source: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090904/ENT/909040314/1198/ADVERTISING

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Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Free Outdoor Movie Screenings at "the Greenspot" in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

By Open Air Cinema on July 21, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Downtown Winston-Salem

The annual free outdoor movie screenings at “the Greenspot” have begun again this summer. They have already shown cult classics “The Big Lebowski” and “Back to the Future”. Outdoor films to look forward to include “Cool Hand Luke” (July 26), “The Goonies” (August 2), and “Little Miss Sunshine” (August 9). The screenings will continue until September 27.

“The real drive here is to open up downtown and have something fun and easy to do,” said Margaret Norfleet Neff, one of the organizers of the outdoor cinema screenings.

In order to control sound levels, the audio for the films is played through FM radio signals -so bring headsets, radios, boomboxes, or any other devices to pick up FM signals. You’ll also want to bring a blanket or chair. Beer and wine will be for sale (brought-in alcohol is not allowed). “The Greenspot” is located at the corner of 6th and Liberty. Each Sunday the outdoor movie begins around 9pm.

Movies at the Greenspot

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Henderson, North Carolina: Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre Features Drive-In Movies in Henderson, North Carolina

By Open Air Cinema on July 9, 2009 in Drive-in Movie Theaters, Outdoor Movie Events

Drive-In Movies at an Outdoor Theater in Henderson, North Carolina We all need some time away from everyday worries. You might be looking for something a little different to do this July weekend. Why not try seeing a movie at an outdoor movie theater? Everyone loves a good drive-in movie to take the cares of this world away, if only for a couple hours.

Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre in nearby Henderson originally opened as the “Moon-Glo” Theatre in 1949. Since that time, the theater has changed ownership several times. The current owners actually obtained the drive-in movie theater through an e-bay auction. They have completely renovated the restrooms, snack shop, and theater. The theater is now the oldest of only seven operating drive-in theaters in North Carolina.

The website tells what movies will be showing this weekend as well as upcoming movie selections. Also on Sat, July 4, Jim Passe will be at the theater at 7:30 performing magic, illusions, mind reading, and classic parlor tricks.

Source: “Activity for July 4th-outdoor theater” by Amy Pegram -Raleigh Examiner. Read full article at: http://www.examiner.com/x-14154-Raleigh-Infertility–Miscarriage-Examiner~y2009m7d2-July-4-activity.

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Charleston, North Carolina: Cinebarre's Outdoor Midnight Movies

By Open Air Cinema on July 2, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Cinebarre’s Outdoor Midnight Movie Premiering with ‘Public Enemies’

Outdoor Movies in Charleston, North Carolina Cinebarre’s new outdoor movie venture, On Location, is kicking off tomorrow, June 30, with a midnight premier of the new movie Public Enemies.

Read more stories on this subject in our Cinebarre topic page.The show will be held outside of Cinebarre in its ‘outdoor amphitheater’ equipped with surround sound. Guests should bring their own chairs or blankets. There will be a cash only beer wagon.

You can purchase tickets online and at Cinebarre’s box office for $10.

Other upcoming shows include: Bruno on July 9, Harry Potter on July 14, and G.I. Joe on August 6.

Here’s all the opening-night details from an e-mailed release:

On Location is the mobile branch of Cinebarre and consists of a fully-equipped “projection room on wheels” and an enormous inflatable outdoor movie screen. The screen is 31’ x 46’ and inflates in under 10 minutes. It is weather resistant and can withstand winds up to 35mph.

The Public Enemies premiere will be held outside at Cinebarre in its “outdoor amphitheater” equipped with surround sound. Guests should bring their own chairs or blankets so they can sit back and experience a night at the movies like never before.

Moviegoers should be at Cinebarre at 11:30pm for the excitement. The screen will inflate at 11:45pm and it is something to see. Public Enemies will start at 12:01am sharp.

Beer wagon will be there for duration of premiere. $5/cup (16oz). CASH ONLY.

Tickets are on sale now. Buy quickly because this event will sell out. Tickets may be bought in advance online at Fandango or in person at Cinebarre. $10/person.

Source: http://thedigitel.com/entertainment/cinebarres-outdoor-midnight-movie-premier-4778-0629

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Asheville, North Carolina: Jackson Chamber Hosts Free Outdoor Movies

By Open Air Cinema on June 23, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Jackson Chamber to Sponsor Free Outdoor Movies

Outdoor Movies in Asheville, NorthCarolina The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce has created Outdoor Movie Night, a monthly showing of modern classics this summer that is sure to fit any budget.

From June-September, people can grab a lawn chair or blanket and attend each movie free of charge. Outdoor Movie Night will take place on Fridays, rotating between Bicentennial Park in Sylva and Monteith Park in Dillsboro.

The series will kick off Friday with a showing of “Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark” at Bicentennial Park. On July 10, “Field of Dreams” will be shown at Monteith Park. Monteith Park is also the site for the Aug. 14 screening of “Babe.” The series concludes on Sept. 11 with “Indiana Jones, Temple of Doom” at Bicentennial Park.

All movies begin at 9 p.m., weather permitting. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

Call the Jackson County Chamber at 586-2155 for more information.

Source: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090616/NEWS01/90616028

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University City, North Carolina: Free Outdoor Movies in University City and North Charlotte

By Open Air Cinema on June 18, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

University City and North Charlotte family entertainment

Outdoor Movies in University City, North Caroline Visitors and residents will find many activities to choose from around the University City and North Charlotte area. From science exploration to live music and water play there is something fun for everyone.

Family Fun
This list of activities will keep parents and children happy all summer long. Dates and times vary so check the provided links for more information and cost.

Birkdale’s Interactive Water Fountain, children of all ages can enjoy the cool refreshment each day during the summer. http://www.birkdalevillage.net/go/mallEvents.cfm?eventsonly=1
The Great Inland Sea, Energy Explorium, Mon.- Sat. all summer. http://www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp
Catawba River Docs Exhibit, Duke Energy Explorium, June 1 to September 30, 9 am, http://www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp
Live Raptor Presentations: Raptor All-Stars, Carolina Raptor Center, Weekends, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/index.php
Backyard Tails, Carolina Raptor Center, Weekends, 12 pm, 2 pm. http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/index.php
Father’s Day Celebration, Carolina Raptor Center, June 20-21, 12 pm http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/index.php
Dinner with Princesses, The Tea House, Cornelius, June 24, 6 pm, http://www.the-teahouse.com/
Pan for Gold, Historic Latta Plantation, Huntersville, June 27, 10 am, http://www.lattaplantation.org/visit/special_events.shtml
Super Saturdays (RSVP), Energy Explorium, Huntersville, June 27, 2 pm, http://www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp
All American Soap Box Derby, Huntersville Business Park, Huntersville, June 27, 9 am, http://www.huntersvillesbd.org/
Kozmic Bowling at Northcross Lanes, Huntersville, Every Friday and Saturday, 11 pm-2 am, http://www.northcrosslanes.com/nc/ Free outdoor movies
These free summer movies are a great way to entertain the family. Many locations also offer snacks, popcorn, and pre-show entertainment for the kids. Check the provided links for more information and remember, movies will be cancelled or rescheduled in the event of rain.
Huntersville Movies in the Park June 26: Madagascar 2 Escape 2 Africa, July 24: Horton Hears A Who, August 28: Monsters vs. Aliens, North Mecklenburg Park, all movies will begin at dusk (8:30 pm), free popcorn and drinks, http://radiantlifefellowship.org/Home/MoviesInThePark/tabid/1173/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Summer Movies at Mountain Island June 18: Madagascar; June 25: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. All ages are welcome for movie screening and popcorn. www.plcmc.lib.nc.us.
Cornelius Outdoor Cinema Series June 20: Roscoe Jenkins at Smithville Park; June 24: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Kenton Place. Free. Kenton Place, 17115 Kenton Dr., Cornelius. Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry St., Cornelius. Weather permitting; all movies will begin at dusk (8:30 p.m.). Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. For more information visit http://www.visitnc.com/events/view/35723/outdoor-cinema-series
Movies In the Park At Kannapolis June 12: Open Season 2; June 26: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Free. 8:45 p.m. Village Park, located along A and C Streets and North Loop Road in Kannapolis. http://www.cityofkannapolis.com./calendar_showcase.asp Farmer’s Markets
Two neighborhood farmer’s markets give area residence an alternative to Charlotte’s Regional Farmer’s Market on the West side of the city.
Main & Maxwell Farmer’s Market, Huntersville, Tuesdays and Saturdays, through October 24, 7 am, http://www.ourhuntersville.com/html/main/announce_display/newsID/3023148/index.html
Davidson Farmer’s Market, Corner of Main and Jackson Streets, Davidson, Saturdays, May to October, 8am, http://davidsonfarmersmarket.org/

Other neighborhood activities and events will be featured in upcoming articles. Enjoy North Charlotte this summer.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-12829-Charlotte-City-Guide-Examiner~y2009m6d10-University-City-and-North-Charlotte-family-entertainment

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Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Locally Grown Features Free Outdoor Movies For the Chapel Hill Community in North Carolina

By Open Air Cinema on June 8, 2009 in Outdoor Movie Events

Outdoor Movies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina Locally Grown, a free entertainment series in downtown Chapel Hill, encourages everyone to Buy Local, Eat Local and Be Local while enjoying live concerts and outdoor movies featuring live music from local performers, movies and family-friendly activities. The events will be presented every Thursday from June 18 to Aug. 20 on the Wallace Plaza, an urban park atop the Wallace Parking Deck at 150 East Rosemary Street. The Wallace Plaza is accessible from Franklin Street via walkways from Amber Alley or the alley next to the Post Office.

Enjoy new release outdoor movies this summer on the Wallace Plaza! Outdoor films, including The Dark Night (Batman Series), Madagascar 2, The Princess Bride, Happy Feet, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and the classic Paul Newman film, Cool Hand Luke, will be shown beginning around sundown (about 9 p.m.) June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. The amphitheater setting is complete with a 12′ x 7′ movie screen, a high lumen LCD projector, and surround sound. Featured at each movie event will be a variety of fun children’s activities beginning at 7 p.m. with entertainment by the KidZu Children’s Museum.

Live concerts will be presented from 6 to 9:30 p.m. June 18, July 23 and Aug. 20. The performances will entertain people of all ages, featuring a locally grown showcase with Big Mama E and the Cool with Will McFarlane on June 18; legendary blues artists Big Ron Hunter and Boo Hanks from the Music Maker Relief Foundation on July 23, and a touring indie pop show featuring The Love Language with Lost in the Trees on Aug. 20.

Locally Grown is sponsored by the Town of Chapel Hill and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership with cooperation from 1360 WCHL. For more information, visit www.townofchapelhill.org/locallygrown.

Source: Chapel Hill eNews- http://orange.mync.com/site/orange/news/story/36084/.

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