
(image, fremont outdoor movies [#])
People unfamiliar with Seattle’s summer climate might suspect that our city’s habit of planning to watch movies outside on weekends represents a twisted sense of optimism mixed with masochism. After all, in the public imagination, hardly a day passes in the city without a need our trustiest GoreTex clothing. In fact (TOP SECRET INFORMATION FOLLOWS), only the most well watered lawns survive the summer drought and rainy evenings are few and far between.
HeatWave2006 made its first appearance last weekend, and with it came the first batch of outdoor film presentations in Fremont, the classic destination for parking lot cinema. Every Saturday through 2 September Fremont Outdoor Movies brings a mix of old and new favorites to the screen for a suggested donation of $5 per person. Bring your most portable couch or low-slung lawn chair, a blanket, and a picnic (you’ll need to be sneaky about the alcohol): this season includes showings of:
Shrek 2, Black Scorpion*, Labyrinth, Shaun of the Dead, Grease, The Manster*, March of the Penguins, Bend it like Beckham, It! The Terror from OuterSpace*, King Kong.
“Twisted Flicks” (starred, above) are presented with a new soundtrack and a live show from Jet City Improv. Most other shows are preceded by contests and comedy from Wing Nut productions. The major downsides to the events are that it’s held (1) in a parking lot where (2) unfortunate prevailing winds can easily carry the smells of ill-placed portable toilets and a nearby canal to the audience.
Starting Friday, SIFF and KEXP present a summer series of “film favorites under the stars” on South Lake Union with Cinema on the Lawn. Like the Fremont Outdoor Movies, a $5 donation suggested. The program is shorter, with five films:
Party Girl, Xanadu, Napolean Dynamite, a SIFF exclusive, and a viewer’s choice (Almost Famous vs. American Beauty vs. Office Space)
playing between 30 June and 25 August. With a “luscious lawn”, beer garden, and onsite pizza, the site sounds awfully appealing. While you’re watching the movie, you’ll have plenty of time buying a condo.
On Fridays and Saturdays in August, the Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre serves up a collection of classics:
Casablanca, Shane, To Kill A Mockingbird, Singin’ In The Rain, To Sir, With Love, Lawrence Of Arabia [seattlecenter]
Like Fremont, you’ll need to employ stealthy skills if you hope to bring a beer or two along for the ride, but the price here is right. All movies are screened for free, and the Mural lawn features both grass and an attractive slope for setting up camp.
Other outdoor movie venues you’d like to suggest? Tips and tricks for optimal enjoyment? Go wild in the comments section!