Outdoor movie theatres offer alternative venue

Many people have commented that it reminds them of going to a drive-in movie, only better because they are in the middle of a park!

—Laura Curtis, Assiniboine Park

There's something special about sitting under a prairie sky and watching a movie. And Winnipeggers are turning up in droves when outdoor theatres open their breezy doors.

Winnipeg's Downtown Biz is lighting up downtown by transforming Memorial Park into an outdoor theatre every Tuesday in August.

"With more and more people living and coming downtown, movies, music and entertainment help create that vibrancy we so often talk about" says Stefano Grande, Downtown Biz Executive Director.

Tonight's selection is Hairspray (2007). The pre-movie activities begin at 7:00 p.m. and include a vintage car show, a hair-do contest, a dance contest, and live entertainment.  And it's all free.

August 7 - Hairspray (raindate August 8)
August 14 - Footloose (raindate August 15)
August 21 - Wizard of Oz (raindate August 22)
August 28 - Grease (raindate August 29)

Assiniboine Park is also showing outdoor movies on the Lyric Stage Lawn for the second year in a row.  Last year, 25,000 people showed up for the free, family-friendly entertainment.

"We had a wonderful response from the community at last year's Movies in the Park with approximately 25,000 people in attendance over the four-week run," said Laura Curtis, Marketing & Communications Specialist with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. "Many people have commented that it reminds them of going to a drive-in movie, only better because they are in the middle of a park!"

Assiniboine Park uses a 27 foot wide cinematic screen for their Friday night double screenings. Last week they showed Tangled and E.T.  This Friday they're featuring The Incredibles at 7:00, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean at 9:15.

August 10 - The Incredibles/Pirates of the Caribbean
August 17 - Happy Feet 2/Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
August 24 - Dr. Seuss' The Lorax/Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade