NASHVILLE, TENN. (Monday, Aug. 24, 2020) — The Belcourt Theatre announces the Belcourt Drive-In in its parking lot starting this Friday, Aug. 28, weather permitting. Tickets will go on sale first to Belcourt members starting this Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. CDT. If any tickets remain after going on sale to members, non-members can purchase them on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be $25 per vehicle for Belcourt members and $30 per vehicle for non-members, and all tickets must be purchased in advance. Overall capacity for each screening will be limited to provide safe social distancing in the lot.
Films for the Belcourt Drive-In’s opening weekend are Alfred Hitchcock’s THE BIRDS on Friday, Aug. 28; Hitchcock’s NORTH BY NORTHWEST on Saturday, Aug. 29; and Melissa Haizlip and Sam Pollard’s MR. SOUL! on Sunday, Aug. 30, a new documentary on pioneering television host Ellis Haizlip. Drive-in programming for upcoming weekends will be announced when confirmed, and weekday screenings may be added in the future as weekend screenings sell out.
Movies will be projected onto a 30-foot wide screen in the Belcourt’s parking lot, with the audience receiving the soundtrack through their car’s FM radio. The Belcourt’s building will remain closed to the public, except for restroom use. Concessions will be sold from an outdoor snack bar and will include popcorn, candy, sodas and water. Masks will be required at all times when individuals are not in their vehicles. The Belcourt is also encouraging those attending to purchase takeout meals from Hillsboro Village restaurants.
“We’re delighted to be launching this new way to once again watch movies on the big screen. Since we closed in mid-March due to COVID-19, we’ve heard again and again from people telling us how much they miss the Belcourt. And we’ve missed our audiences too,” said Stephanie Silverman, executive director. “The Belcourt Drive-In gives us a fun, safe space to share films — while, of course, helping with some of the revenue we’ve been without for the last six months. Though capacity will be limited, our hope is that with multiple screenings each week, plenty of Nashville film fans will have the chance to attend the drive-in. And when it’s safe to do so, we look forward to re-opening the theatre itself for movie-going again too.”
In addition to opening the Belcourt Drive-In in its parking lot, the Belcourt will also continue its virtual offerings, sharing new releases and restorations available to watch at home, as well as opportunities to discuss films and join Q&As online.
Additional details on the Belcourt Drive-In are on the Belcourt’s website here.
About the Belcourt Theatre
The Belcourt Theatre is Nashville’s nonprofit film center, a cultural institution with a mission to engage, enrich and educate audiences through innovative film programming. Housed in Nashville’s only neighborhood theatre, the Belcourt has presented the best of independent, documentary, world, and repertory, while promoting visual literacy and providing opportunities for people of all ages to experience the power of film. First opened in 1925 as a silent movie house, the theatre was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1934-35. The theatre reopened as a nonprofit art house in 1999. In July 2016, the Belcourt opened after a seven-month renovation, the first major work on the theatre in 50 years. The Belcourt’s physical building has been closed since mid-March due to COVID-19.
The Belcourt Theatre is funded in part by Metro Arts: Nashville Office of Arts & Culture and the Tennessee Arts Commission, and is grateful for their support of our nonprofit mission.
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