Blumenthal Performing Arts to Launch Outdoor Movie Nights Next Month at Spirit Square

Blumenthal Performing Arts will begin hosting free outdoor movie nights in July at Spirit Square. The Square, at the corner of College and 7th Street, has a brand new look and will be transformed into the perfect movie event space multiple times throughout the summer.

"We're excited about the new event space that has been created outside the steps of Spirit Square on College Street," said Tom Gabbard, President of Blumenthal Performing Arts. "This will be a fun place to enjoy a warm summer night with friends and family. We are starting with films but will be hosting a variety of others activities there."

Activities begin in the Square at 7:45 p.m. with movies beginning at dusk (approximately 8:45 p.m.). Guests are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. Free popcorn, along with other food and beverages will be available for purchase. Dates and film titles below.

Hip Hop Movie Weekend

Friday, July 8: Beat Street (PG)*
At the forefront of early hip-hop culture, DJ Kenny Kirkland (Guy Davis), his B-boy brother, Lee (Robert Taylor), and graffiti artist Ramon (John Chardiet) all have hopes of showcasing their talents outside the confines of South Bronx, N.Y. When Tracy Carlson (Rae Dawn Chong), a composer and choreographer, runs into Kirkland and Lee at one of Manhattan's hottest nightclubs, she offers Lee an opportunity to perform on TV. However, the crew has a long way to go before achieving their dreams.

Saturday, July 9: Step Up (PG-13)*

Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum) has been in and out of trouble for most of his life and after finding himself before the judge again, he is sentenced to 200 hours of community service mopping floors at the Maryland School of the Arts. He quickly catches the eye of Nora (Jenna Dewan), a gifted ballet student, who is trying to use hip-hop moves with her classical routines. After some initial hesitation, Nora convinces Tyler to help her with her dance routines and the sparks fly.

*The pre-show activities on July 8 and 9 will feature a Lip Sync Battle hosted by With These Handz DJ Academy.

Movie Musical Weekend

Friday, July 15: Singin' in the Rain (unrated)
Singin' in the Rain is one of the most-loved and celebrated films of all time! Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds, Singin' in the Rain tells the story of movie actors struggling to make the transition from silent films to "talkies" in 1927. This light-hearted, highly acclaimed and highly entertaining musical is number one on American Film Insitute's Greatest Movie Musicals.

Saturday, July 16: Royal Wedding (unrated)
American sibling song-and-dance team Tom (Fred Astaire) and Ellen Bowen (Jane Powell) are in London in 1947, when all of England is in a tizzy over the impending nuptials of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Ellen falls head over heels for the dashing Lord John Brindale (Peter Lawford), and Tom becomes equally smitten with the elegant Anne Ashmond (Sarah Churchill). The film features one of Fred Astaire's most legendary dance performances, dancing across the ceiling of a hotel room.

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