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I’ve been in Colorado for seven years now, but I still remember my first days here. There were three of us fresh from college in Iowa, and we wanted to do everything, all at once, on nonexistent budgets. One of our first outings was to see Fargo at the Boulder Outdoor Cinema.
We sat in the small parking lot behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art on an old blanket, watching the infamous woodchipper scene and drinking beer we had not-so-secretly smuggled in. It was there that I realized, after years in the bland Midwest, I had finally found a place to fit in.
Seven summers later, I still feel a sense of nostalgia when I see the announcement for the Boulder Outdoor Cinema’s summer season. It kicks off tomorrow night with cult-favorite Airplane!. For the uninitiated, here’s a quick Q&A for your first outdoor cinema experience:
When does the movie start? Typically around 9 p.m. BOC has added live entertainment–from music to stand-up comics–before the feature film, as well as animated shorts. As much as I enjoy the main feature, the independent short films can be show-stealers. You can arrive as early as 7:30 p.m. to stake out your place.
How much does it cost? There is a $5 suggested donation, and concessions run $1-$2. Yes, you read those prices correctly. It’s still one of the best movie deals in town.
So where, exactly, is it? The address is 1750 13th St. in Boulder. It’s directly behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and next to the Dushanbe Teahouse.
What should I bring to sit on? If you want a good seat, bring a blanket or some of those super-low chairs, and you can get prime real estate in front of the screen. But people are infamous for trucking in sweet couches. Just know the taller the seating, the farther back you’ll need to sit.
I can’t go tomorrow. What other movies are showing? Well, you’re in for a treat this season, with the possible exception of High School Musical 3. (Sorry, kids.) Some standouts are recent hits like Slumdog Millionaire and Pineapple Express, as well old favorites like Princess Bride and Office Space.