Movies In Your Car logo (via MIUC website)
July 28, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A new drive-in movie series is coming to Jamaica this week and residents of all ages will get a chance to watch some of their favorite films on a giant inflatable screen.
Movies In Your Car will launch at the York College Performing Arts Center, located at 94-45 Guy R Brewer Blvd., on July 30. The series will run until Sept. 27, although organizers say it may be extended beyond this date.
Bounce Playground, the company putting the series together, had originally intended to host a traveling amusement park at the venue but COVID-19 restrictions forced it to scrap those plans.
Instead, the African-American owned entertainment company decided to create a different form of outdoor entertainment for residents in the form of drive-in movies.
“This event allows family and friends to experience a retro movie experience in a safe and fun atmosphere during trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bounce Playground CEO Chris Worthy said.
“As we embrace a world of new social regulations, our goal with Movies In Your Car is to bridge the gap of yesterday’s and tomorrow’s new normal,” Worthy said.
Worthy said that movies at the drive-in theater will be shown on a 40-foot high screen which will be held up by an inflatable base. The base will be blown up by an air pump to keep its structure, he said.
Adult residents will get a chance to watch a curated list of African-American films and the grand opening week will screen Training Day, Harlem Nights and Belly. Children’s movies will include Minions, Sonic the Hedgehog and Trolls.
The kid’s movie screening takes place at 8 p.m., while a separate adult movie screening kicks off at 11 p.m.
Worthy said there is room for up to 300 cars at each screening and tickets cost $40 per car for general admission. VIP tickets are priced at $60 per car.
Worthy said that VIP ticket holders can drive their cars through a red-carpet – similar to an in-person event – and then park in the first three rows of the theater for a better view of the screens.
VIP ticket holders will also get a digital picture taken of them and the package also includes snacks and drinks, he said.
All ticket holders can purchase food and drinks on-site and there is also an option for movie-goers to order from the menu ahead of time.
Food will be sourced from local restaurants and alcoholic beverages will be provided by Beam Suntory.
Bounce Playground said that all employees will wear face coverings and gloves and will adhere to CDC guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19. There will also be multiple hand sanitizing stations available for customers.
Tickets for the screenings can be purchased at the Movies In Your Car website by clicking here.
