Drive-In Theaters
Your favorite movie theater may be closed temporarily due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, but there are still some options out there for anyone wanting to get out and see a movie around the Colorado Springs area. Here are a few ideas to consider:
FH Beerworks East – Carseat Cinema Events
2490 Victor Pl.
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Phone: 719-377-2506
FH Beerworks East Website
FH Beerworks East Facebook Page
Local Colorado Springs Brewery offering drive-in movies on Saturday nights on a single screen on their 2 acre lot. Please visit their website or call them for more information before venturing out.
Denver Mart Drive-In
451 East 58 Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 720-833-5717
Denver Mart Drive-In Website
Denver Mart Drive-In Facebook Page
This is a single screen drive-in movie theater with a car capacity of 275 cars that shows double features seasonally from Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Please visit their website or call them for more information before venturing out.
88 Drive-In (Denver-Metro)
8780 Rosemary Street
Commerce City, CO 80022
Phone: 303-287-7717
88 Drive-in Website
88 Drive-in Facebook Page
A single screen drive-in movie theater with a capacity of about 500 cars, the drive-in has operated continuously since 1972 on a seasonal basis, April thru September. Please visit their website or call them for more information before venturing out.
Backyard Movies
If you’d rather bring home the entertainment, here are some ideas for setting up your own backyard movie night in under an hour!
What You’ll Need
1. Sheet or portable screen
A screen will inherently have less wrinkles in it than a sheet, which is optimal for clear movie-watching. But if you do use a sheet, make sure you pull it super taut when you secure it to either a stand or a vertical flat surface.
2. Projector
You can buy projectors and screens as a pair for what is supposedly optimal pixel quality, but you only really need to do that for a permanent installation or more serious viewing. Otherwise, you just need a good, reliable projector that you can also use indoors. The Cinemood 360, is great for families since it has built-in access to interactive and educational content for kids (along with all the go-to streaming services, too.)
3. Sound System
Whether you already have an outdoor speaker system set up or you just want to wing it with a portable bluetooth audio, make sure the speakers are loud enough to compete with the outdoor elements like wind.
How to Set It Up
1. Pick a Location
You could set up a portable screen or sheet in the front or backyard with a stand (many come with them) or against the exterior wall of the home. If you don’t have any yard space, try it in the driveway against your garage door, or strung up between two trees. You could also watch from the pool or hot tub if you have one.
2. Prep the Sound System
If you don’t already have an outdoor space equipped with speakers, invest in a set of portable speakers that fill the entire area with sound. Harman Kardon has some excellent options.
3. Get Ready to Stream
You’ll also want to prop your projector up on a little side table or stool if it doesn’t come with a stand. In order to actually watch a movie, you could connect your projector to your Apple TV or hook it up to a Fire Stick, an Amazon Alexa-equipped remote and media streamer.
4. Be a Good Neighbor
If you live in a super populated area, make sure you aren’t blasting Silence of the Lambs into the wee hours of the morning. And of course, practice crowd control.
5. Give It a Stylish Spin
Style your outdoor theater with Pendleton blankets and piles of outdoor cushions to give it a retro camp look and feel. Bring out the wine chillers and snacks and hurricane candles for a romantic ambiance. Hanging string lights from a pagoda or trees is also a good call. Just bring any non-waterproof decor inside at the end of the movie, in case it rains.
Article originally published at https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/outdoor-ideas/a32106849/diy-backyard-movie-theater/
