Photo by Noe Cugny.

Orpheum Theater to Host Weekly Free Film Screenings

The Tiptina’s Foundation will launch a free cinema series at the newly-restored Orpheum Theater later this month. The nonprofit, which also puts on the Free Fridays summer concert series at Tipitina’s, will kick things off with a screening of the classic 1993 high school dramedy Dazed and Confused on June 20.

20-Year-Old-Movies-27The series will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the summer, with free admission for Monday screenings and $6 admission for Tuesday screenings. Other films on the schedule include Mad Max: Fury Road, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Jaws and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The location of the series is no accident. The Orpheum was originally established as a movie theater after it was constructed between 1918 and 1921, and  Tipitina’s Foundation co-founders Roland and Mary von Kurnatowski were partners in the recent renovation of the historic building.

Doors for the screenings will open at 6pm each day, and moviegoers are welcome to dress up in the spirit of the film they attend. Tickets for the free shows will be allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Orpheum’s box office, which will open one hour before each screening.

The remainder of the summer schedule will be announced in the near future.

Initial lineup for Foundation Free Mondays and $6 Tuesdays:

Monday, June 20 – 7 pm: Dazed and Confused – FREE SHOW
Tuesday, June 21– 7 pm: Mad Max: Fury Road

Monday, June 27 – 7 pm: The Breakfast Club –FREE SHOW
Tuesday, June 28 – 3 pm Matinee & 7 pm: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Monday, July 11 – 7pm: Jaws – FREE SHOW
Tuesday, July 12 – 7pm: Star Wars: The Force Awakens