Culture
Beat the heat with numerous events hosted by the Athena Cinema this summer
< < Back to beat-the-heat-with-numerous-events-hosted-by-the-athena-cinema-this-summerATHENS, Ohio — The Athena Cinema has released its summer schedule full of unique events and new opportunities for the whole family to enjoy starting on Thursday, June 6.
“Our team is excited to present a fun lineup this summer for the Athens community,” said Executive Director of the Athena Cinema Alexandra Kamody. “We have Beat the Heat for families and kids, Classics and Cocktails for an evening date night, and the return of Movies on the Rooftop, which offers a beautiful, breezy view of Athens in the summer.”
The Athena’s summer programming delivers much appreciated cultural options for the community, with this year having two well-loved event series, rooftop movies and in-person art making events paired together. The community will have a chance to explore new potential materials with ceramic art alongside fan favorite flicks.
“Due to the popularity of our Paint and Sip events, we decided to try Ceramics at the Cinema this summer which brings art and film together in a unique, new way,” Kamody explained. “We are excited to offer our patrons the chance to glaze a beautiful piece of pottery and see how it is transformed once it is fired in the kiln.”
An overview of the summer events schedule is listed below. For a full schedule, more details, and to purchase tickets, visit athenacinema.com.
June
Classics & Cocktails
Each Friday in June, pair a classic or cult classic film with a themed drink in partnership with the West End Ciderhouse. The series begins Friday, June 7 with Repo Man.
June 14 – Ghost
June 21 – Saturday Night Fever
June 28 – O Brother, Where Art Thou?
I Love the Gay 90’s
Enjoy free admission to this new Pride Month series featuring a different ’90s film each Thursday in June (also paired with a signature cocktail) sponsored by the Ohio University Pride Center, Ohio University Women’s Center, Ohio University Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Women of Color Athens, City of Athens, College of Fine Arts, Arts for OHIO and the Ohio Arts Council.
June 13 – But I’m a Cheerleader
June 20 – The Watermelon Woman
June 27 – Ma Vie En Rose (My Life In Pink)
Beat the Heat
The ninth annual Beat the Heat event is a low-cost family matinee film series at 3 p.m. on Saturdays beginning June 29 through August 17 that benefits area children’s organizations. The series aims to offer area families a low-cost entertainment option, raise money for children’s organizations and increase traffic uptown during the summer. The series begins June 29 with “The Wizard of Oz.”
June 29 – The Wizard of Oz
July 6 – Wonka
July 20 – The Last Unicorn
August 3 – The Land Before Time
August 17 – The Neverending Story
Ceramics at the Cinema
A first of its kind event at the Athena, participants will glaze bisque-ware pieces themed to outdoor rooftop film screenings. Admission includes a ceramics project glazing session at the Athena with an option for an inclusive package that includes admission to a rooftop screening that evening and drink tickets. Participants can pick up their final piece one week after the event.
The series includes:
• June 22: Terra Cotta Planters, paired with Little Shop of Horrors
• July 13: Ohio Brew Week steins, paired with Strange Brew
• Aug. 10: Hanging Bird Feeders, paired with The Birds
Summer Movies on the Rooftop
Each month this summer, the Athena will feature an outdoor movie on the rooftop of the Athens City Parking Garage. Patrons are asked to bring their own chair or seating to both reduce costs and allow for their own comfort. The series begins June 22 with Little Shop of Horrors.