Drive-ins Theater, once fade, more community centers during the pandemic

Bri and Lindsey Leaverton had their dream wedding all planned. In April, they went on a centuries-old building in downtown Austin to get married with her guests sipping cocktails on a porch by the pool. Instead, they found themselves 20 miles south of the city of bind surround the knot at a drive-in on a dirt road of cows. Formation of cars blasted their horns joy. “When our wedding planner asked us to get married at a drive-in, we looked at each other and said, ‘that sounds crazy”, “Lindsey says The crown has turned over countless large and small events of life in recent months while .. many of these plans were canceled, wandered a surprising share of drive-in movie theater, where the social distancing, cars and trucks, is the norm. these theaters are encrypted their entire business model in the face swinging the disappearance of film releases and “be brought Drive-ins into contact, as they are used throughout the community” have become involuntarily catchall local hubs across the country, the April filmmakers, says Wright, the documentary directed by Go attractions. history ultimately the movie palace. “are hosting religious services, weddings, graduations, dance performances, concerts, stand-up comedy.” movements in events like outdoor weddings and small servant TH concerts no for creative ways to stay afloat in an industry that was implacably against the pandemic: the number of drive-in in the United States it has declined steadily, especially as the home control and portable entertainment more and more attention. Now the cost of a delayed film slate and potential competition from a larger pop-up-Tribeca Film Festival, for example, programming is drive-in experience on the beaches, stadiums and even Walmart parking-do some ‘of skeptical theater last through the crisis. “Many of us are really struggling,” said Nathan McDonald, the owner of 66 Drive-In in southwest Missouri. “If [the film] continue to be depressed, I’ll probably towards the end of August.” Independent About 300 drive-in work in the United States, usually the money to do in the summer, when students at recess and role in any successes Weekends. But this tentpole films this year, Wonder Woman Mulan in 1984 have been repeatedly postponed, due to the continued closure of major theater chains indoor as AMC and Cinemark. As a drive-in for the open season, first turned to the classic reminiscence as E. T. and benefit Jaws in the hope of nostalgia. These films have produced mixed results for theater. On 66 Drive-In, the average number of cars in a given night fell 225-120 “sit fast from the comfort of your couch and watch these films,” says McDonald. Instead of waiting for new blockbuster, to save their companies, many theater owners have taken more advantage of event space closures. “We are trying to replace the new film for concerts or comedy shows, so that in relatively similar income can bring,” Joe Calabro, president of the Circle Drive-In, says near Scranton, Pennsylvania. The flow of a show Garth Brooks, broadcast hundreds of drive-ins across the country, sold out. And so the circle turned to local musicians whose regular concerts have been stripped. Chris Shrive, a songwriter from Old Forge, Pennsylvania., Has opened its Broadband Show from the roof concession stands. “In order to face 450 vehicles; to see people on the banks of their grilled trucks, laugh, meet ft parked 18 people. Away, there was awe,” said Shrive. “This is probably the new normal.” Bask in the crowd was Sherry Sakosky which saw their first live concert since the beginning of the pandemic. “There was a lot of frustration and built-up hostilities,” says Sakosky that about 95% of concertgoers adequate social distancing protocols followed estimates. “To be out with friends in a safe manner and can show the same experience with them fully meets the Community.” In Kings Mountain, North Carolina has the Hounds Drive-In also flourished in his new role as a venue for concerts, especially because it pays Front artist to use the space. “You put on all that we get our money, you get to keep all the concessions,” says owner Preston Brown. “I love it.” His financial success allowed him to its drive-in turned into a sort of Commons. Dogs have organized dance performances and animal organizations; It is more welcome than a dozen classes graduating high school for free. The students received their diplomas on the big screen, as seen their families from their machines. According to Scott Neisler, the active presence of the mayor of the King of the Mountain Hounds’ in a local economic boom it resulted. He also put in a fourth of the city scene of July fireworks display to celebrate the holiday safely. But it could end up a picture book for the drive-in hard to prove. Your new large role in public life does not always ensure their financial health. The Bengies Drive-In Theater, in Middle River, Maryland. It opened a couple of weeks, with concerts, church services and more every day. But the theater is less busy than half to promote social distancing, and taken on a much larger security personnel control and repression. “The public thinks we are a cash cow,” says owner Bengies D. Edward Vogel. “But it was very hard.” Theater Pop-up from the start of the pandemic arise, says Vogel, “breaks my heart.” He is particularly concerned about the selected 160 temporary drive-in to get to Walmart parking-film Tribeca Enterprises in August. These areas could also squeeze the independent system operator. (A representative for Wal-Mart did not respond to a request for comment.) On 66 Drive-In Missouri, McDonald doubted he can make the event due to reduced capacity, an empty film slate and people to bring own food rather than from the concession stand to see the purchase. Its financial situation has kept interest in David Fowler, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Carthage, Missouri, services every Sunday roof snack bar by increasing masses. His Church estimates see fellow personal faith, as opposed to sitting at home alone. “It ‘a little’ Americana I hate to see lost,” says Fowler. In view of these difficulties, Drive-Ins struggle for survival. In Buda, Texas, Doc Drive-In has graduations, parties watching football and hosted two weddings, including Leavertons’. In machine April 45 rolled up on a dirt gear on each side. The couple, $4,000 to book Doc, swapped her heels for boots and was paid on a rickety stage, swatting away Maikäfer as officiating has been married for 6 feet. Far. “It is the wedding we had was much, much better than anything we could have dreamed of,” he says Lindsey was discovered. After the ceremony, the plane! played on the big screen. This appears in the August 17, 2020 issue of time.
Picture copyright by Greg Lehman Walla Walla Union-Bulletin / AP