The city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department will bring back its free Summer Cinema Series every Friday in June at 8 p.m., at a rotating series of locations.
“We have this opportunity in one of the most beautiful times of the year to show movies outdoors in Sedona after dark,” Parks and Recreation Special Events Coordinator Jason Vargo said. “It’s a great opportunity to come out to enjoy movies in the parks with your friends and neighbors.”
Alcohol is not permitted and attendees are encouraged to bring their own refreshments along with blankets or chairs. City staff will be serving complimentary popcorn.
“There are lots of different parks and lots of opportunities to be outside, and it’s also been an event that I would love to see more people attend,” Vargo said. “So the idea of the revolving venues is a strategy to get more people interested in the movies and to showcase the different awesome areas of our parks.”
Friday, June 6: “Luca,” Sedona Community Pool, 570 Posse Grounds Road. “Set in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar’s ‘Luca’ is a coming-of-age story about a young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer,” the 2021 film’s Disney+ description states. “Luca shares these adventures with his friend, Alberto, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: They are sea monsters from another world below the water’s surface.” The screening includes free admission to the community pool starting at 7 p.m., which is limited to the first 300 attendees.
Friday, June 13: “The Sandlot,” Posse Grounds Softball Field, 525 Posse Grounds Road. A 1993 comedy directed by David Mickey Evans about suburban Los Angeles boys in the early 1960s devising a plan to reclaim a Babe Ruth-autographed ball from the clutches of an intimidating dog. There will be free hot dogs for attendees.
Friday, June 20: “The Marx Brothers Go West,” Ranger Station Park, 250 Brewer Road. “New Yorkers ‘Rusty’ Panello [Harpo Marx] and his brother, Joe [Chico Marx], cheat S. Quentin Quale [Groucho Marx] out of some money, enough to buy themselves a train trip out West,” the 1940 film’s Rotten Tomatoes synopsis states. “All three soon find themselves involved in a feud between the Turner and Wilson clans and two crooked land promoters. In order to help two lovers marry, Quale and the Panello brothers pursue the crooks on an eastbound train in a madcap race for justice.”
Friday, June 27: “Wicked,” Posse Grounds Pavilion, 525 Posse Ground Road. Starting time: 7 p.m. “The untold story of the witches of Oz, ‘Wicked’ stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman who has yet to discover her true power, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman who has yet to discover her true heart,” the 2024 film’s Google Play description states. “The two meet at Shiz University and forge an unlikely friendship before their lives take different paths following an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Their extraordinary adventures will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.” The show will be preceded by karaoke at 5:30 p.m.
Vargo said that last year’s screenings generally attracted around 100 people, with “Mamma Mia!” drawing between 150 and 200.
In the event of inclement weather, films will be screened indoors at the Hub at 525 B Posse Ground Road. For more information, visit sedonaaz.gov.
