It’s Drew, It’s Drew! Movie Mondays 2013 Is Finally Here!

Mark Phillips, Jake Eyerman, Alan Sullivan, Ed Eyerman
and Tim Woods at Movie Mondays

The summer season’s beloved Movie Mondays opened last night with a great turnout of nearly 2,500 fans who came to enjoy the ‘80s-inspired romantic comedy The Wedding Singer. The Arts Plaza was filled with totally awesome ‘80s music as guests were enjoying their picnic dinners. New this year, Patina Catering is providing themed-menu dinners, and last night’s included rockin’ sliders, grilled cheese sandwiches and, of course, wedding cake for dessert! Also, the fabulous new Segerstrom Center t-shirts made their debut last night and will be available every Monday for $18 each.

Wedding cake from Patina Restaurant Group catering

Segerstrom Center for the Arts t-shirts

Acura, the Official Automotive Sponsor of the Center, parked in Arts Plaza

The popular pre-film contests paid homage to the film’s stars: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler and included a rousing game of “Drew or False” along with “Tongue Twisters.” Grand Prize winners received either passes to visit the beautiful and historic Mission San Juan Capistrano or tickets to attend the Center’s next divine Broadway musical, SISTER ACT arriving August 6. All participants received blueberry pies (something borrowed, something blue) courtesy of Corner Bakery Cafe.

Gary and Sue Mammen at Movie Mondays

Movie Mondays continues on July 15 with the acclaimed music documentary Buena Vista Social Club in anticipation of the September 17 opening of the Center’s 2013 – 2014 Season with Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Mazel Tov Movie Mondays!

Contestants in pink boas during Movie Mondays trivia

It was an evening complete with boas, trivia, Streisand mash-ups and rugelach during last night’s screening of Yentl. Guests arriving were greeted with the music of Barbra Streisand as the Arts Plaza filled with movie goers. The Center’s Movie Mondays MC Jonathan Vietze conducted the ever popular pre-film contests and no one walked away without a yummy bag filled with rugelach from Corner Bakery. Donning fabulous pink boas, contestants competed for various prizes which included tickets to see La Cage aux Folles (at the Center through August 5^th).

Movie Mondays 2012 concludes next week with The Music Man starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, which was chosen as the Audience Favorite by last summer’s attendees. The Center’s very own “Music Man” invites you to join him in making a flute from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on the Plaza. John Zeretzke, from the Center’s Arts Teach Program, will teach movie fans of all ages how to make and play their own West African bamboo flute. Mr.  Zeretzke works on behalf of Segerstrom Center for the Arts to provide opportunities for the community to experience the joy of creating and listening to multicultural music. 

 

(L-R) Kevin Stutzke, Caitlin Stutzke, Lucy Stutzke, MaryAnn Reeve,
Nancy Bush and Matthew Stutzke from La Mirada.
Notice their awesome pink sequined table cloth?

S'Wonderful at Segerstrom Center

Macy Uhoman of Laguna Hills, Mary Dumivin of Lake Forest with their Eiffel Tower cake

To honor Bastille Day, the Center screened An American in Paris for its July 16 free Movie Monday. More than 2,500 people – parents, kids, families, Center fans – gathered to hear George Gershwin’s award-winning score and watch Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron meet and fall in love in the City of Lights. The evening began with a special French inspired quiz conducted by the Center’s Jonathan Vietze. Contestants left with prizes from Quattro Caffé in South Coast Plaza, the Orange County Fair and Corner Bakery. It was all tres bien! Up Monday – Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.

Jenni Stenson, Kevin Grant, Dorothy McClelland, Kelly Bishop, Brian Eastman in their French stripes

Jessica and Brett Kelly with Nicole and Ashley of Laguna Beach

'Billy Elliot' Brings in a Big Crowd for Movie Mondays

 

Summer kicked off officially last night at the Center with the start of our annual free Movie Mondays series. More than 2,000 movie-goers turned out to watch Billy Elliot, the coming-of-age story about an English coal miner’s son who dreams of being a ballet dancer. The movie was a sneak peak for when the musical comes to the Center as part of the 2012-13 Broadway Series.

Before the screening, there were fun Billy Elliot-themed contests and a raffle, all with fun-filled prizes. People were encouraged to come dressed as a ballerina, coal miner or boxer (photo left of some of the contestants). Winners Abby (in blue) and Delaney (in pink) won tickets to see Billy Elliot the Musical when it visits the Center in April 2013.

There was also a jump roping contest and all the lucky participants received tickets to the OC Fair. And Macy’s, one of this year’s sponsors of Movie Mondays, held a free raffle with $100 and $25 shopping gift cards and snack gift bags. 

On Monday, July 16, we’ll show the classic film An American in Paris featuring a score by George and Ira Gershwin and starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron and Oscar Levant. Click here for more info.

A big thanks to all the generous supporters of last night’s movie: Macy’s, OC Fair, Billy Elliot the Musical and Corner Bakery.

We hope to see you next week!