The Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema Melbourne – Review and tips to help you plan your visit

The Shadow Electric is an independent open air cinema nestled amongst the quaint grounds of The Abbotsford Convent. Back for it’s third season, running from 21st November 2013 until 9th March 2014, the movie program features a selection of cult classics and art house flicks.

The Shadow Electric Openair Cinema

The Shadow Electric Openair Cinema

Open six days a week throughout the warmer months, the movie screenings commence each night at sundown. The cinema area is located in The Abbotsford Convent, in a courtyard area hidden around the corner from the Lentil As Anything restaurant. As soon as you enter The Abbotsford Convent from St Heliers Street, there is clear signage that makes the cinema area easy to find. It is strongly recommended to pre-purchase your tickets online, before attending. Tickets are generally priced between $18-$21 plus a booking fee, but also keep an eye out for special $10 screenings on Mondays.

All tickets are general admission so it is advised to arrive earlier to find your seats. I also recommend this, as it is a great opportunity to explore the grounds of The Abbotsford Convent, visit one of the interchanging food trucks on site, grab a drink at the bar or play a game of table tennis on one of the many ping pong tables located next to the bar area! It is helpful that all the deck chair seating is provided, so there is no need to pack your picnic rug and pillows! On that note, I would still advise you to bring a jumper and/or a blanket if you tend to feel the cold easily, especially with the unpredictable Melbourne weather! The choice of food truck changes on a rotating basis, and the popular not-for-profit Vegetarian restaurant Lentil As Anything is situated around the corner from the cinema space within the Abbotsford Convent. If you are more interested in sweets or other movie snacks, you can always bring your own food and drinks also. It is important to note that The Shadow Electric is a licensed venue and all movie screenings are strictly for audiences aged 18+ only.

 

Ping Pong tables at The Shadow Electric Openair CInema

Ping Pong tables at The Shadow Electric Openair Cinema

The grand 12 m screen was wonderful to watch. The picture quality was great, although I did worry a little when the wind picked up. The sound quality was also clear and strong. If you do pre-purchase tickets and are worried about the weather conditions, do keep an eye out on The Shadow Electric’s Facebook and Twitter pages on the day of the screening as movies can be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. The night I attended, the surrounding streets experienced a power failure which caused the screen to turn off during the screening. I was impressed with how the situation was handled, staff were quick to explain the situation to the audience and resumed the movie in no time. In fact, I even enjoyed having an intermission in what was actually quite a long movie!

The Shadow Electric’s laid-back atmosphere and beautiful environment makes for a very relaxed and enjoyable movie experience. The Shadow Electric is an excellent open air cinema to visit, particularly if you prefer their alternative movie selection over the new releases playing at mainstream cinemas. To find out more information on upcoming sessions and ticket bookings, visit The Shadow Electric official website. http://2014.shadowelectric.com.au/

The Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema

21st November 2013 – 9th March 2014

Abbotsford Convent

1 St Heliers St
Abbotsford 3067

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Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema Melbourne – Review and tips to help you plan your visit

Summer has arrived and if lounging outdoors on a warm night with your friends, eating ice cream and watching movies sounds like one perfect summer night to you, then you’re definitely going to want to check out the Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema. Running from 1st December – 22nd December, the Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema has set up its own sectioned off area of St. Kilda’s South Beach area.

With a great selection of both new releases and all your favourite oldies, you can take a look at the listing of movies planned to screen each night. Gates open at 6pm with local DJs supplying some chill out tunes while you find a spot on the lawn and get comfortable with bean lounges and deck chair hire as well as the option to enjoy the Italian food offering from Ladro, or the drinks and snacks at the bar before settling in to watch a movie once the night sky falls at about 8.30-9pm.

Sundae Sessions take place each Sunday from 5pm, described as ‘music by day, movies by night’ you can enjoy the tunes of a live band, and have a go at the lawn games set up in a fun and chill atmosphere whilst savouring some complimentary scoops of delicious Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream!

Thanks to the Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema, I attended the Opening Night – Sundae Sessions Charity Launch and it was great fun. I advise that whatever night you decide to go, make sure you try to get there early to ensure you reserve yourself a good viewing spot. This is also a good idea to allow for a good amount of time to catch up with your friends and enjoy the atmosphere before watching the sunset and getting ready to watch the movie.

Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema

Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema

You can pack a picnic and bring your own food, or if you get there extra early you can even take a walk down Ackland Street beforehand and pick up some takeaway (I did see some people bring in Grill’d bags) as well as bring along non-alcoholic beverages like a bottle of water. However you are not allowed to bring in any alcohol or glass to the venue, but you can purchase alcoholic beverages on site. It is good to note that the bar did serve complimentary water in plastic cups as an alternative to buying bottles and I enjoyed the tangy and citrusy Aperol Spritz on offer!

Restaurant Ladro does cater inside the venue, serving up a selection of Italian food. I tried the ‘Gamberi’ prawn pizza which was nice, albeit the burnt edges of the base  and the tomato sauce and pea overload, but it was the addition of the lemon and garlic prawns that made the pizza worthwhile. If you don’t like pizza, they also served smaller hot snacks like calamari and aranchini. You can view the menu on offer at the event here. For one dollar extra all pizzas can be made on a gluten-free base. Of course you can also sample one or more of the wonderful flavours of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream which can be purchased at the snack bar.

Ladro Gamberi Pizza

Ladro Gamberi Pizza

You can hire deck chairs and bean lounges on site, but it is still a good idea to bring your own picnic blanket and perhaps an extra blanket if you get cold. Being the beautiful but moody-weathered city of Melbourne it would also be smart to bring along an umbrella or light, emergency raincoat, as we all know how unpredictable the weather can be. While cinema screening can be cancelled due to foreseeable bad weather (in which case pre-puchased tickets will be transferrable for another night) it is noted that screenings will go ahead during intermittent showers. So it’s always better to be prepared!

The Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema and it’s laid back, festival like atmosphere makes the perfect setting to catch up with friends and make the most of warm summer nights. Check out their website for more information, session times and booking information.  Don’t forget its only on for three weeks so get your friends together and organise those tickets soon so you don’t miss out!

 

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Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema Opening Night: Sundae Sessions Charity Launch and Reader Giveaway!

Ben and Jerry's Openair Cinema

Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema

Summer is coming and what better way to celebrate the start of summer than to be surrounded by delicious ice cream whilst listening to your ultimate summer soundtrack being played live right in front of you, all before settling in to watch your favourite movies in the warm outdoors!

If that sounds like your perfect summer night, you’re going to want to check out Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema, back again this Summer!

Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema is kicking off their summer season on Sunday 1st December at St Kilda’s South Beach Reserve with one very exciting opening night party / charity event / live gig / movie screening all rolled into one! There will be a live music act by Gyspy & the Cat, complimentary Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to keep you cool as well as free seating hire so you can get comfy for a screening under the stars of the new romantic comedy About Time.  In addition, all ticket sales proceeds are going to WWF’s marine turtles initiative.

Tickets on sale now, available to purchase online for $37 and thanks to Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema we also have a double pass for one lucky reader!

To enter, you need to complete the following three steps:

1. Like  Melbourne Darling’s Facebook page

2. Like St Kilda Openair Cinema Facebook page

3. Click here fill out the Email Signup to keep up to date with Melbourne Darling!

Good Luck!

Entries close on Thursday, 28th November. Winners will be notified on 29th November.

Love,

Melbourne Darling xo

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