Under the Stars and Over the Waves

By Mark McGuigan
Staff Writer

August 4 -- Santa Monica Pier plays host to Indiana Jones Tuesday evening as the swashbuckling archeologist kicks off the summer film festival with an outdoor screening of the Steven Spielberg classic “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

The adventure to find the Ark of the Covenant begins at sunset (approximately 8pm) and is the first in a series of four classic movies being shown every Tuesday night throughout August as part of the Santa Monica Film Festival in conjunction with the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation.

Hoping to recapture the nostalgia of the classic American drive-in, the under-the-stars and over-the-waves spectacle opens its doors at 6:30 p.m. While patrons are invited to bring their own blankets and chairs, seating will be available for $5 courtesy of the non-profit organization Deep Ellum Film, Music, Art and Noise (DEFMAN).

The DEFMAN organization works to “promote the art of filmmaking and the entertainment industry while raising funds to help improve the quality of life for individuals fighting cancer.”

Part of the proceeds, including the sale of hats and tee shirts, will directly benefit “The Cancer Relief Fund” that works to provide financial assistance to victims of the disease by making mortgage, rent and car payments on their behalf.

Tickets to the outdoor screenings are free and are available at Santa Monica Convention and Visitor's Bureau locations at 203 Santa Monica Place Mall, 2nd Floor (310-393-7593 10AM-6PM daily) and at 1400 Ocean Avenue between Broadway and Arizona (310-393-7593 10AM-5PM daily).

Advance tickets can also be picked up at the Twilight Dance Series each Thursday night at the Santa Monica Pier.

Holders of advance tickets will be eligible for the draw to win a “Coffee Bean” gift basket among other prizes and $5 raffle tickets can be purchased for a chance to win a Vespa.

Festival organizers also invite patrons without tickets to show up, as plenty of seating should be available. Fedoras worn at a rakish angle are optional.