Summer doesn’t officially begin until next week, but outdoor summertime entertainment is already on tap by multiple organizations. Here’s a roundup.
Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Art Museum is hosting drive-in movies in its parking lot or movies on a big screen in its sculpture garden, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington.
“Dead Poets Society,” famously filmed in Delaware, is at 9 p.m. June 18. Tickets are $19, including a drink and popcorn, with a discount for museum members. “The Blues Brothers” follows on June 25, with the same prices.
The free movies: “Jaws” on July 2, “The Color Purple” on July 9, “Key Largo” on July 16, “Tommy” on July 23, “Ghost” on July 30, “BlackKKKlansman” on Aug. 6, “The Sting” on Aug. 13, “Rocky” on Aug. 20, “American Graffiti” on Aug. 27, “The Greatest Showman” on Sept. 3 and “Selena” on Sept. 10.
The museum is also hosting outdoor happy hours on Thursdays, with different music and food purveyors – and the inside galleries are free 4-8 p.m.
Delaware Shakespeare
Instead of presenting one of Shakespeare’s plays, Delaware Shakespeare has planned a summer festival, with tickets pay what you wish, at Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington St.
“Midsummer Mix Tape” features songs from past (and future) productions. It’s July 16, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31 and Aug. 1
“Rosalind X 3,” featuring the star of “As You Like It,” is explored by three actor/director pairings. It’s July 22 and July 29.
The “Shakespeare Poetry Slam” is July 23 and July 30.
Delaware State Parks
The state parks system has a reduced schedule of concerts this summer. They’re included in parks admission and are planned at Holts Landing State Park, Killens Pond State Park, Trap Pond State Park and Wilmington State Parks.
Delaware Theatre Company
“2020/21 Season Take 2” continues outdoor performances at the Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington. The standard schedule is 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.
The lineup includes John Manzari on June 15-19; Jenna Pastuszek, with a salute to Judy Garland, on June 22-26; the Whitney Project with a Celebration of Black Joy, on July 13-17; and Tony Braithwaite, with stand-up comedy, impressions, storytelling and improvisation, on July 27-31. Tickets will be sold in pods.
The Grand
The Grand will host a weekend of lawn concerts at Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington St. Comedian Ryan Hamilton, who sold out the baby grand in 2019, performs June 25. The Rock Orchestra performs an Evening of The Who on June 26.
Tickets for both will be sold in pods of four or six patrons, $100-$162 and sold only at www.TheGrandWilmington.org.
There’s one more movie in the Grand’s drive-in series at Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Road. It’s “Mary Poppins Returns” on July 3. A car with one occupant is $15, and it’s another $15 for each passenger (for up to four people in each car), except that children under 12 are free. All tickets include a popcorn and drink for each paid occupant.
Newark
Newark and the Newark Partnership are hosting outdoor movies at Newark Junior-Senior High School, 200 McIntire Drive. It’s Pixar’s “Onward” at 8:30 p.m. July 10 and the documentary “RGB” at 8 p.m. Aug. 14.
All seating will be done in pods, and admission is $8, with a discount for Newark residents. Registration is online.
OperaDelaware
OperaDelaware has a few more dates left in its Al Fresco Arias series, with favorites sung by different performers in its parking lot, 4 S. Poplar St., Wilmington. The June 17-18 performances are sold out, and more shows are planned July 22-23. Tickets are $30. These are bring-your-own-chair events.
Wilmington Drama League
The Drama League presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington St., on June 18-20. Performances are at 7 p.m. on June 18 and June 19, 2 p.m. on June 20. Tickets are $10-$15, plus fees. Some seating will be available, or bring your own.
