First Wex Drive-In of the Summer Coming Up June 17

The fifth annual Wex Drive-In series kicks off next Thursday, June 17, outdoors on the Wexner Center Plaza, with Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Hundreds of people attend these popular summertime events. Admission is free.

WHAT: Wex Drive-In, a free outdoor movie

WHERE: Wex Plaza, 15th Avenue and High Street.

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 around dusk (approx. 9 pm).

THE FILM: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), starring Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson, and Anjelica Huston in this off-kilter comedy- adventure directed by Wes Anderson (119 mins.).

PRE-FILM FESTIVITIES: Free Jeni’s Ice Cream and Pam’s Market Popcorn; giveaways from the Wexner Center Store; a cash bar serving locally brewed Barley’s Ale; vintage trailers just before the film.

ADMISSION: Free.

WHAT TO BRING: Visitors are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

MARKET THAT NIGHT: The Market at 15th & High farmers’ market on the plaza will stay open a little later than usual, and the galleries and store are open until 8 PM that night.

OTHER WEX DRIVE-INS THIS SUMMER: Other movies in the series include the psychological thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley, starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law, on July 15; and Roman Holiday, the 1953 classic starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, on August 19. This summer’s Drive- In films—all American movies filmed in Italy—are part of the larger A Summer Abroad: Cinema italiano series that also includes primarily Italian classics screened indoors.

RAIN PLAN: In the event of rain, the movie will be screened on Friday (and if it’s still raining, it will be held inside the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, without the refreshments).

VISITOR INFORMATION: wexarts.org

Cinema italiano is presented with support from Ohio State’s Department of French and Italian. Significant contributions for the Wexner Center’s 2010–11 film/video season are made by the Rohauer Collection Foundation.

Wex Drive-in is presented with major support from Orange Barrel Media and additional support from Reed Arts. In-kind support is provided by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Pam’s Market Popcorn. Promotional support is provided by CD 101 and Time Warner Cable. The preferred airline of the film/video program is American Airlines/American Eagle.

All film/video programs and events also receive support from the Corporate Annual Fund of the Wexner Center Foundation and Wexner Center members, as well as from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.