The 10th season of Cinespia’s classic movie series at the gorgeous Hollywood Forever Cemetery begins this Saturday, May 14, with an Elizabeth Taylor memorial screening of “Cat on a Hot a Tin Roof.” Optimize your experience at this quintessential summer-in-Los-Angeles event with these tips from Cinespia Director John Wyatt.
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Carpool: Meet up with your friends beforehand and drive together. Parking on the grounds is limited, so show up as close to the 7pm gate time as possible to ensure entrance. Parking on the grounds is $10. Lots of folks park on the street and wait in the walk-in line on the front lawn of the cemetery. We let the walk-ins enter a little earlier than cars, so this is one way to get good seats. A word of warning: some die-hard fans wait for hours to get in first!
Editors Tip: Those running late can save time by driving east on Lexington Avenue and taking a right on Gordon Street. Here, you can cross Santa Monica Boulevard and drive directly into the cemetery, effectively skipping the line. A shady move to be sure, but it works.
Two Wheel It: Bicyclists who line up in the driveway before we open the gate are let in before cars. Help keep LA's air clean and we'll give you special treatment.
Pack a Picnic: Bring your favorite food, wine, beer or cocktails. Small tables with collapsible/screw-on legs are handy, and a couple small candles help set the mood. Barbecues, grills, and fires are not allowed. Travel light and use a cooler or basket with wheels to make transportation easy.
Seating: Pillows and blankets will keep you cozy and comfy for the movie. A blanket is essential for your set up, and we recommend laying a tarp down under your blanket to keep it dry -- it works wonders. We have a chair-free area in the center of the lawn; arrange your spread there for an unobstructed view. If you do bring a chair, make sure it's 30 inches or lower with a seat that rests on the ground.Special Needs: We have areas reserved for wheelchairs and people who need special assistance. We also provide handicapped parking and restrooms -- just ask our staff when pulling in and they'll direct you.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, at Gordon Street, (323-221-3343 or www.cinespia.org)