Here’s the newest and coolest thing coming to Nashville slated to open in spring 2018 — an indoor drive-in experience. Come again? An indoor drive-in?? Yep!
It’s a whole new way to make a movie-going experience a big event, and this new endeavor infuses 1960s nostalgia with modern technology.
The August Moon Drive-In will be a giant indoor replica of a 1960s American drive-in theater. The $10 million project sets out to mimic a summer night of decades past under a 40,000-square-foot, air-supported dome (like the giant “bubble” at the Titans’ practice field in Metro Center). The inside will include a simulated starry sky, and your family can have fun sitting in modified classic cars. An artisanal approach to classic drive-in comfort food favorites like burgers and shakes is planned, and a full bar is on tap, too. There will also be a lounge area for live performances before and after movies.
Variety is already touting August Moon’s forthcoming screen as the biggest non-IMAX screen in North America. Plans are showing both first-run films and classic movies. What’s more, interactive billboard technology incorporated with the screen will allow live performers to communicate to the audience during previews and post-credit sequences.
Michal Counts is the brainchild behind August Moon. He got his start as a director of sprawling, immersive theater events in New York followed by live, interactive projects that include New York escape rooms “Paradiso: Chapter 1” and “The Walking Dead Experience.” In partnership with Counts is Vector Management’s Ken Levitan, James Diener of Freesolo Entertainment/Alignment Artist Capital, talent manager Michael Solomon and financial backer Daniel Frishwasser.
“Essentially we’re building a sound stage,” says Counts, noting that plans are to create an intricately detailed replica of an outdoor space, including trees, grass, hammocks, sunsets, fireflies, stars and even a scent of meadow air wafting about. “We’re building a set as if you’re going to shoot an outdoor scene in a movie, or on an indoor stage,” he adds.
August Moon will be located at the intersection of James Robertson Parkway and I-24, close to Nissan Stadium.
Counts says admission is expected to be between $8 – $20, depending on seating location. August Moon will accommodate 350 people. Food and beverages are extra. August Moon will offer memberships allowing for free entry with access to concessions specials, seating upgrades and other perks like occasionally having a voice on programming choices.
We will keep you posted as more details unfold about this exciting new attraction coming to downtown Nashville your family is sure to enjoy!
photo of rendering courtesy of Project 13 and Amdi.
