Carrie Blast Furnaces to again host drive-in movies
The Carrie Carpool Cinema will return at the Carrie Blast Furnaces for a second year.
Sponsored by Rivers of Steel, the spot will once again resemble a drive-in theater, as well as host other programs, activities and tours of the site on the Swissvale/Rankin border.
The first shows are set for April 16-17, featuring movies shot in Pittsburgh. Opening night will showcase August Wilson’s “Fences” starring Denzel Washington, followed by the Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises” the next evening. Short films by Braddock filmmaker Tony Buba will be screened before each movie.
The series will run one weekend a month through October.
Rivers of Steel launched the movie concept last year. While covid-19 vaccinations are helping to bring back some sense of normalcy, outdoor events are still a safe way to gather safely, said Chris McGinnis, director and chief curator River of Steel arts.
“The need for this kind of programming is still great,” McGinnis said. “I think by the end of the year, things will be a little more opened up.”
He said starting off with Pittsburgh-filmed movies pairs well with the Carrie Blast Furnaces, which are “vintage Pittsburgh” and are a National Historic Landmark. The Carrie Blast Furnaces were part of the U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works.
“Carrie Furnace is a quintessential part of Pittsburgh and connects with it on so many levels,” McGinnis said. “There is so much history here.”
McGinnis said all movies last year sold out. This year, they put more focus on curating films and developing connections between the movies and Rivers of Steel programming.
Rivers of Steel is a nonprofit dedicated to industrial heritage.
This summer they will feature a metal arts workshop in conjunction with the flicks “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Wayne’s World “ at the Heavy Metal Menagerie, July 23-24.
The movies will be shown rain or shine. Guests can sit inside their vehicles or outside.
The full series is on the Rivers of Steel website.
Tickets are available here.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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