Carnegie Science Center to showcase rock-themed films on giant screen
The Carnegie Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema wants to take you to school this summer. The school of rock, that is.
Pittsburgh’s largest screen is showing a series of rock ’n’ roll films showcasing pioneers of the 1960s sound, English rock royalty, and jam band titans.
The list includes the Beatles’ groundbreaking classic “A Hard Day’s Night,” a 4K restoration of Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” and “Rock ’n’ Roll High School,” in which punk rock pioneers The Ramones help a group of students combat their high school’s oppressive administration.
Carnegie Science Center Marketing Manager Nicole Chynoweth said this is a chance to showcase the updated technology in the remodeled theater, including the new Dolby Surround Sound system.
“When I say ‘Surround Sound,’ I mean we have 45 speakers. Your average theater has 14,” Chynoweth said.
“In addition to being able to show newer, educational films that are mission-driven, we also have the capabilities to show a wider variety of content. That’s everything from science-focused documentaries to restorations of classic films and also these new concert documentaries. And, especially with our Surround Sound system, we’re able to provide an experience that’s pretty comparable to being at the real thing.”
The series kicks off July 16 at 7 p.m. with the feature-length concert film “The Cure: Anniversary 1978-2018, Live in Hyde Park.” The Cure churned out a series of new wave classics in the ’80s and ’90s such as “Just Like Heaven,” “Friday I’m in Love,” and “Pictures of You.” Led by principal songwriter and singer Robert Smith, The Cure is one of the more underrated live performance bands of its era.
This is not the Carnegie Science Center’s first foray into providing rock ’n’ roll related content at the Rangos Giant Cinema. Last August, it showed “The Doors Live at the Bowl ’68,” a film of Jim Morrison and company performing at the Hollywood Bowl on July 5, 1968.
And, earlier this summer, the Science Center screened “Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church” — the legendary guitarist’s July 4, 1970, concert at the Atlanta International Pop Festival.
The idea is to get rock fans out of the summer heat and traffic and into a comfy, air conditioned environment, Chynoweth said. “We’ve noticed that there is definite interest in the Pittsburgh region in these films featuring bands with a legendary discography.”
Proving that point, Wednesday night’s first showing of “Between Me and My Mind … The Story of Trey Anastasio,” lead singer/guitarist of the jam band Phish, is sold out. Tickets are available for a second showing at 9:15 p.m.
Tickets and information: carnegiesciencecenter.org/rangos-giant-cinema
Paul Guggenheimer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-226-7706 or [email protected].