2016 Film on the Rocks Features Bowie, Bueller, Deadpool and The Sandlot

Schedule has been updated with early start and Prince tribute. Hot on the heels of the Red Rocks summer concert schedule comes the announcement that signals the official end of winter, with promises of warm summer nights under the stars. The Denver Film Society and Denver Arts & Venues have unveiled the 2016 Film on the Rocks schedule at the gorgeous Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with ticket sales starting Friday. So tell us about it, stud...

Presented by Pepsi, the seventeenth season of FOTR revs up the fun on May 23 with an interactive crowd-pleaser, the Grease Sing-a-Long, a whomp baba loo bop a whomp bam boom start for the series of eight film events, each with a pre-show concert and comedians courtesy of Comedy Works.

“Film on the Rocks is one of Colorado’s great summer traditions,” says Britta Erickson, festival director at the Denver Film Society. “We are thrilled to be a part of the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Red Rocks Amphitheatre in our seventeenth year of the program in one of the world’s most beautiful outdoor venues.”

Following Grease, FOTR's programs include crowd favorite The Big Lebowski (May 30); a very special presentation of Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane to mark the 75th anniversary of the Red Rocks dedication in 1941 (June 15); the thirtieth anniversary of John Hughes's classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (June 20); the much-requested The Sandlot in its FOTR debut (July 11); a special David Bowie tribute at a screening of Labyrinth (July 25); and one of the biggest — and most irreverent — hits of the year, Deadpool, at a raunchy, R-rated revue (August 23).

Before FOTR concludes its season with a special TBD film on September 6 — guaranteed to be “a force to be reckoned with,” Erickson says — the Film Society and its Reel Social Club will host the annual Summer Scream at Lakeside Amusement Park on Thursday, September 1. The takeover of the historic amusement park, for adults 21+ only, is the RSC’s official goodbye to summer, with unlimited rides, beverages and fun included in one ticket price.

Here’s the complete lineup with pre-show bands. For all programs, gates open at 6:30 p.m., with bands playing at 7 p.m. and the film starting right at dusk.
Grease Sing-A-Long
Monday, May 23
Pre-film music by Lissie + Megan Burtt & the Cure for Love
The original "high school musical" blazes back on the big screen complete with on-screen lyrics — so you can sing to your heart's content and tell us all about those "su-hummmer niiiiiiiiiiiiiiigghhhhhttts."
The Big Lebowski
Monday, May 30
Pre-film music by Anthony Ruptak & the Midnight Friends + The River Arkansas
The Coen Brothers' cult-classic tale of murder, dudes, lost toes and bowling porn always brings out the fans and, uh, imbibements. 
Citizen Kane
Wednesday, June 15
With a special pre-show Red Rocks Amphitheatre rededication ceremony
On the actual date of the original Red Rocks dedication in 1941, the Orson Welles classic lights up the screen to pay tribute.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Monday, June 20
Pre-film music by Strawberry Runners + The Baltic
Save Ferris by taking off both the day and the night to enjoy the tale of the boy who everyone loved. Ooooh, yeah. 
The Sandlot
Monday, July 11
Pre-film music by Special Guests + Brent Cowles
One of the most requested titles at Film on the Rocks will make its debut at bat and swing for a home run.
Labyrinth
Monday, July 25
Pre-film music by School of Rock playing a special tribute to David Bowie
The fantasy classic by Jim Henson brings David Bowie's meaty "pants magic pants" and a bevy of songs and puppetry to FOTR.
Deadpool
Tuesday, August 23
Pre-film music by The Blue Rider
It's time to make the chimichangas! Marvel's baddest superhero swings back on screen to make you laugh, wince and laugh some more.
TBD Special Season Closer
Tuesday, September 6
Pre-film music TBD as well

Tickets for Film on the Rocks go on sale this Friday, April 22, at denverfilm.org. All shows are $15 general admission — also available on the day of the show at the Red Rocks box office — and $47 and up for VIP Peak Experience packages. In the ultimate Film on the Rocks experience, guests can choose their VIP experience by selecting the Party Bus or a Trading Post Pre-Party. The Party Bus VIP experience starts at Blake Street Tavern and includes food and drinks provided by New Belgium Brewing, plus a ride to and from the venue courtesy of Bus to Show. The Trading Post Pre-Party VIP option includes catering by Steuben's Food Truck, drinks provided by MillerCoors and activities by Play Mile High. Both VIP ticket options include preferred seating in the amphitheater.

Four-packs for Summer Scream at Lakeside Amusement Park, 4601 Sheridan Boulevard, go on sale Wednesday, April 20, also at denverfilm.org. Four-packs are $100 ($25/ticket, which includes unlimited rides and beverages). Individual tickets go on sale May 27. Admission to Summer Scream is free for Reel Social Club members, $35 for DFS members, $40 for non-members.