Saint Louis Art Museum’s Art Hill Film Series returns in July after 2-year, pandemic-related hiatus

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The Saint Louis Art Museum is kicking off the 11th Art Hill Film Series Friday, July 8, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Each film series presents a new theme in which the selected movies fall under. This year’s theme is “Game On!” and serves a double meaning: it marks the return of the event after pandemic pushbacks and nods to the art museum’s new summer exhibition “Catching The Moment,” which celebrates the acquisition of more than 800 works of contemporary art assembled by Cardinals Hall of Famer Ted L. Simmons and his wife, fine art printer and publisher Maryanne Ellison Simmons. The free film series will also host dozens of food trucks and live music, as well as games and prizes.

“The first Art Hill Film Series was in 2010 and it really was a small occasion [but] it grew to a large and well-attended event,” said Amanda Thompson Rundahl, director of learning and engagement. “We’re excited to be back after two years off. The film series is hard to replicate in a virtual environment.”

Beginning at 6 p.m. visitors can catch a bite to eat from their favorite food trucks; then, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., there will be live music featuring St. Louis-based artists; and to cap the night, a selected film will begin screening at 9 p.m. There will also be a cash bar under the tent on the plaza. Centered around the Art Hill Plaza, the event will take place July 8, 15, 22 and 29. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, baskets, et cetera. 

“[As for] the movie itself, the screen is set up at the bottom of the hill,” Thompson Rundahl said. “So as you’re standing on [the] Plaza looking down toward the basin, the bottom of [Art Hill] becomes a natural amphitheater. People sit on the hill and [and] everyone gets a great view – there’s no obstruction.”

The schedule is as follows:

July 8

Film: A League of Their Own
Music: Sarah Jane & the Blue Notes
Food trucks: Cha Cha Chow, Duchess Rose, Grace Meat + Three, Jaaise Grubb, Juicemasters, Mission Taco Joint, Poptimism, This N That, Scoops & More, Tuk Tuk Thai, Wok & Roll, Zacchi

July 15

Film: Love & Basketball
Music: DJ Chris Brown, DJ Nico Marie
Food trucks: Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill, Cajun Seduction, Cha Cha Chow, Destination D, Farmtruk, Fire & Ice Cream, Juicemasters, Mission Taco Joint, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Poptimism, Spud Shack, Seoul Taco, Tuk Tuk Thai

July 22

Film: Bend It Like Beckham
Music: DJ Mark Lewis
Food trucks: Angie Burger, Cluck Oink Moo, Duchess Rose, G Burrito, Grace Meat + Three, Juicemasters, Mission Taco Joint, Pete’s Pops, Scoops & More, The Sweet Side, Supersmokers BBQ, Wayno’s International Cuisine, Wok & Roll, Zacchi

July 29

Film: The Sandlot
Music: Charles Glenn Duo
Food trucks: Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill, Cajun Seduction, Cha Cha Chow, Destination D, Farmtruk, G Burrito, Fire & Ice Cream, Juicemasters, Mission Taco Joint, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Pete’s Pops, Seoul Taco, Tuk Tuk Thai

In addition to food, music and film, there will also be a photo booth, as well as a prize wheel for the chance to win some prizes from the art museum.

“What I love about St. Louis is, even if it’s hot and humid in the summer, [people] get outside and enjoy these wonderful amenities that we have,” Thompson Rundahl said. “I’m excited about people being able to come together again after the break. We love to put [the Film Series] on every year so we just want people to come out and know that we're eager to welcome [them].”

Sauce Magazine is a sponsor of this event.