Local families wanting to cool off indoors this summer can catch a movie or play.
The Artcraft Theatre in Franklin is kicking off their Summer Break Series with “The Secret of Nimh,” at 10 a.m. Monday at the theater, 57 N. Main St. The summer series also includes plays by a touring company.
Canary Creek Cinemas in Franklin is offering free kids movies during its annual Summer Movie Camp at 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 3. “Minions” will be shown Wednesday.
All summer students and their families can check out a total of three family friendly movies and six plays as part of the Artcraft Theater’s series. Ten movies are offered at Canary Creek.
Movies geared toward kids are the Artcraft Theatre’s most popular, said Jaime Shilts, programming and events coordinator.
“Our kids movies do really well here,” she said.
And they have forged a partnership with Bright Star Theatre Touring Company, a traveling drama troupe that performs family shows.
The theater received a $5,000 grant from Duke Energy that will help offset the cost to hire Bright Star, said Shilts.
They will perform six times at the Artcraft, with shows ranging from fairy tales and fables to plays about sports heroes.
Organizers tried to pick movies that would resonate with families, Shilts said.
Movies that are less than 10 years-old can’t play at the historic movie house and organizers picked some of the movies partly based on nostalgia that parents and grandparents who bring children to the movies might feel, she said.
Part of the reason that family movies are the most popular in the regular season too is that parents can bring children of all ages without worrying about what they might be exposed to, she said.
“Anybody can come, they don’t have to worry about language and violence,” Shilts said.
Both theaters have adopted family-friendly pricing for the summer movies.
Artcraft tickets are $5 and include a popcorn and small drink. Admission to Canary Creek’s Summer Movie Camp is free.
Offering movies geared toward families will allow children to experience the Artcraft and come back when they are older, Shilts said.
“The Artcraft is a whole other experience, introducing more kids to theater, she said.
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Summer movies and shows for kids
Artcraft Theatre
Summer Break Series
10 a.m. June 20: “The Secret of Nimh”
10 a.m. July 5: “The Land Before Time”
10 a.m. July 18: “Race for Your Life Charlie Brown”
Bright Star Touring Theatre
10 a.m. June 27: “Aesop’s Fables”
11: 15 a.m. June 27: “The Velveteen Rabbit”
10 a.m. July 11: “Once Upon a Time”
11:15 a.m. July 11: “Barnyard Bully”
10 a.m. July 25: “Upcycled Cinderella”
11:15 a.m. July 25: “Sports Heroes A-Z”
Cost: $5, includes popcorn and drink
Canary Creek Cinemas
Summer movie camp
All movies begin at 10 a.m.
Wednesday: “Minions”
June 22: “Hotel Transylvania 2”
June 29: “The Peanuts Movie.”
July 6: “Shaun the Sheep Movie”
July 13: “Alvin and The Chipmunks, The Road Chip”
July 20: “Norm of the North”
July 27: “Paul Blart Mall Cop 2”
Aug. 3: “Pan”
Cost: Free
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