Justin Savage loves good - or some might say campy - horror films, and he loves sharing them with others.
After opening Lo Main Bodega bar and restaurant in the Ridgedale area on East Main Street, he went looking for a new place to screen some of his favorite films. He found a more than willing partner in Charlotte Caldwell, owner of the recently opened Stove Works, an art space and residency program nearby on Holtzclaw Avenue just off of Main.
The two have partnered for a new venture called Electra Drive-In and will host the first of what they hope will be a series of many bike-in and drive-in experiences in the complex's huge courtyard. The first two films will be screened Saturday - the classics "Night of the Living Dead" and "Bubba Ho-Tep."
The evening will begin around 6 p.m. with music provided by Savage, and the first film will start around 7:30 p.m.
"[The event] is named after my first guitar," Savage said. "I'll be playing records, and it will be like tailgating at an old-school type of drive-in. Very loose."
He suggests bringing a lawn chair and an FM radio so you can tune in to hear the movie.
He said he approached Caldwell with the idea, and she immediately got on board and will be providing a giant screen for the films.
"It will feel a little DIY, but cool," Caldwell said. "What's not to like about the idea of screening cult classics. We try to be a receptacle of ideas as long as they are in the realm of what we do, and this is great. Bringing the community together."
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The east end of Main Street has seen several new businesses open in recent months in addition to Stove Works and Lo Main Bodega, which is next to Yellow Racket Records and Charlie's BBQ & Bakery. Caldwell said the area "is on the way to becoming a fun, vibrant hangout, and whatever we can do to draw attention to each other is all the better, and our courtyard is a perfect place to bring people together."
"Night of the Living Dead" is George Romero's 1968 classic film and is often cited as one of the most influential zombie films. It's essentially the story of seven people trapped in a rural farmhouse, under attack by zombies.
"Bubba Bo-Tep" was written and directed by Don Coscarelli and stars Bruce Campbell as a nursing home resident named Elvis Presley, and Ossie Davis, who claims to be John F. Kennedy.
The two battle a mummy that is terrorizing the retirement home.
There is no admission charge to attend the event. Food provided by The Boneyard and beverages will be available for purchase.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.