For Fellini-loving, Coppola-craving sophisticates, a mundane date to the movies just won’t do. Instead, one must pencil in these far-from-average summer film events.
• Stop, Look, Listen: Every third Friday through mid-October, the Nasher Sculpture Center hosts ’til Midnight at the Nasher, where perfect concert and film pairings — the band Petty Theft playing before To Catch a Thief, or the group Havana NRG rocking out before West Side Story — take place outside among the center’s sculptural masterpieces. 2001 Flora St., 214.242.5100; nashersculpturecenter.org/tilmidnight.
• Documentary Date: Cinematic art comes by way of Samuel Lynne Galleries as the contemporary art space opens its on-site, high-definition theater for summer showings of art documentaries. Add these to your calendar: Painters Painting: The New York Art Scene 1940–1970, on July 8; then Herb & Dorothy, about two unlikely art collectors, on August 12. What’s more? Tickets are a cool $10, the proceeds benefit Hunger Busters and there’s even a wine/espresso bar — meaning you can substitute pinot grigio for popcorn. 1105 Dragon St., 214.965.9027; samuellynne.com.
• Time-Travel Revel: For an unexpected destination in the Panamera, make a 40-minute trek down I-45 to the Galaxy Drive-In Theatre in Ennis. The vibe here is very 1950s: Blockbusters are shown under the stars, movie-watching accessories include vintage red window speakers, and movie fare can be ordered via an old-school snack stand. 5301 N. Interstate Hwy. 45, 972.875.5505; galaxydriveintheatre.com.
• Silver-Screen Splash: A hotel’s rooftop pool, outdoor screenings and no end to freshly shaken cocktails make for anything but your standard-issue cinema at The Fairmont Dallas’ Dive-In Movie Theater. Every Friday at 8:30 pm, glam ones will stake out lounge chairs and pool floats to catch the evening’s featured film. Each month has a theme, such as “dining” for July, “arts” for August and “pets” for September. Let the aquatic amusement begin. 1717 N. Akard St., 214.720.2020; fairmont.com.