Grateful Dead, Prince + Pink Floyd fans: See them on the really big IMAX screen + tips for an epic night out

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Ready to ditch the same old dinner-and-a-movie routine? Level up your next date or friends’ night  out at McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater in Birmingham. 

This August and September, the Southeast’s biggest screen cranks things up with three legendary concert films: “The Grateful Dead Movie, “Prince: Sign O’ the Times” and “David Gilmour: Live at the Circus Maximus, Rome.”

Keep reading to discover why the IMAX is the ultimate crowd pleaser and how to turn an ordinary evening into an electrifying downtown experience. 

Why IMAX?

The McWane’s IMAX isn’t just a big screen; it’s the largest in the Southeast, featuring a 5-story, 79-foot diameter dome screen. Pair that with an immersive projection system and crystal-clear sound, and you’re in for a movie-going experience that blows traditional theaters out of the water. 

Bonus: Concessions cost less at the IMAX than at a regular cinema!

• McWane “For 2 Combo” (2 20oz drinks, 2 small popcorns + 1 candy): $20

• Local cinema combo (1 large popcorn, 2 30oz drinks + separate candy purchase: $35.92

Here are some more fun facts about McWane’s IMAX Dome Theater:

• It’s the only IMAX with Laser system in Alabama.
• The theater shows a variety of films, including documentaries, blockbuster films + a concert series.
• Sparrow AV, an audio-visual company in Pelham, created McWane’s IMAX pre-show, which plays on screen before each film. 

Your IMAX ticket does more than get you in the door

When you buy an IMAX ticket, you may be treating yourself to an incredible experience, but you’re also fueling McWane Science Center’s mission. Thanks to IMAX supporters this year, McWane was able to:

• Serve students, teachers + families from every county in Alabama—this includes bringing science programs to classrooms in underserved schools in the Greater Birmingham Area.
• Offer their Museums for All program, which provides reduced admission to families receiving food assistance.

What’s playing in McWane’s IMAX concert series

McWane’s IMAX concert series brings iconic performances to life with a brilliant digital upgrade, making you feel like you’re at the live show—but with theater perks, like plush seats and crisp A/C.

Here are three shows coming up in August and September:

1. “The Grateful Dead Movie”

Calling all Deadheads! Wear your tie-dye and relive the chill vibes and magic of the 1974 Winterland concerts in this Jerry Garcia film.

• When: Thursday, August 14-Sunday, August 17
• Showings:
  • Thursday, August 14 | 7PM 
  • Friday, August 15-Sunday, August 17 | 4PM + 7PM 
• Adult Ticket Price: $13
• Tickets

2. “Prince: Sign O’ the Times”

Prepare to be fully immersed in Prince’s creative brilliance with this iconic 1987 concert film. Directed by the legend himself, it rocks with hits like “Sign O’ the Times,” “If I Was Your Girlfriend” and “U Got the Look.”

• When: Thursday, August 28-Sunday, August 31
• Showings: 
  • Thursday, August 28 | 4:30PM
  • Friday, August 29 | 4:30PM, 7PM, 9PM
  • Saturday, August 30 | 4:30PM, 7PM
  • Sunday, August 31 | 4:30PM 
• Tickets

3. “David Gilmour: Live at the Circus Maximus, Rome”

Experience Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour’s sold-out Luck and Strange tour, which blends new tracks with iconic classics.

• When: Wednesday, September 17-Sunday, September 21
• Showings:
  • `Wednesday, September 17 | 7PM 
  • Friday, September-Saturday, September 20 | 7PM
  • Sunday, September 20 | 3PM
• Tickets

See the full lineup of IMAX movies at McWane.

Dinner, drinks + IMAX in downtown Birmingham

Evening shows at the IMAX run at 7PM and later, which draws in an adult crowd instead of the younger kid audience often found in the museum. Nighttime movies are also perfect for kicking off an evening with friends in Birmingham.

Here’s one suggestion for an awesome outing:

• First, grab a bite at The Pizitz Food Hall—think pizza, tacos, sushi, you name it. 
• Next, stroll across the street to McWane’s IMAX Dome Theater to catch the latest
• Then, after the credits roll, head to Birmingham’s bar scene—just minutes away—to keep the night going with a craft cocktail or local brew. Tip: Paramount is only a block away and offers food, drinks + arcade games!

Ready for an exciting evening out in Birmingham? Grab your tickets now to McWane’s IMAX Dome Theater.

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