Chow down on the enticing offerings of area food trucks. Watch a popular movie on a 52-foot screen, whether because you've never seen it or because it's enjoyable every time. Listen to the sounds of what could be your next favorite band.
In other words: Eat|See|Hear.
The outdoor entertainment series is launching its fourth season with a May 9 screening of "Pitch Perfect" at Santa Monica High School's Memorial Greek Amphitheatre.
It's just the latest example of a non-school function being held at the iconic venue, which the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is touting as an ideal setting for a variety of community events.
"Schools are community centers, and we are proud of our facilities and welcome permitted use for everything from outdoor movies, fundraisers, performing arts, sporting events and tournaments, festivals, filming, conferences and other uses," district spokeswoman Gail Pinsker said.
The school district has joint-use agreements with the City of Santa Monica for the use of many fields and campus spaces on days when students are not in school, Pinsker said.
"SMMUSD is an involved community partner and very supportive of outside facility use, which frequently benefits our students and families, as well as the residents and in many cases, visitors to the community," she said.
When Jeff and Sharon Sperber started Eat|See|Hear in 2012, they saw the Samohi amphitheater as a fitting destination. And since kicking off the inaugural series with "Anchorman" at the Greek three years ago, they've held movie screenings at the local venue every year since.
Organizers chose the Greek, which can seat about 3,400 people, "because it's a very unique space, and, acoustically, the sound is terrific," spokeswoman Heather Thomas said. "Visually, there isn't a bad seat in the house — every view provides a stunning view of the screen with the amphitheater setting, so you don't have to worry about someone's head blocking your view."
Thomas said the amphitheater was also an attractive Eat|See|Hear host because of its bowl shape, which protects attendees from cool evening winds on movie nights.
The school district is renting out the venue for the opening night of Eat|See|Hear for approximately $6,300, Pinsker said. The cost, which includes facility use and rehearsal time, may vary depending on the number of attendees and the number of custodial staffers needed.
The Eat|See|Hear screening of "Pitch Perfect" comes six days before the sequel, "Pitch Perfect 2," hits movie theaters. The evening at Samohi will also feature pre-show music by Molly Moore and Santa Monica Chorus.
Tickets cost $12 in advance and $14 at the venue. All attendees will be entered to win two round-trip flights to Australia.
The Eat|See|Hear lineup at the Greek also includes "Beverly Hills Cop" (May 16), "Zoolander" (May 30), "Edward Scissorhands" (June 20), "Annie Hall" (June 27), "Jaws" (July 4) and "Love Actually" (July 25).
For more information, visit eatseehear.com.
Contact Jeff Goodman at 310-573-8351, jeff@www.smdp.com or on Twitter.
