FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2021

 

Media Contacts:
Emily Loeks, Studio C (ELoeks@bystudioc.com | 616.260.0205)
Dianna Stampfler, Michigan International Auto Show (Dianna@PromoteMichigan.com | 269-330-4228)
Nicole Cook (Nicole.Cook@spectrumhealth.org | 616-813-8956)

 

THE SAGA CONTINUES…

F9 Races into Downtown GR at VIP Parking Deck Pre-Party

& Movie Screening at Studio Park

Auto Enthusiasts & Organizations Join in the Celebration Benefitting Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation

 

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich)—Events are returning to Downtown Grand Rapids in a BIG way on Thursday, June 24 with a VIP Parking Deck Party & Movie Screening at Studio Park all centered around the latest in the Fast & Furious franchise: F9 – The Fast Saga starring Vin Diesel and John Cena. Those familiar with this series of movies will likely recognize the irony of hosting a screening party on the top deck of a parking garage, given many racing and drifting scenes over the years have taken place inside such structures.

“We are excited to host this car-themed movie pre party held on the upper deck of the Studio Park(ing) garage – one of the first public events of the summer for downtown Grand Rapids,” says Emily Loeks, Director of Community Affairs at Celebration! Cinema. “This event provides an opportunity to partner with our sister company, ShowSpan – producer of the Michigan International Auto Show – and the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association to bring a selection of ‘super cars’ from the movie, all to benefit the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital – an organization that many of us in Grand Rapids have reason to love.”

F9 is the ninth chapter in the Fast & Furious Saga, which has endured for two decades and has earned more than $5 billion around the world. The F9 world premier was held in South Korea on May 19, followed by releases in Russia, Saudi Arabia, China and UAE. It has already grossed over $232 million making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2021 (to date). The official U.S. release date is Friday, June 25.

“After more than a year without consumer shows, we are ready to get back out there and this event is the perfect opportunity to do so,” says Dawn Baker, Auto Show manager. “When it comes to cars, we are well connected with local dealers, suppliers – like our presenting sponsor, Gentex, collectors – like Gilmore Car Museum, and partners such as Label Motorsports and Cars & Coffee. We are tapping into these relationships to bring together the showpieces of the evening as we benefit our long-time charitable partner, the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

The evening begins at 5pm overlooking the city from the top deck of the adjacent Studio Park(ing) garage with catering provided by one.twenty.three, as well as a cash bar.

At 6pm, representatives from the Michigan International Auto Show (ShowSpan), Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association and ASM Global will briefly address the crowd. The movie screening begins promptly at 7pm in two of Studio Park’s theaters. One.twenty.three will be open for post-movie cocktails until 11pm.

“We know Grand Rapids loves cars, movies and giving back, and this event is a celebration of all those things,” says Loeks.

Tickets for this celebration are $100 per person (with a minimum of 2 tickets per order) and includes admission to the Parking Deck Pre-Party (with appetizers and 2 drink tickets per ticket/person), a Gold Ticket to F9 (with popcorn and pop) and parking validation for one vehicle in the Studio Park(ing) garage. Space is limited to 200 total guests. Purchase tickets online here: grautoshow.com/F9.

About F9
Vin Diesel returns as Dom Toretto who brings his crew together to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encounters – a man who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother, Jakob – played by John Cena. The action hurtles around the globe – from London to Tokyo, from Central American to Edinburgh, and from a secret bunker in Azerbaijan to the teeming streets of Tbilisi. Along the way, old friends are resurrected, old foes return, history is rewritten and the true meaning of family is tested like never before.

Returning cast members Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel and Sun Kang, with Oscar® winners Helen Mirren and Charlize Theron. F9 also features Grammy-winning superstar Cardi B as new franchise character, Leysa, and a cameo by Reggaeton sensation Ozuna.

Watch the official F9 trailer here: https://youtu.be/aSiDu3Ywi8E.

 

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PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

studioparkgr.com | bystudioc.com | celebrationcinema.com | thefastsaga.com  | grautoshow.com