What’s On At The Cinema Bonaire

what's on at the cinema bonaire

What’s on at the Cinema Bonaire?

Empire Cinema Bonaire, our, our one and only movie theater- of course 100% outdoors – offers the following films for the week of November 28th to December 4th.

Learn more here about why we LOVE Empire Cinema Bonaire. And get some tips about your trip to the movies during your next visit to the island.

To make a reservation at Empire Cinema click here

This week’s schedule November 28th to December 4th

Ford Vs. Ferrari: 

  • Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, Ray McKinnon
  • Thursday Nov 28th 8:15pm
  • Sun December 1st 8:15pm
  • Mon December 2nd 8:15pm
  • Tue December 3rd 8:15pm
  • Rating: PG
  • Genre: action
  • Run time: 2 hrs 32 min
  • English version with Dutch subtitles
  • Tickets: $ 12

Frozen II English version

  • Veteran voice cast Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Ciarán Hinds return as their previous characters, and are joined by newcomers Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina, Martha Plimpton, Jason Ritter, Rachel Matthews, and Jeremy Sisto.
  • Friday November 29th 6:15pm
  • Saturday November 30th 6:15pm
  • Wednesday December 4th 6:15pm
  • Rating: PG13
  • English 3D version
  • kids $ 9  Adult $ 11

 

Frozen II DUTCH version

  • Saturday November 30th 2:00pm (sold out)
  • Sunday December 1st 4:00pm
  • Wednesday December 4th 4:00pm
  • Rating: PG
  • Genre: Disney Animation
  • Run time: 1 hr 43min
  • DUTCH version
  • Tickets 2D: kids $ 8  Adults $ 9

Last Christmas

  • Starring: Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding
  • Thursday Nov 28th 6:15pm
  • Sun December 1st 6:15pm
  • Mon December 2nd 6:15pm
  • Tue December 3rd 6:15pm
  • Friday November 29th 8:15pm
  • Saturday November 30th 8:15pm
  • Wednesday December 4th 8:15pm
  • Rating: PG13
  • Genres: romance, comedy
  • Run time: 1 hr 43 min
  • English version with Dutch subtitles
  • Tickets: $ 9

Addams Family DUTCH version

  • Saturday November 30th 4:00pm
  • Sunday December 1st 2:00pm
  • Wednesday December 4th 2:00pm
  • Rating: G
  • Genres: animated, family comedy
  • Run time: 1 hr 27 min
  • Tickets: kids $ 8  Adults $ 9

What’s on Bonaire? A Taste of Bonaire Monthly Event

A taste of Bonaire

Meet the locals: What’s on Bonaire? A Taste of Bonaire Monthly Event

A Taste of Bonaire is your chance to sample local food specialties, taste the signature dishes of your favorite Bonaire restaurants at reduced prices, check out some handicrafts and artwork, listen and dance to local music played live on stage and get a taste of not just Bonairian food but also Bonairian culture. What a fun place to people watch and also get a taste of life and living on Bonaire. ATOB, a popular event with people living on Bonaire as well as with tourists takes place the first Saturday of the month about six times per year.

What goes on at Taste of Bonaire

Peruse the booths set up in the park for food and gift vendors and relax at tables and chairs set up for visitors. Vendors serve food in disposable carry-out containers or paper plates. A band plays on the round concrete stage, a fixture of Wilhelmina Park. Event organizers sometimes give short speeches. ATOB, a casual, social event, takes place approximately one time every two months. Since the event takes place irregularly, check their Facebook page for upcoming dates. As of this writing the next edition of ATOB is scheduled for August 4th from 6-11pm and then September 2nd 6-11pm. The September 2nd Edition will be honoring Bonaire Flag Day and is the Dance Edition. Look for a different theme each month. For example, past events include the Recycle edition, the carnival edition, talent edition, tourist edition and more.

Check out this video of someone enjoying herself and tasting local food at the ATOB event:

Details about the monthly event

  • Where: Wilhelmina Park in Downtown Kralendijk in front of Cuba Compagnie Restaurant on the water side
  • When: The first Saturday of each month except December
  • When Exactly: 6pm – 11pm
  • What to bring: Cash and an open mind to try new flavors!

Bon Appetit!

Dunkerbeck Pro Center

dunkerbeck pro center

Dunkerbeck Pro Center – the new windsurf school on Lac Bay. What’s it all about?

For years only two windsurf schools and places to rent gear on Bonaire existed: Enter Dunkerbeck Pro Center!

Sorobon Beach Resort, the only hotel on Lac Bay, is now home to a small scale windsurf school and rental shop. The other two windsurf shops on Bonaire,Jibe City and Bonaire Windsurf Place, are direct competitors and next door neighbors right on Lac Bay.

What’s on offer at the new pro center

Dunkerbeck Pro Center, founded by Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Phillipe Bru, well known professional windsurfers will host many upcoming annual windsurf events. These two founded the 1000+ racer DefiWind in France. In 2016 they brought the DefiWind to Bonaire and in 2018 they opened the Dunkerbeck Pro Center at Sorobon Beach Resort. The shop, located right next door to Jibe City and directly on Lac Bay with a large stretch of beach front offers high end gear rental and lessons. The Pro Center offers gear rental mainly for slalom sailors as well as windsurf lessons for all levels, beginner through professional. You can also rent foil boards and learn windsurf foil with the pros. On days when the wind isn’t blowing too hard, rent a stand up paddle board or SUP or give wind foiling a try.

It costs a bit more but…

Dunkerbeck Pro Center, set up mainly for guests of Sorobon Beach Resort is also open to the general public. Expect higher rates than Jibe City and Windsurf Place and add on an extra 20% if you aren’t a guest of Sorobon Beach Resort. The price is a disadvantage but the gear is new. The shop prides itself on quality equipment and service and they open a half hour earlier and close a half hour later than their only two competitors. The wind, traditionally strongest in morning and evening means the extra hour added on to the day could outweigh the price as a deciding factor for serious windsurfers. Plus Tonky Frans works there. Get your equipment rigged and lessons taught by a windsurf legend.

Lessons at the new Pro Center

Lessons at Dunkerbeck pro center make use of headsets and microphones so that the windsurf instructor can communicate directly with you while you sail and learn. This is a big advantage to your windsurf instructor yelling directions to you in the wind and can make for a better learning experience.

Foiling has come to Bonaire. You can rent foil gear and get lessons now!

The following video has great drone footage of Phillipe Bru windsurfing on Bonaire and some great foiling shots. Foiling is becoming more and more popular all over the world and was almost completely unheard of just five years ago.  It’s possible to plane on foil gear in lower winds than with a normal board. Foil lessons (wind foil lessons) offered at Dunkerbeck Pro Center offer a unique opportunity to learn and master this growing new area of the sport – wind foiling! As a precaution you can only use foil gear once the instructors are convinced that you know what you are doing!

Gear rental:

Entry level gear starts at $60/day
Mid level gear starts at $85/day and
Professional level gear is $100/day

Lessons:$50 for beginner including gear, $105 for private lesson including gear rental, $150 for two person semi-private lesson including gear.

Foiling lesson with gear $165; 1 hour foil rental $125, 2 hour foil rental $150, 4 hour foil rental $200

dunkerbeck pro center     dunkerbeck pro center                           dunkerbeck pro center     Dunkerbeck pro center

 

This week’s movies on Bonaire: Mamma Mia world premiere!

This week's movies on Bonaire

This week’s movies on Bonaire playing at outdoor movie theater Bonaire Empire Cinema

Watch the latest releases by the light of the moon and the stars. Bring your own chair or use the chairs provided by the movie theater. Who knew seeing a movie outdoors on Bonaire could be this much fun. Ice cold wine and beer along with popcorn, soft drinks and hot dogs are served. Additionally you can order Thai food in advance and have dinner with your movie. This week’s movie’s on Bonaire start with a blockbuster: Mamma Mia Here We Go Again!

The ADVANCE PREMIER OF Mamma Mia Here We Go Again! will be released this Wednesday at 7:30pm. Don’t miss it!

This much anticipated sequel to Mamma Mia, written and directed by Ol Parker can be seen here on Bonaire two days BEFORE it’s North American Premiere! Apparently everything on Bonaire is on Island time except the movies…

Here We Go Again is the sequel and also the prequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia. It is scheduled to be released in North America and the UK on July 20, 2018. The release in July 2018 marks the 10 year anniversary of the original film released in July 2008.

Details:

Stars include Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan and Cher.Advance Premiere of Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again!
Wednesday July 18th 7:30pm at Empire Cinema
Rated G
The movie runs 113 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $9

Also showing at Empire Cinema this week:

Skyscraper

Starring Dwayne Johnson and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Rated PG13
Friday July 13th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Saturday July 14th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Sunday July 15th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Monday July 16th 9:30pm only
Tuesday July 17th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Wednesday July 18th 9:30pm only
The movie runs 103 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $11

Jurassic World

Directed by J.A. Bavona
rated PG13

Monday July 16th only
Special price admission for only $5. Last chance to see this movie at Empire!
The movie runs 124 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $5

See you at the movies!

this week's movies on Bonaire: mamma mia here we go again

 

The amazing Outdoor Movie Theater on Bonaire

movie theater bonaire

Why we love the outdoor movie theater Empire Cinema!

Empire Cinema Bonaire – an outdoor movie theater in paradise. Enjoy Thai dinner before the show and watch the very latest releases by the light of the stars and the moon.

In 2015 Empire Cinema (figuratively) opened it’s doors and Bonaire finally had a movie theater! I say figuratively because Empire is an outdoor cinema – technically I don’t think they have doors. This is SUCH an unexpectedly awesome place to see a movie and fun way to spend a quiet evening during your Bonaire vacation. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike. On breezy nights you will be cool and comfortable.

A little history:

A movie theater located next to what is now Top Supermarket in downtown Kralendijk existed in the early 2000’s – but the dilapidated building closed down due to disrepair sometime around 2007 or 2008. Islanders and tourists went without a movie theater for quite a few years. Yes – no movie theater in the days before Netflix, before streaming, before decent internet connections! The Plaza Resort held outdoor movie nights under the stars which somewhat filled the void and made for a fun evening but the sound and quality were unpredictable as were the movie choices and language of the films. Either the Plaza’s projector eventually broke or they just didn’t find it a useful part of their business so that too came to an end. Thus the opening of a reliable movie theater showing actual first release films on Bonaire marks a big occasion indeed.

Empire Cinema opened in 2015. They show first run movies in an outdoor setting under the stars. They even  occasionally release films that haven’t yet premiered in the US or Europe.

Can I reserve my seat?

This is the only movie theater you may ever go to where you actually have to pick up and put away your own (plastic) beach chair! Maybe that doesn’t sound too comfortable. But go there because it doesn’t matter if the chair is plastic or that you have to stack it up after the film is over… This place is breezy, refreshing and a great way to spend a quiet evening. Get there early to claim your spot. If going on a night when you expect a crowd it can’t hurt to have chairs packed in your car and ready in case the theater runs out. If you get there early and think you are in the “front row” don’t be surprised if another front row creeps up in front of you. But if it does, just relax. Island time after all…

All that said, their website does have an area to buy your ticket in advance. We are not sure sure it accepts payment, however. If in doubt drive over and advance purchase your tickets. The box office opens after 4pm.

How to get to Empire Cinema:

It’s not super easy to find and not well marked from the road. Coming from Caribbean Court or the Plaza Resort area, head north on the main road passing through downtown Kralendijk. Continue heading north until you pass the traffic circle at Kaya Amsterdam. A few hundred meters further on your right you will see MCB Bank and then Bon Bida Spa and Gym. Empire cinema is located just past MCB Bank on the right. Turn right into the Bon Bida parking lot just past MCB and continue straight along the narrow dirt road. You will see the small movie theater entrance on your right just up the road maybe 100 meters. The exact address is Kaya Katwijk 6, in the area of the island called Hato.

Popcorn…uh I mean Thai food and a movie…

In typical island style of combining things that normally wouldn’t be associated with one another, skip the popcorn and  have your movie with some authentic Thai food. Call in advance +599 7771122 to reserve your Thai meal. Dine in prior to or during the film. When dining in you’ll pick up not only your own plastic chair but your dining table as well. (If you don’t order in advance you’ll be eating popcorn and hot dogs like we usually do- so definitely make that phone call!) Here’s what’s on the menu:

Menu Odd Days:
  • Thai Burger  (200gram beef)  $ 12,-
  • Krai Jiao, nice filled Thai Omelett, steamed rice and salade  $ 12,-
  • Pad Lomiet, vegetarian meal, steamed rice and salade  $ 13,50
  • Pad Thai kai, noodles with vegetables and chicken breast $ 15,00
  • Pad Thai kung, noodles with vegetables and Shrimps  $ 17,00
Menu Even Days:
  • Thai Burger  (200gram beef)  $ 12,-
  • Pad a Pau, minced meat with vegetables, steamed rice and salade  $ 13.50
  • Pad kai, slices chicken breast slices with vegetables, steamed rice and salade  $ 15.00
  • kengkio-One, chicken breast slices with vegetables in curry with coconut milk, steamed rice and salade  $ 17.00
  • Keng-Paneng, chicken breast slices with vegetables & pineapple in curry with coconut milk, steamed rice and salade  $ 18.00

Movie tickets and showtimes:

Ticket prices range from $5 when there’s a special to $12. Expect to pay $11/person for most films.

Unexpectedly for Bonaire (where many things run on island time) the movies start right on time and there’s generally one preview and a couple simple billboard style ads on the screen. A movie that starts at 7:30 actually starts at 7:30, so be on time to Empire Theater and not on island time!

 

Bonaire Day or Bonaire Flag Day

bonaire flag

An annual tradition

Annual Bonaire Day, also known as Bonaire Flag Day takes place September 6th each year. In Papiamento, the local creole language, the day has yet another name, Dia di Boneiru. The celebration of this national holiday means most island stores and businesses close all day but scuba dive centers and windsurf shops never close. So don’t worry!

Flag day festivities include a ceremonial raising of the flag in the morning, speeches, a large neighborhood street party hosted in a different neighborhood represented on the Bonaire flag each year. And of course you will find myriad booths selling local food and drink.

About the Bonaire Flag

The six pointed red star on the Bonaire flag represents the original six villages of Bonaire: Rincon, Antriol, Nikiboko, North Salina, Playa (Kralendijk) and Tera Kora. All six villages today are thriving, bustling. neighborhoods and as such each year they take turns hosting the event. Bonaire Day is a day of national pride, celebration, music and fun.

The Bonaire flag with it’s white, yellow, red and blue colors looks beautiful against the Caribbean Sea. The colors and design of the flag have special meaning. The blue stands for the sea, of course! The yellow stands for – you guessed it, the sun! The white between the sea and the sun represents the sky. The red, white and blue honor the flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bonaire, a municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010 falls under the Dutch flag as well as it’s own. The two other elements of the flag also have special meaning; the compass represents a population that comes from all over the world and the six pointed red star, the six villages.

You need your own Bonaire Flag!

Pick up your own Bonaire flag at Budget Marine. They sell high quality flags in a range of sizes – the photo below shows what’s currently on offer at Budget Marien. A flag of Bonaire makes a great souvenir and a way to show your pride and show off the symbol of your favorite Caribbean Island.

where to buy bonaire flag bonaire flag day