More than 200 University of Scranton students will enjoy an evening out on the town on Friday, March 2. The Electric City Downtown Dinner & Movie Nite is a new program that gives students a taste of the great food and entertainment available in Scranton.

Students must register for this free event, which has seating limited to the first 280 students who sign up. They will choose one of 13 different downtown restaurants, including American, Asian, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisines.  After dinner, students can mingle with area residents at First Friday, the monthly downtown art-walk event, and then head over to Marquee Cinemas to attend their movie of choice in the 9 o’clock set. Bella Faccias, a specialized chocolate shop on Lackawanna Avenue, will offer free hot chocolate to students participating in Downtown Dinner & Movie Nite between 8 and 9:30 p.m.

“The downtown dinner and movie program is a great way for students to have fun with friends on a Friday evening,” said Barbara King, director of the Office of Residence Life. “They’ll have a chance to explore restaurants and other venues downtown that they might not have been to before and take advantage of a movie theater that is within walking distance,” she added.

The program is entirely free to students through a sponsorship by the Residence Hall Association, Offices of Residence Life and Off Campus and Commuter Student Affairs, Division of Student Affairs, University of Scranton Programming Board (USPB) and Center for Student Engagement.  The Office of Community Relations worked with the downtown restaurants and Marquee Cinemas to arrange the event, continuing efforts to help increase University-downtown collaboration.

“This program is a wonderful opportunity for our students and a great partnership for the campus and the City,” said Julie Schumacher Cohen, director of the Office of Community Relations.

The 13 participating restaurants include: Carl Von Luger, City Cafѐ, Cangiano’s, Eden-a-Vegan Cafѐ, Farley’s, P.J.’s Pub at the Hilton, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Kildare’s, Pizza by Pappas, Posh @ the Scranton Club, Sambuca Grille, Trax at the Radisson and Thai Rak Thai.

Further information and a registration form can be found at: www.scranton.edu/movienite.  Space is limited to 280 students to register. The deadline to register is Monday, Feb. 27. 

University of Scranton RAs are pictured in Bella Faccias during a downtown familiarization tour this summer. Up to 280 students can register for a Dinner & Movie Nite in downtown Scranton on Friday, March 2. The evening includes a free dinner, movie and hot chocolate at Bella Faccias.