The return of free outdoor movie nights in Albany has arrived and will feature classic films on three Wednesdays in August at 8 p.m. in West Capitol Park.

For a unique culinary experience, Slidin’ Dirty will start selling specialty sliders, signature cocktails, and other gourmet items inspired by each movie’s theme at 7 p.m. Alcoholic beverages will be sold to adults with proper identification. Free popcorn will be provided to moviegoers courtesy of Cornerstone at the Plaza while supplies last.

Each Capitol Park After Dark movie night will also feature an introduction and brief discussion of the classic film and food pairings for the evening. These discussions will start at 8 p.m. and be led by Mary Darcy, movie enthusiast and co-creator of the All Over Albany culture and news website.

Those attending the movies should come prepared with their own chairs or blankets.

Capitol Park After Dark will start on August 15 with a screening of “Out of the Past.”  Directed by Jacques Tourneur and starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas, “Out of the Past” tells the story of a private eye who tries to escape a sordid past, but it catches up to him when a former client he once betrayed hires him to do another job. 

Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “Vertigo” will be shown on August 22. Starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, “Vertigo” is about a retired cop, afflicted with acrophobia, who investigates the strange activities of an old friend’s wife while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

The rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks plays itself out in music and dance in “West Side Story,” which will be shown on August 29. Directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, and starring Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, and Richard Beymer, “West Side Story” is an award-winning musical adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet.” It tells the story of two youngsters from rival New York City gangs who fall in love.

West Capitol Park is located in Albany between Washington Avenue and State Street, and between South Swan Street and the New York State Capitol.

Free parking in the East Garage on Philip street off Madison Avenue begins at 4 p.m. Paid parking is also available at the visitor or V lot underneath the Empire State Plaza.

No alcoholic beverages, coolers (defined as rigid insulated containers), or glass containers of any kind will be allowed. Alcohol will be sold by a vendor to adults with proper identification.

For event updates, follow @plazaevents on Twitter, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, or call (518) 474-4759. For additional information about Summer at the Plaza events, including directions and ground rules, visit ogs.ny.gov/esp/.

Sponsors of Capitol Park After Dark include Cornerstone at the Plaza, Renaissance Albany Hotel, Albany.Com, BlueShield of Northeastern New York, New York State of Health, and All Over Albany.