Rock ‘n’ roll, bowling and cheesy drive-in movies.

Is there anything that says “American summer” more loudly than that combination?

Probably not. But if you want to find out for yourself, head over to Bayside Bowl in Portland on Saturday to see all three bits of classic pop culture Americana under one roof.

The event is known as “The Drive-In Dance Party,” and it’s the sixth annual party hosted by local promoter Nancy Chalmers to welcome another season of flicks at the iconic Saco Drive-In theater.

The fun begins at 7 p.m. with a free screening of that sparkling Ramones cinematic masterpiece, “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” (1979). In the film, a group of rock-loving students take control of their high school — with the help of those garage rock gods, The Ramones.

Keep in mind that this is a bowling alley, so bowling will be taking place during the film and all the other events.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m., a $5 cover will be charged. That’s around the time the cult classic “Liquid Sky” (1982) begins showing. This flick was a huge indie hit, partly because it’s so weird.

Set in the New Wave scene in New York in the early ’80s, the film features drugs, sex and aliens bent on taking over — or something like that. Because of some of the racy language in the film — and a youth bowling tournament scheduled for Saturday — Chalmers is planning to show the movie while two bands play to drown out the bad words.

The bands will be Thee Icepicks, billed as “Portland’s hooded surf savants,” and a New York group called Baxx SiSi’s. The latter is billed as an “astounding ’60s Japanese garage freak-beat band.”

Also on hand will be an actual person who was in “Liquid Sky.” Kristen Chalmers, Nancy’s daughter, was living in New York and got a part as an extra in the film. She is seen in a couple of close-ups as an audience member watching bands in a nightclub.

On top of this mish-mash of pop culture will be the good old American standard practice of giving out door prizes.

In this case, they will be tickets to the Saco Drive-In, naturally.

“Garage bands, bowling, drive-ins? You can’t ask for more Americana than that,” says Chalmers proudly.

Thee Icepicks

The Baxx SiSi’s

Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com

Twitter: RayRouthier