Yesterday, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein announced that he has teamed up with the Loisaida Center, the Lower East Side Film Festival, Rooftop Films and Two Boots Pizza "to bring the joy of watching summer flicks under the stars back to our neighborhood."
Here's more about the four-film series that will take place on the multi-purpose courts/TF at Avenue A and 10th Street:
More than simply showing movies, this crew of community leaders organized for free pizza while supplies last, along with pre-show entertainment. Each event starts at 8 p.m., and films commence at sunset.On June 26, "Encanto" (rated PG) will be shown along with a pre-show clown workshop by Matthew Silver and MC Bryan Fernandez. Short films "Love Letters to the Subway" (2023) and "Drumtalk" (2022) will precede the main feature.The family-friendly fun continues on July 28 with a screening of "Little Fugitive" (rated G). The Coney Island Circus Sideshow will provide the audience with a pre-show performance. The shorts for the night will be "Practice Space" (2024) and the Grand St. Settlement Film.On Aug. 29, enjoy live music and an appearance by Natasha Lyonne as we watch her in "Slums of Beverly Hills" (rated R). Director Tamara Jenkins will curate the short films.For the grand finale on Sept. 25, moviegoers will enjoy "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (rated R). Nuyorican Poets Cafe will present poetry, and Eden Martinez and the Loisaida Center will curate shorts.
"Movies in the Park is about more than just movies, it's a chance to showcase local talent through our short film features and to bring people together for a positive community experience," Epstein said in a statement. "I am proud to bring this tradition back to our neighborhood."
In recent years, Tompkins Square Park has occasionally hosted family-friendly films in the Under the Stars series via NYC Parks and Films on the Green by Villa Albertine, the French Embassy, and the FACE Foundation (though not this summer).
The last summer-long series came in 2016 via Howl! Arts and several local restaurants. Unfortunately, many of the Thursday evening screenings were rained out and rescheduled or canceled.
Two Boots was a previous sponsor for several years.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in this neighborhood and I legitimately don't know how people spend more than 5 minutes in Tompkins sq park. There is open drug use, used needles in the grass where you sit, and didn't a few people just get shot there? But hey don't worry, come out and risk all that to watch The Little Fugitive, a movie that 98% of people have never heard of. And don't worry if you miss the showing of Everything Everywhere All at Once (a great movie btw), because there's likely a weekly occurrence at Tompkins of naked people fighting with sex toys.
The Little Fugitive is a sweet film.
Deleteyou sound fun!
ReplyDelete"I legitimately don't know how people spend more than 5 minutes in Tompkins sq park..."
ReplyDelete"...there's likely a weekly occurrence at Tompkins of naked people fighting with sex toys"
like...do you need a map?
Since when do we care about percentage of people who heard or did not hear about a movie? Cool criteria...
ReplyDeleteAnyone have more deets on the sex toy fights?
ReplyDelete1) they are weekly, usually Tuesday's
ReplyDelete2) you must be naked
3) everyone knows about them
4) payment dues are to pay the refs, register permits with the city, etc.
5) good sportsmanship is a must
6) check that any voltage requirements are US and not European (we don't want a repeat of last November!)
7) reach out to EVG reader RoFlo who volunteered to register newbies, they can help you with logistics. Remember - they are doing this in their free time so please be respectful!
Thank you!
DeleteThis has got to be the dumbest possible response to a mildly positive news story. Jesus. Time to hang it up and move to Westchester or Florida; the city isn't working for you anymore.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I appreciate the effort the show movies in the park, I would rather someone create and foster a "Friends of Thompkins Sq Park" group where locals can help address some of the systemic issues plaguing the park in general. There are so many people who use the park, it can be a great place.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't have to be this or the other. Films showing have nothing to do with your suggestion, which is welcomed on its own.
DeleteBe that someone, friend.
DeleteAnd I have lived in this neighborhood most of my 70+ years. I still sit in Tompkins Square Park most days and read or just people watch. I've seen its ups and downs, and I'll never give up on the park, my neighborhood or my beloved city.
ReplyDeleteAnd The Little Fugitive is a superb little film, showing a real slice of a forgotten NYC.
Thank God there are people who care, and make the effort to be positive, creative and to contribute.
Friends of Tompkins Square Park are online: https://www.instagram.com/friendsoftompkinssquarepark and https://www.friendsoftompkinssquarepark.org/ and organize planting, clean up, and fun activities in the park.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this info! I am interested in both donating and volunteering as I love this park and use it daily. Have been a long time admirer of the plantings.
Delete11:32am here again. I can see I struck a nerve with the Little Fugitive. I truly have nothing against the film. I'm sure its lovely and wish nothing but the best for those of you who will enjoy it. But you’re missing the forest for the Tompkins trees. My larger point was that large parts of the park are gross and in need of help and services so we can all enjoy these films comfortably together. It was just a very odd juxtaposition to me, the idea of people sitting around smiling and enjoying these films and pretending the park is a nice place, and meanwhile all this wild stuff happens there including a few people being shot recently.
ReplyDeleteI’ll also just say I love this city. So to say someone should leave because they are critical of this park, is just as silly as me saying you should go to other blogs because you were critical of a comment on one story. People are allowed to have different opinions. That’s partly why we love this city right?
Lastly to JK, hilarious post at 7pm. Well done. And Friend of Tompkins thanks for posting. I’ll look into it. Better to be part of the solution.
You should go see The Little Fugitive.
DeleteThis blog is better when Anonymous comments aren't allowed. Wait, oops.
ReplyDeleteCredit for TSP film nights should NOT be given to a career politician, attempting to curry favor as he seeks another office before his current part time job is timed out due to term limits - that unsung hero is PHIL HARTMAN, founder of TWO BOOTS PIZZA.
ReplyDeleteBefore his success with Two Boots, Phil was (maybe still is?) an independent filmmaker - he has given back to our community in countless ways over the past four decades.
Sponsors aside, the resurrection of TSP film nights is due largely to Phil.
THANK YOU, Phil!