'Movies Under The Stars' Program Expanded To New Parks Around 5 Boroughs
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The city's "Movies under the Stars" has been expended for the month of August, bringing free film screenings to more parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
For the rest of the month, parks in the five boroughs will host family-friendly screenings of such classic New York films as "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "Ghostbusters," and "The Wiz," and new classics-to-be such as "Annie," "Mad Hot Ballroom," and "Enchanted."
"We want all New Yorkers to experience the fun and novelty of watching a film outdoors right in their own neighborhood," Commissioner Cynthia López, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, said in a news release. "The films and TV shows that shoot on location in New York City have not only left an indelible mark on our culture; they also employ thousands of New Yorkers behind the scenes and contribute billions of dollars to our local economy. By bringing 'Movies under the Stars' to more parks in all five boroughs, this is our opportunity to thank residents for hosting filming in their community and provide New Yorkers with increased access to cultural programming."
To kick off the expansion, a special anniversary screening of the independent documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom" is planned for J. Hood Wright Park in Washington Heights on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The movie tells the story of New York City kids who reveal fears and dreams while learning ballroom dancing.
Meanwhile, new parks that will host screenings include:
• In Queens, Smokey Oval Park, Richmond Hill and A.R.R.O.W. Field House, Astoria;
• In Brooklyn, Mount Prospect Park, Crown Heights and Sternberg Playground, Williamsburg; and
• On Staten Island, Cedar Grove and Jennifer's Playground, Mariner's Harbor.
And in Manhattan, Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem, Inwood Hill Park in Inwood, St. Catherine's Park on the Upper East Side, Sol Lain Playground in the Lower East Side, Fort Washington Park in Washington Heights, and Matthew Sapolin Playgroundon the Upper West Side will also host screenings for the first time.
Screenings will also take place in Thomas Greene Park in Park Slope, Brooklyn; Faber Pool and Park on the North Shore of Staten Island; the Owen Dolen Recreation Center in Westchester Square, the Bronx; St. James Park in Fordham, the Bronx; and in Manhattan, Morningside Park, Harlem/Morningside Heights; St. Nicholas Park, Hamilton Heights; and Highbridge Park, Washington Heights, the city said.
