Whilst this theatre is all about cozy trappings of shabby seats and dark lighting, in the August of our summer, i'd like to insert a few homages to the excellent outdoor summer venues of Baltimore, M.D.---as continued inspiration for your starlit nights. The geography lends to the cinematic themes and through such badass public use, brings the landmarks back to us peeps. so dig these:
Films are about food or have an Italian flavor, and 2011 is the 15yr anniversary.
"Many years ago, as the story goes, Little Italy was repainting a 'Welcome to Little Italy' billboard, but the contractor didn’t obtain the proper permits from the city of Baltimore. Before the billboard could be finished, the city put an end to the project and the neighborhood was left with a huge white plywood eyesore on the side of Ciao Bella. Eventually, someone noticed the unfinished project oddly resembled a movie projector screen…and viola! An idea was born…When the movie starts around 9 pm, a hush goes over the crowd and sound is piped through the neighborhood’s street speakers. It’s an enchanting experience and one that we hope lives on for a long time to come." -Elisa, Baltimore is Awesome, July 27, 2011
Cop a squat on lovely Fells Point...
The films are not classic as much as pointed to please as many Baltimoreans as possible--recent blockbusters for free right on the Chesapeake Bay. The key is grabbing a crab cake and hoping the film deals with aquatic horror, because the Harbor has stories...
Flicks From the Hill Hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum, a folk art awesomeness institution.
This summer's selection is inspired by the exhibit, "What Makes Us Smile?" at the American Visionary Art Museum and screened on Federal Hill. Films include: Airplane!, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Pink Panther and Duck Soup.
The art exhibit "What Makes Us Smile?" looks amazing--a little silly and joyous and was "co-curated by renowned creator of 'The Simpsons,' Matt Groening, artist Gary Panter – known for, among many other things, his whimsy behind Pee-Wee Herman's Playhouse – and Museum founder Rebecca Hoffberger. 'Smile' features the costumes, cartoons, out-loud & 3-D glee-filled surprises created by 90 artists, imps, and comedians with accompanying essays, factoids, quotes and blurbs that revel in the history and science behind the gift of laughter." -AVAM, 2011
Detail: Tickling Machine by Carlos Zapata, 2003
What, Me Worry? Bed by Patty Kuzbida, 2010
On Deck Circle by Tom Wilborn, c. 1970
Smile Welcome Mat by Nadya Volicer, 2010
(made from recycled toothbrushes!)
Johns Hopkins Summer Film FestivalHosted by the university, right outside iconic Gilman Hall.
Sometimes its all about doing a landmark redux. i don't know what's cooler, that fact that every film is paired with a band riffing on the cinematic theme, or that the Gilman tower is blasted with the image of Andre the Giant or Anjelica Huston. Okay, i think i do know...
FULL DISCLOSURE ALERT!
And whilst this matinee owner lived early formative years in Charm City, she cannot forsake Columbia, M.D., the true hood making this young girl into a matinee manger---and institutionalizing decades of righteous late 1960s urban development theory, pretty man-made Lake Kittamaqundi and the 40-year annual summer Lakefront Festival with free movies.
Sponsored by the Columbia Association, oh yeah, the powers that be in Columbia---the legacy of James Rouse (and grandpapa to Edward Norton).
My dear Matinees, i am not going to lie, this year's family friendly movie selection looks less inspiring than the deliciously goofy spread from my childhood (everything was either a musical, a classic or had Jody Foster circa 1970s in it---the original Freaky Friday, anyone?) so let's just revisit how this matinee manager and little sister Coco would eat mom's carob and raisin snacks, sitting under the stars:
Yet, the quintessential deal with being a Columbian in the summer is sitting cross legged and kum ba yah style looking across the manmade lake in a city where interfaith centers share rituals and the villages are named after poets, holding hands under the People Tree.
Flicks From the Hill
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