Outdoor Living: New York City Film Screenings in the Fresh Air

A delightful way to spend a summer evening full of fresh air, camaraderie, and culture is to attend an outdoor film screening. France and Switzerland have well known outdoor summer film venues, and you can happily find the same in New York City. Like their European counterparts, shows are subject to weather and held only in the summer months. While the 2008 season is over, keep the following venues in mind for summer 2009.

In Bryant Park, located at 42nd St and Sixth Avenue behind the Main Public Library with the Lion Statues, you can find the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival with screenings on Mondays from the middle of June to the mid-August. The Lawn opens at 5pm, movies begin at sundown, see www.bryantpark.org for movie details.

Special Note: From April to October you can attend free Yoga and Tai Chi classes in the morning at Bryant Park – check the calendar at www.bryantpark.org for details.

The Central Park Movie Festival runs daily for a week or so in August. It is free and screenings start at 8pm (gates open at 6pm), at 69-70th St and 5th Ave in the Rumsey Playfield. Check http://www.centralpark.com/pages/activities/movies.html for details.
Central Park is also home to the Delacorte, an open air Theatre near the 79th street Park entrance where the Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park is performed. You can also go to Summerstage, a free, outdoor music and performing arts festival held in Rumsey Playfield. See http://www.summerstage.org for a full schedule.

At the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park you can see films on Thursdays at sundown through the summer. Information at: www.brooklynbridgepark.org under Movies With A View.

Movie Nights on the Elevated Acre – a special spot in lower Manhattan- are free and held on Tuesdays at 8pm during August at 55 Water St between Old Slip and Broad Street. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. See www.rivertorivernyc.com for a full schedule.

On the Hudson River, at Pier 54 at West 14th and West Street you can view films on Wednesdays. On Pier 46 at Charles and West Street you can view on Fridays. See www.hudsonriverpark.org for summer schedules.

Rooftop Films: Underground Movies Outdoors has been been screening movies on rooftops and other outdoor locations since 1997. They now have thirteen venues in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Roosevelt Park. Check the website for the summer schedule:
www.rooftopfilms.com

In the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, the Summer Screen Series is held at the McCarren Park Pool on Tuesdays and the gates open at 5:30. See www.summerscreen.org for details.