A Summer of Great Films

As you’ve probably noticed, JJ Byrne Park and playground (on Fifth Avenue between Third and Fourth streets,) is currently surrounded by a chain link fence as it undergoes a that includes two new play spaces for kids of different ages and a seating area with café tables for adults.

There’s also talk of adding concessions, a picnic area, a water fountain, new landscaping and expanding the playstreet hours on the cul de sac on Fourth Street between the park and MS 51.

It’s all good — and great news for a neighborhood, which depends on the recreational and cultural space that the park provides.

But what about all those great summer activities Park Slopers have come to expect in their little Fifth Avenue Park?         

Is all that on hold, too?

Not by a long shot. You can rest assured that there will be plenty of theater, music and film this summer. It’s just that it will all be happening on the big, green turf field on the west side of the , the side that faces Fourth Avenue.

For those who enjoy watching movies outdoors, Brooklyn Film Works has just announced their plans to present movies in the park on three consecutive Saturdays in July (July 9, 16 and 23).

The films will begin at 8:30 p.m. each week, kicking off with a live band or cartoon.

Kim Maier, executive director of the Old Stone House and the person responsible for facilitating all of the cultural activities that go on in the park, described the Brooklyn Film Works experience.

“People bring a blanket and a picnic, take out from one of Fifth Avenue’s great restaurants, or buy a hot dog or a sandwich and a beer or wine and other goodies from our concessionaires Willie’s Dawgs and The Gate,” she told me.

Last summer Maier called the series, “Downturns in Destiny” and screened such classics as Yankee Doodle Dandy, Sullivan’s Travels, What a Way to Go and Dr. Strangelove.”

 “I heard someone describe it as a ‘chill scene out on the plastic turf.’ And it really is very pleasant out on the field after dark,” Maier added.

This year, the fifth anniversary of Brooklyn Film Works, Maier will be showing short films, primarily by independent filmmakers. The series is called “The Brooklyn Short Film Concert Series” and partners include Doug LeClaire and Asbury Shorts NYC, with sponsorship from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Scharff Weisberg and YELP. 

On July 9, there will be an evening of international award winning short films; On July 16, a program of short films produced by Brooklyn filmmakers is planned. And on July 23: The Best of Asbury Shorts NY, the world's best short films.        

I asked Maier how the series got started (full disclosure: I was a volunteer during the first summer of Brooklyn Film Works).

“Brooklyn Film Works grew out of our love of summer-time weekend movie nights projecting classics like Xanadu onto a sheet hanging between the trees in our backyard.  Since the Old Stone House is Park Slope’s town square, it seemed like the perfect place to bring the neighbors together.  What’s better on a hot night than enjoying a nice cool breeze off the Gowanus, watching a movie under the stars?” 

According to Maier, Brooklyn Film Works and all the cultural events in the park make the park safer and better maintained.

“It helps draw support from volunteers and funders for park improvements that benefit the entire community.”

Maier is eager to cite the contributions of locals, who help make the film series a reality.

“Josh Weisberg, who lives in Park Slope, offered to loan the Christie projector from his audio/visual rental company, Scharff Weissberg. Another local, Bob Usdin from Showman Fabricators built the screen, Greg Murjani from Greg’s Express provides the 16’ box truck that creates a stable support for the screen, and our friend Bill Lyon provides all the technical support.”

Clearly, Brooklyn Film Works and all the cultural programming in the Park makes Park Slope a festive and fun place to be during the hot, humid Brooklyn summer.

“Our goals are to provide great, low-cost programming for the community, support emerging artists, and maintain the Old Stone House and Washington Park as a vibrant public space – and we thank our neighbors for their support in helping to make this happen!”