A night under the stars
Movie viewers are flocking to outdoor venues for the chance to spend an evening under the stars.
Similar to other parkside screenings, Leichhardt Council is hosting ‘Pics In the Park’, a series of free outdoor films throughout February and March. Intending to foster links with the wider community, the initiative will present audiences with an alternative to standard indoor cinema viewing.
A teacher at St Jerome’s Catholic School, Margaret Wallace, said moonlight cinema viewing is like “an alfresco experience” with a community feel.
“When my children were little, I took them to see an outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” she said. “Everyone loves a good picnic.”
The program, developed by the Council’s Youth Team and Leichhardt Youth Council, aims to raise funds for local charity organisations, such as the Balmain Mental Health Carers Support Group, Balmain PCYC and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
Pics In the Park will seek to provide a unique cinematic experience by showcasing a diverse array of films for viewers of all ages.
With the escalating price of indoor cinema tickets, outdoor cinemas are becoming increasingly popular. The Ford Focus Moonlight Cinema at Centennial Park, the Open Air Cinema at Bondi Beach and the St George Open Air Cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Point have established themselves as popular venues for recreational outdoor cinema viewing.
Mrs Wallace said: “External spaces allow for a family-friendly environment and atmosphere.”
“It’s plenty of fun and the value element of it is great. You can take your children along and have a wonderful experience.”
The Pics In the Park program commences on Friday, February 3 at sunset, with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
By Daniel Paperny
