Watch ‘Grease’ in Arlington park
Published 11:13 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2009
ARLINGTON — Once your kids are back from the latest Harry Potter flick, maybe they’d be interested in three movies with teens who don’t get around on broomsticks and where rock music rules.
The Arlington Parks Department’s outdoor summer cinema series, Terrace Park in the Dark, begins Thursday with a showing of the movie version of the Broadway musical “Grease,” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
Terrace Park, at 809 E. Fifth St., features an amphitheater where families can get cozy under blankets and enjoy the movie. With the recent rain, a little mosquito repellent might be a good idea.
The free evening starts around dusk with a classic cartoon followed by the featured film about 9 p.m. All of the movies are rated PG. As one of its community service projects, the Arlington Kiwanis Club plans to serve free popcorn.
On July 23, the setting moves from the 1950s of “Grease” to the early ‘60s of “American Graffiti.” Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Harrison Ford, this is a coming-of-age story, also set in California.
On July 30, the movie is “Footloose” with Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Penn, Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow. The musical is set in the early 1980s in Oklahoma, when a Chicago boy moves into a small town where dancing is banned.
“The city’s summer movies in the park are a great opportunity for families to spend an evening together,” city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said. “It’s a great time, with no impact on your pocket book.”
The city also plans to sponsor a concert series on Thursday evenings in August, also at Terrace Park. The bands include Bucking Horse, playing country on Aug. 6; Tillers Folly, playing a mix of bluegrass, folk and Celtic tunes; The Creme Tangerines, offering a Beatles music experience on Aug. 20; and ZZ Top tribute band El Loco on Aug. 27.
In addition, Monroe’s Last Leaf Productions returns to Terrace Park on July 25 with a presentation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”
For more information about the city’s film series, the concert series and Shakespeare in the Park, call 360-403-3448.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.
