For many it’s the start of a new fiscal year and the holiday weekend. In Little Italy, it’s time to grab a lawn chair and point the projector at Ciao Bella Restaurant.
Cinema al Fresco begins Friday, July 1, and continues each Friday night through the end of August. With guests sitting in the parking lot of Da Mimmo Ristorante, live music and free popcorn greet all comers starting at 7 p.m. The film starts rolling at 9 p.m.
The Open Air Film Fest began in 2000 thanks to the courtesy of the late John Pente, who allowed the projector to be set up in his bedroom. His nephew’s family now owns the building, and they’ve allowed the projector to stay in place.
Here’s this year’s lineup:
JULY 1 — Moonstruck (because it’s tradition!)
JULY 8 — Diner
JULY 15 — Sound of Music
JULY 22 — More than a Miracle
JULY 29 — The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
AUG 5 — Star Wars: A New Hope
AUG 12 — Goldfinger
AUG 19 — The Great Escape
AUG 26 — Cinema Paradiso (because it’s also tradition!)
