May 17, 2021 By Christina Santucci
The Great Lawn of Astoria Park will be transformed into an outdoor movie theater for several Friday night screenings over the next few weeks.
The waterfront series is scheduled to show 1980s classic “Back to the Future” on May 21, animated flick “Toy Story 4” on May 28 and “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” – in which Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers – on June 4. Movies on the Waterfront kicked off with a screening of “A Star is Born” on May 14.
The films begin at 8:15 p.m. and run for approximately two hours.
The Central Astoria Local Development Corporation (LDC) advises movie goers to bring their own blankets and chairs to sit on to watch the films on the lawn. The screenings are being held in Astoria Park alongside the Hellgate Bridge – at 23rd Avenue between 19th Street and Shore Boulevard.
The movie nights are organized by the Central Astoria LDC with support from former Councilmember Costa Constantinides, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Organizers also thanked the 114th Precinct for helping to make the events possible.
The Central Astoria LDC, a not-for-profit community group that organizes neighborhood cultural programs, also held its Spring Fling Saturday on 31st Avenue between 38th and Steinway Streets. The street festival featured performances by Ajna Dance Company and Academia de Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer.