Worcester Movies on the Common 2012!

Last year I wrote about a series of movie screenings on the Worcester (MA) Common put on by the group Worcester Film Works.  Over the course of the summer of 2011 they showed one movie each month: "Grease" (1978), "Back to the Future" (1985) and "Spaceballs" (1987).  Starting with the second show they began to add live music before the movies.  There were also some vendors set up selling food, drinks and ice cream.  It was a great series and I was happy to be able to attend each show.  At the conclusion of the third show in August 2011 it wasn't clear if Worcester Film Works would be bringing the series back for 2012.  I talked to some of the group's members and it was obvious that they were very happy with how the series performed and were hoping to be able to do it again.

Well it's now Summer 2012 and I'm pleased to say that Worcester Movies on the Common is Back!  In fact, I've been a little slow in reporting this great news.  The first show is scheduled for tonight!  For this show there will be TWO musical acts playing before the movie.  At 5:00 James Keyes will be the first act, followed by the band The Luxury.  Unfortunately I won't be able to get to the show in time for the opening, but should be there sometime before the movie starts (which is as soon as it becomes dark enough).  Tonight's movie is going to be "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1985)!  We're in the middle of a bit of a heat wave in New England at the moment.  I was originally planning on taking my two Little Monsters with me, but because of the heat it seemed like a better idea to let them sit this one out.  I will try to report back in soon to comment on the show.

And now for some general information about the series.  The shows take place on the third Thursday night of each summer month (June, July, August).  The festivities begin at 5:00 with the bands.  After the music the stage is transformed into a movie screen and the evening's film begins when it becomes dark enough to see it on the screen (which will become earlier throughout the series as the sun begins so set earlier).  Last year Sweet Sister Ice Cream brought their ice cream truck and The Theatre Cafe sold sandwiches, hot dogs and other goodies at each of the shows.  The plan is to have vendors at this year's series as well.  It appears from the latest post by Worcester Film Works that The Theatre Cafe is confirmed for tonight's first show.

Sweet Sister's ice cream truck set up at the show

The Theatre Cafe's table

And I should also mention that Worcester Film Works had a popcorn machine set up at their table at each of the shows last year.  To what must have been incredible frustration for them the machine failed to perform at EVERY show!  I read in their latest post that the popcorn machine will be set up once again (resurrected?) for tonight's show, and they were planning on testing it out this afternoon.  We'll have to see what happens tonight.  Either way I'll be happy.  I'd certainly enjoy being able to buy  bag of popcorn to munch while watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" on the big screen under the stars of a hot New England summer night.  But if it DOESN'T work it will actually feel a little like a sort of new tradition is continuing!  Time will tell...

WFW's table and the "infamous" popcorn machine!

Worcester Movies on the Common is a great program that has been put together by a small group of enthusiastic people trying to do something good for Worcester.  I'm very happy to see that it's back for a second year.  Hopefully the crowds will be even bigger this year than they were last year.  And I haven't even mentioned what is possibly the best thing about this whole thing...  These shows are absolutely FREE!  Just come out with your blankets and lawn chairs, relax and watch a great movie under the open sky.  It's not exactly the same as a drive-in, but it's still pretty awesome!  And the price can't be beat!

Here's the schedule for this year's Worcester Movies on the Common series.  All shows start (with musical acts) at 5:00, and each show falls on the third Thursday of the month.  In case of rain or other inclement weather shows will be postponed until the following Thursday (the fourth Thursday of the month).  This year's show will feature:

• Thursday June 21 - "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1985)
• Thursday July 19th - "Jaws" (1975)
• Thursday August 16th - "The Princess Bride" (1987)

See you at the movies!