August 1, 2017
“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for us all” – Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General, United Nations. There isn’t a more significant place to watch Before the Flood than Film Works Alfresco open-air cinema surrounded by natural salt marsh in Inwood Hill Park.
The inaugural FREE outdoor summer cinema series continues Monday, August 7 with a free pre-show performance of Combo Nuvo’s One World Suite by local Inwood composer and musician Rich Shemaria preceding the screening at 7:00pm.
This curated film series focuses foremost on presenting independent and popular films with local relevance that culturally resonate with the Northern Manhattan community. In a neighborhood bereft of a movie theater, Film Works Alfresco presents twelve free screenings consecutively every Monday evening at dusk at Gaelic Field in Inwood Hill Park from June 5 through August 28 in 2017. This English and Spanish language seasonal cinema series expands public access to professional filmmaking in Northern Manhattan, and presents as diverse an array of films as the community it serves. The Film Works Alfresco is produced by Inwood Art Works, Aaron Simms, Founding Executive Producer.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE AND FILM INFORMATION
Before the Flood – Monday, August 7, 2017 – 95 minutes. Documentary in English (2016, USA).
If you could know the truth about the threat of climate change – would you want to know? Before the Flood, presented by National Geographic, features Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, traveling to five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand. He goes on expeditions with scientists uncovering the reality of climate change and meets political leaders fighting against inaction. He also discovers a calculated disinformation campaign orchestrated by powerful special interests working to confuse the public about the urgency of the growing climate crisis. With unprecedented access to thought leaders around the world, DiCaprio searches for hope in a rising tide of catastrophic news.
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens and Academy Award winning actor, environmental activist and U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio, Before the Flood present a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change, as well as the actions we as individuals and as a society can take to prevent the disruption of life on our planet. Beyond the steps we can take as individuals, the film urges viewers to push their elected officials in supporting the use of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power.
LOCATION AND ADMISSION
Gaelic Field is located near the salt marsh in Inwood Hill Park and is accessible by entry at Isham Street and at 218th Street.
FREE for all. No admission required.
In the case of inclement weather, rain date is August 28, 2017. Stay tuned to Inwood Art Works social media channels for updates.
PRE-SHOW ENTERTAINMENT INFORMATION
One World Suite by Rich Shemaria, performed by Combo Nuvo
Combating climate change, with all of its causes and long run economic, social and ecological impacts, has become a task not only for academia, policy makers and business practitioners. Enthusiastic support for solutions to the climate change crisis has come from art and culture, a great example being Combo Nuvo’s new piece, “One World Suite.”
UPCOMING SCREENINGS
Los Domirriqueños – Monday, August 14, 2017 – 115 minutes. Comedy en Español (2016, Puerto Rico).
In a neighborhood where Dominicans and Puerto Ricans live in community, they must learn to put their differences aside and work together to prevent the demolition of their basketball court. Should they fail, their beloved basketball court will be demolished by a greedy developer. Eduardo Ortiz directs several popular Puerto Rican and Dominican film and television stars in a fun and hilarious take on Latino culture.
On the Town – Monday, August 21, 2017 – 98 minutes. Musical Comedy with subtitles en Español. (1948, USA).
New York, New York, it’s a wonderful town – especially in this classic adaptation of the 1944 Broadway musical, directed and choreographed by Gene Kelley. Featuring Academy Award -winning score by Leonard Bernstein and Roger Edens and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, we follow three sailors (Frank Sinatra, Jules, Munshin, and Gene Kelly) on a day of shore leave in the Big Apple looking for fun and romance before their twenty-four hours are up.
A Dog’s Life / The Kid by Charlie Chaplin – Monday, August 28, 2017 – 33 and 53 minutes. Silent Comedy (1918, 1921, USA).
A double feature of Short silent films written, directed and produced by Charlie Chaplin. In A Dog’s Life, the “Tramp” plays opposite of “Scraps” the dog, who helps him towards a better life in the big city. When it was made, it was both the longest Chaplin production to that time and, as he would later claim, the first in which he seriously considered comic plot construction.
The Kid is Chaplin’s first full-length feature film and features Jackie Coogan as his adopted son and sidekick. Chaplin titled the opening of film as “A picture with a smile–and perhaps, a tear” as it is regarded as his most perfect and personal film, and one of the greatest films of the silent era.
SUPPORT
Partial Support for Film Work Alfresco is provided with support from the Partnerships for Parks Inwood Parks Grant, made possible by Columbia University.
Film Works Alfresco is additionally funded by The Neighborhood 360° Program. The Neighborhood 360° Program was created by the NYC Department of Small Business Services to identify, develop, and launch commercial revitalization projects in partnership with local stakeholders.
Additional support provided by Edison Properties, Evydent Dentistry, Indian Road Café, Inwood Gourmet, Ray’s Barber Shop, Team Hermann at Halstead Property, Bohemia Realty, and Hanuman Health Club.
QUOTES
“Cultural and artistic events breathe life into our public spaces and neighborhoods,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I’m thrilled that Film Works Alfresco will be in Inwood Hill Park this summer, and commend Inwood Art Works for its efforts to bring culturally relevant arts programming into this community.” – Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President.
“Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of our city, and the nearly $1.23 million we invested in Inwood will go a long way towards revitalizing key commercial corridors,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “Working with the Washington Heights Business Improvement District and their partner Inwood Art Works, we are responding to local need to support small business growth and build a more vibrant neighborhood.” – Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of New York City Department of Small Business Services.
BIOGRAPHY
INWOOD ART WORKS creates and curates professional performing and visual arts in the Inwood community. Through its Film Works, Art Works, and Stage Works programs it encourages positive social engagement, goodwill, and unity through live theater, music, dance, film, new media, and visual arts within accessible proximity at affordable prices or free of charge.
AARON SIMMS is a New Yorker from Cincinnati. Among his recent credits, he produced the New York Times Critic’s Pick Soot and Spit by Charles Mee at the New Ohio Theatre. He has company managed the acclaimed Off Broadway runs of Small Mouth Sounds, and Wrestling Jerusalem. He has worked at Maximum Entertainment Productions, Snug Harbor Productions, Richards/Climan, Inc., Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Realm, DR Theatrical Management, and ICM Partners. He is the Chair of Northern Manhattan Arts and Culture, and the Founding Executive Producer of Inwood Art Works. In addition, he is a union member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and I.A.T.S.E. He holds a B.A. in Theater from Butler University, and an M.F.A. in Theater Management & Producing from Columbia University.
COMBO NUVO was created to explore the diverse experiences of musicians who have traveled across the globe, bringing their influences back home to Greenwich Village where they work and play. The brainchild of Dave Schroeder and Rich Shemaria, their premise was simple; let’s combine our favorite music with our favorite musicians and see what happens.
In addition, they brought unique instruments from around the world into the group, finding new ways to write and arrange for them. Playing in tiny bistros and coffee houses around the Village during the late 90’s, the group began to find their sound. Their unique blend was created using instruments like the chromatic harmonica & blues harp, acoustic guitar, cello, Middle Eastern percussion, piano & synthesizers, jaw harp, penny whistle, flutes, clarinets and saxophones.
By 2003, Schroeder accepted the position as Director of Jazz Studies at NYU Steinhardt and appointed Combo Nuvo the NYU Jazz Artist-in-Residence Ensemble, giving the group a forum to showcase their talents on an international level. From their humble beginnings, Combo Nuvo has moved on to perform at iconic venues like the Blue Note Jazz Club, Birdland and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York City.
Around the globe they’ve appeared with international orchestras such as the Costa Rica Sinfonica Nacional, Peru National Symphony (Lima), the United Arab Emirates Philharmonic in Abu Dhabi, the i Solisti dell Orchestra del Teatro Verdi (Florence, Italy) and the Morin Khuur Ensemble; the National Symphony of Mongolia. In 2010, Combo Nuvo performed before 100,000 people (broadcast to over a billion) at the 60th Gala Celebration for East China Normal University in Shanghai, China.
For more information, visit www.inwoodartworks.nyc