photo by Charlie London. Fortier Park has held movie nights numerous times over the years. Now, NORDC will have movies in the park at various NORDC sites throughout New Orleans.

New Orleans launches ‘Movies in the Park’ series

article by Frank Donze
New Orleans city officials have launched a series of free, outdoor film viewings at neighborhood playgrounds.

The 13-week “Movies in the Park” program kicked off Friday night with a showing of “The Princess and the Frog” at Annunciation Square on Race Street. The program continues today when the animated feature will be shown at Digby Playground, 6600 Virgilian St., in eastern New Orleans.

Weather permitting, movies will begin at 7:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 26.

The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, the public-private partnership approved by voters last year, is sponsoring the events. The commission will provide a portable outdoor movie screen, security, trash receptacles and satellite restrooms.

Community organizations and neighborhood associations will serve as hosts by choosing movies and overseeing concessions, a volunteer clean-up crew and a table showcasing upcoming neighborhood events.

“We encourage families to bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and relax while watching a movie,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu said in a written statement.

Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and no pets, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, firearms, weapons, smoking or cooking are allowed.

Community centers and neighborhood organizations interested in hosting a movie should contact Christina Pappion at the recreation commission office at 658.0316 for available dates. For more information on Movies in the Park, visit http://www.nola.gov/Residents/NORD/Movies-in-the-Park/.

General Program Information:
• All outdoor public movie screenings require a license even if they are free to the public.
• Showtime is at dusk (7:45 pm) weather permitting.
• Movies may not exceed 2 hours 15 minutes in length.
• Format for movies is DVD only (no VHS or 16mm).
• All movie selections are made from the Swank, Inc. inventory.
• NORDC will purchase the license through Swank, Inc.
• If Movie Night is cancelled due to weather, call 504.658.3016 for make-up dates.
• Participants are asked to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Bug spray is optional.
• Movie Night is a good time to promote your neighborhood organization, recruit new volunteers, and advertise community events.
• Parking is limited, please consider walking or carpooling.

Event Logistics
NORDC will provide:
Portable Movie System
DVD & Licensing
Security
Trash Receptacles (next day pickup)
Satellite Restrooms
Host will provide:
Event Coordinator (work with NORDC)
Concessions (strongly recommended that host group serve refreshments as it makes for a more festive atmosphere)
Volunteer Cleanup crew
Table showcasing neighborhood services & upcoming events
Event Guidelines:
MITP is free & open to the public.
Event security & staff hold the right to deny admittance and remove patrons.
Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No pets allowed.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Illegal drugs, firearms, and weapons are prohibited.
MITP is a smoke-free environment.
No cooking or grilling on the premises.
Cooler/bags and snacks are allowed. (Subject to search)
Tents or any other objects that would obstruct the view of others are prohibited.
No reserved seating. First come first serve basis.
Inclement weather is cause for cancellation.
Dates available for 2011
Fridays & Saturdays starting August 26, 2011 through November 26,2011.

Movie Listing
See NORDC website for available movies.

To Reserve your Movie Night
• Call the NORDC Office at 504-658-3000 ext. 3016 to confirm an available date.
• Complete the attached reservation form which can also be faxed to
(504) 658-3050.
• Mail or deliver reservation form to:
800 Race Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
• Reservations will be booked on a first-come first-serve basis until all available dates are filled.

Questions?

Call: 504-658-3000 (ext 3016)
Email: cfpappion@nola.gov

Movies for Children & Families
Swank Motion Pictures
Animation
101 Dalmatians
A Bug’s Life
Antz
Beauty and the Beast
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Despicable Me
The Emperor’s New Groove
Flubber
Gnomeo and Juliet
Happily Never After
Happy Feet
Kung Fu Panda
Mulan
Open Season
The Princess and the Frog
Shrek: 2, Forever After, and the Third
Space Jam
Toy Story: 1, 2, 1nd 3
WALL-E
Where the Wild Things Are

Adventure
Bedtime stories
Bridge to Terabithia
Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
ET The Extra-Terrestrial
Jurassic Park
Spy Kids
Super Babies: Baby Geniuses 2
Up

Classic
A Christmas Story
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Goonies
The Wiz
The Wizard of Oz

Comedy
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
Daddy Day Camp
Freaky Friday (2003)
The Game Plan

Holiday
The Haunted Mansion
Santa Buddies

Musical
Enchanted
High School Musical 1, 2, and 3