New cinema unveils outdoor movie lineup
STRATFORD – Thursday June 8, 2017: Imagine being able to walk the plank into the world of Peter Pan only to discover a treasure island filled with nuggets of history from Stratford’s own past. That magical mash-up will actually come to life in Stratford Market Square on Sunday July 9th as Movies Under The Stars kicks-off its summertime series of free family-friendly films.
“Watching a movie under the stars rekindles childhood memories when drive-ins were commonplace in towns and cities across the country, “ says Craig Thompson, organizer of Movies Under the Stars. “This is a chance for the community to gather in a beautiful setting to enjoy a summer evening.”
As dusk settles over Market Square, the giant screen will illuminate with Finding Neverland, a film depicting the inspiration behind J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” and starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. But festivities get underway much earlier. At 7 p.m., John Kastner from the Stratford Perth Museum will take the stage to open his
treasure chest of stories from Stratford’s past – including a turning point in Canadian history that took place in Market Square.
“This event is so fitting to take advantage of the new Market Square,” said Kastner. “It’s here that we can celebrate and discuss how and why Stratford is unlike any other town in Canada and really quite special. “Community events like this bring us back to the true and original intent of a town square.” Jaden Entertainment Inc.
“ Arrrr matey – there be pirates.” There probably have never been pirates in Market Square before but on Sunday July 9, there will be a lot of pirate talk. For those who want to have a little fun on their arrival, a band of pirates will be on hand to make you walk the plank across Wellington Street into Market Square. Once back on dry land, moviegoers will be able to pose on the red carpet and get selfies taken against a movie backdrop for a chance to win prizes from local businesses.
Movies Under the Stars is presented by Matt Francis Peak Realty and supported by the Stratford City Centre B.I.A., RTO4 and the Stratford Tourism Alliance with a grant from
the Stratford Destination Animation Fund. The animation fund is also supporting the Stratford Perth Museum history presentation and the Walk-the-Plank event. “We’ve had tremendous support from local businesses and the community, says Thompson, who points out that Movies Under the Stars is also the launch event for the Queen of the Square Cinema which opens Thursday July 13th in city hall auditorium.
The outdoor film series continues on Sunday July 23rd with Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom and Sunday August 20th with a film yet to be announced.
More details can be found on the web site – queenofthesquare.ca or the cinema’s Facebook Page.
For further information or interview requests:
Movies Under the Stars
Rebecca Scott
admin@queenofthesquarecinema
519.589.9642
Stratford-Perth Museum
John Kastner
johnkastner@stratfordperthmuseum.ca
519.393.5311