Free Movies After Dark are Back! So Am I!

It was nearly a year ago that I last posted. And I make my return with a post that is eerily similar to last year's. The City of Hartford is yet again doing Free Movies in the Park and I'll apologize in advance: As you can see from the schedule, they're already well underway.

After launching TBPDIH in 2010, I received a ton of feedback, gained a lot of readers both casually and through search engines. After two years, I felt like my job was done. I wasn't going out nearly as much as I used to and since Facebook is King of the World, I figured we were all in the know now. But I've heard the "there's nothing to do in Hartford" whispers. When I heard them in 2010-2012, I easily combated them by handing out my card and instructing the person to educate themselves on this site. But last year especially was lean. And it's hard to say that there's a ton of things going on and when asked what specifically, I respond, "Um...I dunno since I'm probably just going to be hanging out in my backyard tonight."

A few weeks ago, the list of Free Movies was put up on Facebook and was quickly passed around. I saw a couple people on my timeline who balked at the fact that there were no movies starring main characters of color. I'm not here to get into a debate about whether that's important or not so save your comments. I know how it seems weird to them that though most of these movies are playing in parks that serve communities of color, "Coming to America" or other classics aren't on any of the screens. But protesting didn't occur to me because I voted. 

Back in the wintertime, when we couldn't even fathom sitting outdoors to watch a movie, the Marketing, Events and Cultural Affairs office for the City posted a poll of what should be shown. Or maybe it was Hartford.com? I can't remember. Either way, I nominated a couple. Then when they put finalists up for a vote, I voted on them. I vaguely remember trying to suggest some "black" movies off the top of my head, but I also couldn't remember many. And I didn't ask for help because in my naivety, I didn't think anyone would care. If they would, they would be voting.

So when I watched my friends complain in mild ire about the final list, I first thought, "well, don't complain; you should've voted!" Then I realized...how many of my friends knew they could vote? How many know these pages exist? How many even know that Hartford.com is different than Hartford.gov and that they are involved in bucketloads of fun stuff and really do care about the residents in the city they serve, not just the visitors? MECA and I have 30 mutual friends, Hartford.gov and I have 31. Of those 30-ish people, only about 5 were a surprise to me, meaning they're not bloggers, they don't work with these groups in a professional capacity or aren't obsessed with all things Hartford like I am.

This blog and its page on Facebook are supposed to be telling you about things like MECA, Hartford.gov, remind you about The Wadsworth and The Bushnell, the parks, the parades, the nooks and crannies of the city that you may not know about or just forgot about. I'm supposed to remind you, as the saying goes, that Hartford Has It. So when someone's asking for suggestions on how to make you come out (and as always, this is "you" everyone. Not just POC) I should be relaying that message.

The reason that this blog was started, as I always say, is because I felt that there were people being missed when it came time to advertise. For example, I'm not West Indian. I have no idea when the West Indian Parade is this year. I usually don't know until steel drums are waking me up the morning of. Everyone is welcome to go, but for people like me with a busy schedule it's nice to know when things are happening so I can plan on going, not just hope I'm free. When this blog was really cookin', I had so many people say, "I had no idea that XXX happened at YYY for the last three years! How would I have found out about that before?" The answer is typically know the right people. Whether it's eating good Puerto Rican food or taking a yoga class. Somehow we're not all finding out the right information.

Obviously I can't do this blog forever, but please still check in because for as long as I can, I will. Also read Real Hartford: an extremely good blog that posts an in depth schedule of events happening in Hartford all over Hartford. (July's list just posted yesterday!) Like the Things Black People Do In Hartford FB page. Like Hartford.com's FB page and check their website often. Like MECA's FB page too! If you go to a local bar or club and you like it, find them on the internet. If in doubt, e-mail me and I'll see what I can do.

Hartford Parks Free Movies After Dark

The drive-in movie. For years, American summers were defined by them. If you grew up in the Central Connecticut area, I'm sure you have some summer memories sitting in the backseat of a car at the Hartford Drive-In on the Berlin Turnpike. We would absolutely trash my parents' mini-van with crushed popcorn and gummy worms while watching Home Alone on the screen. But now they're nearly extinct. Going to one is seen as a niche and novelty event. A "cute idea" for a 5th date or a treat for the birthday of a 10 year old who doesn't own a television. Believe it or not, there are those of us who miss the old Drive-In. This summer, Hartford is going old school and giving us a series of outdoor movies in the parks. The good news is that you don't need your car! The bad news is that you'll probably need some mosquito repellent and getting to second base in public frowned upon!

The City of Hartford's Marketing, Events & Cultural Affairs Division and Mayor Pedro Segarra are trying out something new this summer and putting on Free Movies After Dark in various Hartford Parks. Every Friday this summer, a different Hartford Park will feature a full length film for free at sunset. The weekly event starts on July 27 in Bushnell Park with one of my favorite movies Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and will go until September 7th ending with a movie set and filmed in Hartford called Rising Star. 


My insiders have told me so far that there will be popcorn to munch on, because what's a movie without it? Break out your blanket, your bug spray and dig the stick out of your under carriage. The first installment of 2012 Monday Night Jazz in Bushnell Park had a great turnout on July 9th. Everyone had fun and mingled as the sun lowered in the sky, staying well after the sun set until the last note played. In my head, that's how I see this event going down. A bunch of us huddled on blankets with friends and family under the stars, laughing as Baxter speaks Spanish to Ron and Brick kills a guy with a Trident. It'll happen. We all know how it goes bringing new events in Hartford: 60% of the time it works every time. Don't act like you're not impressed with figures like that. Break out your jazz flute and bring your ass to the park on the 27th or you will spend Saturday the 28th in a glass case of emotion. Because as you know, "When in Rome."

If you don't know what any of that meant, you should really do yourself a favor and come to the park. 

North End Farmer's Market

Get your fresh tomatoes, peppers and local honey! (Sometimes...that stuff is so elusive! They need to put out a friggin mailing list or something)

Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 27) the North End Farmer's Market will open for the season. If the North End seems a little far, then maybe you need to re-examine your life and your choices because this is Hartford and the entire city is about a block long. But maybe you're like, "Tianna, I don't have a car, it really is far for me!" To which I say, "Oh man, that really sucks. How do you get McDonald's?" And you're like, "Well, I don't really eat McDonald's because I can't just stop by there whenever I feel like it like people with cars can." And I'm like, "Oh, yeah I guess that's true *nodding my head in agreement*" And you're like, "If you think about it, I'm pretty sure most people only eat fast food in a jam because it's always in driving distance and you don't have to leave your car." And I'm like, "That's true and what a shame because I'm sure that plays a hand in our poor overall health overall. I'd love to further pick your brain about this, but we're going to have to stop talking about this now because I could really go for a snackwrap." And you shake your head because people who don't eat McDonald's think those that do are just walking anthrax. 

And that head shake makes me feel bad, because I should be treating my body like a temple. I should be eating fresh food grown by people who have to suffer the same traffic on 84W as I, and shaking the stung hands of the man who cautiously collected my honey! So I gather my cloth grocery bags, hop on my bike and head to my nearest Farmer's Market while humming "Heal the World". My nearest Farmer's Market is just so happens to be the North End Farmer's Market on 80 Coventry Street, but there's way more than that running from the summer into the fall, so no need to examine your life and choices after all. (Unless you want to and if so by all means, examine away. If you're human, there's a 99% chance you're messed up anyway. May as well try to sort that whole thing out.)

Here are the Hartford Farmer's Markets (list pulled from the CT Department of Agriculture website)

Hartford ‐ Billings Forge Farmers’ Market

Thursdays 11 a.m. ‐ 2 p.m.

May 3 ‐ December 27

539 Broad Street, Grassy Courtyard on Billings Forge Campus

FMNP Authorized WF&V SNAP

Hartford ‐ Capitol Ave Farmers’ Market

Mondays 10 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m.

July 2 ‐ October 29

First Presbyterian Church Next to Bushnell, 156 Capitol Avenue

FMNP Authorized WF&V

Hartford ‐ Homestead Farmers’ Market NEW! in 2012CT DoAG

2012 Certified Farmers’ Markets

Wednesdays 3 p.m. ‐ 6 p.m.

June 27 ‐ October 10

255 Homestead Avenue, Chrysalis Center Inc

FMNP Authorized    SNAP

Hartford ‐ North End Farmers’ Market

Wednesdays 10 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m.

June 27 ‐ October 31

80 Coventry Street, In front of North end Senior Center

FMNP Authorized WF&V SNAP

Hartford ‐ Old State House Farmers’ Market

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11 a.m. ‐ 2 p.m.

June 26 ‐ October 26

Old State House, 800 Main Street

FMNP Authorized WF&V

Hartford ‐ Park Street Farmers’ Market

Mondays 9:30 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m.

July 9 ‐ October 29

Walgreen's Parking Lot, Corner of Park and Washington Streets

FMNP Authorized   

Hartford ‐ West End Farmers’ Market

Tuesdays & Fridays 4 p.m. ‐ 7 p.m., 3:30 p.m. ‐ 6 p.m. (Sept‐Oct)

June 4 ‐ October 30

United Methodist Church ‐ 571 Farmington Avenue @ South Whitney Street

Still Wavy 375: Janelle Monáe in Bushnell Park

I love free shit. I'm a sample grabber and a huge fan of health/career fairs. If it's $0 and I'm not there, it's probably not really $0. But I will be at Still Wavy 375, a free concert headlined by a Grammy nominated, Prince-honoring, Espy-performing singer; in other words, a BFD for the Hartbeat.

We don't do things like this here. I've been a resident of Hartford for years and sang alto for the There's-Nothing-To-Do-In-Hartford Chorus from the ages of 12 til about 22. And finally, in recent years, I've seen people doing something to change that. I have friends who put on great parties, start up phenomenal programs for children and are making big moves in the ways of fresh things to do in the city. The TNTDIH Chorus is thankfully losing members.

Since I found out about this concert, I've been asking a ton of questions to all involved, so I'm going to answer some frequently asked questions that I've gotten:

How can the City of Hartford afford this?
It's actually not only the City that is putting this on. The Hartford Party Starters Union teamed up with the Wadsworth Atheneum to put this on, and the City threw down some money for the shindig as well. It's kind of like Hartford's bffs wanted to throw it a big birthday party and it was like, "Oh thanks guys, that's so special! Why don't I pay for the cups and plates though? I'd feel bad not doing anything!"

Why is it starting at 5:00 on a Friday?
Why not? Sure, it could be an all day thing like Jazzmania 2010 that just happened last week, but it's like I said before: Hartford doesn't do things like this. You've gotta kick it off somehow and if they're bringing in major artists free to you, why not do it differently? I'm pretty excited to have something to do on a Friday night that's different from my normal routine (taking a nap after work and waking up with a severe case of drag-ass).

What are the other artists like?
The songs that I've familiarized myself with tell me that this is going to be a high energy show. The style is music that you wouldn't typically hear on the radio, but until very recently, Janelle Monáe is someone you wouldn't hear on there either. I like to know what I'm getting into before I go to a show with musicians I've never seen or heard of, so I checked them all out. If you've got a finicky ear I suggest you do the same, but honestly I don't think any of these performers will disappoint.

Can I bring my kids?
Hells yeah! As long as they don't mind people saying "hells yeah" because I plan to shout that a lot.

What does "still wavy" mean?
It boggles my mind that you don't know what wavy means. Where'd you grow up, under a rock? You're so frodunk for that! No sir, I dunno what it means.

Other than that, you need to just get yourself out here and see the show. A lot of work is going into making sure this goes off without a hitch. Not only that, but just showing up says you are in favor of future things like this happening in Hartford. You'll be wishing a happy birthday to the home of so much of this country's history. More importantly, someone brown is coming to Hartford for free and that's awesome! You know how we're usually treated like children who aren't allowed to congregate? Not this time buddy boy! Congregate your ass off! Then support some local Hartford restaurants by having a drink and a nosh after the show. Go to the Wadsworth on Saturday and thank them for the good time, and have a look around. When's the last time you've been to the Wadsworth? Remember that lady in the lawn chair with the sunburned skin that freaked you the hell out as a kid? Go back now! I swear she's not as scary!

The thing of it is, the reason there was nothing to do in Hartford is because no one was doing anything in Hartford. The time is now. So let's all go be brown in public and listen to some good music. Ok? Ok.

Deets:
Showtime: 5pm
Artists: Janelle Monáe, Holy Ghost!, Tobacco, Maluca, Cubic Zirconia & DJ Rizzla
Dress code: Come comfy
Food & Drinks: vendors will be parked on Trinity Street (by the Memorial Arch)
Cover charge: Free!
All ages
Address: Bushnell Park Pavillion, Downtown Hartford

Bonus: Check out the registration on the Still Wavy website. It's still free, but you'll be entered to win prizes and more. I already did it because I love free stuff.