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. 

Parker Memorial Rec Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium

Please forgive the blurry pictures. It's a new camera, and beyond that I'm just a crappy photographer.

Last week, I was treated to a tour of the newly renovated Parker Memorial Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium, a Recreation Center on the North End of Hartford.

Walking in through the back door, I was greeted with a beautiful, wall-sized painting outside of the Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium. Most people probably would've said, "Hey, who is Kelvin D. Anderson anyway?" But I'm not really good at the whole attention to detail thing, so I kind of just nodded and smiled as my guides showed me the piece and said, "That's why we placed this picture outside the gym." It wasn't until the end of the tour that someone told me that Kelvin Anderson was an Olympic boxer who died in a plane crash on his way to compete in Poland back in 1980. Oh...so that wasn't Muhammad Ali...good to know.


Right now, the gym and fitness area are the only parts of the Center that are open for public use, and I suggest you get some use out of them. Most of my experience in gyms involved sitting on the bleachers and faking illness while other children threw balls at each other. But with all the natural light that beamed in, I could see playing basketball on one of the 6 hoops in there being a pleasant experience for active people.


The fitness center was more my cup of tea. The equipment was clean and new, with about a billion free weights and some benches, 2 treadmills, 1 elliptical, a recumbent bike and an upright one. I know gyms are advertising their $10 a month specials right now, but this is free dollars a month with hours that are just as convenient. And I know some of you wise-asses are gonna say, "it's not free, I pay taxes!" First off, you probably come running in City Hall on the last day they're due, just like me, so let's not get all indignant. Second, this is one of those rare opportunities we get to see our tax dollars in action, so stop by and pump some iron just so you can feel like you're getting some justice.





In the front of the building is the Multipurpose Room. Right now it's set up with some long tables and fun green chairs, all facing a large dry erase board with a projector hanging from the ceiling; sort of like a lecture hall. But this room can also be used as a cafeteria since there's a chromed-out commercial-style kitchen attached. The room also serves a much more important purpose: In 2012, when the Mayan calendar is up and tidal waves crush our homes, it can double as a community shelter for families in need using a generator for up to 2 weeks. Hahaha, I'm just kidding! About the Mayan tidal wave...the shelter part is very real and very awesome. Let's hope we never have to use it, but if we do, Parker Center will hold us down.

There will be a computer lab with about 8-10 computers available, but they weren't yet installed so no blurry pics of those exist. There's also an arts & crafts room with some large tables to work on. This room will double as a classroom for community classes that will be available, such as parenting courses, GED training, literacy programs, tutoring for students and so much more. So while your kids are playing around the center, you can get your own stuff done. Another feature is a room with a smaller, round table that I think would be a great space for smaller groups to hold meetings in.

Art lab


Meeting room

The pool is beautiful and will be used for lifeguard training and swim classes. As much as I enjoy children, when I'm trying to be all fitness-y and do some laps, I don't want them splashing and jumping on top of me while I'm trying to do my thing. So they'll have an adult swim period for those of you who share my sentiment.


The pool is closed for the summer since there are outdoor pools open all around the city, hence the cover, but it also serves a "green" purpose; it keeps the heat inside the pool, using less energy to keep the water at the proper temperature. Your tax dollars ain't playin around.

In the center of it all is the game/TV room, where you'll find some couches, a few tables and chairs, air hockey, foosball and pool tables.


Last but not least is a garden out back, tended to by some local children, and some local members of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Commission. Right now, it's a "pizza garden" meaning they're growing ingredients that would go on a pizza. Did you hear that? That's my bio-clock ticking because that's a-friggin-dorable!


I'm not sure when the official grand opening for the center is, but I'll make sure to update as soon as I do. Growing up, the rec centers I visited were poorly maintained, woefully understaffed and technologically behind. Hartford is changing for the better in terms of making sure its children are up to snuff, including the opening of some amazing, state of the art magnet schools and libraries. The Parker Memorial Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium is a huge step in the right direction for the North End of Hartford, assuring that state of the art facilities are available out of the classroom and closer to home, where it matters just as much.

If you live nearby, or just want to check it out, the address is 2621 Main Street. It's impressive! And when you leave, stop by Crown Fried Chicken. Besides your grandmother's, it's the best fried chicken you've ever had.