“Movies in the Plaza” Rocks Into Another Season

Pitkin Plaza Wednesday evening played host to a rock ​‘n’ roll show, not live on stage, but in a film celebrating the fun and excitement of being part of that world.

School of Rock, the beloved 2003 comedy starring Jack Black, was the second of this year’s weekly ​“Movies in the Plaza,” the free outdoor film series presented every Wednesday at 8 p.m. by the Town Green District.

For 2021 a full season of 30 movies is planned from early April to late October. Rules are the same as last year: All attendees must sign in at the check-in desk near the screen, and masks and social distancing are still required.

“We’re going to keep doing that and keep everyone comfortable,” said Francesca Vignola, marketing and events manager for the Town Green District, who was once again on hand to organize the event with a host of others. She pointed out that free masks and hand sanitizer were available at the sign-in table, as were free snacks provided by Elm City Market, ​“our snack sponsor,” Vignola said. ​“They’ve been amazing.”

New this year is the Xtra Exclusive Club Member card. Anyone who attends 15 movies and gets their card punched all 15 times will be entered in a drawing for prizes that include shopping and dining gift cards, Downtown New Haven swag, and more.

Vignola noted there was a ​“good mix” of movies this year, some geared more toward adults and some geared more toward children. ​“There’s something for everyone,” she said.

She also added that they were ​“encouraging people to have a picnic moment” during the event, supporting local restaurants and bringing takeout to enjoy during the films. There is even a list of restaurants on the website to help out those who may not be familiar with what is around.

On Wednesday evening, many attendees arrived early and were already eating and drinking and having a blast. Tables of two, three and more were seen enjoying everything from takeout from the nearby Tikkaway Grill to a selection of goodies from containers from home. Tables were set up, properly spaced apart, throughout the plaza surrounding the large green turf lawn placed closer to the front, where attendees could sit on the ground with blankets. People are also invited to bring their own chairs and set up their own spots, which many did on this night. Some were already wrapped in blankets as more of a chill set in with sundown.

The laughs began almost immediately with School of Rock, directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, who also costars in the film as Black’s friend, Mr.Schneebly, a substitute teacher whose call to work at a posh private school is intercepted by Black’s character Dewey Finn. Finn secretly claims the teaching job as his own, as he has been tossed out of his band and needs to come up with rent money. While pretending to be ​“Mr. Schneebly,” Finn ends up cultivating the musical talents of his class and teaching them not only how to rock, but how to stand up for themselves and one another. The film culminates in the class — which has become the band ​“School of Rock” — inspiring Finn himself and just about everyone else around them.

Laughter rang throughout Pitkin Plaza numerous times during the film, which, in addition to being quite funny, was also heartwarming and just a plain old good time. The themes of music being the driving force in one’s life, as well as the idea that a great teacher often teaches about more than just the subjects assigned to them, seemed to ring a bit truer after the past year, when most of us in the teaching and arts communities have been striving to keep ourselves, our students, and each other supported, motivated, and inspired.

“Rock is about the passion,” Finn says to the class at one point. The passion and the need to entertain, to create, and to innovate has brought shows, programs and events such as this one to New Haven throughout the past year. Supporting this one is easy: Just show up to Pitkin Plaza every Wednesday at 8 p.m. and let the power of the movies take you away from it all for a couple of hours.

For more details on ​“Movies In the Plaza,” including a list of the films scheduled, please visit the Town Green District website.