Tribeca Film Festival 2007 Free Events

The Tribeca Film Festival has free events open to the public. The Drive-In Outdoor Screenings, the Family Street Fair and the ESPN Sports Saturday are all free and open to the public. You know how much I like free stuff. The 2007 Tribeca Film Festival will take place from April 25 – May 6, 2007, and the free event information is as follows:

TRIBECA DRIVE-IN OUTDOOR SCREENINGS

Nightly at dusk (around 8:00 pm) at the World Financial Center Plaza from April 26 to April 28. The films will be screened outdoors through the Tribeca Drive-In, the Festival’s classic outdoor screening series that entertains families and movie lovers of all ages. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs begin at 7:30 p.m., with screenings starting at 8:30pm.

DIRTY DANCING –20th ANNIVERSARY– Thursday, April 26th. A Dirty Dancing contest, movie trivia and karaoke will kick off the festivities at 7:30 p.m. with the screening starting at 8:30 p.m. I think I might go to that. My sister (who watched that movie EVERY SINGLE DAY when we were kids) will be SO jealous.
SURF’S UP – Friday, April 27th. The Drive-In goes Hawaiian with a special “work-in-progress” screening of SONY Pictures upcoming feature animated film Surf’s Up. Complete with a luau including food, fun, flame jugglers and a special guest performance by The Kustard Kings, movie goers will also have the opportunity to compete in a limbo contest and learn to hula dance. The luau begins at 7:30 p.m. with the screening starting at 8:30 p.m. [Surf’s Up is an animated comedy that delves behind the scenes of the high-octane world of competitive surfing. The film profiles teenage Rockhopper penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf), an up-and-coming surfer, as he enters his first pro competition. Followed by a camera crew to document his experiences, Cody leaves his family and home in Shiverpool, Antarctica to travel to Pen Gu Island for the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Along the way, Cody meets surf nut Chicken Joe (Jon Heder), famous surf promoter Reggie Belafonte (James Woods), surf talent scout Mikey Abromowitz (Mario Cantone), and spirited lifeguard Lani Aliikai (Zooey Deschanel), all of whom recognize Cody’s passion for surfing, even if it sometimes goes too far.]
PLANET B-BOY – Saturday, April 28th. B-boy’s from all over the world will be at the final night of the Drive-In for a special dance tribute to James Brown prior to the screening of this Tribeca Film Festival world premiere film. In addition audience members will be taught a few breakdance moves. Fab 5 Freddy is set to host with dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. with the screening starting at 8:30 p.m. [A powerful documentary about the vibrant global resurgence of break-dancing, Planet B-Boy goes inside the underground hip-hop dance scenes around the world, as the best crews prepare for the “The Battle of the Year” — an annual “World Cup” of b-boying. Director Benson Lee combines spectacular dance footage with poignant insight explaining why these dancers make tremendous sacrifices for their art.]

TRIBECA FAMILY FESTIVAL STREET FAIR

Saturday, May 5. That’s Cinco de Mayo, my friends. The Fam Fest will feature the annual Street Fair on Saturday, May 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. along Greenwich Street (between Hubert and Duane Streets). The fair offers entertainment and interactive experiences for the entire family. Performers range from puppeteers and storytellers to dancers, stilt walkers, face painters and so much more! The Street Fair will also host over 30 restaurants, merchants and organizations from the Tribeca neighborhood. Chess In The Schools, played on a life-sized chessboard, offers festivalgoers the opportunity to learn the finer points and nuances of the game, in addition to a team tournament and other activities. At this time, the main stage will feature special performances by Dirty Sock Funtime Band, USA Shaolin Temple, The National Double Dutch League, Carnival Del Mundo, AudraRox, Louie Miranda, David Grover and the Big Bear Band and Suzi Shelton and the Boys. Also performing on stages along Greenwich Street will be local youth dance troupes, singers, showcase storytellers, puppeteers and performance groups from local schools. More acts to be announced in the coming weeks. The Tribeca Family Festival will also offer free continuous screenings of films from the Family Film program at the Tribeca Film Center at 375 Greenwich Street. All screenings are non-ticketed and will be seen on a first come and first serve basis.

TRIBECA/ESPN SPORTS FILM FESTIVAL’S “SPORTS SATURDAY”

Saturday, May 5. The Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival will feature the first-ever “Sports Saturday” on Saturday, May 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting on N. Moore, between Greenwich and West Streets. What’s happening there? From ESPN’s X – Games Consumer Products’ Super Freestyle Tour, a BMX bike stunt show, where BMX bikers will fly through the air doing death defying tricks full of skill and courage. There will be multiple shows throughout the day as part of a full moto and vertical show. The NBA will have activities for all basketball fans young and old! Demonstrate your shooting ability and visit the Walk of Fame at their Pavilion. Hockey fans will have the opportunity to meet N.J. Devil, mascot for the New Jersey Devils and Sparky, mascot of the New York Islanders. Both will be down in Tribeca greeting fans, signing autographs and giving away cool gear. The New York Giants will set up their full interactive “Giants Experience” training camp, where fans can test their throwing and kicking skills; while the New York Jets will have their “Generation Jets Fest” along N. Moore Street, where fans can participate in a football theme park filled with obstacles and tests of skill such as the quarterback challenge and touchdown run. Mr. Met will also be in attendance, in anticipation of the New York Mets 2007 season. In addition to meeting and taking pictures with fans, he will have tickets on hand for the next big home game. Awesome!! The New York Red Bulls street soccer team will perform the most amazing stunts you will ever see with a soccer ball. ESPN Play Your Way is a youth fitness outreach program that inspires kids to be physically active by making up their own games and encourages creative recreational play. The Junior Tennis League in conjunction with the USTA will be hosting a tennis clinic for young players to hone their skills. I really want to go to that.