The delighted screams of thrilled children could be heard echoing across James J. Braddock North Hudson Park as dinosaurs roared and stomped and munched on random humans. For a few hours on Thursday, July 16 the parking lot alongside the North Bergen Public Library was transformed into Jurassic Park, as families and friends showed up to enjoy the classic film on a beautiful night of “Cinema Under the Stars.”
“This is awesome,” said Librarian Sai Rao. “A big success. This is our first time doing this and we didn’t know what to expect. I think we have about 300 attendees.”
The film was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., but some residents couldn’t wait. “At 7 on the dot there were already people laying out blankets and chairs,” said Library Business Manager Tracey Rivera.
“So we put out some tables and board games for them in the parking lot and waited for it to get dark,” added Rao.
And the attendees loved it. “It’s cool,” said local resident Dylan Turner. “It’s a good thing to have when there’s nothing to do.”
“People appreciate this a lot,” said Jose Santos, attending with his daughter Jaylyn, 5, and nieces Geraldine and Olivia Santiago, ages 6 and 4. “I live right on 82nd. Walking distance. I went to eat at Sorrentina, had some pizza, grabbed my chair, and came right over here. So it’s very convenient. If they did this all the time, I’d be here all the time.”
‘Cinema under the Stars’ will continue with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ for free in the Kennedy Branch Library parking lot on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
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Given the success of the first event, he just might have that opportunity. “We’re thinking about doing another one in a few weeks,” said Rao. “If people like coming out for this, why not?”
An outdoor screening of “Guardians of the Galaxy” is already scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18 in the parking lot of the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
Bigger turnout than expected
“The sound is great,” said North Bergen resident Juan Torrado. The library set up the same sound system it uses for its concerts, so attendees could clearly hear every whisper, rumble, and crunch of bones.
“I love the ambiance, and I did see stars overhead. I’m a big astronomy/cosmology buff so I appreciate that. But when I envisioned this, perhaps because of New Jersey being famous for drive-in movies, I pictured the screen would be over there,” said Torrado, indicating the far end of the parking lot. Instead the moderately-sized projection screen was nestled against the side wall of the library.
“We were visualizing the screen on that end but this is how it worked for this time,” said Rao. “We’ll do better next time.”
And then there was the size issue. “I was thinking of the movie ‘Jaws’ when he said, ‘We’re going to need a bigger boat,’” said Torrado. “I would tell Nick, ‘We’re going to need a bigger screen.’”
“Next time we’ll have a bigger screen,” promised Nick Sacco. The son of Mayor Nicholas Sacco, he was the one who first suggested the screenings and booked the film, originally selecting “Back to the Future” and then switching choices once it was discovered that the county was showing that title for free later in the season.
“We didn’t expect the crowd to be this big,” said Mayor Sacco, who showed up for the screening. “People brought their own chairs and we brought some out from the library. We supplied free popcorn and lemon ice, free juice, free water.”
“Next time we’ll get a bigger popcorn machine because there were lines,” said Nick. “And we ran out of ices.” The ices were supplies by Rose’s Italian Deli.
North Bergen’s expanding cultural options
With two branches serving both the uptown and downtown populace, the North Bergen Public Library provides a vast array of services to the community. In addition to entertainment options like free movies and concerts, including Jason Liebman on Tuesday, Aug. 11, they hold events like this spring’s wildly popular “Taste of Italy” and “Taste of India” festivals offering free food and a peek into other cultures.
The library also co-sponsors sessions like “Cookie with a Cop” to get kids familiar and comfortable with local officers and teach them lessons in staying safe. Upcoming is “Fun with a Cop” in Braddock Park at 11 a.m. on Aug. 7.
Many classes are available as well, including citizenship, computer training, ESL, yoga, job resources, school resources, homework help, games for kids, and much more. Visit nbpl.org for a detailed listing of upcoming sessions and events.
Juan Torrado, a resident of North Bergen since age four, is enthusiastic about all the options available to residents.
“Now we’re seeing farmer’s markets here. You had the first annual arts festival. All these things I discovered through the North Bergen Reporter,” he said. “You have things going on at the pool. The concerts, the movies, the theater. So many things. They did a concert with Callaghan. Oh my God, I have a crush on that girl. Right away I said to Nick, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing.’”
“I love culture,” he continued. “I love knowledge and ideas. This is what we need. Bring the people out and share instead of being home. This is beautiful. And poetic, under the stars.”
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.