River To River Festival and Downtown Alliance Free Movie Nights Continue Thursday with Auntie Mame

The River To River Festival, New York City’s largest free summer arts program, continues its free movie nights on the Elevated Acre series this Thursday with the 1958 classic, Auntie Mame. The Alliance for Downtown New York is serving as the series’ presenting partner for the first time.

“With summer river breezes at sunset, sweeping views of Brooklyn and a unique elevated vantage point, the Elevated Acre is the best place to watch a movie in Manhattan, said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “This August we have a fantastic lineup of NYC classics for all ages, with everything from Woody Allen to the Muppets to Grace Kelly. So grab a blanket and a boxed meal from a participating vendor and come over to Water Street—I know I will!”

All show times are 8 PM. This Thursday’s feature is based on the Broadway production and was nominated for six Academy Awards. The movie stars Rosalind Russell as Mame, an exuberant and unconventional socialite in the roaring 20s. It will be preceded by a short film screening by filmmaker Cheryl Dunn.

Free tickets are required and will be distributed two per person at the street-level Water Street entrance to the Elevated Acre on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 6 pm on the day of each screening. The Elevated Acre is located at 55 Water Street, between Broad and William Streets. Boxed meals are available from nearby Swedish café Fika, the Wall Street Burger Shoppe and Zigolini’s, which has Mediterranean menu. For more information, go to www.downtownny.com/rivertoriver.

Founded in 2002, the River To Festival was conceived as a unique way to bring people back to Lower Manhattan. American Express is the Festival’s founding title sponsor. In addition to the Downtown Alliance, programming is provided by arts>World Financial Center, The Battery Park City Authority, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and South Street Seaport Marketplace.

The Festival—which runs through August 19 at a variety of public venues south of Chambers Street from river to river—has made a powerful artistic and economic impact on Lower Manhattan. The Elevated Acre movie series began in 2006.

Upcoming Downtown Alliance-sponsored movie nights at the Elevated Acre:

The Country Girl August 12 at 8 PM
Adapted from the Clifford Odets play and starring Grace Kelly, William Holden and Bing Crosby in his greatest performance, this 1954 Oscar-winning drama tells the story of an alcoholic, has-been Broadway actor struggling with the one last chance he's been given to resurrect his career. Featuring short films by Alexandra Lerman.
The Muppets Take Manhattan August 19 at 8 PM
Frank Oz directs this 1984 ode to Broadway in which the Muppets travel to New York intent on finding a producer for their musical, Manhattan Melodies. Featuring a short film by Jay Hufford.