The Tom Hanks movie “Big,” a Spike Jonze/Johnny Knoxville documentary about BMX bike riding, and a salsa-themed event will be among the free presentations at the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), which kicks off on April 21 in lower Manhattan.
Along with the screenings, and a free showing of the TFF entry “Snowmen,” the festival will also host free events that include a street-fair performance of songs from the Broadway show “Wicked,” a guitar “Play-In” led by Mike D of the Beastie Boys, sports clinics affiliated with the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day on May 1, and a variety of panel discussions on screenwriting, film distribution, documentaries and budgeting, among other topics.
From the TFF press release, the free events are as follows:
“TRIBECA DRIVE-IN” OUTDOOR SCREENINGS
Thursday – Saturday, April 22 – April 24, 2010
World Financial Center Plaza
Open to the public; seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Programs will also begin at 6:00 p.m., with screenings starting at dusk, approximately 8:15 p.m.
“El Espiritu de la Salsa (The Spirit of Salsa)” - Thursday, April 22
Lonely hearts from all over New York City -- from an ER doc and an equities trader to a construction contractor and a cop -- meet in Spanish Harlem once a week at Santo Rico Dance School, where they learn the rich art of salsa. Under the great salsa dance teacher Tomas Guerrero’s tutelage, they have only six weeks to rehearse for a public performance. Directed by Francisco Bello and Tim Sternberg. Produced by Jon Alpert, Francisco Bello, Matthew O’Neill and Tim Sternberg. Featuring music by Tito Puente, Eddie Santiago, Héctor Lavoe, Norah Jones, and more. World Premiere, Documentary (USA) Suggested for ages 8 and up. An HBO Documentary Films presentation.
With live salsa bands, salsa lessons and dance contests.
“Big” (right) - Friday, April 23
At a carnival on Coney Island, young Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks) wishes he was big-only to awake the next morning and discover he is. With the help of his friend Billy (Jared Rushton), Josh lands a job at a toy company in Manhattan. There, his inner wisdom enables him to successfully predict what children want to buy, making the awestruck, naïve Josh irresistible to a beautiful ladder-climbing colleague (Elizabeth Perkins). But the more he experiences being an adult, the more Josh longs for the simple joys of childhood. Directed by Penny Marshall. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. (USA) PG. .A Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Presentation.
Tribeca’s official family night, in honor of 20th Cenuty Fox’s 75th anniversary. Includes classic carnival-style attractions on the waterfront: face painters, fortune tellers, games, trivia contests, music and more.
“The Birth of Big Air” - Saturday, April 24
In 1985, at the tender age of 13, Mat Hoffman entered into the BMX circuit as an amateur. By 16, he had soared to the top of the sport. Throughout his prodigious career, Hoffman has ignored conventional limitations; instead focusing his efforts on the purity of the sport and the pursuit of “what’s next.”
