For Immediate Release: 10/4/2022 4:02 pm
WORCESTER – The City of Worcester, in partnership with the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, the Worcester Cultural Coalition, and Casita Cultura Latina, is pleased to announce an encore of the popular Movies on the Common series. On Friday, Oct. 14, the public is invited to a free screening of Disney PIXAR’s “Coco” on the Worcester Common.
Acting City Manager Eric Batista shared his pride in in the City collaborating with Casita Cultural Latina for this event.
“October is Hispanic Heritage month, and this partnership helps us to provide programs to all our residents while celebrating cultural traditions of our second largest population,” he said. “‘Coco’ is a wonderful movie that families can enjoy together under the stars.”
Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham, co-founder of Casita Cultura Latina, said that the movie choice was a timely selection.
“‘Coco’ offers more than just entertainment – the movie gives context to importance of Día de los Muertos to the Latino/a/e/x community, in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and backgrounds,” she said.
“Something we repeatedly heard during our summer programs is that residents hoped we’d extend into the fall,” said Yaffa Fain, program coordinator for the City’s Cultural Development Division. “We’re excited to be able to provide an additional free event for our community.”
The movie will begin at 6:30 p.m., though Fain recommended movie-goers arrive closer to 6 p.m. to find seats. Attendees are welcomed to bring their own seating or use seating available on the Common, and Fain suggested attendees dress warmly and bring blankets to enjoy the movie comfortably. Audio for “Coco” is in English. Spanish closed captioning will be available.
Andrew McShane, program manager of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, said that their tent on the Common will have a coupons for complimentary popcorn and $5 off at the Atrevete a Probar food truck. McShane said these coupons are first-come, first-serve, with a limit of one per person. Prior to the start of the movie, activities for youth will be provided by Casita Cultura Latina, Main IDEA Youth Arts, and the City of Worcester’s Division of Youth Opportunities.
“It’s our third year partnering with the City and sponsoring these events, which allows us to fill a need for access to free, family-friendly events for attendees of all ages and backgrounds,” said McShane.
Zolezzi-Wyndham also shared that, “one of the goals of the movie night is to raise awareness of Casita Cultura Latina’s upcoming Día de los Muertos celebration,” which is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, on the Worcester Common.
As with all City of Worcester events, the latest COVID-19 guidance will be observed to ensure public safety. Learn more at: www.worcesterma.gov/coronavirus
