With a closed cinema, G.C. gets creative with movie night

No movies in Glen Cove this summer — that was what residents thought was the outcome of a recently closed movie theater in town, which is slated to become an AMC theater once construction is complete.

But Mayor Reginald Spinello has stepped in to provide for an alternative — “Cinema in the Streets,” — a free movie night every Saturday night from June 24 through August 12 when the city will close School Street from 7:30 until 10 p.m. so residents can still get their flick fix in. AMC theaters has changed the start date for construction several times. The latest is June.

The owner of the cinema property, Rob DiNoto, from the Huntington-based real estate investment group the DiNoto Group, said AMC had originally indicated that they would keep two of the theaters open on a rotating schedule to accommodate moviegoers during the construction period but decided not to.
AMC representative Ryan Noonan did not respond to multiple email or phone call requests for comment.

Cinema in the Streets was approved at the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 23.

Mayor Reggie Spinello, who thought of the idea was pleased. “We want to use movies that will attract families,” Spinello said. “Good, fun movies.”

Lisa Travatello, the city’s public relations officer, will firm up all the arrangements to ensure that Cinema in the Streets happens. She said the city is looking for movie suggestions. Residents can reach out on social media sites, like the mayor’s Facebook page to share any family-friendly movie ideas that they have. The movies under consideration include are “Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sing.”

But what is seeing a movie without popcorn? The city is offering sponsorship opportunities to local businesses to underwrite popcorn and other refreshments for movie-goers. And the city is also working on acquiring pre-movie entertainment, which will feature activities like movie trivia, which will include prizes provided by area businesses.

Glen Cove is working with a third-party vendor to supply the movie screen, which will be about 20 feet tall, but no contract has been finalized yet. The screen will be located near the La Bussola Ristorante, 40 School Street.
Residents are being asked to supply their own chairs and blankets.

Spinello said the renovation of the movie theater is expected to be completed by Labor Day weekend.
For more information on Cinema in the Streets or to suggest a movie, visit http://www.glencove-li.us/.