cinéSPEAK presents Butterfly in the Sky *Philly Premiere*

Every year, when the weather is *just* right, we bring audiences together for magical evenings of outdoor cinema at Clark Park in West Philly. Each week, we proudly feature incredible independent films from around the world, local DJs, food trucks and much more!

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Bring-Your-Own blankets and chairs.

cinéSPEAK Under the Stars at Clark Park 2024 is produced thanks to generous on-going support from Independence Public Media Foundation.

Attend Under the Stars opening night, with films focusing on the magic of young people reading. Butterfly in the Sky documents the power of PBS’s Reading Rainbow program, its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges he faced in cultivating a love of reading through television. Preceding the film is the Academy Award-nominated short film The ABCs of Book Banning, which tackles how recent book banning efforts across the country are negatively impacting youth.

The Philadelphia Premiere of Butterfly in the Sky is produced in-partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia.

**EVENT FLOW**

COME EARLY! SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. Food trucks, community partners and vendors will be on Chester Avenue near our event entrance (at approx. 4350 Chester Ave) and along our sidewalk by playground. Check social media and our website for updated listing of vendors, food trucks and community partners participating in our festival.

ALL AGES STORYTIME @ 6PM

DOORS / DJ (To Be Announced...) @ 7:00 - 8:45 PM

Welcoming Remarks @ 8:45 - 9:00 PM

FILMS @ 9:00 - 11:00 PM

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**THIS EVENT IS OUTDOORS** This event is NOT rain or shine. See below for more info.

**BYO-CHAIRS or BLANKET** Lots of guests choose to come early and picnic with family and friends (what fun!) Seating is first come, first served. Please socially-distance.

**RAIN DATE INFO** **THIS EVENT'S RAIN DATE: SATURDAY MAY 25** If we need to cancel/postpone due to rain/stormy weather, we will notify all registrants via email and announce on social media day-of.

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**TICKETS**

GENERAL ADMISSION: FREE! *Registration is requested** This will help us notify you in the chance of postponement.

**DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!**

Donate Here:

Be a part of cinéSPEAK’s spring glow up! For the past decade, cinéSPEAK has been using film to help build community and strengthen movements for social justice. There’s so little financial support for this kind of work, especially at the local level in Philly—so we're asking our community to pool our resources so that cinéSPEAK can unroll this exciting new season of Under the Stars and continue to spotlight filmmakers and organizations in our journal. Can you offer $5, $10, or $15 toward our goal? Every little bit helps.

Over 60% of cinéSPEAK’s budget goes directly into the hands of artists—the filmmakers, moderators, and musicians that make the events so special and the writers who contribute to our journal. And the rest supports the logistics to make it all happen. Let’s build the world we want where artists are valued, and cultural events are accessible to all.

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ABOUT THE FILMS:

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY —Philadelphia Premiere

Co-Directors Bradford Thomason & Brett Whitcomb / US / 2024 / 1hr 27min / English / Documentary, Coming of Age, Youth

For 26 seasons, PBS’s Reading Rainbow met young viewers in their living rooms, whisking them away on far-off adventures into the boundless world of books. With the help of celebrity narrators and nine-year-old book reviewers, the show’s iconic host, LeVar Burton, brought real-life lessons and honest conversations to life in a way we had never before seen on screen. Despite ongoing funding hurdles and new public school testing standards, Burton and the show’s creators held tight to their authentic, down-to-earth approach to fuel kids’ lifelong love of reading. Inspiring and nostalgic, Butterfly In The Sky tells the tale of a revolutionary reading movement.

THE ABCS OF BOOK BANNING —Academy Award nominated

Director Sheila Nevins / US / 2023 / 27min / English / Documentary, Social & Political Issues

In recent years, more than 2,500 books have been removed from school districts around the US, labeled as banned, restricted, or challenged, and made unavailable to millions of students. By no accident, the themes targeted are the usual scapegoats of the American Right—LGBTQ+ issues, Black History, and women’s empowerment—impeding the power of future generations to develop their own thoughts and opinions on critical social issues. By weaving together a lyrical montage of young readers and authors, The ABCs of Book Banning reveals the voices of the impacted parties, and inspires hope for the future through the profound insights of inquisitive youthful minds.

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ABOUT THE VENUE — The Bowl at CLARK PARK

**Located at approximately 4350 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104—between 43rd and 44th streets and Chester and Kingsessing Avenues**

Established in 1895, Clark Park is in the heart of Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood. With more than 300 trees, the park covers nine acres. The park’s boundaries are Baltimore Avenue, Woodland Avenue, 43rd Street and 45th Street.

In addition to private residences, the park’s neighbors include the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, the HMS School for children with Cerebral Palsy and a City of Philadelphia District Health Center.

Directions: Our event takes place in 'The Bowl' at Clark Park. The 'entrance' to our event is on the south side of the 4300 block of Chester Avenue at the sidewalk leading to the playground area.

—Driving/Parking: Parking is limited and not guaranteed. If you plan to drive, we would recommend trying to park along 43rd or 45th streets or along Chester Avenue.

—via Public Transit: The park is located directly on the Route 13 Trolley OR a short walk from Route 34 that runs on Baltimore Ave. If taking #13, get off at 43rd St and Chester Ave.

—via Ride Share apps: We recommend inputting the destination as: 4350 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

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ABOUT CINÉSPEAK:

We are a Philadelphia-based cinema organization that engages diverse audiences through our independent, repertory and foreign film programming; creating space and centering the stories of individuals and communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema.

We promote community togetherness and global understanding by engaging film enthusiasts while cultivating the next generation of discerning moviegoers; encouraging people to demand social justice both on-screen and throughout society.

$ UPPORT OUR WORK—> https://givebutter.com/SpringGlowUp

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY—> www.cineSPEAK.org

@cineSPEAK (Instagram; Facebook)

STAY IN THE LOOP—> https://bit.ly/cinéSPEAKMail

PROUDLY PHILLY. BOLDLY INDEPENDENT. SINCE 2013.

Voted Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly® 2020 — Best Movie Theater

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Bowl at Clark Park, 4300 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, United States