Fall for Rosslyn Cinema

Outdoor movies have always been a fun and unique way to enjoy a night out, but with current safety precautions in place, they have become the hot ticket to get outside of your home. Rosslyn Cinema, hosted by Rosslyn BID, has hosted summer outdoor screenings for multiple years before the pandemic hit. Now, with most movie theaters still shuttered, Rosslyn is hosting a fall screening series as well. Rosslyn BID president, Mary-Claire Burick, spoke with District Fray about Rosslyn Cinema’s fall series and what’s coming up next.

District Fray: Over the summer, Rosslyn Cinema was a hit for social distancing fun. How has the event changed for the fall season?
Mary-Claire Burick: The Rosslyn BID’s traditional Rosslyn Cinema Series in the Park has always been a summer favorite, so we wanted to reimagine it to create the safest and most enjoyable experience for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Gateway Park this month. We’re offering a limited number of tickets that can be reserved in advance on our website to keep the attendance numbers in accordance with Arlington County and Virginia’s phase three guidelines. Rosslyn Cinema has been adapted from previous years to promote the health and safety of all guests. We’ll have hand-sanitizing stations available onsite, and all guests are required to wear a mask and practice physical distancing.

Since there are no food vendors onsite, where do you suggest patrons grab snacks for the screening?
The options are unlimited. You can grab anything from a cup of coffee from East West Coffee to a multi-course meal from Sfoglina, and everything in-between! You can find a list of all of our restaurants here with their operating hours so you can plan your movie snack or meal ahead of time.

How has the community embraced this event?
Our first showing sold out in less than 48 hours, so we think the community is as excited as we are to host Rosslyn Cinema. So far, our neighbors have been safe and respectful of the new regulations for Covid at our activations and we’re pleased to offer these movies in a safe and fun environment.

Which film screening are you most looking forward to?
“Hocus Pocus” is a classic Halloween movie that guests of all ages are excited for, myself included! I’m looking forward to watching it with our neighbors so close to Halloween.

What else is on the horizon at Rosslyn?
After a successful Jazz Supper Clubs series and our annual Rosslyn Reads event, we’re excited to launch O2, our outdoor workspace coming to Gateway Park in mid-October. Breathe some fresh air into your work and find your inspiration with a change of scenery at O2. This open-air, open-mind concept prioritizes safety and productivity, creating a convenient, outdoor work environment with benefits for the entire community. With a vision that centers around mental, physical and social wellness, O2 is a retreat for professionals looking for an inspiring change of scenery.

For the full Rosslyn Cinema schedule, visit www.rosslynva.org. Follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @RosslynVA for updates. Attendees must register in advance of each showing. Check-in will begin at 6:15 p.m., with movies starting at sundown. All guests will be required to wear a mask and to practice physical distancing. 

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