Outdoor movie season arrives

John Storck with the large film projector used at the summertime Petaluma Movies in the Park event.

In the Academy-Award-winning film “Cinema Paradiso,” there’s a classic moment when Alfredo, the projectionist, points his flickering machine out a booth window and projects onto a wall in the town square for all the people who couldn’t get into the theater for the sold-out film.

It’s a populist move, but also a testament to the interactive nature of outdoor cinema, as curious onlookers walking out on a balcony become part of the film.

In Sonoma County, from town greens to winery courtyards, fresh-air movies are a summer rite of passage as projectionists liberate images from theater confines and take the magic outside for everyone to see.

But if there’s one summer series that’s technologically superior to the rest, it’s the Petaluma Movies in the Park series in Lucchesi Park.

Since taking over three years ago, projection whiz John Storck has transformed the experience from a backstop baseball-field lark to a state-of-the-art cinematic event that would rival any urban outdoor screening in the country.

“If there’s a rippling screen blowing in the wind it drives me insane,” says Storck, who provides projection equipment to the film industry, including the Roxy Theater in Santa Rosa, and once worked on lighting for “Peggy Sue Got Married.”

In an age of shaky inflatable screens and cheap, dimly lit projectors, it’s a rarity to see a solid 42-by-22 screen providing backdrop to images from a state-of-the-art projector with all the illumination of a classic drive-in screening in Lucchesi Park.

But the biggest surprise is that Storck is basically a volunteer, donating his own equipment and time to what is essentially a grassroots City of Petaluma series, with help from local groups like Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and local businesses.

“At first I thought, I said, ‘I’ll just go put some equipment up in the park and we’ll try to bring people in,’” Storck said. “But then it became this huge community outreach program where we bring youth groups in and sell raffle tickets to raise money — it’s just been amazing from the beginning.”

And thanks to Storck’s industry connections, he’s able to screen current films like “Three Stooges” “The Lorax” and hard-to-license Disney/Pixar films like “Finding Nemo” and “Cars 2.”

As we approach the summer midway point, here’s a quick look at the remaining lineup of al fresco cinema at Petaluma Movies in the Park and the rest of Sonoma County:

PETALUMA MOVIES IN THE PARK
Where: Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.
When: Every Friday through Aug. 24
Admission: Free
Information: www.petalumamovies.com
Schedule:
July 6 — “Thor”
July 13 — “The Three Stooges”
July 20 — “Cars 2”
July 27 — “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
Aug. 3 — “Kung Fu Panda 2”
Aug. 10 — “Finding Nemo”
Aug. 17 — “Zookeeper”
Aug. 24 — “The Lorax”

MORE KIDS OUTDOOR SUMMER MOVIES

Where: Windsor Town Green
When: Every Tuesday through Aug. 14
Tip: Free parking at Windsor High School, 8695 Windsor Road, with free shuttle service to town green
Admission: Free
Information: www.ci.windsor.ca.us
Schedule:
July 10 — “Dolphin Tale”
July 17 — “Tin Tin”
July 24 — “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”
July 31 — “Journey 2”
Aug. 7 — “Hugo”
Aug. 14 — “Zoo Keeper”

ST. FRANCIS WINERY OUTDOOR SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL
Where: 100 N.Pythian Road, Santa Rosa
When: Thursdays July 12-Aug. 16
Admission: Free
Information: www.stfranciswinery.com/events
Schedule:
July 12 — “Blazing Saddles”; Pre-show concert: Jay Blue
July 19 — “Rear Window”; Pre-show concert: Phil Berkowitz & The Dirty Cats
July 26 — “Top Gun”; Pre-show concert: Band Camp
Aug. 2 — “Mamma Mia”; Pre-show concert: The Cork Pullers
Aug. 9 — “Groundhog Day”; Pre-show concert: Tumbao
Aug. 16 — “American Beauty”; Pre-show concert: Nat Keefe & Friends

PETALUMA THEATRE DISTRICT’S “FLICKS BY THE FOUNTAIN”
Where: Fountain in the middle of Petaluma Theater District Retail Center, 125-165 1st St.
When: Thursdays through Aug. 23
Admission: Free
Information: Check out the Facebook Fan Page for the Theatre District for updates
Schedule:
July 12 — “Pink Panther”
July 26 — “Indiana Jones”
Aug. 9 — “Back to the Future”
Aug. 23 — “Ghostbusters”

MOVIE IN THE PARK
Where: Howarth Park, 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa
When: Aug. 17-Sept. 21
Admission: Free
Information: ci.santa-rosa.ca.us
Schedule: yet to be determined: To vote on your favorite films, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/L76G9WR

Bay Area freelancer John Beck writes about entertainment for The Press Democrat. You can reach him at 280-8014, john@sideshowvideo.com and follow on Twitter @becksay.