IN THE SUMMER of 2008, I hosted an outdoor movie night in the bowl at Cedarvale Ravine. The event was such a success, I have decided to turn it into a summer film series.

Watching a movie outside in the summer time is a truly magical experience.

If you are in the city for the summer months, what better way is there to spend an evening with your family than under the stars and the big screen. Pack a blanket, a few lawn chairs and bring your friends and neighbours.

We will kick off the 2009 Outdoor Movie Night season with a special Stone Soup and Duck Soup, on Saturday, May 30, at 6 p.m. at the Artscape Wychwood Barns.

A showing of the 1933 Marx Brothers classic Duck Soup, featuring the famous “mirror scene” with Groucho and Harpo Marx at 7:30 p.m. will be preceded by the second Stone Soup Supper, co-hosted with the Wychwood Barns Community Association and St. Paul’s MP Dr. Carolyn Bennett.

For $5 per person or $10 per family, you will be treated to a hearty meal of soup prepared by a dedicated team of neighbourhood volunteers. Please also bring bread, cheese or dessert to share, as well as cutlery and a bowl. During dinner and before the movie, talented local musicians will perform in the Wychwood Barns Park.

The    first    Stone    Soup community meal, held on Feb. 7, 2009, at the Wychwood Barns, drew a crowd of 400 for a home- cooked meal, live puppetry and the musical stylings of Moo’d Swing.

Throughout the summer, I will be showing movies in parks around Ward 21. Before each movie, there will be live music starting at 7 p.m. All of the outdoor movies will be free.

For more information, please contact my office at 416-392-0208.