Rockers is a reggae-scene document disguised as a caper, with Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Jacob Miller and Kiddus I all playing versions of themselves, and it sounds enormous outdoors on a park sound system. Rooftop Films has spent two decades turning New York rooftops, parking lots and parks into the city's best summer cinema, and this one is free with an RSVP. Bring a blanket and get there while there is still light.
What to expect
Seating opens ninety minutes before the film so people can spread blankets and low chairs on the grass while the light goes. The screening itself is a full-size outdoor setup with real sound, not a projector on a bedsheet, and the crowd is a Crown Heights neighborhood crowd rather than a festival one. Once dark falls the film runs straight through.
Good to know
- Brower Park sits at Brooklyn Avenue and Prospect Place; the A/C to Kingston-Throop or the 3 to Kingston Avenue both work
- RSVP in advance — it is free but capacity is not unlimited
- Bring a blanket or a low chair; there is no fixed seating on the lawn
- Come early for a good sightline, since seating opens well before the film starts
- It is outdoors on grass, so a bug-spray-and-layer situation after sundown
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Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes — this is one of Rooftop Films' free community screenings, though you should reserve a spot in advance through their site.
What is Rockers about?
It follows a Kingston drummer whose motorbike is stolen, and it doubles as a who's-who of late-1970s reggae with musicians playing themselves.
What happens if it rains?
Rooftop Films posts weather calls on its site and social channels, so check before you head over on an unsettled evening.
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