Deckchair Cinema returns to The Polygon Gallery's waterfront Cates Deck this summer, starting June 25

This year’s series features al fresco screenings of top-tier sports films, from Shaolin Soccer to A League of Their Own

Deckchair Cinema returns to The Polygon Gallery this summer, with the outdoor film series taking place on the waterfront Cates Deck directly in front of the gallery. Admission is by donation, courtesy of BMO Financial Group, and includes popcorn as well as access to the gallery’s summer exhibitions Greg Girard (opening July 9), Simranpreet Anand: Living with the Eternal, and James Harry: Eye of the Ancestor.

Now in its fifth year, Deckchair Cinema is hosted on 10 Thursdays from June 25 to August 27. Music and live entertainment—from bands such as WAIT/LESS, Jody Glenham, Reveal Yourself, Secret Beaches, and Cascadia—precede the al fresco film screenings, which commence at sundown. The event’s concession stand will offer food from Nook and drinks from Strathcona Beer Company. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, but some seating will be provided. VIP picnic benches and seats can be reserved by donating in advance here.

This summer it’s game on with screenings of some of the greatest sports films ever made. Deckchair Cinema opens with two films that offer very different takes on soccer: Jafar Panahi’s Iranian New Wave classic Offside and Stephen Chow’s kung-fu beat ’em up Shaolin Soccer. Prince’s electrifying concert masterpiece Sign O’ The Times forms a double bill with his legendary 2007 Halftime Show, while trailblazing baseball story A League of Their Own screens alongside Ryan Coogler’s modern classic Creed and BMX cult favourite RAD.

Christopher Guest’s hilariously cutthroat mockumentary Best in Show, boasting a cast of comedians and canines, headlines Bring Your Dog to the Movies Night. The annual North Shore Pride Drag Party features Speed Racer, a candy-coloured fever dream by the Wachowskis. Skate or Die Night showcases two landmark local skateboard films: surreal DIY oddity Machotaildrop and acclaimed short “Joe Buffalo”, produced by Tony Hawk.

The season concludes by tackling the age-old question: who is the greatest fighter of all time, Muhammad Ali or Bruce Lee? All summer long, attendees get to choose their fighter, culminating in an audience-choice screening of either the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings or the legendary Enter the Dragon.

Find the full Deckchair Cinema schedule, with starting times and noteworthy celebration dates, on The Polygon Gallery’s website.

Post sponsored by The Polygon Gallery.

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