What: Rooftop Films
When: Fri July 10th – Sat July 11th, Doors at 8, Music 8:30, Films at 9p.m.
Where: Gowanus & Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Why: More than 50 years ago, Academy Award winning film On the Waterfront included a rooftop scene that was made for the history books. It was on the docks of New Jersey, where Terry (Marlon Brando) and Edie (Eva Marie Saint) begin one of the film’s most famous scenes:
“What are you doing up there on the roof,” said Terry.
“Just looking,” said Edie.
New York City has no shortage of movie screenings, and to continue with the summer trend, tonight you can take in views of a borough skyline, share a cold brew, and watch Rooftop Films’ advance screening of two award winning films from the South by Southwest festival (SXSW).
“The Way We Get By” is a documentary about three senior citizens at a tiny airport in Maine who find the strength to conquer their fears through simple acts of kindness. Saturday night in Gowanus, the documentary “45365” is set in a small Midwest American town that deals with pre-teen peer pressure, high school heartbreak, and adult disillusionment.
A filmmaker Q&A and a party with open bar will follow at Matchless after tonight’s screening, courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner. Preceding each film, Sound Fix records will present live music, including an appearance by Like Bells on Saturday. Saturday’s screening will also have a courtyard reception with free sangria at the Old Can Factory. If it rains, the screening will go indoors at the same location. For a full list of Rooftop’s three month screening schedule, check rooftopfilms.com for updates. See you above ground.
Cost: $9, $6 in advance for select shows.
How to Get There: Williamsburg Screening: To the Automotive High School, take the V from Manhattan to 23rd Street-Ely Avenue/44 Drive. Transfer to the G heading to Brooklyn. Exit at Nassau near Nassau and Manhattan Avenue. Head north on Manhattan towards Bedford to 50 Bedford Ave. Gowanus Screening: To the Old American Can Factory, take the F from Manhattan to Carroll Street. Exit at the 2nd Place (south) side of the station. Cross Smith Street and turn left to walk downhill on 3rd Street for 3 blocks (you will cross the Gowanus Canal). You will arrive at a huge corner building, whose orange Rooftop signage will confirm you’re there. (Old (Old American Can Factory, 232 Third St., Brooklyn)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram