Streetfilms: It’s Block Party Time

Once a common occurrence, the New York City block party suffered a period of near-extinction. But now it’s poised for a comeback. Last year’s launch of Block Party NYC made it easier for New Yorkers to plan their own events or locate parties already in the works, and even provides small grants to help out (apply now — the 2009 deadline is next Monday, June 1).

As we celebrate the liberation of Times Square for human activity, this
epic Streetfilm from Elizabeth Press nicely explains the historical and
present-day significance of the traditional block party, which allows
residents across the city to enjoy the benefits of car-freedom right in
their own neighborhoods.

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Streetfilms: Biking and Block Partying in LA

By Clarence Eckerson Jr. |
The bike scene in Los Angeles is alive and well — and growing every day. Streetfilms rode along with one of two bike tours of local art studios sponsored by the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Afterward, we joined a block party in progress, arriving just in time to hear solid words of encouragement and promises […]

Streetfilms: Portland’s Sunday Parkways

By Ben Fried |
In New York, "Summer Streets" is set to debut this August. In Portland, they just held "Sunday Parkways" for the first time. Streetfilms’ Clarence Eckerson, in town for the Carfree Cities conference, captured the action and picked up a few pointers for other cities planning to launch car-free events: It was like a giant community […]

Times Square Then and Now: A Streetfilms Retrospective

By Clarence Eckerson Jr. |
Mayor Bloomberg is expected to announce his verdict on Times Square’s new pedestrian spaces very soon. Will the changes be permanent? This morning Bloomberg told radio host John Gambling that we’ll find out sometime next week. In the meantime, it seems like the media has decided to fixate on rumors that Midtown traffic speeds may […]

The 7th Most Influential Streetfilm of All Time

By Clarence Eckerson Jr. |
With the 10-year benefit for Streetsblog and Streetfilms coming up on November 14 (get your tickets here!), we are counting down the 12 most influential Streetfilms of all time, as determined by Clarence Eckerson Jr. Park(ing) Day San Francisco Number of plays: 144,000 Publish date: November 2, 2006 Why is it here? It’s hard to […]