Screening to celebrate ‘Hairspray’ anniversary

Musical theatre fans and dance enthusiasts alike are invited to a screening under the stars of John Waters’ cult classic Hairspray. Celebrating the film’s 25th anniversary, the Los Angeles Film Festival and Dance Camera West co-present this screening at Grand Park in Los Angeles on Friday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Officials invite guests to wear their best poodle skirt, show-off their best bouffant and bring their best 60s moves. Guests will be able to shake a tail feather with free dance lessons from Contra-Tiempo, the LA-based “Urban Latin Dance Theater.”

The event will also include guest appearances and will have food trucks available throughout the night. The Los Angeles Film Festival is currently underway until June 23. For more information, visit www.lafilmfest.com.

The 1988 comedy Hairspray stars Ricki Lake, Sonny Bono, Debbie Harry, Michael St. Gerard, Shawn Thompson, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Jerry Stiller, and in his last film role, Divine. Set in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, the film revolves around a self-proclaimed “pleasantly plump” teenager Tracy Turnblad as she pursues stardom as a dancer on a local TV show and rallies against racial segregation.

The screening is free to the public and allows for guests to bring picnics. However, grilling and cooking on site is prohibited and visitors cannot bring alcoholic beverages.

Grand Park is located at 200 North Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Locals can ride the Metro Red Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station. For more information on Dance Camera West, a dance media film festival, visit www.dancecamerawest.org.

Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Film Festival.