This might just be the most local movie theater around. We rolled out the red carpet to chat with Matt Shuman, the Jamaica Plain resident who created Wenham Street Cinema — allow us to skip the opening credits and share what we learned.
It all began in 2015, when Matt created a mini movie theater in his 23 Wenham St. garage with a friend in an effort to create community connections. He was inspired by a book called “Palaces for the People” on the topic of social infrastructure. Think: parks, libraries, cafes, and other pieces of physical infrastructure that encourage gathering.
“I see the movie theater as just another way to enhance the social fabric of Jamaica Plain,” Matt said. “It’s a neighborhood of Boston that has a palpable identity of community, kindness, and arts.”
The theater has evolved a lot since it first started. Matt has gone from running an Ethernet cable outside of his window to show movies to a couple of friends to installing a new projector and spreading the word to more Bostonians through Instagram and Facebook.
All movies + events are free and open to all. The biggest pro tip for visiting? “Bring food and drink to share, and your own chair if you’re able to,” Matt shared.
As far as programming goes, the theater has streamed “Paris is Burning” during last year’s Pride Month, Beyoncé’s “Black is King” this Juneteenth, and has even hosted a Boston Marathon livestream complete with a neighborhood brunch party.
Wenham Street Cinema also hosted a concert series last year in partnership with neighborhood businesses, including Light of Day Records.
The series will return this year on Sat., July 23 and Sat., Sept. 17 from 4-7 p.m. featuring performances from Grace Givertz, Travels With Brindle + Beautiful Headquarters.
Mark your calendars for two days of Jamaica Plain fun + follow the cinema on social media to stay up to date on all of the upcoming gatherings.
