On June 18, the nonprofit organization Casa de la Cultura Mexica and the Downtown Campbell Business Association will be screening the movie classic Casablanca as the debut film in their new Sunset Cinema event.

The two groups hope to turn Sunset Cinema into a monthly event, with free showings of classic films in the parking lot adjacent to the Kensington Art Centre, which is located near the corners of E. Campbell and Central avenues. The shows will be open to the public once the sun goes down, and they will involve the use of a widescreen digital projector to project DVD movies directly onto the large wall of the art store.

Sunset Cinema is meant to provide Campbell with a venue for community entertainment, said Michelle Viveros, secretary of Casa de la Cultura Mexica, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to promote multiculturalism in the community.

"We want to try to get the community together and involved," she said, adding that the idea for an outdoor public movie was inspired by similar screenings venues in Europe.

Movies are a great community draw, said Travis Gregory, Casa de la Cultura Mexica vice president. And the timeless quality of classic movies is something that everyone should have the opportunity to see.

"Film is very popular in this society," he said. "Although new movies are always coming out here, people aren't really getting a chance to see the classics these days."

Sunset Cinema is still in the planning stages, said Downtown Campbell Business Association President Dana Smith. But the idea is to use the venue also as a showcase for up-and-coming local filmmakers, whose films will be screened just before the main features.

Moreover, organizers hope the outdoor movie event will increase evening business in nearby shops and restaurants.

But films won't be the only form of entertainment driving business when the sun goes down. Music is also on the agenda.

Continuing its more than a decade of outdoor concerts, the city of Campbell kicks off its 2004 Summer Concert Series on June 17.

In addition to perennial favorites like Sage and the Crocodiles, this year's event will include a special guest, said Barbara Jones, director of the Campbell Recreation Department.

Greta Pedersen, an Oregon-based nationally renowned children's artist, will be coming to the Orchard City to perform in a special children's concert, Jones said. A vocalist skilled in many instruments, Pedersen studied in Vienna, Austria, and graduated from Stanford University.

She has performed from New York to San Diego in concerts, festivals and schools, and she has a music video broadcast regularly on the Learning Channel. Moreover, she won an Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board.

"We couldn't afford for her to come all the way down just for us," Jones said. "But we were fortunate that she was coming to the area anyway for [another engagement]. I'm excited to have her."

The Summer Concert Series is sponsored by the city of Campbell. These events are free to the public and will be held on the Orchard City Green, between City Hall and the library on Thursday evenings, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Cupertino Symphonic Band will perform on June 17. The Crew will perform '40s music and pop/rock on June 24.

Flashback will play classic rock on July 1. Parkaimoon will sing cover songs and alternative on July 8. Salsa One will have salsa on July 15. Sage will perform contemporary R&B on July 22, and The Internationals will close out July with European folk music on July 29.

Fred McCarty kicks off August with country, classic rock and Cajun on August 5. Swing Solution plays swing music on Aug. 8. And The Crocodiles finish the series off with '70s, '80s and contemporary music on Aug. 19.

Bring a lawn chair and picnic dinner to the shows, or support the Campbell Museum by purchasing barbecue food at the event.