CINEMA-goers can help raise money for this year’s Cowley Road Carnival.

The Ultimate Picture Palace in Jeune Street, East Oxford, is hosting a fundraisier for the carnival on Friday of next week.

The event could raise more than £1,000 for Cowley Road Works – the charity running the July 6 event, which needs to raise £110,000.

It was announced on Friday that MINI Plant Oxford would be the event’s main business sponsor.

Carnival-themed music will kick the evening off with tunes from Brazilian troupe The Illustrious Sambistas.

It will then be followed by a screening of the 1958 Rio Carnival classic Black Orpheus on a 35mm projector.

The film tells the story of the musician Orpheus, played by Breno Mello, who falls in love with Marpessa Dawn’s Eurydice.

Culminating at Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, the story tells how their courtship is threatened by “Death” and Mira, played by Lourdes de Oliveira, a jealous woman.

The Cowley Road Carnival returned to the street last year after a two-year absence.

In 2012 the carnival was cancelled because of the Olympics and the Jubilee and in 2011 it was held in South Park because of roadworks in Iffley Road.

Cinema owner Becky Hallsmith said she hoped the fundraiser would sell out all 107 seats at the cinema. At ticket prices of between £10 to £12 it could raise at least £1,000 from sales alone.

There will also be a raffle on the evening. Ms Hallsmith said: “The carnival is a very important part in our community. I am thrilled they have brought it back to Cowley Road – it is so important to East Oxford to have it here.

“There will be rum punch on offer and that along with The Illustrious Sambistas will really start to get things into the carnival spirit.

“We have been looking for an excuse to show Black Orpheus so I am glad that this can be part of our contribution to the carnival.”

Cowley Road Carnival executive director Danielle Battigelli said: “Cowley Road Works is grateful to the UPP for their ongoing, valuable support for carnival.

“The UPP is a key arts venue in the area, and their hosting of this fundraising event promises to be the perfect warm up to carnival.”

All proceeds from The Ultimate Picture Palace fundraiser will go towards Cowley Road Works. Tickets for the event, which starts at 7pm, on April 25 can be bought online at uppcinema.com or from the cinema box office.

For information on sponsoring the carnival email info@cowleyroadworks.org or call 07941 482376 or visiting the website http://cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk

  •  May 7 – Secret gig in a location on Cowley Road. For more information see tigmus.com/#!shop--cart/c1fys
  • May 10 – Bag packing at Sainsbury’s, Temple Cowley. Volunteers are being sought for slots from 10.30am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 2.30pm or 2.30pm to 4.30pm
  • June 1 – The Aroma Carnival Cup: An International Football Tournament featuring 32 teams of five players. It will take place from 12pm to 5pm at Brookes’ Sport astro turf. For more information and to sign up email fundraising@cowleyroadworks.org
  • June 14 – Mela at Restore on Manzil Way. Bollywood, fusion and Bhangra dances as well as Indian food. From noon to 6pm.