A new campaign aims to put the spotlight on North-East Hamilton for all the right reasons.

UpTown Saturday Nights intends to bring “unity in the community” to the area, which made headlines last week after a man was shot in the arm on Court Street, hours after Hurricane Nicole hit Bermuda.

“Block parties” will be held between Ewing Street and Dundonald Street from now until New Year’s Eve — including a karaoke competition, a vendor’s village, a fun zone, Gombeys and Christmas celebrations.

Festivities will run from 7pm to midnight on October 22, 23 and 29, November 5 and 19, and December 3 and 17.

A trio of free film screenings will be held this weekend as part of the Moonlight Movie Series — beginning at 8.30pm on Saturday with action-comedy Central Intelligence, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart, followed at 10.30pm by shark attack thriller The Shallows, starring Blake Lively.

On Sunday at 7.30pm, the children’s animated film Ice Age: Collision Course will entertain the youngsters.

The karaoke competition kicks off next weekend, on Saturday, October 29. Entry costs $25 and there is $10,000 to be won in cash and prizes.

UpTown Saturday Nights is organised by The UpTown Cultural Committee in partnership with the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

It is an attempt to reinvigorate and showcase the neighbourhood, which has faced problems with crime and drugs.

“It’s important for us to bring events to North Hamilton and to actively demonstrate to the community that this is a place to live, work and play,” said Erica Smith, BEDC executive director, at a press conference yeseterday in The Spinning Wheel nightclub. Eugene Dean from The Emperial Group said that “social upliftment” would be the primary focus of the planned events.

“We all recognise that this is an area which has been plagued by violence,” he said.

“By having these activities, it gives us the opportunity to engage with residents, bring more people into the area and generate a lot more positive energy.”

Grant Gibbons, Minister of Economic Development, said that the community initiative was “sorely needed”, especially after the shooting incident.

“We hope that it will also provide an opportunity for those involved in antisocial behaviour to be engaged in something more productive,” he added.

• For further details, visit www.uptownbermuda.com.