Rooftops.

They're good for plenty of things, like keeping bees, lodging Santa or hiding from the police. They're also an ideal perch from which to throw crab apples at passing traffic on, say, a semi-quiet suburban street in Illinois.

Or so I've heard.

But rooftops can also be a swell place to strip down to a swimsuit, toss out a blanket and make like you're Gidget.

That's what folks'll be doing this Sunday during MENSK's Rooftop Films event. The night's feature: Back to the Beach (1987), Hence the beach theme. It's not like we're really starved for sun and sand here in Maine, but if you're ever going to lay half-naked in or near a parking garage, this is the night to do it.

Surf music fills the rooftop of the Spring Street/Free Street parking garage starting at 8:30 pm until it gets dark. Film starts at 9 pm. And if the music and movie aren't enough, showers of free popcorn should push your rooftop experience to a whole new level.

Here's the plot, stolen directly from the event listing:

PLOT (if that kind of thing is important to you):
Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello are husband and wife living in Ohio - far from the surf and sand of their earlier lives together. Heading to California to visit their daughter Sandi (Lori Loughlin), Frankie and Annette are appalled to learn that she has been making time with surfer Michael (Tommy Hinkley). In time-honored fashion, our hero and heroine set about to make the beach safe for fun-lovers everywhere by driving out Michael's unsavory friends.

Along the way, Frankie faces a challenge to his title from the younger surfers, and nearly ruins his marriage by dallying with Connie Stevens - one of several pop-culture icons appearing in the film, including Fishbone, Don Adams, Bob Denver, Alan Hale, Jr., Edd Byrnes, Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, Dick Dale, Stevie Ray Vaughan, O.J. Simpson, and Pee-wee Herman.

For all the details on Saturday's Rooftop Film, check the event listing on Facebook