With the sad news that Filmfest DC may be entering its last year, we've reached a critical moment for DC film culture. Many of us probably take for granted that we live in a city that our city is home to independent theaters, several film festivals, and the AFI Silver. Once in a while, it's important to head out and support these cultural institutions.
One such opportunity is coming up this weekend to support the Avalon Theater, small non-profit theater in Chevy Chase. The Avalon is a historic theater that, admittedly, has been through a lot in the last 91 years. Originally built to show silent films, the Avalon has had a bumpy time transitioning through the sound era and now into the digital projection era, with much of their facility needing constant remodeling or being stripped down by leasers for other use. At the brink of demolition about a decade ago, the Avalon Theater Project acquired the building and began a lengthy restoration process. That process continues today: last year, the Avalon remodeled its lobby and reinstalled its elevator.
This Sunday, April 27th, at 5pm, the Avalon will host its annual fundraiser to help renovate the theater's second screening room. This year's feature event is a screening of Herblock: The Black & the White, a documentary about the influential editorial cartoonist Hebert Block. The screening will be accompanied by a panel discussion led by Judy Woodruff and Washington Post cartoonist Tom Toles. This is sort of a big deal!
Make no mistake: this is a very pricey event. But your ticket will be going to a great cause. If you can't make or afford to go to this weekend's event, look for one of the other many exciting film screenings coming to the Avalon in the next few weeks, including a Q&A with Kevin Spacey. It's a lovely little theater that needs support more than ever now.
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