Avalon Theatre 
Avalon Theatre
5612 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington DC 20015
Tel: (202) 966-6000
Listed in: Cinema
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Located in the historic Chevy Chase neighborhood in NW DC, the Avalon is the oldest surviving movie house in Washington. We were saved by a community grassroots effort in 2003 and currently operate as the only non-profit independent movie house in the District!
Reviews
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Great selection of films, family oriented on the weekends, wonderful space to enjoy a film the way it was meant to be seen! Consistent supporter of local events, film festivals and helpful staff.
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Great programming, especially French films
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It's the most independent movie theater in the city and probably in the whole area. I truly appreciate the diversity in their programing with a great deal of international movies. D.C. being a huge cosmopolitan city, Avalon well serves this community full of people from around the world. Finally, the seats and screen are great.
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Family movies. It is great to see the excitement of a 4 year old watching a movie on a big screen!
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The Avalon is the best!!! The theater's special programs, such as "indieWIRE:Undiscovered Gems" and "French Cinematheque" provide movie buffs with unique opportunities to see worthwhile films. The selection of films shown is excellent. The theater is a gem in our community.
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Great films, community-driven...people care about this theatre.
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Interesting programming is the foremost element that comes to mind.
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I love the bigger movie hall at The Avalon - it's very unique. While E Street is also one of my favotire movie theaters in DC, The Avalon's atmosphere beats all others.
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Along with being a beautifully restored Art Deco building originally built in 1928 and saved from the wrecking ball a few years ago by the community that raised half the money for the restoration, this theater shows top rated first-run films, often not shown elsewhere in the area. For example, today is the opening of the first-run and well-reviewed "Going South" which is showing nowhere else in the area. The theater is run by a board of directors from the community, The Avalon Theater Project, which accepts donations and memberships for discount tickets. Where else could this have happened? The Avalon shows great films and is a viable alternative to the ordinary movies shown at the chains.
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The staff, the ambience, the convenience, the community.
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The most comfortable seats in a historic theatre. Shows a variety of indie, foreign films that you can't see anywhere else. Wondrous Oblivion had its premiere in the US at the Avalon!
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Avalon Theatre is the most elegant theater in the District. It's programming is the right mix of popular culture film and important independent movies and documentaries. As I recall, it was the only theater in the area that showed Uncovered and Road to Guantanamo. Way to go!
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I grew up in DC and went to the Avalon as a child. I am awed by the way the community has come together to save this treasure at a time when so many precious building are being torn down and replaced by mac buildings. Film is an important art form, particularly in today's climate and Avalon's film selection gives a venue for this art form. In addition, the Avalon's partnering brings together a collection of art forms. DC is very fortunate to have such a special place.
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Great films you don't see at other theaters. Concession people with a sense of humor. The building is beautiful, the seats are comfy and the sound is great!
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We like the idea of preservation and keeping neat places like the Avalon around. Plus, you can't beat the friendly management and their tuned in approach to the neighborhood and what will appeal. . .and to reaching out to bring in new "stuff"!
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A true classic & jewel of a theater. Extremely diverse/eclectic programming, operated by a community non-profit group that saved the Avalon from extinction. The Avalon is "David" competing against the for-profit "Goliath's" (name your chain, Landmark cinemas, etc.) and the non-profit "Goliath" AFI Silver Theatre. Patronizing the Avalon is much more than seeing a movie...it's helping the continued existence of an historic neighborhood movie theater and supporting an institution that is DC based & home-grown -- not some large unresponsive, faceless corporation.
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Community involvement and terrific space and convenient!
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Interesting mixture of foreign & domestic films as well as weekend matinee films selected specifically for families and children.
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Local community based and good film choices.
