The Avalon Theater: A Chevy Chase Landmark Since 1923

The Avalon Theater: A Chevy Chase Landmark Since 1923

If you are looking for a wonderful date night venue, The Avalon Theater is a best bet, especially this week!

It's currently playing Julie and Julia, a movie that spoke to me on so many levels that I may have to write a movie review! But here is what makes it special. There is a cafe that is serving as this week's special, the boeuf Bourguignom recipe from the movie.

The Avalon origianally opened in 1923 as the Chevy Chase Theater. They showed silent pictures, and a big old pipe organ played the background music. Over the years, there were renovations to add modern necessities like a sound system and air conditioning. At the time it was wired for talkies in 1929, the name changed to The Avalon.

In 2001, when the former owner went bankrupt, the theater was stripped. The seats, the sound and projection systems - all of it was gone. And we were all afraid that. like so many other historic theaters here in Washington, it would turn into one more CVS (not that we don't love our local pharmacy).

In 2006, with the support of the neighborhood, the Avalon Theater Project purchased and beautirully the property and is now running both major first run films and special art and foreign films.

They are supported, not only by ticket prices, but also by memberships that people in the community can buy.

The Avalon is located just south of Chevy Chase Circle, at 5612 Connecticut Avenue NW.