Centennial Gala
The Avalon Theatre’s Centennial Gala
MAY 6, 2023
We were delighted to welcome so many members of our community to the celebration of both our centennial year and twenty years of operating as a nonprofit film center. What an evening it was! The 1924 silent film Sherlock, Jr returned to the Avalon screen almost 100 years after its first appearance, this time with musical accompaniment by the amazing Andrew Earle Simpson Ensemble. The celebration continued with food, drink and merriment at the Chevy Chase Village Hall.
We have many people to thank for making the evening such a success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined us from near and as far as Minnesota and Colorado, and to those who could not attend but generously made donations. We would especially like to express our appreciation to the event underwriters for their invaluable support. The list of underwriters appears below.
Our Centennial celebration continues with our 100 Years of Cinema Magic program.
We are grateful to all who have supported the Avalon over the years, whether it be as members, donors or purchasers of tickets. Each of you has helped us to reach this important milestone in our history. We hope to see you at the movies soon.
About Andrew Simpson
Andrew Earle Simpson is an acclaimed composer of opera, silent film, orchestral, chamber, vocal and choral music.
A full professor in the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama and Art at the Catholic University of America, Andrew is one of America’s foremost silent film musicians, having performed at venues around the world.
We Thank Our Generous Underwriters!
CORPORATE UNDERWRITERS
Producer
Anonymous Foundation
Cinematographer
Screenwriter
INDIVIDUAL UNDERWRITERS
Centennial Star
Connie K.N. Chang & Nathaniel G. Pearlman
Jodie Levin-Epstein & Barry Zigas
Producer
Janice & Kim Abraham
Donetta George
Live to Give Equity and Justice Fund
Cinematographer
Claire Bloch & Geoffrey Griffis
Phyllis & Barry Caldwell
Dweck Philanthropies
Beth Wehrle & Matthew Miller
Screenwriter
Lisa Banks & Linda Correia
Courtney & Carl Bergeron
Lynn & Bill Choquette
Laura DeBonis & Scott Nathan
Maureen Gardner & Bill Oberdorfer
Debra Fried Levin & Joshua M. Levin
Sarajane Johnson & Arthur Goldberg
Cathy MacNeil-Hollinger & Mark Hollinger
Dale & Kent Morrison
Lynn Palmer & Bob Peck
Ann Pelham & Bob Cullen
Elias Savada
Lalita Subramanian & John Pappajohn
Dr. Maria Turner in Memory of Raymond W. Turner, M.D
Juliet Zucker & Keith Laughlin
Circle Yoga & Opening Heart Mindfulness
About the Avalon’s Centennial
Throughout 2023, the Avalon Theatre is celebrating 100 years of operation and 20 years as a community-centered nonprofit film center.
The Avalon opened in 1923 as a silent film theater, became a “Talkie” in 1929, and was designated as an historic landmark in 1996. After the theater’s sudden closure in 2001, the Avalon was restored and reopened as a community supported nonprofit theater in 2003.
The Avalon’s monthly 100 Years of Cinema Magic program runs through November and is highlighted by this 1920s themed Gala event in May.