From an email:

DC music lovers,
Join us for the documentary “Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune” on Wednesday, February 8, 7-9pm. Folksinger “Phil Ochs is a figure both glorious and tragic who haunts the history of the 1960s” (allmusic.com). “An unbelievable story of a true believer… one of the greatest the most passionate voices of the 1960′s was the first to be forgotten” (philochsthemovie.com).

Unlike the artists we’ve studied in our previous Salons, Ochs’ connection to DC is more tenuous — but this film’s incredible telling of his singular talent and tragic life make it essential viewing. As late as 1964, Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs were considered by many to be equals; Dylan famously chose rock ‘n’ roll, while Ochs stayed the narrow path of protest music. Sadly, Ochs has been largely been written out of history, but his music and spirit live in the countless artists and activists he inspired. This great documentary helps explain why. And we’ll go one step further in discussion before and after as we’ll be joined by Ochs expert Jeff Place — archivist for the Smithsonian Folklife Collections, Grammy winner and producer/writer of “Anthology of American Folk Music” and “Best of Broadside.”

Jeff’s full bio here, http://www.folkways.si.edu/about_us/staff.aspx
Film trailer here, http://philochsthemovie.com/

Wednesday, February 8 – Phil Ochs, from 7-9pm at the beautiful Watha T. Daniel Library in Shaw, 1630 7th St NW. Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/events/167593300003919/, is the best way to learn more about DC Music Salon and upcoming events.

Photo via NoMa BID DC

From an email:

Start dreaming of warm weather, and get ready for NoMa Summer Screen! As a spoof on doomsday prophesies marking the end of the Mayan calendar, this year’s series features movies about world-ending scenarios. For 2012: The End of the World?, join the NoMa neighborhood for our most popular event, a free, 12-week outdoor movie series featuring family-friendly films.

Take this one-question survey to vote for your favorite films. Leave comments or suggestions on our Facebook page.

NoMa Summer Screen is the neighborhood’s signature summer event, attracting more than 300 people each week from around the region. Now in its fifth year, NoMa Summer Screen will run on Wednesday evenings May 23 to August 8. Bring a blanket, Frisbee and picnic cooler starting at 7 p.m., and connect with friends as you enjoy great films under the stars. Films start at 9 p.m. Subtitles will be provided for all movies.

For those who’ve been in town, I’m curious if anyone has checked out Girl With The Dragon Tattoo at Lincoln Theater (1215 U St, NW)?

If so how was the theater for watching films?

Oct. 5th’s Friday Question of the Day asked, Should the Lincoln Theater become a Movie Theater Like the Avalon? Lot of people said yes.

From a Mayor’s media advisory:

Beginning January 1, 2012, oversight of the Lincoln Theatre [1215 U St, NW] will transfer from the U Street Theatre Foundation (USTF) to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Oversight will include hiring a new executive director and developing a long-term sustainable business model for the historic U Street theatre.

A four-week partnership with Landmark Theatres is one of the first ventures the District will bring to the Lincoln Theatre with the release of the major motion picture, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Columbia Pictures on Wednesday, December 21.

From an email:

Connecting Dots: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
When: Tuesday, December 13th 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Where: Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Forum, 1640 Rhodes Island Ave NW
Who: Scott Clarke, Director of Amandla Development South Africa, Joe Edwards, Administrator of DC Public Schools Advisory Program
Free and open to the public
Wine and cheese reception to follow

The film follows three youth from communities so different they hardly seem like neighboring suburbs. Yet we see how similar their struggles are and how they need coordinated and holistic support not just from their schools. The film illustrates the need for aligned work across sectors to ensure that a community’s young people are supported in and out of school from birth into the world of work.

To RSVP please go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/129350233843162/
To preview the film please go to: http://youtu.be/ZRDEtwjl-Xg

District Nights from Drew Geraci on Vimeo.

Thanks to Will M. for sending.

From an email:

“Bullitt (1968)
There are bad cops and there are good cops – and then there’s Bullitt.

Vanishing Point (1971)
Watch carefully because everything happens fast. The chase. The desert. The shack. The girl. The roadblock. The end.

Tighten your seat belt. You never had a trip like this before.

December 5
Dodge City
917 U Street NW
Free | 8pm
Free popcorn!
$7 ’68 fastback: Bulleit Ginger Julep “

From a press release:

“WHEN?
1-10 December, 2011

WHERE?
E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW, Washington DC 20004
Goethe Institut, 812 7th St. NW, Washington DC 20001

HOW?
Tickets for the festival are now on sale at irishfilmdc.org or by calling 1-800-494-TIXS.”

Full details here and in PDF below:

Irish Film Festival

From an email:

“In celebration of 11/11/11, Chinatown Coffee [475 H Street NW] will screen the acclaimed cult film Spinal Tap: The Movie on its newly acquired projection screen. In addition to Chinatown Coffee’s specialty espresso and coffee, the shop offers a selection of craft beers, deli sandwiches and a special 25% off absinthe to enhance the viewer’s experience. Celebrate 11/11 with a night of laughter, music, great drinks and a good time.”

West End Cinema opened up back in Oct. ’10. They are located at 2301 M Street NW. You can see what movies are showing here. Since we often pine for new movie theaters – now that they’ve been around exactly a year – what do you think of West End Cinema? Do you like the films they show? Do you like the fact that you can also buy a beer or glass of wine there? I have to admit – it often falls off my radar – how does it compare to E Street Cinema?

From an email:

“The U Street Neighborhood Association’s Education Committee invites you to attend the final screening of the 2011 U Street Movie Series with Waiting for Superman on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Shaw @ Garnet-Patterson Jr. High School, 2001 10th Street, NW.

As seating is limited, FREE registration is required to attend.

The screening of the movie will  be followed by an engaging panel discussion about the education of the District’s children, a pressing community issue.  Doors open at 12:00 pm (12:15-2:00 pm screening; 2:15-3:30 pm panel conversation).  A networking reception at Duffy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2106 Vermont Avenue, will begin immediately after the conclusion of the panel discussion.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Jackie Gran and Education policy expert, and neighborhood resident. Confirmed panelists include:

• Jason Kamras: DCPS Chief of Human Capital, featured in the film, and neighborhood resident.
• Evelyn Boyd Simmons: ANC 2F Education Committee Chair, and parent of two Garrison Elementary students.
• Reuben Jacobson: Senior Associate for Research & Strategy for the Coalition for Community Schools, former DC Teaching Fellow, and DCPS parent.
• Patrick Mara: Ward 1 DC State Board of Education Representative.
• Robinette Breedlove: Principal, Meridian Charter School.
• Kerry Sylvia: Teacher, Cardozo High School.
• Ann McLeod: Garrison Elementary PTA President, and parent.

There is a suggested $5 cash donation at the door.”

Avalon Theater located at 5612 Connecticut Ave, NW

Last week we spoke about the possibility that the Lincoln Theater could close at 1215 U Street NW. When I was up in Chevy Chase last Sunday I couldn’t get over how much the Avalon movie theater reminded me of the Lincoln Theater and I thought, man it would be sweet if the Lincoln showed films like the Avalon. But perhaps it’s not possible to put two movie screens in the Lincoln? Would it not be viable with only one screen? Maybe consider some sorta public/private partnership? Do you think a set up like the Avalon would be successful/possible at the Lincoln? Perhaps I’m being naive but I think the Lincoln as a movie theater would be a phenomenal addition to the neighborhood.

Lincoln Theater 1215 U St, NW

There was some potentially awesome late Friday news from the Post’s Jonathan O’Connell:

“a couple of the major movie theater chains are considering opening a theater in the Uline Arena.”

Uline Arena is located at 1140 3rd Street NE in NoMa. Think this long vacant historic property would make a good movie theater?

More info available here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Takka-San

From an email:

“The annual “Made in Hong Kong” Film Festival culminates this weekend, August 20 and 21. The weekend’s events are devoted to the fascinating cross-cultural phenomenon between martial-arts movies and rap music. A “Hop Fu: Hip-hop meets Kung Fu” performance with DJ IXL and DJ Excess of the Kolabz Crew will accompany the screening of Super Ninjas on Saturday, August 20 at 2pm.

On Sunday at 2pm, join us for a screening of Drunken Master followed by a panel discussion at 4pm, “The Hip Hop/Kung Fu Afro-Asian Connection,” co-presented by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program.

All events take place at the Freer Gallery of Art Meyer Auditorium (Freer Gallery of Art Jefferson Drive at 12th St SW). Attendance is free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Auditorium doors open approximately 30 minutes before each show. More details can also be found at the Gallery’s website.”