progressive cyberdadaism from our nation’s capital
There was a small, but very cool coffee shop that closed down recently, here in my local environs. There’s nothing left at this point. Bits of wiring, a utility closet, the tiles on the floor, that’s it. Nothing else to remind us of the local business that started as Sirius Coffee in Van Ness, and expanded into art house films at Visions Cinema near Dupont Circle.
Andrew Frank, who brought us Sirius has headed off to the Great White North. (Canada, not heaven.)
Here’s what he had to say 6 years ago about his beloved creation, Visions Cinema:
Our objective is to return quality independent films foreign and American to regular screenings in Washington. Not only will we premier films, but we will create complementary programs involving speakers: filmmakers, directors, actors, professors from local colleges, moderators for community-based discussion groups and more!
Visions was one of my regular hangs, and the empty movie house on Florida Ave., near Dupont Circle, still strikes me as something that oughta be.
Thanks for your vision, Andrew Frank.
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hip·po·pot·a·mus n. A notion, perhaps distinct from conventional wisdom, that needs to be verified by reality-based scrutiny.
95. Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum (I think that I think, therefore I think that I am.)
— Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
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Democracy Now! Radio and TV News [Link]
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August 1st, 2006 at 6:09 am
Ironically, Visions did bring art films back to DC–they showed that there was a strong demand and Landmark moved in (E-Street and Bethesda). Since those venues are much better for movie watching than Visions (though not as cool or cutting edge), they cut into the audience. It’s still a shame that Visions couldn’t make a go of it.
August 8th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
[…] Sirius Coffee. A partial history at Alternative Hippopotamus. Some additional info on this recently closed coffee shop at DCist. […]