AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is an iconic place to visit, it’s a theater and culture center which will give you a unique state of art cinematic experience. This theater is a combination of restored history with modern charm, with high quality screening. AFI Silver Theater is a famous film lovers venue which features daily, continuous programming which include Classic, Independent, and International Cinema. Silver Theater offers 3 screens, a historic theatre (Silver 1), and two modern theaters (Silver 2 and Silver 3) with stadium seating. This iconic theatre also presents curated programs, educational programs plus culture and community programs. Some highlights include the AFI European Union Film Showcase, AFI Latin American Film Festival and Education Programs offer a robust Screen Education program which has given over 150,000 students and given film as a source of education.
In this Blog we will discuss AFI Silver Theater, this blog will give you every essential information about the theater. This historic theatre will definitely enhance your experience, whether you are a solo visitor or you are visiting with your friends & family.
A Brief History of AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
The Silver Theatre was designed & constructed by John Eberson in 1938. Earlier it was served from the wrecking ball by a joint community and landmark designation. Silver Theater was reopened as the AFI Silver Theatre and Culture Center in 2003, through public-private partnership between Montgomery County, Maryland and the American Film Institute. The American Film Institute was known for its classic films and presented film festivals and some other different programs of the DC, Washington in the year of 1973. It also included the National Film Theater at Kennedy Center for several years before AFI opened in 2003.
This Theatre was known as the nation’s premier film theaters, AFI Silver classic films and filmmakers from around the world, offering continuous programs best in American and international cinema. AFI Silver provides the best art form in a state of the art screening environment. The Education Screenings Program has served more than 150.000 middle and high school students. It has trained hundreds of teachers through filmmaking as an education tool.
Nearby Restaurants and Attractions Around AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center
AFI Silver Theater is a stunning culture center, surrounded by many different stunning restaurants and entertainment options in a walking distance. This place has lots of things to explore and experience no matter if you are coming with your family and with your friends. Visitors can experience both delicious food and nearby attractions.
Top 3 Famous Attractions Nearby AFI Silver Theater
The Fillmore Silver Spring
Fillmore Silver Spring is an iconic live music venue, nearby AFI Silver Theater. This place is known for its live music, concerts and private events, its a 23000 sq ft live music concert hall with the capacity of around 1200 people. If you are visiting this place for the first time and want to experience live music, this is a perfect place for you to experience live music. Fillmore Silver Spring offers perfect sound and lighting systems, and a quiet vibrant atmosphere. These features will definitely increase your live music experience.
Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza
Silver Spring Civic Building was established in 2010, as a community hub & an event venue. This venue is famous for hosting concerts, festivals, farmer’s markets and private events like weddings. It features a great hall which presents an area of around 5,046 sq ft, meeting room and an outdoor concert hall. If you are a first time visitor this will be the perfect option for you to experience outdoor concerts.
Ellsworth Place
Ellsworth Place is a shopping center situated near Downtown Silver Spring, it’s a mixed location which offers stunning dining places, famous for shopping and entertainment. Visitors can experience everything at one place without any stress. This place hosts many different retail stores including Burlington, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross etc. If you really want to enjoy the mixed experience, this place will be the perfect option for you to explore with your family and friends.
Top 3 Famous Dining Options Near AFI Silver Theater
Matchbox
Matchbox is an iconic restaurant which was built around 2003, earlier it was a historic building in Washington DC, transformed into a vibrant wood fire kitchen. This restaurant offers many different types of cuisines but their highlighted famous items are waffles and wood fire pizza, quite popular among kids. If you are finding a restaurant which offers all kinds of dishes including bakery items, this restaurant is perfect for you.
J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse
J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse is located in Downtown Silver Spring this restaurant is owned by Chef Jerry Hollinger. This restaurant is very famous especially for its iconic sea food, steaks and raw bar. They also offer crafted cocktails & a pleasant atmosphere. Each item of the menu is crafted carefully and carries a unique story. If you are visiting Silver Spring, do visit this restaurant to enhance your experience with good quality food.
Copper Canyon Grill
Copper Canyon Grill is a wood and stone theme restaurant. It’s offering quite delicious segments of food like meatloaf, ribs, and fresh seafood. This restaurant is known for hand made American cuisine, stunning beer selection and sweets like bread pudding. This dessert is quite famous among kids. The vibe of the restaurant is pretty amazing if you are looking for a best restaurant. So this will be a perfect option for you to experience.
Tips for First-Time Visitors to AFI Silver Theater
If you are visiting AFI Silver Theater for the first time, you have to know some specific and important information related to theater. There are some key points like, arrival time one of the main concerns, parking & location, seating and venue. These tips will definitely clear your doubts if you are planning to visit AFI Silver Theater.
- Arrival Time
First time visitors have to be careful about the timing, for normal events arrive 30 minutes before show timing . And if you are attending some major festival event arrive 60 minutes before show, because of parking issues . Afterwards, you have to go through security checking then only you can attend the show. These processes will take time and you have to plan your arrival accordingly.
- Parking
Parking is a major concern of every first time visitor, there are mainly two public garages, Wayne Avenue Garage or Town Square Garage. Parking is free on Sunday, but requires payment until 10:00 pm Monday to Saturday. So you don’t have to worry about parking space.
- Seating
Seating all depends on your arrival, for a famous screening. If you are with your group so you have to arrive early for better seat selection.
Is AFI Silver Theater Worth Visiting?
This Theater offers a unique mix of independent, international, and classic films. So if you are really a film enthusiast this place is perfect for you to experience a beautifully restored Art Deco venue with a combination of historic and modern charm. This theater is quite famous for their unique programs screening like the European Union Film Showcase and Latin American Film Festival. Some highlighted features include the best sound system and 4K projection capability. These elements will definitely boost your experience and definitely give you a pleasant and smooth experience. If you are a first time visitor and you want to experience these things, this theater is perfect for you to enhance your experience.
Conclusion
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring is a perfect and stunning destination especially for film enthusiasts. This place offers an intense education experience, amazing festivals, events and community screening. The theater’s venue was restored in 1938, which gives a pleasant atmosphere, and a smooth modern audio system with all modern features plus design. This theater gives a kind of mix of historic and modern vibes. If you really want to experience Classic, Independent, and International Cinema, this place is perfect for you to experience these things. Along with the AFI Silver Theatre there are some famous nearby attractions which will also enhance your experience.