A/perture

[twincity]

The Chatham building on 4th street is being converted into a 2 screen movie theater. Aperture Cinema will feature independent films in two 80-seat theaters. RiverRun will also operate its new year round headquarters in 8,000 sf of office space. Demolition is already underway with an opening date set for some time in January.

This is great news for all the surrounding bars and restaurants on West Fourth...especially Brew Nerds which occupies the retail space in Chatham.

http://www2.journaln...-open-downtown/

[Beany]

Hey this is great news for downtown. I love it! I am sure this will be a big hit.

[suburban george3]

I'm excited about this, it will indeed be a good fit in downtown!!!

[yadkinv]

Incredible, really good news!

[JerseyBoy]

As I wrote on Aperture's Facebook fan page, I can't wait to see the level this catapults Winston to when this awesome venue opens. Despite some difference in opinion, the Callahan family continues to do amazing things for downtown! Go Lawren!

[twincity]

Follow the progress on Lawren Desai's blog. Update photos and info there.

http://aperturecinema.blogspot.com/

[JerseyBoy]

I recently talked to Lawren about Apeture and she offered to take me on as an intern. I am extremely excited for the opening of this! This venue will do wonders for downtown!

Here are some progress pics:

Update 10-25-09

[JerseyBoy]

An inside tour recently posted on the blog:

[DigitalSky]

Looks promising, thanks for posting that!

[twincity]

screen installation

[beyonce245]

screen installation

Thanks for sharing. Was that a window or wall opening that they were covering up on the right?

[JerseyBoy]

The following are some interior photos of the new screens and seats I took while I met with Lawren yesterday:

She has lined up the first few films for when A/perture opens, and you will be very impressed! All films were shown at either the Cannes, Toronto, or Sundance International Film Festivals. Also, the infamous window that has garnered some criticism from people will be used to show a large, illuminated logo behind glass.

[beyonce245]

Thanks for the updates Jersey and Twin. I'm looking forward to this project. A great addition to downtown Winston!

[JerseyBoy]

The first two films to debut at a/perture will be "New York, I Love You" and "A Town Called Panic".

Expect a January opening date!

[twincity]

Man, that was quick! Thanks for the info.

[twincity]

another youtube update:

http://www.youtube.com/user/cinemaaperture

[JerseyBoy]

A/perture opens today! Here are the showtimes for Jan. 8-14:

a town called panic

Friday - 3:20 and 8pm

Saturday - 12:20, 5 and 9:40pm

Sunday - 2:40pm

Monday - 5:40pm

Tuesday - 8pm

Wednesday - 5:40pm

Thursday - 8pm

an education

Friday - 3:40, 6:00, 8:20, 10:20pm

Saturday - 12:40, 3, 5:20, 7:40, 10pm

Sunday - 12:40, 3 and 5:20pm

Monday through Thursday - 6 and 8:20pm

new york, i love you

Friday - 5:40 and 10:05pm

Saturday - 2:40 and 7:20pm

Sunday - 12:20 and 5pm

Monday - 8pm

Tuesday - 5:40pm

Wednesday - 8pm

Thursday - 5:40pm

The staff and I tried out the theaters last night, and you will be greatly impressed! Besides not being on an incline, there isn't really any noticeable difference from one of the commercial multiplexes you would normally see a movie in.

[suburban george3]

Went to A/perture today for the 2:40 showing of 'A Single Man.' Very clean, the seats were comfortable, refreshments were actually 'reasonable' compared to mainline theaters. I think we are actually going to go back next weekend for 'The Last Station.'

A great addition to downtown Winston-Salem!

In a plug for the movie, here is a link to it's website.

[suburban george3]

Saw a facebook posting that A/perture had their first sell out yesterday for a showing of 'The Last Station.'

Crowds were good there last weekend, it's great to see the support and hope it continues!

[winston's finest]

I was in town last weekend and saw their flat screen TVs in the windows promoting the movies. Seems like a cool place. can't wait to go visit and see a movie

[winston's finest]

a/perture Cinema recently held a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to rais $50,000 to create a third screening room with 52 seats, a larger lobby and gathering space with a private party rental room.  The campaign was to pay for these expenses while the business also worked to convert the projection in their 2 current screens from 35mm projects to state-of-the-art digital cinema projection.

 

Over the course of their campaign, a/perture surpassed their goal and raised $52,847.  Congrats to a/perture for growing and adding to downtown Winston-Salem.

articles:

http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_e8d3dc66-3041-11e2-9ad1-001a4bcf6878.html

http://www.indiegogo.com/aperturecinema

http://aperturecinema.com/

[zalo]

Here's an update from the WSJ:

Aperture Cinema in downtown Winston-Salem celebrates its fourth anniversary. A third screen opened downstairs in the theater at the endof August, and a fourth smaller screen is in the works, with a possible February opening date. There’s also a rental room for parties, complete with a red carpet; a budding “Night Shift” film series of late-evening movie screenings of cult classics; and the theater’s popular screenings of certain TV shows. Last weekend they started showing PBS’s Downton Abbey” and in February they will pick back up with “The Walking Dead.” The TV show viewings are free of charge, however the purchase of concessions is encouraged. This is one of the many ways social capital is being nurtured and developed in the Twin City. The two main screens on the first floor seat about 80 people each. The third screen in the basement seats 45. The fourth screen, when ready, will seat 25 in a multi-purpose room. Aperture opened onJan. 8, 2010 as the first new movie theater downtown in many years. Movie theaters used to be commonplace — in 1952. There were at least five, but over time they closed or changed purpose, such as the Stevens Center, which is now used predominantly as a live-arts venue.

www.aperturecinema.com

[zalo]

Camel City Dispatch reports on a very unique new series at Winston's independent cinema:
 

a/perture cinema has announced a new film series, Screen Club, which will feature selected favorite films from 14 local artists who have designed their own versions of movie one-sheets (promotional posters) of their favorite films and will be individually hosting screenings as well. This film series coincides with a/perture cinema’s fifth year in business, and a/perture is partnering with Delurk Gallery, Ember Audio & Video, and Airtype Studios in this series. Screenings will occur monthly on Wednesdays at 7:30 p. Featured films include those from a wide variety of genres, time periods, and countries of origin, ranging from Pan’s Labyrinth to Pretty in Pink. At each screening, the featured local artist will present a limited edition of 50 signed 18” x 24” poster prints for purchase inspired by the film they selected to be screened. This series will kick off on February 26 with Groundhog Day, and will conclude on December 3 with The Shawshank Redemption.

ground hog day - adam dixon
ground hog day – adam dixon

“Screen Club is one of the many ways that a/perture cinema wants to reach out and incorporate film into the fabric of our community, something we’ve been passionate about since our business opened four years ago. We’ve been very fortunate that so many talented artists have been willing to submit their film-related artwork for this series, and can’t wait to share both their favorite films and their amazing creativity with Winston-Salem,” commented a/perture curator Lawren Desai.

Local artist and Screen Club contributor Adam Dixon shared his excitement for the series as well, stating, “I love what Screen Club is all about. I’ve always been inspired by film and making a movie poster is something I’ve always wanted to do. To have the opportunity to create art for one of my favorite movies was really exciting. I think it’s a great way to increase the visibility of the artists living in Winston.” Fellow Screen Club artist Les Caison, III also expressed his enthusiasm for the series: “Props to a/perture for presenting the community a compelling opportunity to enjoy culture. Screen Club provides the public, local businesses, and local artists a way to connect with each other and internationally known movies. This is a great way to celebrate five years as one of Winston-Salem’s artful jewels.”