2008-03-10 13:52:43

BREWING CULTURE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Filed under: Davidson College,Film,Justice,Politics
Posted by: Craig

Will a film that bridges the religious and political divide play in a city that has promotes partisanship? At a time when we desperately need to work together across ideological lines, we wondered if a Purple State of Mind could find an audience amidst the nation’s capital.

On a rainy night in Washington, D.C., a standing room only crowd crammed into Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse to see a Purple State of Mind. What a classy venue! It has been lovingly restored by National Community Church with a combination of taste and technology. The high definition projection and stirling sound made this our most artistically satisfying screening so far. Ebenezer’s even has four Plasma screens for the patrons in the back to clearly see the show.

Before the screening, we met pages, policy makers and students from George Washington University and the University of Maryland. I connected with a former professor, Dr. Art Lindsley. John Marks was reunited with a friend from The New York Times’ Washington bureau. We were pleased to meet several recent grads from Davidson College, making their way in Washington, DC.

Our host for the evening, Ryan Moede from Brewing Culture, welcomed the enthusiastic audience. Brewing Culture hosts concerts, speakers and screenings that celebrate the common good. To a divisive world, they offer artistic expressions that build common ground, rooted in truth, goodness and beauty. Ryan was shocked by the size of the crowd. Usually, by Friday night, people are ready to get away from Capitol Hill. This audience was ready to laugh, clap and interact. We were brewing up a lively conversation, fueled by Ebenezer’s Fair Trade coffee.

The post-screening conversation heated up a cold night in the city. People wanted to know what we learned about each other, how we’d grown in our understanding, what parts we left out, how we negotiated the post-production process. Several of the questions became quite personal. The film takes people into quite a reflective place. It makes viewers pause. The audience members asked questions from their gut. An hour after the movie ended, people were still milling about, talking to John and me, buying books from Olsson’s.

Major thanks to Rich and Kathy Gathro for their gracious hospitality. On a cold, wet night in the capital, Washington, DC warmed up to Purple State of Mind.

Comments (2)

2 Comments »

1. Thanks for bringing this incredible discussion to the Brewing Culture community in Washington, DC. It’s a conversation that is sure to continue far after your tour wraps up.

   Comment by Ryan — March 11, 2008 @ 11:24 am

2. my opinion maybe sounds weird, but why do you all write so serious comments? I mean, do you REALLY think it’s true? Why? What makes you think so? Please share your opinion.

   Comment by Danny Tuppeny — April 11, 2008 @ 12:51 am

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