Flashpoint

Flashpoint is a multi-​purpose space used for the both visual and performing arts. It is conveniently located across from the MLK library and is constantly filled with different plays, art displays and events. Cultural DC is in charge of managing the space and enables opportunities for artists to express themselves.
What I like about Flashpoint is that there is always something different going on there and that it has something for everyone. In addition, the space typically offers relatively low ticket prices which is always a bonus.

I’ve been trying to reach them. When they return my call or pick the phone up I’ll let you know what I think.

I saw «Separated at birth» here today, and was very impressed with both the production (the way they end it is GREAT!) and the space (for what it is). This is a tiny venue, that showcases artwork in the gallery/​lobby with a theater and dance studio in the back.
Matthew Mann’s Cinecitta Chapel is showing now, and worth checking out. Inspired by 14^th century religious frescos and cartoon cowboys… they are entertaining paintings to say the least. Also, it looks like they have more interesting, modern exhibits coming over the next year (according to their website).
The show was in their «theater lab.» This again, is a very small room. They say it seats 75, looks more like 50… however it was very comfortable and the show was interactive and fun. I look forward to seeing future performances here.
I like what the organization stands for, in terms of showcasing emerging artists… Again, looking forward to a return trip.

I recently had a photo included in a gallery exhibition at Flashpoint and my experience working with them was very positive. The gallery space is not huge, and for an opening the size of this year’s DCist Exposed show (over 1,000 attended!), it was definitely not large enough. On a normal day, though, the layout allows for an easy flow of people through the gallery, and the space is plenty spacious enough to handle average crowds. The Flashpoint staff is friendly and helpful, patiently answering all my questions — this being my first gallery show, I had more than a few! It’s nice to find such a professionally-​run business in a nonprofit venue.
Flashpoint puts together a variety of fun art exhibitions, often with a local connection, so it’s worth taking a look if you’re in the Metro Center/​Gallery Place area. In addition the art gallery, Flashpoint is also a full arts center with a dance studio and theatre lab. There are performances and classes year-​round; the schedule can be found on their website.

2.5 Stars.
I don’t much about art and galleries and what’s normal and whatnot, but this place was super tiny. I went for the DCist «Exposed» show and it was hellaciously packed, which is fine and good for them and all – but the space was pretty meh. One narrow room with stark white walls. I mean, i get that the point is to highlight the art, but it was all very. .. anitclimactic. I have a feeling the entire space the own is much bigger, but based on some space peaking through during the exhibit… if this is so, they should have considered utilizing it.

I know I shouldn’t judge a gallery by a show opening, especially one as popular as DCist’s «Exposed» photography show, but there were a few things that disappointed me about my experience this past Friday night.
To start with, I understand that friends of the staff get an automatic «in». Heck, I used to pretend I knew the bartenders or DJs because I hate waiting in line. However, when there is a line halfway down G Street, on a night when it’s 20 degrees (not including windchill), and most everyone has been waiting patiently in line for well over 45 minutes to get to the front door — don’t just wave your friends in through the door when they show up «to say ‘hi’». It’s rude and disrespectful to everyone that has been waiting all this time. If you must let your friends in, show them the service entrance around back, so you don’t cause a riot in the lines. Seriously.
Secondly, although it is probably 5 below out, when you have 100+ people packed into a gallery the size of my condo it gets very warm, very quickly. Turn down the heat and crank up the air. Yes, it’s cold out… however it’s very warm inside! Especially as there is nowhere to hang coats — and everyone is having a drink or two. Although we left after 15 minutes, I had already gotten a couple whiffs of BO. Not pretty. I could only imagine how much worse it got as the evening went on.
Finally, have more then one bartender at the bar. Yes, the bar is tiny (the bar I have at home was bigger), but again, when it’s a show as popular as DCist, one bartender isn’t going to be enough. Especially as tightly packed as that room is, by not having enough bar staff, it just causes further bottlenecking at the front door.
All in all — the Flashpoint seemed like a decent gallery. Small, but located between Metro Center and the Chinatown metro stop, it’s easy to get to, and there are tons of dining options around. I will probably come back for shows in the future — but probably not for anything as popular as the DCist.

The Flashpoint Gallery is one of my regular art gallery stops. I enjoy going here because the art is usually a little more edgy than what you find at other area galleries. Flashpoint is able to take more risks because it’s backed by the Cultural Development Corporation, a non-​profit.
Their opening receptions are fairly good. They bring out some wine and food for you to partake in. Most of the time the artist will be present at the opening. If you can find out who it is, he or she are available for any questions you might have.
I been to Flashpoint many times and the staff has been friendly and helpful. The space is small, but there is still plenty of room to walk around. It only becomes a problem if everyone shows up at once for a show, which is unlikely.

I hate to bash on a cultural aspect of D.C., especially since I’ve been warming up to this hellhole in recent weeks, but this place wouldn’t know comedy if 1983 Eddie Murphy performed «Mr Robinson’s Neighborhood» in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue. This truism was never more evident than it was this past weekend during the D.C. Comedy Fest took place. My brother and his sketch comedy group were in town from New York, so I was both obliged and delighted to take in a set at the Flashpoint Theater.
Well, the Comedy Fest website seemed deliberately labyrinthine. Kind of Geocities in spirit. Okay, that’s not Flashpoint’s fault, I think. What IS Flashpoint’s fault is this: charging $ 25 for an under 2 hour comedy show that they force you to enjoy in the comfort of their schoolroom wooden chairs. The intimacy of the place is nice, but fercryinoutloud, I felt like the majority of my ticket price was going to pay for the shitty post-​modern lobby art.; meanwhile, they must have found their seating in some dumpster diving expedition. Yeah, and it was bad, bad art. [Edited to add: the performers at the D.C. Comedy Fest did not get paid, so my ticket’s cost was not going to them, either!] So, my main beef is with the ticket cost. My theory is that the dearth of comedy shows and acts in this city gave the D.C. Comedy Fest the idea that they could gouge comedy-​seekers. Comedy shows, given their low budget and modest venues, SHOULD NOT be $ 25. Especially if an improv group is one or more of the featured acts. (If purgaory exists, it is an unpolished improv show).
Also, the woman at the ticket counter was a special kind of rude. When I got ready to fork down $ 20 per ticket, she informed me that they were «only selling all-​night passes» and thus I had no choice but to pay $ 25. I pointed out to her – in a rare moment of haggling assertiveness on my part – that the D.C. Comedy website advertised 1 show as $ 20 and that I only planned on going to 1 show (I did not want to risk sitting through any more improv than I had to). In fact, yes, I harangued this woman about it a little, though the deadly look she gave me in return was uncalled for. «Alright, I’ll give them to you for $ 20,» she said, in a way that might have led a removed bystander to believe that I had asked her to sacrifice her firstborn.
So, anyway… bad venue with no backstage, uncomfortable seating, and the price not only doesn’t excuse any of this, but it actually justifies a charge of highway robbery.

I can best describe Flashpoint as a cultural complex. Part theater, part art gallery and part dance theatre. The theater, called Mead Theatre Lab gives the space, lights and sound to the performers for free– it is all funded by the DC theater community at large. The theater is on the small side. It seats maybe 70 people.
The art gallery here will be hosting a really interesting exhibition called «Consume.» One of my friends is an artist and he gave me a sneak peak of what he will be showing. This particular exhibit starts on Nov 30^th. The paintings that will be on display explore how, why and what we eat, drink and buy