Movies, Music and So Much More
Boone’s Dragonfly Theater
Story by David Brewer
The Dragonfly Theater and Pub is absolutely the only venue in the High Country that has, in four months, hosted major motion pictures, independent movies, live concerts, church meetings, fundraisers, multimedia events, political debate viewing parties, Monday Night Football and a beer tasting. To say that the Dragonfly is versatile would be a bit of an understatement.
Since opening the doors to the 2,000 square foot auditorium, restaurant and pub in July, Dragonfly owner Sheri Baker has been working relentlessly to simultaneously wear the hats of restaurateur, music promoter, event planner and movie house operator—a role that’s been equally exhilarating and exhausting.
“The way I set it up was for it to be intentionally versatile,” said Baker. “People said I should get [fixed] theater seating or stadium seating, but then we couldn’t have a contra dance.”
Trotting the globe from 2001 to 2006 for local nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse, Baker said opening the Dragonfly was driven by her desire to settle down in her home of 14 years and really be a functional part of the community by opening her own business.
“Having seen so much of the world, I really wanted to bring a little bit of that to Boone,” said Baker. “I just wanted to be in the community and now I am. I really want this to be a community place where the community dictates what goes on here.”
Inspired by brew n’ view facilities in Asheville and similar businesses in her native state of Washington and nearby Portland, Ore., Baker and friend Ben Witherspoon began dreaming up the Dragonfly five years ago. Two and half years ago, Baker decided to quit her job and finally put the pair’s plan into action. Unfortunately, Witherspoon wasn’t in a position to be involved in the pair’s grand plan at that time, but told Baker to go ahead without him.
“I just knew I needed to go pursue this vision,” said Baker. “[Ben] just kind of gave me his blessing to go ahead and go for it.”
While people most closely associate the Dragonfly with its eclectic movie selection, Baker’s desire to provide the community a blank slate with seemingly endless possibilities for events is gaining fans in all corners of the High Country, with ideas continuing to flood in each week. In the near future, the Dragonfly will show movies, host the Boone Service League’s Holiday Market and offer lots more live music (from bigger and more popular acts including the Biscuit Burners and Snake Oil Medicine Show), sports events and Sunday church services.
“I think the first year has been just listening to what the community wants,” said Baker.
The Dragonfly Theater and Pub is located at 215 Boone Heights Drive, Suite 301 in Boone, near Outersanctum Salon and Mountain 1st Bank and Trust. For a complete listing of events, click to www.dragonflytheater.com or call 828-262-3222.
Movies
When the 70-year-old Appalachian Twin movie theater in downtown Boone closed suddenly last November, area moviegoers were relegated to Regal Cinemas at New Market—the town’s last remaining spot to locally catch new releases on the big screen. Little did they know that a brand-new movie theater unlike anything the town had experienced was just months away.
The Dragonfly Theater and Pub features a 2,000 square foot auditorium with a 12-by-28 foot big screen, a surround sound system, 114 moveable seats including four front row couches, as well as tables, chairs and barstools where patrons can dine, drink and enjoy everything from mainstream Hollywood fare, independent, foreign and art films and classics to documentaries, outdoor films and cult classics.
The recent addition of a digital projector at the Dragonfly has allowed the theater to show DVDs during a variety of events including an Appalachian Fund fundraiser viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a recent snowboarding movie premier courtesy of Board Paradise.
Some movies shown at the Dragonfly have already seen theatrical release in Boone such as The Dark Knight and the upcoming showing of Burn After Reading, while others have had their only local screening at the new facility.
In addition to the usual theater delicacies like popcorn, candy and soda, the Dragonfly has a menu of chili, hot dogs, chilidogs, sandwiches and nachos, as well as a wide selection of beer and wine. While those interested in the classic theater experience can load up on fluffy, butter-soaked bags of popcorn or their favorite confections, patrons can also order sandwiches before or during movies and enjoy a full meal.
Dragonfly owner Sheri Baker stopped watching cable TV when she moved to Boone to attend ASU in 1994. Instead, Baker watched movies—lots of them. Her experiences overseas as an employee for Samaritan’s Purse helped broaden her horizons, motivating her to offer a diverse selection of films at the Dragonfly that would not only entertain audiences, but also educate them. Baker has also striven to have movies for all ages, not just for adults.
“It’s tough with one screen because there are so many options. You have to narrow it down,” said Baker.
Movies change weekly at the Dragonfly and times change daily depending on special events. Evening shows are $5. Matinees (shows beginning before 4:00 p.m.) and all Wednesday shows are $3.50.
For weekly movies and show times, call the Dragonfly at 828-262-3222 or click to www.dragonflytheater.com.
Dragonfly Music
As soon as local musicians heard that the Dragonfly Theater and Pub was hosting live music, bands began flocking to owner Sheri Baker’s new business to see if they could land a date on her venue’s increasingly busy schedule. Several local acts spanning several genres have already played to large Dragonfly audiences including the Lazybirds, Soul Benefactor, Mike Alvarado, Union County, Cookies & Cream, The Different Shades of Blues Band, The Groovenauts, Woodgrain and many more.
“I’m really excited about the music and I’m trying to focus on that. We have such a big capacity and I want to utilize it,” said Baker. “There are so many great ideas—it’s almost overwhelming.”
The Dragonfly’s capacity of 350 standing-room patrons hasn’t escaped the notice of bigger bands such as The Biscuit Burners and Snake Oil Medicine Show, both of whom will perform there in the coming weeks. Behind the ASU-run Legends, the Dragonfly’s 2,000 square foot auditorium is the biggest club-sized venue in the High Country that regularly features live music. Like Legends, the Dragonfly is also nonsmoking.
Another attractive feature musicians have been discovering at the Dragonfly is the venue’s warm acoustics. Sound-proofed for the theater’s surround-sound system, the auditorium’s curtained walls allow artists to crank it up without blowing the audience out of the room. While that feature is attractive to electric musicians, the room will likely be a beacon for acoustic musicians, whose sound benefits from deadened rooms with soft surfaces.
With bands setting up in front of the movie screen on the auditorium’s spacious floor, the Dragonfly is ideal for multi-band event such as ASU’s Renewable Energy Initiative fundraiser that featured four acts in one night. A recent North Carolina beer tasting also showcased the room’s versatility, with the band set up in front and beer tasting tables lining the walls.
On Halloween, the Lazybirds were the first to take advantage of the venue’s new digital projection, providing a live soundtrack to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. According to Baker, the party was the venue’s first multimedia event, but certainly not the last.
In the coming months, Baker plans to install a PA system for bands to use as well as a stage to raise bands off the auditorium floor for better viewing.
For the Dragonfly’s complete live music schedule, click to www.dragonflytheater.com or call 828-262-3222.
And Much More…
The Dragonfly Theater and Pub is the only place in town where patrons can get a full meal, cold beer or glass of wine with their movie, but its dining options are only the beginning of what makes it the most unique facility in the High Country.
Owner Sheri Baker’s willingness to be all things to all people has opened the Dragonfly to a wide array of groups in the High Country hosting all sorts of events aside from movies and live music. From children’s birthday parties and fraternity and sorority functions to lectures, dance performances and live theater, the auditorium and pub is available to virtually anyone.
You needn’t look further than this month’s schedule to see what a vast array of events is going on at the Dragonfly. On Thursday, November 13, the theater will host Hurry Up & Wait, a performance art piece that will include poetry, live art, dance and live music by Filibuster Keaton. On Monday, November 17, Boone Service League will use the Dragonfly to host its inaugural Holiday Market.
From sports fans watching Monday Night Football to parishioners attending services presented by Grace Highland Presbyterian Church on Sundays, the Dragonfly’s versatility is making the theater and pub a true asset to the community.
Patrons who want a private, theater-quality movie experience rent the room and order 35mm films for a fee.
Baker is also using her new digs to display artwork by local painters and photographers. Works currently hanging include photography by Jamie Goodman and Ellen Gwin.
Dragonfly Schedule
Movies
Although the dates and times aren’t set, the Dragonfly’s website has all the theater’s upcoming movies posted. Check back often to see when they hit the big screen.
Eagle Eye (PG-13)
Vicky Christina Barcelona (R)
Religulous (R)
Burn After Reading (R)
Man On Wire (PG-13)
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (G)
The Duchess (PG-13)
Fireproof (PG)
Live Music
11/7 The Pond Brothers
11/13 Frozen Snakes
11/14 The Biscuit Burners
11/15 Ample Example
11/20 Early Show: Songwriter Showcase with Jay Brown, Liz Brown and Stuart McNair
11/20 Late Show: Mike Alvarado
12/5 Snake Oil Medicine Show
12/9 Banana da Terra/Naked Gods
12/31 Possum Jenkins/Lost Ridge Band
Special Events
11/6 Boone Sustainable Transportation Club presents Who Killed The Electric Car? (PG)
11/13 Performance Art: Hurry Up & Wait with Filibuster Keaton
11/17 Boone Service League’s Inaugural Holiday Market
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