Events | ARLnow.com

Pop-Up Art Gallery Hosts Two-Day Event on Pentagon Row

Published August 29, 2014 at 11:30AM

BL_NK WORLD, a pop-up art and fashion gallery, will be open for an exhibit on Pentagon Row (1201 S. Joyce Street) tonight and tomorrow.

The 1,600 square foot “creative space” is located in a vacant storefront next to Starbucks and across from the Yogi Castle frozen yogurt kiosk. It features art and fashion created by local artists from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The pieces on display are also offered for sale.

The gallery will be open Friday and Saturday, as a fashion gallery from noon to 6:00 p.m. and for an “art social” event from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. The art social, which requires an RSVP, will feature music from a house DJ and guest musicians, plus champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

“After much buzz amongst the community of tastemakers in the D.C. area and beyond, BL_NK WORLD is preparing to deliver another tasteful experience where individual[s] can take in the culture and connect with others who appreciate the arts,” the organization said in a press release. “Follow us as we help bring light to the journeys surrounding the leaders of tomorrow.”

Arlington Agenda (Aug. 25-31)

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 25, 2014 at 5:00AM | Updated August 25, 2014 at 7:14AM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form. Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday

Warrior Boot Camp*
Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts (1041 S. Edgewood Street)
Time: 6:00-7:00 a.m.

This, along with the same event on Friday, is a free trial workout before a four-week, boot camp training session with the gym. Participants can register online.

Thursday

Live Music: The Handsome Family
IOTA Club & Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 8:30 p.m.

The Handsome Family, a husband-and-wife duo, plays “Americana” music and their song, “Far From Any Road,” is the theme song for HBO’s True Detective. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Friday

Live Music: Pete Baker
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3201 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Solo guitarist Pete Baker, a frequent guest at O’Sullivan’s and Ireland’s Four Courts, returns to Clarendon’s Irish Pub. There is no cover charge.

Talent Show
Busboys & Poets (4251 Campbell Ave.)
Time: 10:00 p.m.-midnight

Busboys & Poets’ monthly talent show takes all comers, not just writers. It’s $5 to perform, and acts can sign up in the restaurant or online here.

Saturday

Explore the “Energerium”
Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 N. Marcey Road)
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Potomac Overlook Park is giving visitors a chance to explore its “Energerium,” a new interactive exhibit. Call 703-528-5406 to reserve a spot.

Sunday

Live Comedy: Jay Chandrasekhar
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10:00 p.m. (Also Saturday at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.)

Jay Chandrasekhar, who starred in and co-wrote “Super Troopers” and “Beerfest,” and wrote several Arrested Development episodes, performs stand-up. Tickets are $25.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Historical Society to Offer Antique Appraisals

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 22, 2014 at 1:30PM | Updated August 22, 2014 at 3:57PM

Anyone with an old family heirloom, antique piece of furniture or other item of potential value can have it appraised for value and authenticity next month.

The Arlington Historical Society is hosting its first-ever antique appraisal at Carlin Hall (5711 4th Street S.) on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Interested visitors can pay $10 to have Todd Peenstra, of Annapolis, Md.-based Peenstra Antiques Appraisals, and Steve Gouterman, a jewelry appraiser from NovaGold in Fairfax.

The first hour of appraisals will be conducted in a public, Antiques Roadshow-style setting, and the second hour is reserved for private appraisals. Each appraisal costs $10, while those without antiques can see the show for $5.

All proceeds will go to fund the Arlington Historical Society’s maintenance of Arlington’s oldest building, the Ball-Sellers house at 5620 3rd Street S. Built by John Ball — after whom Ballston is named — around 1750, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It will be open for free tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 13th, so those attending the appraisal can see what their admission is funding.

To reserve a spot to have an item appraised, send the Historical Society an email describing the item. The $10 fee is to be paid in advance, according to the organization.

Photo courtesy Arlington Historical Society

Crystal City Wine Festival Returns Sept. 14

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 22, 2014 at 11:15AM | Updated August 22, 2014 at 12:23PM

Crystal City’s annual wine, food and music festival is back for 2014.

Sip and Salsa, as the event is called, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event will fill the parking lot and courtyard of 220 20th Street S. with booths pouring Spanish, Argentinian and Portuguese wines, plus unlimited food pairings.

The event, hosted jointly by the Washington Wine Academy and the Crystal City Business Improvement District, will have live jazz and salsa dancing. Wine experts will also be giving talks and educating attendees about the varieties of wine they will be tasting.

Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door, and designated drivers can pay $10 to partake in all the food tastings.

Sip and Salsa is the marquee fall event in Crystal City’s “Vintage Crystal” series of wine-related events. Starting Friday, Aug. 29 and running every Friday through Sept. 26, Crystal City will also be hosting Wine in the Water Park. That event, which takes place from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the park near 1750 Crystal Drive, features live music and various types of wine and beer for purchase.

File photo. Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Buckingham Festival Set for Sunday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 21, 2014 at 12:00PM

The annual Buckingham Community Festival returns this Sunday, closing N. Pershing Drive to make room for daylong activities.

The festival, hosted by the BU-GATA Tenants Association, will feature live performances of folk music and dance, among other activities. It will be held on N. Pershing Drive between N. Glebe Road and Thomas Street from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

In addition to the music and dance, there will be food vendors and children’s activities, like a bounce house and games for the family.

It’s the 14th year of the festival, which is held as an opportunity for the heavily Latino community to come together and celebrate each other’s cultures. Many of the performances will be traditional folk music and dance from a variety of Latin countries.

Pershing Drive will close at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate the festival, and should re-open around 7:00 p.m. Parking in the area will be restricted.

Photo via Google Maps

Shirlington’s Wags ‘n Whiskers Festival Returns Saturday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 20, 2014 at 2:30PM

The annual Shirlington pet festival, Wags ‘n Whiskers, returns for its seventh year this Saturday.

This year’s festival’s hours are extended: the fun begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes until 4:00 p.m. along Campbell Avenue. The festival’s organizer, the Federal Realty Investment Trust, said more than 60 pet-centric vendors have signed up to participate, making it the biggest Wags ‘n Whiskers festival to date.

In addition to the vendors selling treats, food, toys and other goods, there will also be on-site adoption booths, pet portraits for $5, demonstrations, face-painting and balloon art. A complete list of vendors is available on the festival’s website.

Live music will be going on throughout the festivities, starting with Dan Haas at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Taylor Carson Duo at noon and the Morrison Brothers Band at 2:00 p.m.

The Arlington County Police Department will be closing roads around Shirlington on Saturday for the event. Starting at 5:30 a.m., Campbell Avenue will be closed from S. Quincy Street to the parking garage entrance in front of the Harris Teeter (4250 Campbell Ave.). S. Randolph Street will also be closed from Arlington Mill Drive to the alley south of Campbell Avenue. Street parking in the area will be restricted. The roads are expected to re-open by 7:00 p.m.

File photo

Sept. 11 Memorial 5Ks in Arlington Next Month

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 19, 2014 at 4:30PM

The 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks will again be marked in Arlington by, among other events, two 5K races raising money for charities.

First, on Saturday, Sept. 6, will be the Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff Memorial 9/11 5K. The race will begin at 6:00 p.m. and start and end at the Double Tree hotel in Crystal City at 300 Army Navy Drive.

The race is $40 to register and participate, with the proceeds going to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Segs4Vets, Team Rubicon and T.A.P.S (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). The race is limited to the first 4,500 registrants.

The course will take runners from the Double Tree up S. Joyce Street, by the Air Force Memorial and Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, around the Pentagon before returning back to the Double Tree.

A week later, the 9/11 Heroes Run with kick off just a few blocks away. Starting at 8:30 a.m. on 23rd Street S., between Fern and Eads Streets, the run raises money for the Travis Manion Foundation, a charity that supports “veterans, their families, and families of fallen service members.”

Registration for the Heroes Run is $35, plus a $2.74 service fee. The Arlington race is one of 47 nationwide that will be run this year, including events in New York City, Philadelphia and Richmond. Only those who register before Sept. 1 are guaranteed a race shirt and memorabilia.

Rosslyn Jazz Festival Returns Sept. 6

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 18, 2014 at 3:20PM

The annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival returns next month, and will be headlined by New Orleans staple Rebirth Brass Band.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway), four jazz bands will take the stage while attendees can enjoy a picnic, food and fashion trucks and beer and wine.

This year, the Rosslyn Business Improvement District is hosting its 24th jazz festival, and once again it’s free to attend. Parking is available in the garage at 1911 N. Fort Myer Drive, and several streets around the park, including Lee Highway, will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Rebirth Brass Band formed in 1983 and has released 12 original albums. Its latest album, “The Rebirth of New Orleans,” won the 2012 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music album. The band plays traditional New Orleans brass music, but blends in aspects of jazz, funk and hip-hop. They take the stage to close the festival at 5:30 p.m.

Opening the festival at 1:00 p.m. will be The Corey Wallace DUBtet, led by trombonist Corey Wallace. At 2:15 p.m., the Ghost Train Orchestra, a 10-piece jazz band that plays modern revivals of 1920s and 1930s-era jazz hits, will take the stage. Following them, at 3:45 p.m., North Indian-jazz fusion band Red Baraat will bring their eclectic blend of music influence for the festival’s penultimate performance.

Beer and wine will be provided by the Washington Wine Academy. Several food trucks will be parked at the festival, along with fashion trucks Street Boutique and The Thread Truck.

Photo via Rebirth Brass Band. Disclosure: Rosslyn BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Arlington Agenda (Aug. 18-24)

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 18, 2014 at 5:00AM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form. Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday

Fantasy Football Seminar, League
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

The library hosts a seminar on how to play fantasy football. Those who attend can enter the library’s fantasy football league, which drafts Aug. 23 at 1:00 p.m., and win prizes.

Tuesday

Chocolate Seminar
The Curious Grape (2900 S. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Curious Grape offers a chocolate seminar, where customers can also taste up to five “rare heirloom chocolates” for $3-$5. Registration for the seminar is available online.

Wednesday

Pints on the Pike
P. Brennan’s Irish Pub (2910 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

The Arlington Young Democrats host a happy hour-style event aimed at bringing everyone together for a relaxing evening before fall campaign season starts up. Karaoke starts at 10:00 p.m.

Thursday

Fall Style Party
Free People (1100 S. Hayes Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Free People hosts a Fall Style Party with local fashion bloggers The Fashionably Broke sisters. Natalie and Erika Pinto will give attendees free style sessions, and there will be a giveaway. RSVP here.

Friday

Outdoor Movie: Anchorman
Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway)
Time: 8:00-10:00 p.m.

The Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival — with a “movies about work” theme — sees its penultimate showing with “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” The movie is free.

Saturday

U.S. Army Band Concert
Summerall Field (Sheridan Ave., Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall)
Time: 7:30-9:00 p.m.

The U.S. Army Band’s annual summer concert, with the traditional conclusion of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with “four three-inch, 5,775-pound, World War II vintage anti-tank guns.” Admission is free.

#Arlington Agenda

‘True Detective’ Band to Play Iota Club

By ARLnow.com

Published August 15, 2014 at 1:00PM

Handsome Family, the band behind the theme for the hit HBO show “True Detective,” will be playing Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd) in Clarendon later this month.

Playing a genre described as alternative country and “Gothic Americana,” Handsome Family is made up of husband-and-wife duo Brett Sparks and Rennie Sparks. The Sparks together play guitar, banjo, bass and ukulele in addition to providing vocals.

The New Mexico-based band is scheduled to headline a show at Iota on Thursday, Aug. 28, starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, available only at the door on the day of the show.

True Detective received 12 Emmy nominations last month, including outstanding music composition for a series. The awards show will air on Monday, Aug. 25, three days before the Iota concert.

Library Hosting Fantasy Football League

By ARLnow.com

Published August 13, 2014 at 5:00PM

Are you ready for some football? The Arlington Public Library is and it’s inviting residents to join its first fantasy football league.

Residents can sign up to compete against neighbors in the library’s “Dewey Decimators League.” Participants must attend a Fantasy Football 101 class at Central Library on Monday, August 18. From 6:00-7:00 p.m. class attendees will learn how to use the free Yahoo! Fantasy Football program to create a team.

That Saturday (August 23) is the big draft day. From 1:00-2:00 p.m., registered participants will draft their players either in person at Central Library or online.

League participants can build a team on their own or co-own a team with others. Individual participants must be at least 13 years old.

Those who attend the August 18 introductory class will hear more about the smaller prizes to be awarded throughout the season, from places like Bayou Bakery, Corner Bakery, Dunkin Donuts, Sweet Leaf and Starbucks. The league runs through December 22 and the winner will get a grand prize that has not yet been announced.