Events | ARLnow.com

Arlington Agenda (May 26-June 1)

Published May 26, 2014 at 8:00AM

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.

Wednesday

U.S. Army Twilight Tattoo
Summerall/Whipple Field (Sheridan Avenue, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall)
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Performances by The U.S. Army Blues, vocalists from The U.S. Army Band Downrange, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and The U.S. Army Drill Team. The pageant will occur weekly through the summer.

Thursday

AFAC’s Spring Carnival
Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

AFAC’s annual fundraiser at Artisphere has a “Moulin Rouge,” turn of the 20th century in Paris theme this year. Tickets start at $100 (plus $5 convenience fee).

Friday

Arlington Historical Society Banquet
Holiday Inn (1900 N. Fort Myer Drive)
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Arlington Magazine founder Greg Hamilton will serve as the keynote speaker for AHS’ annual awards banquet. Tickets are $45 for members and $60 for non-members.

Saturday

Youth Multisport Festival*
Washington-Lee High School pool (1301 N. Stafford Street)
Time: 7:30-10:30 a.m. (Same time on Sunday)

The first Triathlon USA event for children in Arlington is this weekend. Saturday features a “Splash N’ Dash” and Sunday features a triathlon for children between 7 and 15 years old. Register here.

Discover Cherrydale
Lee Highway from I-66 to N. Quincy Street
Time: noon-5:00 p.m.

The celebration of the North Arlington neighborhood includes unveiling of a Capital Bikeshare kiosk, demonstrations from dance and yoga studios and a ribbon-cutting for undergrounding utility lines.

Sunday

Free Concert: IBIS Chamber Orchestra*
Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (5010 N. Little Falls Road)
Time: 4:00-6:00 p.m.

The IBIS chamber quintet plays, joined by soprano Elizabeth Kluegel singing the words of American poets Robert Frost, Walt Whitman and others, set to music.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Vets Running 684 Miles from Atlanta to Arlington

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 22, 2014 at 3:30PM | Updated May 22, 2014 at 3:59PM

(Updated at 4:00 p.m.) Seven U.S. Marines, one member of the U.S. Navy and one civilian are in the middle of running the 684 miles from Atlanta to Arlington to raise awareness for traumatic brain injuries among veterans.

The crew left Atlanta Monday morning, according to organizer and the lone civilian runner, Travis Ellis. They plan to conclude their journey at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial near Rosslyn Sunday at noon.

The group calls themselves “Shepherd’s Men,” after the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga., which houses the SHARE Military Initiative, a privately owned facility that treats veterans for traumatic brain injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Ellis said it’s the only private facility in the country focused on veterans’ brain injuries, a status quo he hopes to change.

“It’s estimated that approximately 300,000 of those deployed in the last 13 years have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury,” Ellis told ARLnow.com while taking a break from running to Lynchburg, Va., this afternoon. “Every 65 minutes, a veteran or active duty member takes his or her own life. More needs to be done to help serve them and lift them up when they return home.”

While the Shepherd’s Men are running, they hope to raise $100,000, which would fund the SHARE program for a full month, he said. His hope is that more private programs serving veterans will arise as a result of increased awaress; the SHARE program only has capacity to serve 40 patients a year.

Each of the nine runners is covering about 13 miles per day, Ellis said, with each runner covering four miles on Sunday for their final leg from Manassas to the Iwo Jima memorial.

The seven-day endurance challenge has been in planning since January, Ellis said, with all the runners undergoing rigorous training programs to prepare them (although that didn’t prevent some nasty blisters). That their cause aligns with the growing scandal surrounding patient care at VA hospitals is coincidental.

“It’s purely coincidence,” Ellis said. “Everything related to that just serves as example for the need for private institutions with the ability and capacity for these services.”

Photo via Facebook

Shirlington Outdoor Concert Series Returns for June

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 20, 2014 at 11:00AM

Shirlington’s weekly outdoor concert series is back for a second season this summer.

The Shirlala Music Festival begins June 12 with urban folk rock artist Justin Trawick, performing in the plaza in front of Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Avenue) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The concerts will take place every Thursday through August 21.

The festival will also include a weekly $5 wine tasting, with the proceeds going to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center. The concerts themselves are free for the public.

Here is the schedule of performers:

June 12 — Justin Trawick (urban folk rock)
June 19 — The Morrison Brothers (Southern rock)
June 26 — King Teddy (swing)
July 3 — Taylor Carson (acoustic rock)
July 10 — Down Wilson (pop rock cover band)
July 17 — Scott Paddock (jazz)
July 24 — Ewabo (tropical steel drums)
July 31 — The Shack Band (Southern funk)
Aug. 7 — Paul Pfau (pop, rock & blues)
Aug. 14 — Lloyd Dobler Effect (80s & 90s cover band)
Aug. 21 — Dan Haas Trio (pop rock)

Taste of Arlington Sets Attendance Record

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 19, 2014 at 3:30PM | Updated May 27, 2014 at 6:11PM

(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) More than 40,000 attendees — a record — flooded the streets of Ballston Sunday afternoon for sunshine and lots of food and drink during Taste of Arlington, according to the event’s organizer.

Circa restaurant in Clarendon took home the day’s award for best appetizer with its Cobb lettuce wraps. The Green Spoon won the award for best entrée with its Kofte meatballs with tzatziki, spiced kale. and chickpeas. Kool Zone Ice & Treats took home the prize for best dessert.

The Ballston Business Improvement District, which organized the event, estimated that more than 25,000 ticket booklets were sold in advance. The tickets let attendees sample food from 46 restaurants, beer from a dozen breweries, and wine from Barefoot.

Festival-goers also got a chance to vote for the next restaurant that will be coming to Ballston as part of the Ballston Business Improvement District’s Restaurant Challenge. Eight chefs, competing for a year of free restaurant space in Ballston and a $275,000 interest-free loan, entered the competition as semifinalists.

Visitors voted for their favorite on their smartphones and Chef Victor Albisu and restaurateur Christina Campos were chosen as the winners. Albisu, who owns Del Campo in the District and Taco Bamba in Falls Church, served a variety of Mexican street-style food; Campos served Basque seafood stew. Albisu and Campos will compete head-to-head in June in a Top Chef-style cookoff to determine the winner of the Restaurant Challenge.

Disclosure: Ballston BID, Taste of Arlington’s organizer, is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Arlington Agenda (May 19-25)

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 19, 2014 at 5:00AM | Updated May 19, 2014 at 9:20AM

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

Live Poetry Reading
Busboys & Poets (4251 Campbell Avenue)
Time: 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Poet and co-founder of the poetryNOW, an after-school creative writing program based in Northern Virginia, Joseph LMS Green hosts a live poetry reading and open mic night.

Tuesday

Live Music: The 9 Songwriter Series
IOTA Club & Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 8:00 p.m.

Justin Trawick’s 9 Songwriter Series, in which nine solo artists sit in and play with each other on rotation, comes to IOTA. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Wednesday

Ditch Day
ÜberOffices (1400 Key Blvd, Suite 100)
Time: 2:00-6:00 p.m.

Ditch work before Memorial Day weekend at Rosslyn’s ÛberOffices. Open beer and wine, snacks and games, plus networking with dozens of Arlington-based entrepreneurs. Registration is limited.

Thursday

Composting for Home Gardeners
Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street)
Time 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Information on composting at home, what to put in a compost pile, how to maintain it so the materials break down properly, and how to make good use of finished compost. Register: email [email protected].

Friday

Live Music: The Reflex
Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street)
Time: 10:00 p.m.

80s cover band The Reflex takes center stage at Clarendon Grill. The retro band comes complete with 80s hair and outfits. Cover is $5.

Saturday

Live Music: Boxcartel
Rhodeside Grille (1836 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9:00-11:00 p.m.

Arlington-based Boxcartel celebrates the release of its new album, “Shutdown,” with a show at the Rhodeside Grille in Courthouse.

#Arlington Agenda

Crystal City’s Underground Bike Derby Returns Tomorrow

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 16, 2014 at 11:00AM

The Phoenix Derby, featuring an open ride and several races, returns to a Crystal City parking garage tomorrow afternoon.

This year’s event, in the garage under 1851 S. Bell Street, replaced the Diamond Derby of past years, but includes largely the same activities: several underground races and a bar and lounge in the middle of the garage to watch the cyclists zip around.

Unlike previous years, all proceeds from racer registrations go to benefit Phoenix Bikes, an Arlington-based nonprofit that teaches youths how to build and repair bicycles while fostering “real-world skills and education.”

Cyclists can register to participate in the kids race, team relays, a “celebrity cruise” with an obstacle course and sprint competitions. The events start at 2:00 p.m. and runs until 6:00 p.m., with last call at the bar at 5:30 p.m. Registration for each race is $20 per rider. Spectators can watch for free.

“The Derby is a creative way to show off Crystal City’s accessibility for bicycles and cars — by highlighting the area’s often overlooked parking assets,” Angela Fox, President/CEO of the Crystal City Business Improvement District, said in a press release. “We are excited about the evolution into the Phoenix Derby and its ability to support this amazing Arlington-based nonprofit organization.”

Photo via Crystal City BID. Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Taste of Arlington to Feature 46 Restaurants

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 15, 2014 at 4:30PM

This Sunday’s Taste of Arlington festival in Ballston will fill the streets with food from 46 local restaurants.

The annual event will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. Packets of 10 food and beverage tickets for are still on sale for $35.

Responding to high demand in previous years, Taste of Arlington will have a larger beer and wine pavilion this year. Located on Wilson between N. Randolph and Quincy Streets, the pavilion is billed as having “seating and plenty of space to dance.”

Aside from eating and drinking, Taste of Arlington will feature a number of different activities and entertainment option.

Three bands well-known to many Arlington residents will be performing on the main stage: Jumpin’ Jupiter from noon to 1:00 p.m., Gonzo’s Nose from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., and Burnt Sienna from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

A “KidZone” will feature a rock climbing wall, face-painting, carnival games, Washington Wizards and Capitals inflatable games, a teen band, a puppet show, a magic show and a dance performance. KidZone food, drink and game tickets are $20.

A “Bark Park” will provide a space for festival goers and their dogs, complete with pet supply vendors and a Corona beer station. For $10, dog owners can enter their pooch in a “World Pup tournament,” which features a 70-foot race track and a doggy-sized soccer goal.

Before the festival kicks off, organizers will be holding a Girls on the Run 5K race, described as “Northern Virginia’s most family friendly 5K.” A number of roads in the area will be closed from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. to accommodate the race.

There will be other traffic impacts in Ballston as a result of the festival. Wilson Blvd between N. Glebe Road and Quincy Street will be closed from midnight to 8:00 p.m. to accommodate the booths, as will N. Stuart Street between Wilson and 9th Street N. Parking will also be restricted in the area.

The full list of breweries and restaurants that will be serving at Taste of Arlington, after the jump. (more…)

Bike to Work Day is Tomorrow

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 15, 2014 at 12:00PM

Arlington County will be participating in the area’s annual Bike to Work Day tomorrow, with water stations and promotions along the county’s trails to encourage using alternative means to commute.

There will be six “pit stops” in Arlington tomorrow — five during the morning commute and one in the afternoon — that have music, free food and beverages, giveaways and bicycle vendors. According to BikeArlington, more than 10,000 people participated in the event last year.

“Arlington County celebrates biking every day,” Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette said in a press release. “The County is a great place to get around by bike with more than one hundred miles of multi-use trails, on-street bike lanes and designated bike routes. Even if you don’t own a bike, Capital Bikeshare is a convenient option with 69 stations in Arlington and more throughout the region.”

The event will be held rain or shine, but those biking might want to pack a poncho just in case: the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for this afternoon into tomorrow morning, and forecasts are calling for a 100 percent chance of rain.

Below are the times and locations for Arlington’s pit stops tomorrow. You can register to participate online:

Rosslyn (Rosslyn Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Highway — 6:30-9:00 a.m.)
Ballston (FreshBikes Bike Shop, 3924 Wilson Blvd — 6:30-9:00 a.m.)
Crystal City (Crystal City Water Park, 1750 Crystal Drive — 7:00-9:00 a.m.)
Columbia Pike Penrose Square (2503 Columbia Pike — 6:30-9:00 a.m.)
East Falls Church Metro Station – Morning (2001 N. Sycamore Street — 6:30-9:30 a.m.)
East Falls Church – Afternoon (Tri360 Bike Shop: W&OD Trail at Washington Blvd and Lee Highway — 4:00- 7:00 p.m.)

Bike to Work Day is a part of National Bike Month, and, in honor of the month, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association is offering free classes this weekend, hoping to educate those less confident in their cycling abilities so they become bike commuters. The classes will be held at the Arlington Central Library parking deck (1015 N. Quincy Street) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Also announced this month: Capital Bikeshare is now selling daily, monthly and annual memberships at Arlington Commuter Stores, and those buying memberships can use their keys the same day.

Wilson Tavern to Throw Closing Party Tonight

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 13, 2014 at 3:30PM

(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) Wilson Tavern, a Courthouse bar that has developed a following for theme nights like “Condoms and Candy Necklaces,” is throwing one last party tonight before it closes its 2403 Wilson Blvd location.

The bar and its neighbor, Northern Virginia Mixed Martial Arts, are being displaced so the building can be torn down to make room for a new hotel, which was approved in March.

Tonight’s party will feature “bench dancing,” 16-ounce cocktails and Fireball shot skis.

The demolition of Wilson Tavern is expected to begin soon, and construction of the hotel, slated to be an eight-story Hyatt Place, is expected to start this summer. The hotel includes a ground floor retail space for a restaurant.

Wilson Tavern opened in December 2011, replacing the former Kitty O’Shea’s.

Photo via Facebook

Arlington Agenda (May 12-18)

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 12, 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.

Tuesday

State of Preservation Panel
Boulevard Woodgrill (2901 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Four key figures in Arlington preservation and development speak in this Preservation Arlington presentation. Refreshments will be served from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Urban Vegetable Gardening Seminar
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Virginia Cooperative Extension master gardeners instruct participants in the craft of seed starting, soil preparation, and when and where to plant. Email [email protected] to register.

Friday

Live Comedy: Rich Vos and Bonnie McFarlane
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10:00 p.m.

Two comedians featured on NBC’s Last Comic Standing take the Drafthouse stage. There are also two shows on Saturday night. Tickets are $20.

Saturday

Tuckahoe Home & Garden Tour*
Tuckahoe Elementary School (6550 26th Street N.)
Time: Noon-5:00 p.m.

The Tuckahoe PTA hosts this tour aimed at homeowners looking for design and garden ideas. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and proceeds go to the Tuckahoe Elementary Discovery Schoolyard.

Crystal City Phoenix Derby
Parking Garage (1851 S. Bell Street)
Time: 2:00-6:00 p.m.

The underground bicycle race — complete with lounge and bar for spectators — returns to Crystal City. All racers must register in advance to participate. Proceeds benefit Phoenix Bikes.

Sunday

Taste of Arlington*
Wilson Blvd and N. Stuart Street in Ballston
Time: Noon-5:00 p.m.

The street festival is back for another year. Featuring dozens of restaurant booths, a beer/wine garden, live music and other activities. Read our story for more info. Ticket packets are 10 for $35.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Community Groups Rally After Nine-Year-Old’s Death

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 9, 2014 at 10:50AM

Andrew Alford, a third-grader at Long Branch Elementary School, died for still-unexplained reasons on April 11. This Saturday several groups around Arlington are organizing fundraisers and events to honor his memory.

This Saturday at 6:45 p.m., Arlington Little League, in cooperation with the Mothers of North Arlington, Long Branch PTA and Evolve All Martial Arts, is coordinating a memorial ceremony at Barcroft Sport and Fitness Center (4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive) on baseball field No. 1. Those in attendance are asked to wear orange, Andrew’s favorite color, and to write remembrances of Andrew for his family to keep.

“While for me this is a personal tragedy that I will never recover from, the community has been amazing in their support of Andrew and me in their efforts to honor his memory and the amazing boy he was,” Louisa Marinaccio, Andrew’s mother, told ARLnow.com in an email. “Andrew loved orange, the Pittsburgh Pirates and his momma. He dreamed of pitching for the Pirates in the World Series and owning a mint condition Honus Wagner card.”

In addition to the event Saturday night, the Arlington Little League has pledged to transform the dirt field at Long Branch in Lyon Park into a full-fledged baseball field in an effort they’ve named the Andrew Alford Memorial Project. Marinaccio said Frank Coonelly, the president of the Pittsburgh Pirates, reached out to her and pledged to donate to the fund.

In addition, MONA will start the Andrew Alford Buddy Bench Project, according to Marinaccio, “as an annual community service project with a goal of installing an orange Buddy Bench in Andrew’s honor at every elementary school in Arlington.”

Arlington Little League President Adam Balutis recounted his favorite Andrew story in an email he wrote to the parents of little leaguers.

“He was playing catcher on a close play at the plate, and an opposing player slid hard into Andrew, accidentally hitting him in the face with his cleats,” Balutis wrote. “With dirt and blood all over his face, Andrew’s mother told him that all the girls at school would say he looked cute and tough and cool. She said Andrew refused to wash his face for hours.”

Photos courtesy Louisa Marinaccio