Events | ARLnow.com

Military Tribute Night at Pentagon Row Ice Rink

Published November 21, 2013 at 9:30AM

The newly renovated ice rink at Pentagon Row will celebrate a special holiday event for military families on Friday (November 22).

Tomorrow is Military Tribute Night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the rink. All members of the military and their families will skate free with a military ID.

The rink’s grand re-opening celebration will still take place from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. There will be snow at the ice rink every night from December 7 through January 1, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

More information about regular hours and pricing can be found online.

Arlington Agenda (Nov. 18-24)

By ARLnow.com

Published November 18, 2013 at 2:30PM

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

Arlington’s Got Talent
Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Arlington residents compete in a talent show sponsored by Leadership Arlington. Tickets are $40 at the door. There will be a cash bar, but heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Tuesday

St. Ann School Open House*
St. Ann School (980 N. Frederick Street)
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

St. Ann School open house for prospective students and families. Tours and registration information available for Pre-K through 8th Grades. Call 703-525-7599 for more information.

Thursday

Port City Night at RedRocks Pizzeria*
RedRock Pizzeria at Penrose Square (2501 Columbia Pike)
Time: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Port City owner Bill Butcher shares stories while tapping his holiday brew, Tidings Ale, and other favorites from the Alexandria brewery.

Friday

Live Music: Hoots and Hellmouth
Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9:00 p.m.

The roots/soul music group, which hails from Philadelphia, performs in Clarendon. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Live Music: Lost in Paris
Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street)
Time: 10:00 p.m.

The cover band, also from Philadelphia, performs top 40, rock and rap hits by artists from 2pac to Weezer.

Saturday

Managing Up for Millennials: Workshop and Brunch*
Ballston LaunchPad (4238 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Geared toward young professionals, this interactive workshop will feature leaders from business, local government and nonprofits to help you build a better relationship with your boss.

Sunday

Live Comedy: Al Madrigal
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Daily Show correspondent Al Madrigal performs standup comedy with Tommy Johnagin, Dan Soder and David Huntsberger.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

History Talk to Focus on Former Va. Rail Line

By ARLnow.com

Published November 14, 2013 at 3:35PM | Updated November 14, 2013 at 4:08PM

Local historian Ron Beavers will lead a discussion tonight about the role the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad played in helping the Union during the Civil War.

The railroad line, which ran through Arlington, was later renamed the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad and is now the popular W&OD trail. The western portion of the line was attacked by Confederate forces during the war but the eastern portion, through Arlington and Alexandria, fared better and helped to provide logistical support to the Union war effort.

The talk will be held tonight (Thursday) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street). From the library website:

Historian Ron Beavers will discuss the little used Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad, which once ran through Arlington County but is today one of the Washington area’s most popular bike trails. Learn what caused this transformation – from an underachieving rail line to a major contributor to the Union war effort – and what became of this railroad after the Civil War.

Though now a beloved path for both commuters and recreationalists from Arlington to Loudoun County, the original plan for the AL&H was impressive. Entrepreneurial Virginians hopes to compete with the B&O Railroad for the rich coal fields of what is now West Virginia. But engineering difficulties and financial struggles impeded these plans, reducing the rail line to a local carrier for freight, mail and people just before the Civil War. When the war came, the western portion of this railroad suffered complete destruction. The eastern facilities (Alexandria and Arlington) fared much better. Their contribution to the Union war effort was crucial to success in the Eastern Theater of Military operations. Ownership returned to AL&H directors after the war, but their original plan to reach West Virginia never came to fruition. The rail line went through many reorganizations and mergers, yet continued to serve Arlington and Northern Virginia until the 1960s. Last known as the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, it ultimately became a 44 mile-long park that we now call the W&OD hiker/biker trail.

Beavers last spoke before the Arlington Historical Society in March about Arlington County’s retrocession to Virginia in 1847. He is a seventh generation Virginian and retired federal employee with a life-long interest in history and railroads.

Flickr pool photo by ddimick

Arlington Agenda: Nov. 11-17

By ARLnow.com

Published November 12, 2013 at 3:45PM

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

Friends of A-SPAN Veterans Happy Hour
Whitlow’s on Wilson (2854 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Join a caring community to benefit A-SPAN’s work with homeless veterans. Live music provided by Backbeat Underground.

Benefit Concert: Cancer Can Rock
Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

A concert to benefit musicians diagnosed with terminal cancer, featuring performances by Justin Trawick and others. $10 minimum donation.

Thursday

Arlington’s Ready Coalition Presents: Courageous Conversations*
Wakefield High School Auditorium (4901 S. Chesterfield Road)
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Join the READY Coalition at our town hall event, Courageous Conversations, to address the dangers and misconceptions of underage drinking and drug use.

Friday

She, After: Two Short One-Woman Operas*
Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

UrbanArias presents two short, thought-provoking and at times amusing takes on the imagined lives of two famous literary women, AFTER their moments of notoriety. Performances on Friday and Saturday nights, and on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday

Fifth Annual Ballston Bar Crawl “Shutting Down Sobriety”*
Buffalo Wild Wings Ballston (950 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.

The fifth-annual politically-themed Ballston bar crawl, organized by DC Social Sports. Registration is $10 with promo code ARLNOWDCS13.

Live Comedy: Nick Swardson
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Nick Swardson, best known for his recurring role as Terry Bernardino in the Comedy Central series Reno 911!, performs standup comedy.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Veterans Day Closures and Events at National Cemetery

By Ethan Rothstein

Published November 8, 2013 at 3:30PM

Veterans Day is this Monday, and Arlington National Cemetery will be hosting a “Ringing the Freedom Bell” event Monday afternoon.

Members of the public are invited, starting at 1:00 p.m., to ring the Freedom Bell to honor a loved one who served in the military. The bell will be stationed at the west entrance of the Welcome Center.

Preceding the bell-ringing event, President Barack Obama will participate in the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 11:00 a.m.

Arlington County’s government offices, meanwhile, will be closed for the federal holiday, as will courts, schools and libraries.

STAR will be closed and standing rides will be cancelled, and ART buses will not run, other than routes 41, 42, 51, 77 and 87, which will run on a Saturday schedule. All community centers will also be closed, with the exception of Arlington Mill Community Center (901 S. Dinwiddie Street), which will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Trash pickup will proceed as normal. County pools will be open on a holiday schedule.

Photo via Philliefan99

Arlington Agenda: Nov. 4-10

By ARLnow.com

Published November 5, 2013 at 4:15PM

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

Ending Homelessness in Arlington: A Community Effort*
Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

A community meeting to inform concerned citizens about the incidence of homelessness or threat of homelessness in Arlington.

Thursday

Wine Tasting Benefit*
Lyon Park Community Center (414 N. Fillmore Street)
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Join supporters of the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless for a pre-holiday wine tasting with delicious cheese, chocolate and other food pairings.

Friday

Live Comedy: Jon Lovitz
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Comedy legend Jon Lovitz, of Saturday Night Live, The Critic and numerous films, performs standup comedy. Tickets are $30.

Live Music: Lily and Madeleine with Margot MacDonald
Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9:00 p.m.

Singer-songwriter sisters Lily and Madeleine perform following the release of their first full-length album. Tickets are $12.

Saturday

WE CAN Craft Fair and Expo*
Key Elementary School (2300 Key Blvd)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

A craft fair and expo featuring women’s jewelry, pottery, glass art, silk accessories, giftware, children’s clothing, skin care products and more.

NCE Performs Jewish Musical Treasures*
Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street)
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

“Jewish Musical Treasures” will celebrate extraordinary music of Jewish culture. The program also commemorates the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Opening Night: She, After*
Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

UrbanArias presents two short, amusing and thought-provoking takes on the imagined lives of two famous literary women — AFTER their moments of notoriety.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Capitals to Host Blood Drive

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 5, 2013 at 11:00AM

This weekend, roll up your sleeves and head over to Kettler Capitals Iceplex, because the Washington Capitals are hosting a blood drive.

This Saturday, November 9, blood donations will be collected from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Donors will receive a Braden Holtby bobblehead and a Capitals t-shirt.

In order to donate, a person must be feeling generally well on the day of the donation. Donors must be at least 16 years old (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past 56 days (or 112 days for double red cells).

Donors can make appointments by calling 1-866-256-6372 or by going online and entering the sponsor name “Washington Capitals.” The whole process takes about one hour.

Canned Food Sculpture Exhibit Opens in DCA Tomorrow

By Ethan Rothstein

Published November 1, 2013 at 10:00AM

Towering sculptures made entirely of canned goods will be on display at Reagan National Airport starting Saturday.

The displays will be built tonight (Friday) starting at 5:00 p.m. Competitors will have seven hours to construct the sculptures and they will be in DCA’s baggage claim levels in Terminals B and C until Saturday, Nov. 9.

After the displays are taken down, all of the canned goods will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center. The sculpture competition is sponsored by the Northern Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

There will be seven sculptures built by seven teams of local architects. Members of the public are invited tonight to watch the teams build their pieces, which the AIA said “become more visually interesting as the night progresses.”

This is the 10th year of “Canstruction” in Northern Virginia. Last year’s competition was held at Ballston Common Mall.

File photo

Crossword, Sudoku Tournament Set for Saturday

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 30, 2013 at 2:30PM

Puzzle masters can try to put their skills to the test this Saturday while competing in the third annual Arlington Puzzle Festival.

At the Reed-Westover gym (1644 N. McKinley Road), from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there will be a crossword tournament with puzzles by New York Times puzzlemaster Will Shortz and a Sudoku tournament with puzzles designed by five-time Sudoku world champion Thomas Snyder.

Lunch will be served and there will be speeches by the president of Metropolitan Washington Mensa, Karen Canon, and puzzle developer Todd Etter. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each tournament.

The event is free to members of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library, and a $15 donation to the Friends group is requested for non-members. Participants can register online or at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Photo courtesy of Arlington Public Library

CollegeHumor Stars Coming to Drafthouse

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 29, 2013 at 11:45AM | Updated October 30, 2013 at 12:49PM

Comedians from the comedy website CollegeHumor are coming to the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse next month.

The comedy duo Jake and Amir — Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld — and CollegeHumor Executive Editor Streeter Seidell will perform Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and only ages 18 and up will be admitted.

Arlington is the first stop of the trio’s nationwide tour, for which they’ve shot a brief comedic promotional video. Jake and Amir’s online comedy series has won several “Webbies,” while Seidell is also the co-host and writer of the MTV show “Pranked,” along with Blumenfeld.

Image courtesy of CollegeHumor

Arlington Agenda (Oct. 28-Nov. 3)

By ARLnow.com

Published October 28, 2013 at 3:00PM

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 Music: The WeatherVanes with Mandolin Orange
Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 8:00 p.m.

Local folk rockers The WeatherVanes and Mandolin Orange perform at the Clarendon music venue. Tickets are $10.

Thursday

Halloween Walk for the Homeless
Boeing Headquarters (1215 S. Clark Street)
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Boeing and A-SPAN host the first annual Halloween Walk for the Homeless in Crystal City. Proceeds from the event will benefit A-SPAN.

Friday

Spooktacular Halloween Costume Party*
Velocity 5 Arlington (2300 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Velocity 5 and Nightlife Agency present the first annual Spooktacular Halloween costume party. Music provided by Welby Luk and DJ Lion L.

Saturday

Tuckahoe and H-B Woodlawn 5K Race and One Mile Fun Run*
Tuckahoe Elementary School (6550 26th Street N.)
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Age group awards and cash prizes for top finishers. Long sleeve t-shirts for the first 500 registered participants. All proceeds benefit H2O for Life and a partner school in the Dominican Republic.

Troy University Open House*
Troy University (1515 N. Courhouse Road, Ste. 140)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Learn more about Troy University degree programs, check out the Arlington location, and to chat with alumni and faculty over light refreshments.

IBIS Children’s Concert*
Rock Spring Congregational UCC (5010 Little Falls Road)
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In this special concert for children, IBIS teams up with Rick Robinson and his Detroit based group CutTime  for a program of music by African American composers.

Clarendon Halloween Bar Crawl*
Various Clarendon Bars
Time: 2:00 – 9:00 p.m.

A bar crawl that encourages participants to “bust out your best costume, gather your favorite ghouls and goblins and get ready to bar-hop through Clarendon’s most popular bars!”

Sunday

IBIS ‘Jazz Is a Heartbeat’ Concert*
Rock Spring Congregational UCC (5010 Little Falls Road)
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

IBIS teams up with Rick Robinson and his Detroit based group CutTime  for a program of music by African American composers,  including William Grant Still, Ellington, Joplin, Robinson and more.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda