Events

Shirlington To Host Largest Wags n’ Whiskers Event To Date

By ARLnow.com

Wags and Whiskers 2011 (courtesy photo)This article was written by Maddy Berner

Pet-centric vendors and their canine consumers will descend upon Shirlington for the 6th annual Wags n’ Whiskers event next weekend.

From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, animal-lovers will get a chance to peruse the corridors of Shirlington with their dog or feline friends. This year promises to be the largest event yet, with more than 50 vendors supplying pet-friendly products, activities and adoption opportunities — 60 percent more vendors than last year.

“The annual event celebrates the community’s pets and brings awareness to great animal services and non-profits,” said Jill Powell, senior marketing manager for Federal Realty Investment Trust, the company hosting the event. “The idea that a pet could find a new home because of the event is a great bonus of Wags N’ Whiskers.”

This year, 3,000 to 5,000 people are expected to attend. Wags n’ Whiskers is a family-oriented event that will include kid-friendly activities like face painting and balloon art. Other events include $5 pet photos, live entertainment, demonstrations and giveaways.

Among the businesses and organizations included in this year’s event: The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, NOVA Cat Clinic, Fur-get Me Not, Olde Towne Pet Resort and The Muddy Mutt.

Road Closure for Buckingham Festival on Sunday

By ARLnow.com

The annual Buckingham Festival will close a stretch of Pershing Drive on Sunday afternoon.

Organized by BU-GATA, a local tenants association, the festival features “dance music, folkloric presentations, and delicious food.” It runs from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

“The festival highlights the diverse cultures of Central and South America,” organizers said. “There will be lots of activities and games for kids. Scholarships will be awarded to students attending higher education courses.”

More about festival-related traffic impacts, from the Arlington County Police Department:

The 2013 Buckingham Festival will take place on Sunday, August 18, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. N. Pershing Drive will be closed between N. Glebe Road and N. Thomas Street from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 7:00 p.m.

Street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-558-2222.

Crystal Screen Announces ‘Flight’ Theme For 2014

By Ethan Rothstein

Outdoor movie in Crystal CityThe Crystal Screen movie series, put on every summer by the Crystal City Business Improvement District, already has a theme for its 2014 season: flight.

Movies based around airplanes will start showing the first Monday of June 2014 on the plaza at 1850 S. Bell Street. These titles include movies like “Airplane,” “Snakes on a Plane” and “Top Gun.” Crystal City BID President and CEO Angela Fox said in a press release that the theme is meant to highlight Crystal City’s proximity and symbiotic relationship with Reagan National Airport.

“We don’t know of any other neighborhood in the world that has a major airport that you can actually walk to,” Fox said. “So, we are highlighting this uniquely accessible aspect of Crystal City with a summer of flight-based movies.”

This year’s theme is Blockbusters, with two more screenings left: “Inception” on Monday, Aug. 19 and “Jurassic Park” Aug. 26. Previous year’s themes have been “Rom Com,” showing romantic comedies, “By the Numbers” and “Star Trek.” Other outdoor movie events around Arlington include the Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival, which has a “Back to School” theme this year, and Penrose Square’s regular movie screenings.

Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Topless Show For Charity Returns To Signature

By Ethan Rothstein

Summer Hummer 2013 posterSignature Theatre in Shirlington (4200 Campbell Ave) will again host Summer Hummer, a burlesque show put on by theatreWashington to raise funds for charity.

The show, playing at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, costs $35 for regular seating and $75 for premium reserved seating. Described as a musical revue with songs, sketches, dancing and stripping, Summer Hummer is undoubtedly an age “18-and-up show,” according to theatreWashington Communications and Development Manager Jen Clements.

“It’s something that will attract a variety of interesting performers, where we don’t have to worry about who gets cast,” she said. “It’s something that everyone can really have a good time with, and it doesn’t take itself seriously except that it is to raise money for a serious cause.”

The show’s proceeds will go to Taking Care of Our Own, a charity that helps theater professionals with money during emergencies that prevent them from performing and earning a living. Last year, Summer Hummer sold out and raised $16,000 for the organization, Clements said.

The music will range from well-known showtunes to some offbeat, original pieces, and the nudity will be about what is allowed during an “R”-rated movie, Clements said — so don’t expect full-frontal nudity. Tickets are still available but are selling fast, Clements said.

Photo courtesy of theatreWashington

Arlington Agenda (Aug. 12-18)

By ARLnow.com

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

Plot-Against-Hunger1Film: Truck Farm
Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Truck Farm tells the story of a new generation of quirky urban farmers. See New York City’s funkiest urban farms and find out if America’s largest city can learn to feed itself.

Thursday

3rdThursdays‘Third Thursday’ Film: E.T.
Penrose Square (2501 9th Street S.)
Time: 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Free, family-friendly film screening of the 1982 classic E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. The event will include a performance by 80’s tribute band “Cover Up.”

Friday

mhzgroup2-2013Live Music: My Hero Zero
Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street)
Time: 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

My Hero Zero “reinvents songs with unique arrangements and mash-ups brings new life to current dance hits and old favorites alike.”

Saturday

saturdayLive Comedy: Andy Kindler
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10:00 p.m. – Midnight

Andy Kindler, of Last Comic Standing the The Late Show with David Letterman, performs standup comedy.

Sunday

sunday_825x619Arlington Triathlon Club Youth Splash & Dash*
Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street)
Time: 9:00 -11:00 p.m.

The Arlington Triathlon Club Splash & Dash is designed to introduce young athletes to multi-sport. Event registration is open to youth ages 7-15.

IOTA-Cards-2013-Front-copySung Craigslist Ads*
IOTA Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 4:00 -5:30 p.m.

Audience favorite CRAIGSLISTLIEDER returns – eight REAL ads from Craigslist set to a variety of musical styles which are so outrageous they must be heard to be believed.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Bat Festival Returns Next Week

By Ethan Rothstein

Bat Fest 2013 logoThe Arlington Bat Festival is back Saturday, Aug. 24, at Gulf Branch Nature Center.

The annual event, which serves to entertain and educate locals about the flying nocturnal creatures, begins at 6:00 p.m. with “Bat Talk” activities for younger children at 3608 N. Military Road.

Bat Fest admission is $7, up from $5 last year, and visitors are encouraged to register in advance in order to be sure of a spot. The festival typically draws more than 100 people.

This year, the festivities will include habitat walks, games, crafts, a festival lantern parade and live bat shows presented by Leslie Sturges, Director of Save Lucy, A Little Brown Bat, established to protect and conserve bats in the region. Bat shows run every 45 minutes until the event ends at 9:00 p.m.

Image via Department of Parks and Recreation

Activities Planned for National Night Out Tonight

By Katie Pyzyk

2013 National Night Out logo(Updated at 12:50 p.m.) Residents across the county are encouraged to head out tonight to meet their neighbors at the activities planned for National Night Out.

At National Night Out, neighbors take a stand against crime in their communities. They strengthen relationships with each other and the police officers who patrol the neighborhoods. The event is held across the country on the first Tuesday in August and is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Arlington has events planned for the occasion at the following six locations:

  • Arlington Forest Ice Cream Social — 200 block of N. Galveston Street, 7:30 p.m.–TBD
  • Barcroft Community House — 800 S. Buchanan Street, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
  • Fairlington Community Center — 3005 S. Abingdon Street, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
  • Nauck Neighborhood at Drew Model Elementary School — 3500 S. 23rd Street, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
  • Park Glen Condominium Courtyard — 800 block of S. Arlington Mill Drive, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
  • Columbia Knoll Condominiums at Greenbriar Baptist Church — 5401 S. 7th Road, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Police officers will be on hand at each of the locations to chat with neighbors and to answer questions about current crime trends. They can also answer questions about general safety and offer neighborhood-specific suggestions for staying safe.

Everyone is welcome to attend the family friendly festivities.

County Fair to Host New Recycling Program

By Ethan Rothstein

Keep America Beautiful recycling campaignThis week’s Arlington County Fair will include a new recycling initiative.

The Keep America Beautiful recycling campaign and the Alcoa Foundation will place 30 new, well-marked recycling bins throughout the fairgrounds.

Arlington is one of only three fairs in the country to host the campaign, which will also feature a booth at the fair where a team of “recycling ambassadors” will answer visitors’ questions, according to a program spokeswoman.

The Arlington County Fair starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, (3501 2nd Street S).

Photo courtesy of Keep America Beautiful

Latte Art Competition Coming to Courthouse

By Ethan Rothstein

Thursday Night Throwdown at Bayou BakeryDozens of baristas from around the region will gather in Courthouse for a foamy art competition Thursday night.

Thursday Night Throwdown, a monthly competition for local coffee professionals, will be coming to Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) on Thursday. The event opens to the public at 8:30 p.m. and the competition begins at 9:00. The restaurant is technically closed during the event, but spectators can still what the competition and drink some artfully designed lattes.

About 30 baristas are expected to compete in the throwdown, fashioning leaves, hearts and more designs into the foam that sits atop the coffee drink.  The event occurs monthly at a variety of small, independent coffee shops around the region, but only comes to Northern Virginia every once in a while.

Baristas can sign up for $5 each, and the winner of the competition takes home the full pot of entry fees.

Signature Theatre Hosts Open House For Start of Fall Season

By Ethan Rothstein

Signature Theatre open house (photo courtesy Signature Theatre)Signature Theatre in Shirlington kicks off its 2013-2014 season Saturday with its annual, day-long open house featuring performances, workshops and a street festival.

In all, 31 concerts, cabarets, workshops and events will be held from noon to 9:00 p.m. in and around Signature, at 4200 Campbell Avenue.

Throughout the day, there will be outdoor activities for kids like a moon bounce, skeeball and basketball games, as well as free cotton candy and popcorn. To accommodate the festivities, the Arlington County Police Department is closing Campbell Avenue from the Harris Teeter to S. Randolph Street from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

While stopping by the open house, patrons can take in Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello at 1:15 p.m. on the MAX stage, singing some of her favorite showtunes. At 3:15 p.m., in the Shen room, those interested can talk to the director and cast of this season’s production of Miss Saigon about the ins and outs of putting on the show.

The day wraps up at 8:30 p.m. on the Plaza stage with actors from Signature and Broadway fame singing some of musical theater’s greatest hits. Signature will be tweeting during the day with information on where to pick up tickets for shows and with any changes in the open house’s vast schedule.

Arlington County Fair Kicks Off Next Week

By ARLnow.com

2012 Arlington County FairThis article was written by Maddy Berner

The Arlington County Fair returns next week for its 37th year of family-friendly entertainment.

The fair will kick off starting on Wednesday, Aug. 7, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 11. If recent years are any indication, some 50,000 people can be expected to flock to the fair from around Arlington and Northern Virginia.

The fair takes place at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.). Parking is prohibited at the fairgrounds, but shuttle buses will run from the Ballston Metro station, the I-66 parking garage and the Arlington Career Center.

Below are the hours for the indoor and outdoor entertainment:

Indoor
Friday, Aug. 9: 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday. Aug. 11: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Outdoor
Wednesday, Aug. 7: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 8: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 9: 2:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Some of the highlights on this year’s schedule:

Racing piglets and pony rides

The racing piglets and pony rides are back. On Wednesday and Thursday, pony rides will be open from 5:00-10:00 p.m.; Friday, 2:00-11:00 p.m; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. The piglet-racing events occur roughly every two hours throughout the day, every day. Read the full schedule.

The WalkArlington Scavenger Hunt

Kids can get a thorough experience of the fair through the WalkArlington Scavenger Hunt. At any point in the day, participants can pick up a pamphlet with instructions at the fair’s information desk and wander around the fairgrounds. Once completed, kids can return the pamphlet to the Mobile Commuter Store/Car-Free Diet exhibit next to the playground and collect a prize.

Carnival rides, games and food

The carnival rides Arlingtonians have come to know and love — The Zipper, Rainbow and Heart Flip — are also returning. Riders can buy tickets at various kiosks around the grounds and ride their favorites. They can also enjoy classic fair food and win prizes at the slew of carnival games offered this year. Carnival rides will follow the fair’s opening and closing hours. Single tickets cost $1, 24 tickets cost $20 and 48 tickets cost $40.

Arlington County Fair 5K Run/Walk

Newly implemented this year, the Arlington County Fair 5K Run/Walk allows adults and families to take a morning jog before taking part in other fair festivities. Register online for the Aug. 11 event ($25 alone, $50 for families) and report to Patrick Henry Elementary School at 7:00 a.m.

Honey, Bees Wax and Food Preservation Competition

One of many competitive exhibits, participants in this specialty contest will be judged on the density, consistency and color of their honey or beeswax, among other criteria. Registration for all the exhibits will occur Aug. 7 from 4:00-9:00 p.m. and Aug. 8 from 7:00-9:00 a.m. Entries will be observed by judges and fair attendees, culminating in an awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Ms. Senior Virginia performace

Ms. Senior Virginia 2013 Debbi Miller, an accomplished singer, will perform (with the Cameo Jewels) inside the community center on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 1:00-2:30 p.m.

A complete list of this year’s activities and vendors is available on the fair’s website.

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