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

a1Grub For Good
Potomac River Running Store (4501 North Fairfax Drive)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Come out to Grub for Good, a 5K fun run and happy hour that engages the running community to support those struggling with food and body image issues, while fighting the stigma that surrounds eating disorders.

Thursday

a1unpluggedUnplugged at Market Common Clarendon
Market Common Clarendon (2700 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Come and enjoy live music by popular local bands performing acoustic remixes of their work every Thursday evening, June through August.

a1rockRock at The Row
Pentagon Row (1101 South Joyce Street)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

This weekly event will take place behind Champps Americana Restaurant on Thursday nights from 7pm-9pm, June 6th through August 22nd.

Friday

a1rossRosslyn’s Film Fest: Risky Business*
Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway)
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a picnic and a blanket. Films begin at dusk, approximately 8:00 p.m. Before the show, enjoy games and prizes. Rain or shine.

Saturday

asatfootySaturday Morning Footy*
Bluemont Park (601 North Manchester Street)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

A youth Australian football program that teaches the skills and rules of Australian football to boys and girls aged 5 to 15.

a1apsfilm1st Annual APS Student Film Festival
HB Woodlawn Auditorium (4100 North Vacation Lane)
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Come hear what Arlington’s newest generation of filmmakers has to say, celebrate their creativity, and vote your favorite for the audience choice awards this year.

a1beerandchocBeer & Chocolate Pairing Class
Washington Wine Academy (1201 South Eads Street, Suite 400)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Beer. Chocolate. Got your attention? Great, because you won’t want to miss this class with Certified Cicerone® Mike Reinitz and local Chocolatier Rob Kingsbury of Kingsbury Chocolates.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event


Shirlala Music Festival logoThe Village at Shirlington will be hosting a new summer music festival starting next week.

The “Shirlala Music Festival” will include 10 weeks of live music from various genres, plus wine tastings from Shirlington’s Cheesetique store. The festival is an outgrowth of the former Shirlington jazz festival.

The event is free and open to the public, but the wine tasting is $5. It will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, from June 13 to August 22 (except July 4).

This year’s musical lineup includes:

  • June 13 — Jeff Carmella Band (Rock)
  • June 20 — MARS 4-tet (Jazz)
  • June 27 — King Teddy (Swing)
  • July 11 — Dan Haas Trio (Pop Rock)
  • July 18 — Lloyd Dobler Effect (80s & 90s Covers)
  • July 25 — The Shack Band (Rock & Funk)
  • August 1 — Ewabo (Steel Tropical Drums)
  • August 8 — Taylor Carson (Acoustic Rock)
  • August 15 — The Morrison Brothers (Southern Rock)
  • August 22 — Beach Bumz (Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band)

Renovated playground at High View Park (photo via Arlington County)Arlington County’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation will be holding two ribbon cutting ceremonies this weekend.

Tonight (Friday), starting at 6:00 p.m., an opening celebration will be held for the newly-renovated High View Park, located at 1945 N. Dinwiddie Street, within the boundaries of the John M. Langston Civic Association.

Renovations to the park include  new play areas, an ADA accessible route from Cameron Street, new benches, and a picnic area.

The event will include moon bounces “for all ages,” face painting, balloon art and refreshments. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, Arlington County will celebrate the restoration of Carlin Hall (5711 4th Street S.). Dating back to 1892, Carlin Hall is currently used as a preschool, a community meeting facility and a recreation center. It recently underwent an extensive structural restoration.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Carlin Hall at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. The ceremony is part of the annual Glencarlyn Day festivities, which include a pancake breakfast, a parade, a fun fair and a home and garden tour.

Photo via Arlington County


TEDxRosslyn logoArlington will host its very own TEDx conference on Sunday, June 9.

TEDxRosslyn will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Top of the Town conference facility (1400 14th Street N.).

The theme of the independently-organized conference is “Imagining the Future.”

“TEDxRosslyn is a gathering of thought leaders and heads of industry that are using bold ideas and innovating methods to reshape our city and the rest of the world,” according to event organizers. “TEDxRosslyn will be a cumulation of in-person talks from amazing speakers, recorded videos from the official TED conference, and time and activities for the attendees to connect to each and hopefully create lasting relationships.”

Speakers at TEDxRosslyn will each deliver short talks, demonstrations or performances on a wide variety of topics. Scheduled speakers include:

  • Jenn Gustetic — Challenges and Prizes Progam Executive, NASA
  • Aneri Patel — Senior Associate, Energy Access at UN Foundation
  • Ashraf Khalil — Cairo-based Correspondent, The Times of London
  • Carmen Medina — Former Deputy Director for Intelligence, CIA
  • Eneida Alcalde — Executive Director, Ed-Futuro
  • Jacob Marshal — Senior Connector, More Partnerships
  • Joshua Haynes — Senior Development Technologist, USAID
  • Kara Shuler — Strategy and Innovation Senior Consultant, Deloitte
  • Liz Norton — Director, Stone Soup Films
  • Margot MacDonald — Singer/Songwriter
  • Michelle Zelsman — Director of Marketing and Communications, National Breast Cancer Coalition
  • Patrick Tucker — Deputy Editor, THE FUTURIST Magazine
  • P.D. Klein — Co-founder, FabLab DC
  • Robert Engelman — President, Worldwatch Institute
  • Sharon Terry — President and CEO, Genetic Alliance
  • Steve Davis — Director of Advanced Projects, SpaceX
  • Tim Cannon — Co-Founder, Grindhouse
  • Dan Brown — Author and Teacher
  • Alan Holden — Senior Consultant, Deloitte

Tickets for the event are $45 online. Video from TEDxRosslyn will also be streamed online.


Outdoor movie in Crystal CityCrystal City is getting ready for its summer showings of outdoor movies. The first movie will run next Monday, June 3.

This year’s theme for the Monday night Crystal Screen movie festival is “Blockbusters.” Last year, residents had the opportunity to vote for which movies they’d like to see relating to the theme.

The movies chosen are a mix of old favorites, such as Jaws, and newer options like The Help. The full schedule is as follows:

  • June 3 — E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial
  • June 10 — The Social Network
  • June 17 — The King’s Speech
  • June 24 — Crash
  • July 1 — American Beauty
  • July 8 — The Blind Side
  • July 15 — Moneyball
  • July 22 — A Beautiful Mind
  • July 29 — Forrest Gump
  • August 5 — The Help
  • August 12 — Jaws
  • August 19 — Inception
  • August 26 — Jurassic Park

The movies are shown just after sunset in the green space at 1851 S. Bell Street. The free movies will play rain or shine, but could be canceled in the instance of severe weather.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser


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

abawednesday2Leadership Legacy Awards
Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N Glebe Road)
Time:  6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

The Leadership Legacy Awards are a chance to honor outstanding community leaders. Special this year, Leadership Arlington is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Thursday

Cat & Kitten Adoptions
Dogma Bakery (2722 S Arlington Mill Drive)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Come and visit some of the cutest cats and kittens from King Street Cats on Thursday nights at Dogma Bakery in The Village Shirlington.

abathursdaycomedyComedy’s Best Kept Secret Tour*
O’Sullivan’s Irish Bar (3207 Washington Blvd)
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Come see what happens when three New York City Comedians embark on a road trip through the country’s capital and perform all points in between.

abasummerconcertArlington Concert Band Summer Kickoff Concert
Washington-Lee High School (1301 N Stafford Street)
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Free family friendly concert. Repertoire includes your favorites from John Philip Sousa, John Cheetham, Karl King and more Americana classics. 

Fast-Furious-Tv-FlyerFast & Furious 6 Movie Release Party*
Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Mad Rose Tavern hosts a host release party for the film Fast & Furious 6. The event includes sleek cars on display, plus hookah and champagne on the patio.

Saturday

abacommunityday35th Annual Leeway Overlee Community Day and Yard Sale*
John Marshall/Ohio Street Greenway (6101 N 22nd Street)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The community will be out in force to exchange information and greetings, sell unneeded household items, and pick up a few bargains. The Leeway Overlee Civic Association, the event’s sponsor, will host a live music trio as in past years.

abathreebsThree B’s: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms*
Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre at Artisphere (1611 N Kent Street)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

National Chamber Ensemble’s season finale will feature the Three B’s, the music of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. The concert will be followed by a wine and cheese reception.

Sunday

abayogaCommunity Yoga Class
Arlington Free Clinic (2921 11th St. S.)
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Join the Arlington Free Clinic community for an all-levels donation class taught by local yoga instructors. Light refreshments and the opportunity to tour and learn more about the Clinic afterwards.

Urban Arias logoShort Comic Operas*
IOTA Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.

UrbanArias presents an hour of operatic comedy and improv at IOTA. The show will feature two mini-operas and an operatic version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event


Clarendon MetroShoppers and passersby will be treated to acoustic music and art in Clarendon starting next month.

On the weekend of June 22 and 23, national art show promoter Howard Alan Events will hold the inaugural “Arlington Festival of the Arts,” a “two-day juried outdoor gallery style art exhibit” featuring various works from “100 of the finest artists in the country.”

The festival is free and will take place each day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on N. Highland Street near the Clarendon Metro station.

“Festival patrons can expect to see bold and vibrant paintings, contemporary and whimsical art, life-size sculptures, photography, handcrafted jewelry and much more,” said a press release. “A food festival hosted by the Clarendon Alliance will be located adjacent to the Metro Station stop on Clarendon Boulevard and Highland Street. Admission to the art show is free and open to the public.”

Market Common at twilightIn addition to viewing art, festival-goers will, of course, also be able to purchase art. Prices will range from $25 to $30,000, according to organizers.

Also in June, the Market Common Clarendon shopping center (2700 Clarendon Blvd) will kick off a summer-long acoustic music festival. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs to the free concerts, in the Market Common Clarendon courtyard.

The concerts will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday nights. The scheduled artist lineup is as follows.


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

ararosslynRestaurant & Rhythms Music Series*
Amuse at Le Meridien Arlington (1121 19th Street North)
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Restaurants and Rhythms offers weekly performances inside three Rosslyn restaurants through August. Each location will also offer Happy Hour specials in conjunction with the live bands.

arabeerOn Tap Magazine Summer Beer Sampling*
Velocity Five (2300 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy complimentary appetizers and have the chance to sample each of the beers. You must be 21+ to attend, no exceptions, and you must RSVP at www.ontaponline.com/beer.

Thursday

arawholefoodsJackie and Brenna’s High School Reunion*
Whole Foods Market (2700 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The Wine:30 Team is heading back to High School in the retro charm of the 80’s! Join us a “Dance Hall Days” inspired menu, spectacular wines, and lots of really big hair. Dress in prom attire and receive an additional $2 off admission. 

Friday

arajayJay Pharoah from SNL
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Enjoy standup comedy routine by Jay Pharaoh. Admission is 21 years old and up. Doors open 45 minutes to show start time. Tickets $25.

Saturday

arahikingCentral Arlington Historical Walking Tour
Clarendon Metro Station (3100 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

An easy all-day walk of 10-12 miles touring historic points in central Arlington, including colonial, Civil War, trolley and W&OD Railroad sites.  Visit Clarendon, Ballston, Arlington Forest and Glencarlyn neighborhoods.  Walk along Lubber Run and Four Mile Run.

Sunday

aranorthsidesocialNorthside Social Open Mic Night
Northside Social (3211 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Hosted by local musician, Ken Wenzel. Enjoy local comedians or give it a try yourself at open mic night. Sign up at 6:30p.m.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event


Columbia Pike Blues Festival 2012A free blues concert will be held Thursday evening (May 16) at Penrose Square on Columbia Pike. The event is being held to promote the upcoming Columbia Pike Blues Festival.

Thursday’s concert will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. and will feature Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone and the Chris Polk Band. The concert, at Penrose Square (2503 Columbia Pike), is free and open to the public.

The 18th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will take place on June 15 and feature legendary guitarist G.E. Smith, who’s best known for being the musical director for Saturday Night Live and for being lead guitarist for Hall & Oates, Bob Dylan and other major musical acts.

As always, the Blues Festival will be held on S. Walter Reed Drive just north of Columbia Pike. The performance schedule on June 15 includes:

  • 1:00 p.m. — BG and the Mojo Hands
  • 2:00 p.m. — Clarence “Bluesman” Turner
  • 3:30 p.m. — Chris Polk [Sound Check]
  • 5:00 p.m. — Cathy Ponton King
  • 6:30 p.m. — G.E. Smith

File photo. Disclosure: Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, organizer of the Blues Festival, is an ARLnow.com advertiser.


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.

Thursday

aapic1HAZE: The Perils of Binge Drinking*
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Clips from the film HAZE, which tells the story of a college student’s experience of alcohol abuse and hazing combined with a panel discussion. 

Friday

aaevents2Hal Sparks Live at the Drafthouse*
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:15 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Comic actor Hal Sparks (E! Television’s Talk Soup, Showtime’s Queer as Folk, Dude, Where’s My Car?) performs stand-up comedy routine. 

aaevents3Outdoor Film Festival: The Breakfast Club*
Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway)
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Movies shown rain or shine. However, movies will be cancelled for severe weather, including heavy rains and strong winds. 

Basic RGBBig Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Iota Club & Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

The rockabilly hall-of-famers, currently celebrating their 25th year as a band, play a toe-tapping mix of western swing, country and rollicking rock and roll.

Saturday

aaevents5Knock ‘N Roll Crab and Music Feast Fundraiser*
Annex (601 N. Randolph Street)
Time: 5:05 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

ALL YOU CAN EAT Crab and Music Feast Fundraiser benefiting two local non-profits, Phoenix Bikes and T3 Honu.

aaevents6Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
Arlington Planetarium (1426 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A dome show narrated by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson. Followed by Interactive Star Talk by Dr. Jessica Rosenberg.

Sunday

aaevents7Taste of Arlington
Ballston (Wilson Blvd between Glebe Road and N. Randolph Street)
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Ballston Business Inprovement District’s 26th Annual Taste of Arlington features more than 40 of Arlington’s favorite restaurants. 

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event


Pet psychic Diane Roadcap with the Dalai Lama (photo via Arlington Metaphysical Chapel)Have you ever wondered what Fido and Fluffy are trying to tell you? You may have an opportunity to find out, thanks to a weekend celebration at Arlington Metaphysical Chapel featuring a pet psychic.

This Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19, the chapel is holding its annual Honoring Animals Weekend. From pet portraits to a behavior class to a blessing of the animals service, a variety of activities will be offered. Perhaps one of the largest draws, however, will be pet psychic Diane Roadcap.

Roadcap has been featured in a variety of publications, such as the Washington Post, because she says she can communicate with animals. She has also been lauded for her assistance to shelter animals.

Roadcap will be holding a class called “Animal Communication: Yes, you can do it!” on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Her psychic pet reading sessions have already sold out for the weekend.

Other instructors will also hold classes and consultation sessions, such as reiki healing and dog massages, at Arlington Metaphysical Chapel (5618 Wilson Blvd) for Honoring Animals Weekend. The full class list and registration can be found online.


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