Events

Darryl Strawberry to Discuss Sex, Drugs at Clarendon Church

By ARLnow.com

Eight-time Major League Baseball all-star Darryl Strawberry will be coming to Clarendon next week to talk sex, drugs, rock-n-roll and God.

Strawberry — who struggled with drugs, prostitution and other vices before he found God in 2006 — will host a sermon at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at the Church at Clarendon (1201 N. Highland Street).

The church issued the following press release about the event.

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 11am, the Church at Clarendon, located at 1201 N. Highland Street in Arlington, welcomes 8-time All Star and 4-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry to address the question, “What does God have against sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll?”

Strawberry’s sermon is the third in a five week series the Church has titled “Blunt Questions” in which the Church challenges believers and non-believers to honestly wrestle with tough questions of faith. All are welcome to participate in the discussion.

An athlete perhaps known as much for his controversial behavior as for his legendary baseball, Strawberry will speak from a unique and personal perspective. “I was once very lost and tormented but now I am found and free in Christ Jesus. I want everyone to experience the saving and transforming power of Jesus Christ,” notes Strawberry in discussing his current life purpose.

Prior to Strawberry’s sermon, the Church will open its doors on Saturday, September 22 from 11am to 5:30pm to offer water and a cool place of rest for those visiting the Clarendon Day neighborhood festival. This year’s festival is the first since the church re-opened its doors at the Highland Street location in the heart of Clarendon after more than 2 years in exile while the building was torn down and rebuilt.

“As a church, we exist in large part for those that are not yet part of us—to connect with those outside our church and offer them something of the goodness of God,” Pastor David Perdue said. “We’re excited to be hosting Darryl Strawberry because he is a well-known star who can also address a question that many people struggle with.”

The public engagement continues on Monday, September 24, when the John Leland Theological Seminary, a ministry partner of the church, hosts the 40th Annual Faculties’ Convocation of the Washington Theological Consortium on the topic of Theology in the Public Square. Events run from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.

Registration Open for Crystal City Diamond Derby

By ARLnow.com

The area’s only bicycle derby that occurs inside a garage is returning to Crystal City.

The Crystal City Diamond Derby will take place on Saturday, September 29 from 4:00-10:00 pm. The venue is the underground parking garage at 2345 Crystal Drive, which will be transformed into an urban cycling course.

Riders of all abilities can try out the courses, some casual and others competitive. The Kids’ Derby and D&Q River Ride are free, but there are fees to enter the Open Course Challenge, Team Competition and 4X Comps. Registration for the various events is available online. All participants must have their own bikes and helmets.

Spectators are welcome in the viewing areas, and can check out other activities such as the new cycling inspired fashion shows. There will also be street art, music and food and drinks. The evening will close with the presentation of awards, around 9:40 p.m.

Photo via diamond-derby.com. Disclosure: The Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Grateful Red to Hold ‘Grand Opening’ Wine Festival

By ARLnow.com

Grateful Red (2727 Wilson Blvd) wine shop in Clarendon is holding its official grand opening celebration this weekend.

Wendy Buckley, who also owns Screwtop Wine Bar, opened the store a couple of months ago, but wanted to take some time to get established before holding a big bash. This Saturday, September 15, Grateful Red will officially hold its Grand Opening and Fall Wine Lovers Festival.

Visitors can sample more than 30 wines and craft beers, along with gourmet goodies and cheeses. Local business Cookies and Corks of Falls Church will be at the store to offer samples of their specialty wine pairing cookies. Customers will receive discounts off of wine purchases over $50. The store will soon kick off wine classes, and will offer more information and a sign-up on Saturday.

All of the store’s usual offerings will also be available including meats, cheeses, gifts like soaps and lotions, more than 120 beers and more than 50 wines for less than $12.

It is free to attend the event, which runs from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

TV Station Looking for Models at Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

DC50, the CW television station in Washington, will be recruiting models at the Pentagon City mall next weekend.

The station is looking for models for its annual Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Expo, to be held at the Washington Convention Center on Oct. 20. The event features  The event features “multiple fashion shows, free beauty makeovers, book signings, and meet and greets with celebrities.”

The casting call for the expo will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 23, on the third floor of the mall.

“Models chosen to walk during this year’s FBL will get a chance to meet these accredited designers, have portfolio pictures taken, increase their exposure, and the chance to get scouted by New York modeling agencies,” DC50 noted in a press release. “Models will be chosen by Maggy Francois, LLC and Joel Cas Productions.”

Artisphere to Host “Popped-Up Videos” Comedy Show

By Katie Pyzyk

Remember that show “Pop Up Videos” on VH1 that was all the rage in the 1990s? Well, the live version is coming to Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd).

On Saturday, September 22, the art venue will host “Popped-Up Videos Live.” The show will feature 1990s “statement videos” with fun facts and jokes interspersed. The comedic event will show videos from artists like Arrested Development, TLC, Van Halen, Porno for Pyros and Queen Latifah.

Guest comedians and personalities will join host Andrew Bucket, who is touted as a music video historian. During the show, the audience can participate in games and trivia to win prizes.

Admission is $10 for the program, which runs from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in the Dome Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online.

Final Work Underway for Planetarium Re-Opening

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:00 p.m) Following a year of renovations, the David M. Brown Planetarium (1426 N. Quincy Street) is preparing to unveil its upgrades during a grand re-opening celebration weekend.

Events will take place throughout the weekend of September 28-30, beginning with a ribbon cutting on Friday (September 28) at 10:00 a.m. A “Family Day” begins at 12:30 p.m. that Saturday. Although people of all ages are welcome to attend, there will be many things aimed at children ages 3-12, including hands-on activities, art and games. Festivities will end with the Sunday Science Program at 1:00 p.m. on September 30, featuring a short talk and a activities like making ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Tours of the facility will be available both days.

Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium, the non-profit group founded more than two years ago to launch the fundraising campaign that saved the facility, is co-hosting the events with Arlington Public Schools.

In 2010, in response to an outcry against a plan to shutter the planetarium and use it for classroom space, APS Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy proposed the challenge of a private group coming up with $402,800 for necessary renovations. That goal was achieved by the Friends just before the deadline last summer, thanks to a flood of last minute donations.

“When the school administration realized that there was tremendous support for the planetarium, they pitched in too,” said Dr. Alice Monet with Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium. “It’s a real joint effort.”

The facility upgrades include a new Spitz SciDome HD projector, a new interior dome, new seats, new floors and new restrooms. Some donators also purchased dedicated nameplates that have been affixed to certain seats.

Construction is still ongoing, but we’re told crews are “working like mad” to ready the facility for the grand re-opening.

Changes to Marine Corps Marathon Course in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Runners and spectators of the 37th Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 28, will notice a course change this year when participants make their way through Crystal City.

The up-and-back loop along Crystal Drive has been eliminated for Miles 22-25. This year, as runners enter Crystal City from the 14th Street Bridge, they will continue along Army Navy Drive and turn onto 12th Street South. Then, the new route will take participants along Clark Street and 23rd Street before reaching Crystal Drive.

The changes were necessary due to construction on Crystal Drive.

Another change involves runners traveling along a stretch of Long Bridge Drive and then turning onto North Boundary Channel Drive. Parallel to the LBJ parking lot, runners will continue along Boundary Channel onto the Route 110 on-ramp on the same stretch of highway where the MCM began. Marathoners will continue to run alongside Arlington National Cemetery to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

As in previous years, the race begins on Route 110. However, this year the starting line will be 700 feet closer to the Pentagon.

All of the changes can be viewed online on the course map.

Shirlington Oktoberfest to Return on Oct. 6

By ARLnow.com

The 13th annual Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest is returning to Shirlington on Saturday, Oct. 6.

The event, which takes over the entire Shirlington Village stretch of Campbell Avenue, will be held from noon to 7:00 p.m., rain or shine. Beer taps, however, will be switched off at 6:00 p.m.

The $25 cost of admission will get you 10 tickets for 4 oz samples of beer, along with a tasting glass. Additional tickets will be sold for $1 each with a 5 ticket minimum.

The event will offer beer from more than 50 breweries, along with an authentic German band and Oktoberfest food.

Organizers: 9-11 Memorial 5K Will Go On Rain or Shine

By ARLnow.com

Despite the threat of storms, organizers of the 9-11 Memorial 5K say the race will go on.

The race is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. tonight (Saturday) outside the Doubletree Hotel (300 Army Navy Drive). The course goes through parts of Pentagon City, Crystal City and the Pentagon reservation.

As of last night, some 600 entries were still available, at a cost of $35 each, and 4,400 were already sold. The price of registration includes a t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and free food and beer after the race.

The race, now in its 11th year, is organized by volunteers from Arlington’s police department, fire department, sheriff’s office and the military. It benefits a number of charities, including the Wounded Warrior Project and Segs 4 Vets.

Race organizer Sgt. Sean Bryson said the race will go on rain or shine. In the event of lightning or dangerous weather, however, it will be postponed.

Clarendon Day Approaches, Expands Offerings

By Katie Pyzyk

The event dubbed “Arlington’s oldest street festival” is just a couple of weeks away. The 15th Annual Clarendon Day is approaching, and has added some new features this year.

Clarendon Day will run from 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on September 22, near the Clarendon Metro. Admission is free to attend the event, which will take place rain or shine.

The morning begins with the fourth annual 10K/5K/Kids Dash, which begins in front of Whitlow’s on Wilson (Kids Dash in front of Market Common) and takes runners on a course along the Orange Line corridor. Registration can be completed online.

This is the first year the event will include the “Clarendon Alliance Battle of the Bands.” The music lineup hasn’t yet been announced, but should be listed on the event website as the day grows near.

There will also be more activities for kids this year. From face painting to jugglers to climbing activities, the little ones should have plenty to keep them occupied.

More than a dozen local restaurants will serve up food and drinks, including Delhi Club, Lyon Hall, Northside Social, Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza and District Taco. Dozens of other exhibitors will be set up to satisfy attendees’ shopping cravings.

There will be a number of street closures for Clarendon Day. Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Blvd will be closed between Washington Blvd and Highland Street by 5:00 a.m. Wilson Blvd between Highland Street and Lynn Street will be closed from 8:00–9:30 a.m. to accommodate the race. Route 110 southbound will be closed from 8:00–10:30 a.m. Additional closures may be announced as the event approaches.

Arlington Group Turns Presidential Politics into an ‘Absurd’ Opera

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington-based contemporary opera company UrbanArias will be performing a new opera just in time for election season to start heating up.

“Photo-Op” is an hour-long opera that tells the story of a presidential candidate and his wife who “approach a political campaign with naiveté and ambition and come to realize that the campaign is a crucible from which they emerge fundamentally changed; their relationship is no longer a love match but a political alliance.”

The end result is a performance that’s about “the absurdity of modern presidential politics.” From a media release:

All of the obligatory campaign events are included: stump speeches, rope lines, debates, sound bites, and, of course, photo-ops — but James Siena’s text reduces them to the absurd, taking familiar “politician-speak” and turning it on its head. Photo-Op’s music is by Conrad Cummings, composer of UrbanArias’ April hit Positions 1956. Cummings’ minimalist-influenced score is hard-hitting but harmonious. UrbanArias’ new production, directed by Alan Paul of The Shakespeare Theatre, is a DC-area premiere. Photo-Op is also the second collaboration between UrbanArias and Bowen McCauley Dance. Lucy Bowen McCauley serves as choreographer, helping to provide an artistically complex and engaging production. Soprano Laurie Williamson (Ragtime and King David) and baritone Michael Mayes (Central City Opera, Fort Worth Opera) star in this production, which also includes an ensemble of dancers and an unamplified orchestra of four.

Tickets to Photo-Op are $22 online, or $17 for seniors and students. The showtimes for the limited engagement are Sept. 8 at 8:00 p.m., Sept. 9 and 2:00 p.m., Sept. 14 at 8:00 p.m. and Sept. 15 at 8:00 p.m. All performances are at Artisphere’s Black Box Theater in Rosslyn (1101 Wilson Blvd).

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