Events

Central Library to Hold Laughter Yoga Session

By Katie Pyzyk

Need a good laugh?  Tonight’s “Laughter Yoga” session might be just what you’re looking for. The free program takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street).

Laughter yoga is a practice started in India in 1995 to let people experience the medical benefits of laughter. The sessions are based on medical research indicating the human body apparently cannot tell the difference between real laughter and fake laughter.

Some of the benefits reportedly include an immune system boost, increased oxygen intake, increased “feel good” hormones and reduced stress hormones. To get the full benefits, a person must laugh heartily for a sustained period of time, about 15 minutes.

The four elements of laughter yoga are clapping and chanting, breathing, childlike playfulness and exercises.

“It’s geared to anyone who can laugh… of any fitness or mobility level,” the session’s instructor, Diane Cohen, told ARLnow.com. “At a time when many don’t have a reason to laugh, laughter yoga brings laughter — for no reason — to anyone willing to laugh. It’s non-political, non-religious, non-judgmental, non-competitive.”

Update 12:25 p.m. — A library spokesman has requested we clarify that this event is neither sponsored nor programmed by the library.

Arlington Cemetery to Hold Historic Taps Event

By Katie Pyzyk

Arlington National Cemetery will play host to a historic event this weekend, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the song Taps.

The anniversary of the National Song of Remembrance will be marked with a ceremony on Saturday, May 19, in the cemetery’s Old Amphitheater. There will be participants from TAPS 150, an organization devised to commemorate the anniversary, along with Bugles Across America, an organization to recruit volunteers for playing Taps at veterans’ funerals.

Hundreds of buglers from around the country will take part in the ceremony, which starts at 10:00 a.m. There will be speakers, special music and a playing of Taps at the event. After that, the buglers will move to sites throughout the cemetery to simultaneously play Taps following the noon chimes.

“Buglers from all over the United States are coming to Arlington National Cemetery to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience of sounding Taps in America’s most sacred shrine,” the TAPS 150 website reads. “These are dedicated musicians who believe that a live sounding of Taps is not only appropriate but deserved and even indispensable for those who have served our nation in uniform.”

The website also claims the simultaneous playing should allow people to hear the echo of the tune nearly anywhere in Arlington.

The event is free and open to the public.

Taps was first arranged in July 1862 — during the Civil War — by Union General Daniel Butterfield. Butterfield created the tune to honor his fallen soldiers after the bloody Seven Days Battles near Richmond.

Photo by Tim1965

Road Closures for Bike DC Event on Sunday

By Katie Pyzyk

Arlington County Police will help with road closures for the Bike DC event this Sunday, May 13.

Bike DC is an annual non-competitive bike ride through the District and Arlington. Participants get up close looks at parts of the metro area they typically might not be able to while riding a bike.

A portion of the proceeds for the event will go to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. The full ride is 24 miles long, and the family ride is 11 miles long.

Road closures will begin around 6:00 a.m. and end around noon. The following streets will be closed:

  • Route 50 East & Westbound ramps to Meade/Lynn Street
  • Northbound Meade Street from Marshall Drive to Rosslyn
  • Southbound Route 110 from Rosslyn to Crystal City
  • Marshall Drive between Meade Street & Route 110
  • Eastbound Washington Boulevard from Memorial Bridge to Columbia Pike
  • Westbound Columbia Pike from the Pentagon to the Air Force Memorial

Residents who live in the affected areas will be given reasonable access to their homes when there is a break in the action. Those who live along N. Meade Street adjacent to the Marine Corps Memorial will be allowed to come and go with police assistance.

The cost to participate is $40 for an adult full ride, $30 for an adult family ride, $25 for a youth full ride, $15 for a youth family ride and free for children 12 and under. Registration is available on Bike DC’s website.

Testicle Festival Returns to Va. Square

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Exotic food lovers should enjoy an event taking place at the Arlington American Legion (3445 N. Washington Blvd) in Virginia Square on Saturday, May 19. The Montana State Society’s Eighth Annual Testicle Festival, dubbed “Legends of the Ball,” will be testing visitors’ gag reflexes.

The event lets attendees sample unlimited amounts of bull testicles, also called Rocky Mountain oysters. Like last year, there will be all-you-can-drink beer and Crown Royal to wash it down.

In a press release, organizers touted the event as a “unique western tradition.”

“While in D.C. people celebrate spring by posting pictures of cherry blossoms on Facebook, Montanans have a pretty unique tradition of our own,” said Montana State Society President Jed Link. “Spring is calving season out West, and that means something special in the pot come chow time.”

There will be live country music at the festival, which runs from 6:00-10:00 p.m. The first 200 people to arrive will also get a commemorative t-shirt.

Tickets can be purchased online for $25, or at the door for $30. Attendees must be at least 21.

Election Year Theme for Rosslyn Outdoor Movies

By Katie Pyzyk

Rosslyn has picked a theme for its series of outdoor summer movies, and political buffs are going to love it. The movies will all relate to the theme “Friday Night is Election Night.”

All of the movies involve the American presidency or elections, featuring films like Wag the Dog, The American President and All the President’s Men. They will be shown at dusk every Friday night from June 8 through August 24 at Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway).

The movies will play rain or shine, but may have to be cancelled in the event of storms.

Blankets, low chairs and picnics are welcome during the free showings, but alcohol is not, per local law. The full schedule is as follows:

  • Election — June 8
  • Primary Colors — June 15
  • My Fellow Americans — June 22
  • Dick — June 29
  • The American President — July 6
  • All the President’s Men — July 13
  • Dave — July 20
  • Swing Vote — July 27
  • Head of State — August 3
  • Man of the Year — August 10
  • Wag the Dog — August 17
  • Canadian Bacon — August 24

Twilight Tattoo Performance Relocated Due to Rain

By ARLnow.com

Due to the chance of rain showers and thunderstorms this evening, tonight’s Twilight Tattoo performance at Ft. Myer has been moved to an indoor venue.

From the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall public affairs office:

Due to impending inclement weather tonight’s Twilight Tattoo will no longer take place on Summerall Field. It is now scheduled to be inside Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Unfortunately Conmy Hall only seats approximately 1,000 patrons and admission will be granted on a first-requested, first-seated basis. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office will contact groups that have requested admission to inform them of their status. We apologize for the inconvenience.

For more information call 202-685-2888.

Dogs and Humans Welcome at Fundraising Walk

By Katie Pyzyk

The pitter patter of many little feet will be filling the air on Saturday, during the Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s 17th Annual Walk for the Animals.

AWLA considers this one of its most important fundraisers of the year. Money raised will help care for all the homeless animals brought to AWLA every day, from dogs to hamsters to birds.

The three mile walk or one mile stroll will start and finish at Bluemont Park (329 N. Manchester Street). Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:30 a.m. In addition to sponsor booths, there will be demonstrations by WOOFS! Dog Training Center of Shirlington, and by the Arlington County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit.

Humans are encouraged to bring any canine walking partners older than four months. Dogs must be on a flat leash, not a flexible leash. Cats and other pets must stay at home. All pre-registered human walkers will receive a t-shirt, and dogs will receive a bandana.

You can register for the race on AWLA’s website. The cost for the walk is $25 in advance and $40 the day of the event. Special prizes will be awarded to participants who raise the most money.

Artisphere to Host U.S.-French Hip-Hop Dance Battle

By Katie Pyzyk

Dance crews are revving up for a transatlantic battle set to take place at Artisphere. French dancers will be flying in to join the locals in a dance competition on May 25.

The “Battle of the Dance Crews” show ends a week of events in the D.C. area for a transatlantic hip-hop festival. The Urban Corps Festival will feature dancers from the United States, France and Senegal, who are trained in a variety of techniques such as contemporary dance, Brazilian capoeira, karate and gymnastics.

Performances will highlight the dancers’ interpretations of hip-hop culture through urban dance. The festival website says this type of artistic event “serves as proof that urban issues are not only local, but mutually influenced on both sides of the Atlantic and across the globe.”

The festival is presented in collaboration with Alliance Française, a French cultural organization.

Tickets for the event are $5. Music, drinks and mingling with the dancers will begin at 9:00 p.m., and the performance runs from 10:00-11:00 p.m. After that, the dance floor will be open until midnight to anyone who wants to bust a move.

Events Planned for Neighborhood Day on Saturday

By Katie Pyzyk

Residents are being encouraged to go out to celebrate Neighborhood Day on Saturday.

The goal of the annual event is to get people out into their communities to have some fun and connect with their neighbors. Events are planned throughout the county, some aimed at local communities and others for all Arlington residents.

A full list of activities can be found on the Neighborhood Day website, which is updated as new entries come in. Here are a few of the events:

  • Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive — Residents can leave a bag of non-perishable food at their mailboxes for letter carriers to collect. The food will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Email [email protected] or call (703) 845-8486 for details.
  • Ashton Heights Yard Sale — From 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Dozens of homes will be participating in this year’s sale, which will feature household goods, collectibles, baby clothes, toys, books, and more. There is a Yard Sale Map showing the participating homes.
  • Dominion Hills Neighborhood Day Festival and Potluck Supper — From 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Dominion Hills Park (1060 N. Liberty Street). Kids can enjoy a moon bounce, face painting, games, prizes and free snow cones. A concert band and a deejay will provide music. Free burgers and hot dogs are provided, but guests are invited to bring a salad, favorite dish or dessert to share.
  • Fairlington Great American Cookie Bake Sale — From 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street). Residents will donate home baked cookies to sell to benefit Share Our Strength, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger.
  • ‘Arlington Kids Read’ Community Read-a-Thon Kickoff — From 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street). There will be continuous read-alouds, crafts and treats. Kids can pick up their Read-a-Thon log books and get more information about how to track their time spent reading. More information about the Community Read-a-Thon will be provided at the event, and can also be found online.
  • Teen Night at TJ Café — From 9:00-11:00 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S). For $2, middle and high school students get access to basketball, soccer, ping pong and pool tables. For $3, guests can purchase an activity card to access the rock wall, inflatables, giant human hamster balls and roller skating. Food will be available for purchase. Contact Kevin Clements for details at (703) 228-4729 or [email protected].
  • “Among Women” Expo — From 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Gates of Ballston Community Center (4108 4th Street N). Arlington’s Community Outreach Program hosts the event, which will include a range of programs such as a self-defense class, arts and crafts projects, and sessions on how to maintain healthy relationships. Marga Fripp, founder and president of Empowered Women International will be the featured speaker. Call (703) 228-1317 for details.

Eventide Rooftop Barbecues Begin on Sunday

By Katie Pyzyk

Eventide Restaurant (3165 Wilson Blvd) is kicking off the summer grilling season this weekend by beginning its annual rooftop barbecues.

The barbecues will take place on the first Sunday of each month throughout the summer.

On the menu are items like grilled bratwurst, barbecue chicken and angus burgers. The bar team will be featuring summer beers, bourbon and specialty cocktails.

The events run from 4:00-8:00 p.m., and are $30 per person for all-you-can-eat food and samplings of bourbon. Children under 10 will eat free when they accompany a paying adult.

Anyone with questions can call Eventide at 703-276-3165.

Event Gives a Peek Inside Planned ‘NOVA Fashion Week’

By Katie Pyzyk

After a surprise cancellation last October, it looks like Northern Virginia Fashion Week is trying to make a comeback.

The event was cancelled just weeks before it was supposed to kick off at Clarendon Ballroom last fall. Now there’s word that Artisphere is holding an event tomorrow in anticipation of NOVA Fashion Week returning this October.

“Behind the Scenes of NOVA Fashion Week” will let the audience see the preparations that go into pulling off a fashion show. There will be live hair and makeup stylings, as well as a demonstration of how a runway is created.

Attendees can also hear live music, participate in a fashion and technology discussion panel, get a makeover or participate in a photo shoot.

An Artisphere spokeswoman confirmed that space has, in fact, been rented for the event, which runs from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.

Details for NOVA Fashion Week in October haven’t yet been released. Its website homepage says more is “coming soon.”

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