Events

Chevys in Pentagon City Alive and Kicking for Cinco de Mayo

By Katie Pyzyk

Despite the closing of Chevys in Ballston — and rumors of its own demise — the Chevys Mexican restaurant in Pentagon City (1201 S. Hayes Street) is alive and kicking. So much so, it’s holding Cinco de Mayo specials every day this week.

The daily specials started yesterday and include deals like $4 1800 fresh fruit margaritas (Wednesday) and $5 Dos Equis Grandes (Friday).

In addition to the drink deals, there are also food specials and chances to win free dinners. On Saturday, May 5, there will be games and dancing for the big Cinco de Mayo bash. The fiesta ends on Sunday with a “Kids’ Cinco” featuring balloons and face painting.

Local Celebrities to Partake in Art Competition

By Katie Pyzyk

The Arlington Arts Center (3550 Wilson Blvd) is holding its annual “Critique the Critics Art Bash” on Saturday.

During the fundraiser, “culture critics” and other local notables will compete in a live art competition. They’ll make their pieces out of a variety of children’s toys and supplies, such as finger paints, Legos and pipe cleaners.

The list of competitors includes WJLA anchor Maureen Bunyan, D.C. City Paper Arts Editor Jonathan Fischer, Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur and Hanky Spanky from the D.C. Rollergirls.

The fundraiser’s attendees serve as judges for the event, and will vote for the winner. In addition to taking in contemporary art and listening to music, guests can participate in a silent auction while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.

The event will run from 8:00-11:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online.

Crystal City Fit Week Kicks Off a Season of Events

By Katie Pyzyk

Today marked the start of Crystal City’s “Fit Week,” a series of events “designed to keep the community fit, healthy, and green.”

It began this morning with outdoor yoga at the Crystal City Water Park (1750 Crystal Drive). The free yoga sessions will continue every Monday through September, starting at 7:00 a.m.

Tomorrow, the FRESHFARM Farmers Market returns with a variety of items from local growers and producers. The market is open from 3:00-7:00 p.m., and will be held every Tuesday through November on Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets.

On Wednesday, another outdoor class will get participants moving. A Zumba class will be held at noon in the courtyard at 2121 Crystal Drive. This class will take place every Wednesday through September. Anyone who takes part can freshen up afterward with a free shower at the nearby Sport & Health club.

A “Fit Fair” will be held at Crystal Drive and 18th Street from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. A number of health screenings will be available, including blood pressure, stress test, body mass index, and a gait analysis for runners. Attendees can get information on smoking cessation or receive a chair massage. A blood donation station will also be set up.

Thursday night, a new season of street hockey will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to 220 20th Street. Matches run for 11 weeks on Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings. Individuals pay a $25 fee and teams pay a $250 fee.

The final Fit Week event, called the Floral Frenzy, is on Friday. Residents and workers are invited to dig up the thousands of tulip bulbs along the sidewalk in front of 2121 Crystal Drive. The bulbs can be replanted at home and should continue to bloom for several years.

More information about Crystal City Fit Week can be found online.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Canned Food Structures on Display for Architecture Competition

By Katie Pyzyk

There’s a lighthouse inside the Ballston mall right now, but it’s probably not what you think. It’s one of the many structures on display made entirely of canned food, all for a good cause.

The American Institute of Architects Northern Virginia Chapter and the Arlington Food Assistance Center have teamed up for the ninth year to present the Canstruction competition. Teams of architects build structures made entirely out of canned food. All the food donations, which typically add up to tens of thousands of pounds, are then donated to AFAC.

Tonight, the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at Rock Bottom Brewery, starting at 6:00 p.m. The displays will remain intact throughout the mall until 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

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‘Family Fun Day’ to be Held at Bluemont Park

By Katie Pyzyk

The whole family can enjoy the outdoors on Saturday, during “Family Fun Day” at Bluemont Park.

The Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation is joining up with PBS Kids to provide the event. Activities include art projects, a nature treasure hunt, relay races, moon bounces and bingo. There will also be an opportunity to get up close and personal with live snakes, turtles and lizards.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy together. There will also be a $3 lunch available for purchase, which includes a hot dog, chips and a drink.

Be sure to watch the weather if you plan on attending, because if there’s inclement weather the event will be cancelled. If it is cancelled, the event will not be rescheduled.

The event runs from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Timing for each of the activities can be found online. For more information, contact Kevin Clements at 703-228-4729 or [email protected].

Twilight Tattoo Performances Begin at Ft. Myer

By Katie Pyzyk

Starting tonight, people living in Rosslyn may be hearing a little noise on Wednesdays during the summer. The Army is kicking off its “Twilight Tattoo” season.

The hour-long military pageants feature soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” While the pageant takes place, neighbors near Ft. Myer may hear singing, music and blank cannon fire.

All performances are free and open to the public. Tonight’s performance is held at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Pre-ceremony pageantry begins at 6:45 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m.

The full list of dates and exact locations on the base can be found online.

Anniversary Celebration for Liberty, Lyon and Northside

By ARLnow.com

Liberty Tavern, Lyon Hall and Northside Social will be each be celebrating their anniversary tomorrow.

The sister establishments will be holding a joint anniversary event at Liberty Tavern (3195 Wilson Blvd) tomorrow night (Thursday, April 12). From 4:00 p.m. until close, the restaurant will be offering two specialty cocktails from its opening menu — the “Pursuit of Happiness” and the “Industrial” — for $5. Starting at 9:00 p.m., at the bar and lounge, Liberty Tavern will also be offering complimentary Liberty pizza, Lyon Hall frankfurters and Northside Social confections.

There’s no cover charge for the event. All three eateries first opened their doors in April — Liberty Tavern in 2007 and Lyon Hall and Northside Social both in 2010.

Event to Explore the Gangs of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Arlington may have a relatively low crime rate and a reputation for being a idyllic “urban village,” but there are still gangs — including the notorious MS-13 street gang — operating in our midst.

An event next week will remind residents that Arlington is not without gang activity and gang-related violence.

On Tuesday, April 17, Leadership Arlington will be holding a panel discussion entitled “Arlington County Gangs: Exploring the Shadows of Our Urban Mayberry.” Part of the organization’s spring speaker series, the event will focus on “the threats that gang activity present to the Arlington community,” “contributing factors to youth participation in gangs” and “initiatives in place to address gang-related violence.”

The speakers include Robert “Tito” Vilchez of the Arlington County Task Force, a member of the Arlington County Police Gang Unit, and Meredith McKeen of Northern Virginia Family Services.

Gang activity might not be visible to many residents, but it is to many of Arlington’s youth. One in six Arlington Public Schools students know at least one person who is involved in gang activity, according to the event invitation.

The panel discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the WETA building (2775 S. Quincy Street). Tickets are $40 for the general public and $30 for Leadership Arlington members. Lunch is included in the price of admission.

AGLA Prepares for Miss Gay Arlington Pageant

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance will be holding its annual Miss Gay Arlington pageant later this month in Crystal City.

From a press release:

The Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) will once again be presenting the Miss Gay Arlington pageant. The pageant is open to all individuals, over the age of 21 who portray the female persona, regardless of where they reside. At this Mardi Gras themed event to be held on Saturday, April 28th, the current reigning Miss Gay Arlington, Diamond D. Bottoms, will make her final performances as the reigning titleholder and crown the new Miss Gay Arlington. Contestants will compete in four categories: 1) Presentation (Mardi Gras); 2) Talent; 3) Evening Gown; and 4) On-stage Question. The winner of the pageant will receive a prize package valued at $850, including a cash prize of $300.

If you are interested in competing to be the next Miss Gay Arlington or assisting in some other way with the pageant please contact pageant promoter, Daniel L. Hays at [email protected]. The contestant packet is available online at: http://www.agla.org/live/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/miss-gay-arlington-packet.pdf.

The contest is being held at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant in Crystal City (555 23rd Street S.) at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. There’s a $10 cover for anyone interested in attending.

Arlington Home Show and Expo Coming Next Weekend

By ARLnow.com

The annual Arlington Home Show and Expo will return to the Walter Reed Community Center (2909 S. 16th Street) next Saturday.

As it has in the past, the show will feature dozens of home builders, contractors, vendors, architects, inspectors, real estate agents, gardeners, lenders and nonprofits, as well as housing, zoning and inspection representatives from Arlington County.

“Whether you are a resident looking to improve your home, an experienced contractor or a landlord managing rentals, the 2012 Arlington Home Show & Expo offers a convenient one-stop shop to ‘Ask an Expert’ and learn of new ways to update your home,” said an Arlington County press release. Arlington’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development is jointly sponsoring the event with the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO).

“Learn about remodeling kitchens and baths, finishing or waterproofing basements, replacing windows, doors, flooring, roofing and siding, security systems and more from a wide variety of top-rated companies,” touted the press release. “The expo will offer the latest information on green products and technologies, with an emphasis on smart and universal design that produces beautiful, desirable homes compliant with Arlington County zoning and permit rules.”

According to organizers, classes at the home show will include:

  • How to choose and work with contractors
  • How to finance your remodeling project
  • Building codes for remodeling
  • Green remodeling and renewable energy
  • Universal design, visit-ability and aging in place
  • “Landlord Seminar” for owners of fewer than five residential units

There also be door prizes (provided by private sponsors) and a drawing for a new iPad. The home show is free and will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 14.

Disclosure: CPRO is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Pole Dancing Competition Coming to Arlington

By ARLnow.com

A statewide pole dancing competition is coming to the Crystal City Hilton (2399 Jefferson Davis Hwy) later this month.

The Virginia leg of the Southern Regional Pole Dance Fitness Competitions will take place at the hotel from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. More than 20 women will compete for the title of Ms. Virginia.

Emphasizing fitness and form over eroticism, the competition is drawing both professional competitors and amateur competitors from pole dance fitness studios across Virginia. The finalists were chosen via YouTube video submissions.

Three women will judge the competition: pole dance instructor Jane Allen, former exotic dancer Trixie Lovett, and Torwa “Fiya Starta” Jo.

The general public is welcome to view the competition, but tickets start at $25.

Screen grab of Ms. Virginia competitor via YouTube

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