Events

Music Abounds in Arlington Tonight

By ARLnow.com

If you’re a music lover, chances are there’s a concert tonight that will pique your interest.

At 6:30, the Village at Shirlington holds its second outdoor concert of the summer. Local group the JazzKnights will perform in the plaza in front of the Shirlington library.

At 7:00, retro rock ‘n’ roll band King Cadillac performs at Pentagon Row’s Rock the Row outdoor concert series. Like the Shirlington performance, this concert is free.

Lovers of musicals are in for a treat at 8:00 tonight. The American Century Theater is presenting the first of five performances of Babes in Arms, featuring some of the most popular compositions from songwriting duo Rodgers and Hart. Among the songs to be performed are “I Wish I Were in Love Again,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” and “My Funny Valentine.” Tickets are $15. The concert will take place at Gunston Theatre Two (2700 South Lang Street).

Finally, at 8:30, Illinois duo Common Loon brings their dreamy psych-pop to Iota (2832 Wilson Blvd) in Clarendon. Mississippi-based “Cosmic R&B” act Junk Culture will open the show. Tickets are $12.

Rosslyn Events Canceled Due To Heat

By ARLnow.com

The Rosslyn Business Improvement District canceled its Tuesday lunchtime concert today due to oppressive 100 degree heat and high humidity.

Tomorrow’s Wednesday lunchtime concert and the after-work Party at the Plaza have also been canceled.

All three events are expected to return next week.

In other heat-related news, Arlington County has released a list of “tips for staying cool.”

Rosebud Film Fest Accepting Entries

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington-based Rosebud Film and Video Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is now accepting entries from local (DC, Maryland and Virginia) film and video makers.

The festival, sponsored by Arlington Independent Media, “seeks to honor works that are innovative, unusual, experimental or deeply personal.

The deadline for submissions is September 26.

The awards ceremony will be held at Clarendon Ballroom on November 14. Five winners will each receive a $1,000 cash prize.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Happy Fourth of July Weekend! — Wondering where to watch fireworks in Arlington? The county has a handy national fireworks viewing guide just for you.

Metro Board Approves Virginia Funding Deal — During an emergency session, Metro’s board of directors approved a $300 million funding deal with Virginia, which had earlier threatened to withhold its funding unless the state received two seats on the Metro board. With the deal complete, Metro will be able to order more than 400 new, badly-needed rail cars to replace aging and trouble-prone 1000-series cars.

Virginia Still Pushing for Seats on Metro Board — Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and state transportation secretary Sean Connaughton are continuing their push to receive two seats on the Metro board, but they may have to wait awhile to get them. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, which divvies up the seats allocated to Northern Virginia, deferred a crucial vote on the matter to September. More from the Washington Post.

Flickr pool photo by mennyj.

To Do Tonight: Outdoor Concerts

By ARLnow.com

There are two free outdoor concerts well worth checking out tonight.

Shirlington Village is kicking off its summer jazz series tonight with a performance by the Felicia Carter Trio. The concert will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in front of the Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Ave).

Meanwhile, The Reflex, billed as “the ultimate 80’s tribute band,” will perform at Pentagon Row’s summer concert series (1201 South Joyce Street). The band will take the stage from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Midnight Showing of Twilight: Eclipse at Ballston Common Mall

By ARLnow.com

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” the latest installment of the massively popular series, will premiere at midnight tonight in theaters around the country.

The Regal Ballston Common 12 is the only theater in Arlington hosting a midnight screening, although theaters in nearby Georgetown and Potomac Yard will also be staying open late for the film.

The Twilight series mixes romantic drama with vampire vs. werewolf action for a story that seems to be irresistible to swoon-prone teenage girls and perfectly rational grown women alike.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Flickr pool photo by mennyj. See more photos from Saturday’s Columbia Pike Blues Festival here.

Aftermath of Fight Outside Clarendon Grill Caught on Video — A late night fight outside Clarendon Grill left a man battered and unconscious in the middle of North Highland Street early Sunday morning. The aftermath of the fight was captured on video. Metro Transit Police, who were the first on scene, could be seen handcuffing two men as a crowd gathered around the victim. The victim eventually regained consciousness and was loaded into an ambulance.

Arlington Tops Parenting Magazine “Best Cities” List — Arlington County was named the country’s “Best City for Families” by Parenting Magazine last week. The methodology of the rankings seems dubious, but hey, we’ll take all the praise Parenting wants to send our way, right? Among the qualities the magazine found appealing: “Fabulous schools, great home values, and an attractive unemployment rate.” Plus “very few registered sex offenders.”

Delegates Ebbin and Hope to Hold Prison Reform Town Hall — Two members of Arlington’s delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will be holding a town hall meeting on prison reform Thursday night. Delegates Adam Ebbin and Patrick Hope, along with Alexandria Delegate Charniele Herring, will discuss the “state of incarceration” with a panel that includes representatives from two non-profit groups and from the offices of Gov. Bob McDonnell and Sen. Jim Webb. The two-hour event will start at 7:00 p.m. at the Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th Street South).

Arlington Farmer’s Market Celebrating 30th Anniversary

By ARLnow.com

Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the Arlington’s Farmers Market, and the county has some special events planned to celebrate.

Shortly after the market opens at 8:00 a.m, county board member Mary Hynes will host a ceremony honoring the founders of the market.

There will also be giveaways, kids’ activities, gardening demonstrations, and appearances by local chefs, who will be sharing cooking tips.

In the wake of several farmers market vendors being shut down by health inspectors two weeks ago, safety-minded county officials will also be distributing flyers to market customers and vendors.

The content of those flyers, after the jump.

Flickr pool photo by Chris Rief.

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Want To Be the Next ‘Signature Idol’?

By ARLnow.com

Shirlington’s Signature Theater has launched a contest to find the next “Signature Idol.”

The Tony Award-winning theater is looking for ten talented solo singers to compete on July 17 as part of its Target Open House. The contest will be judged by Signature Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks, and “a special Broadway guest.”

If you think you have the talent and nerve to belt out a Broadway song in front of nearly 300 strangers and a panel of expert judges, you’ll first have to submit a video to Signature by July 5. Here are the instructions:

The music must be a Broadway song. Applicants can either upload a video to YouTube and send Signature the link at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or send in a videotape to Signature Theatre, Attn: Signature Idol, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. Anyone who has previously sung on a Signature stage is ineligible to audition.

Confused? A handy video explanation of the competition is after the jump.

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To Do This Weekend: Columbia Pike Blues Fest and Relay for Life

By ARLnow.com

Be sure to check out the annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival this weekend, featuring acclaimed blues guitarist Debbie Davies, 16-year-old jazz prodigy Matt Wigler and plenty of other great performers.

While you’re there, you won’t want to miss the barbecue being provided by Pike resident “Big Daddy” Isaac Brown, who has been grilling mouthwatering Texas-style BBQ for more than 50 years.

The festival is taking place from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, at the intersection of South Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike.

Another big weekend event is the Arlington Relay for Life, which is being held Saturday and Sunday at Wakefield High School. Nearly 400 people on 45 teams will participate in the annual fundraiser.

So far, the event has raised more than $73,000 for the American Cancer Society.

For more weekend events, see our events calendar.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Ribbon Cutting Today for New Field at TJ — Renovation of the lower athletic field at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd St. S.) was recently completed, and today county officials will celebrate with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The field, which is used primarily for soccer, now has synthetic turf and state-of-the-art “dark sky” lighting. Because rain is predicted, the ribbon cutting will be held inside the community center. It will take place from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Ballot Initiative Debate in Cherrydale Tonight — The Cherrydale Civic Association is hosting a debate tonight on the proposed change to Arlington’s form of government. Change-of-government supporters and Committee for a Better Arlington co-chairs Mike Staples and Ken Dennis will debate Alan Howze and Judy Connally of the opposition Coalition for Arlington Good Government. After the debate the public will be able to ask questions of both sides. The event is being held at the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department (3900 Lee Highway) starting at 7:30 p.m.

Shirlington Getting Jazzed Up — Shirlington Village will be sponsoring an outdoor summer jazz series this year. The concerts will start on Thursday, July 1 and will run through August 19. Each concert will be held in the plaza in front of the Shirlington Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Boozing It Up on July 4 — Good news: you’ll be able to buy liquor in Virginia on the 4th of July. Because it’s just not Independence Day without that bottle of Jim Beam. More from WTOP.

Pool photo by philliefan99.

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