Events

Copperwood Tavern Planning ‘Shucktoberfest’ This Fall in Shirlington

By Alex Koma
1/4

Beer lovers will have not just one, but two Oktoberfest-themed events to enjoy in the Shirlington area this fall.

New District Brewing announced this week that it’s expanding its “Arlington ValleyFest” event to help pick up where Capitol City Brewing, long the hosts of an Oktoberfest celebration, left off after the brewpub closed this spring.

But restaurateur Reese Gardner tells ARLnow that he’ll also be hosting an Oktoberfest gathering along Campbell Avenue, in and around his Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Avenue), ensuring that the Village at Shirlington will still have a fall beer festival even with Cap City gone.

Gardner is dubbing the event “Shucktoberfest,” as it will be co-sponsored by the Northern Neck’s Waverly Point Oyster Company, and it’s now set for Oct. 20. He says he secured an agreement from the shopping center’s landlord to host the event shortly after Cap City closed up shop in April, and recently finalized securing the necessary permits from the county.

Gardner said 19 Virginia breweries have committed to attend, many of which served up their suds at Cap City’s Oktoberfest events. Gardner says the event will feature “oyster tents” and other food options, as well as a “kids’ zone” and game area that will include cornhole.

Tickets will be available for the event on its website. Gardner is also looking for volunteers to help staff the festival.

Arlington Agenda: June 18-24

By Melanie Pincus

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.

Monday, June 18

Home-Buying Seminar*
Orange Line Living (1600 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Representatives from Orange Line Living and Keri Shull Team will explain the home-buying process, covering topics such as financing programs and how to craft a winning offer. Attendees may bring questions, and wine and cheese will be provided.

Faith on Tap: Sexuality and Shame*
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd.)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Arlington Commons Church will host a conversation with Isaac Archuleta, executive director of Q Christian Fellowship, about sexuality, shame and God.

Make/Fix Anything
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 4-7 p.m.

Bring a damaged pair of jeans, old digital camera or other item in disrepair and see if it can be salvaged. RSVP to receive an event reminder; admission is first-come, first-served.

Tuesday, June 19

Mosquitos & Ticks: Sustainable Yard Solutions
Westover Branch Library (1644 N. McKinley Road)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Master Gardeners will share best practices and sustainable options to protect your family and yard from mosquitos and ticks this summer. Advance register here.

Wednesday, June 20

Forum on Energy in Arlington
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:45-8:45 p.m.

Staff from the Arlington Division of Environmental Services, the Arlington Public Schools Facilities Department and the local Sierra Club will discuss the possibilities for increasing use of renewable energy in Arlington.

Incredibles 2
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 4:15 p.m.

Tickets to this long-awaited sequel are $8 and available online. The film we be playing at the Drafthouse twice a day through Thursday.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Rustico Ballston to Host Crawfish Boil, Open New Beer Garden Saturday

By Melanie Pincus
1/6

Louisiana flavor is coming to Arlington tomorrow (June 16) with Rustico Ballston‘s (4075 Wilson Boulevard) second annual Bluegrass & Crawfish Boil.

The event will run from 12-7 p.m. and feature craft beers from four Virginia breweries, live music, games like table tennis and corn hole and plenty of fresh Louisiana crawfish for $15 per pound.

Saturday’s festivities will also include the launch of Rustico’s new beer garden, General Manager Ryan Cline wrote in an email to ARLnow. The lounge area will include 124 additional seats and provide a venue for live music on Fridays and Saturdays in the future, Cline added.

Rustico isn’t the only local restaurant commemorating crawfish season — Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) has held two crawfish boils this spring and plans to host another on Saturday, June 30.

Jaleo Crystal City (2250 Crystal Drive) will join the cohort of restaurants organizing summer food festivals on Monday (June 18) from 5-8:30 p.m. with a kickoff party for its 16th annual Paella Festival.

Spanish chef Quim Márquez will join Jaleo’s team to prepare five rice dishes for all patrons who purchase a $35 ticket. Márquez will remain with Jaleo for the duration of Paella Festival, which runs through July 1.

Columbia Pike Blues Fest Returns Saturday

By Melanie Pincus
1/7

The 23rd annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will take place this Saturday (June 16) from 1-8:30 p.m.

The event is free and will take place near the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike. Singer/songwriter Don Bryant will headline the festival, which features blues, R&B and funk performers of regional and national acclaim.

Performances begin at 1 p.m. with Three Man Soul Machine, who will be followed by Caz Gardiner at 2 p.m. and King Soul Band at 3:30 p.m. Nikki Hill will take the stage at 5 p.m. ahead of Bryant’s 6:45 p.m. set.

The festival will also offer activities in the Arlington Art Truck, a reading from Arlington poet laureate Katherine E. Young, arts and crafts for sale from local artists and businesses, such as Hannah Huthwaite and Marney and Swa, as well as food, drink and booths from vendors and community organizations.

Saturday’s weather forecast calls for near-perfect weather: partly cloudy skies and a high of 85 degrees.

As in past years, the event will prompt several road closures from around 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, according to a county press release.

A full list of road closures is below:

  • Walter Reed Drive, from Columbia Pike to 9th Street S. (detour: 7th Street S. westbound to Highland Street)
  • 9th Road, from S. Garfield Street to Walter Reed Drive
  • 9th Street, from S. Highland Street to Walter Reed Drive

Photo courtesy Columbia Pike Documentary Project

Arlington Agenda: June 11-17

By Melanie Pincus

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.

Monday, June 11

Comedy Night at Galaxy Hut
Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd.)
8:30-11:30 p.m.

This event features stand-up comedy and live music for a $5 entry fee. Host Reid Clark will guide the night. Comedy nights are also scheduled at Galaxy Hut on the second Mondays of July and August.

Tuesday, June 12

Pete Souza (Obama: An Intimate Portrait)
Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer for President Obama, will discuss his New York Times bestselling book, which includes 300 of the nearly two million photos Souza captured of Obama during his presidency.

Moët Ice Release Party
Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge (929 N. Garfield Street)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

$50 per person tickets to this event include two drink tickets for Moët Ice, a comparative tasting of Chandon, Chandon Rosé and Moët Imperial, the Moët girls, appetizers and special bottle prices. Make reservations here.

Wednesday, June 13

Arlington Committee of 100: What’s Next for Ballston?*
Marymount University — Ballston Campus (1000 N. Glebe Road)
7-9 p.m.

This program will review changes coming to Ballston, with a meet and greet at 7 p.m., optional dinner at 7:30 p.m. and program starting at 8 p.m.. Dinner is $28 for members and $30 for non-members.

Thursday, June 14

Pride Poetry Open Mic Night
Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd Street S.)
6-8 p.m.

Join the Arlington Public Library for LGBTQIA+ poetry, short stories, art and songs at Freddie’s Beach Bar. RSVP for an event reminder. Admission is on a first come, first served basis and the event is 18+.

Friendship Speed Dating for Women
Blümen Cafe (2607 Wilson Blvd.)
7-9 p.m.

Meet other women looking for platonic friendships at this speed-dating style event, featuring coffee, tea, cookies and cake. Reserve a spot here — seats are limited.

Immigration and Naturalization in World War I and Arlington
Marymount University (2807 N. Glebe Road)
7-8:30 p.m.

Zachary Wilske, a historian for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will discuss expedited military naturalizations that took place during World War I, with examples from the Arlington area.

Saturday, June 16

Open House Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center*
601 S. Carlin Springs Road
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Lions Club will hold an open house at its eyeglass recycling center, with light refreshments and short programs about the group’s service programs running every 20 minutes.

2018 Carsfera Auto Festival in Crystal City
Parking lot at 220 20th Street S.
2-6 p.m.

Attendees can see classic muscle cars, motorcycles and more at this year’s auto festival while listening to live music and enjoying a beer garden beverage. Admission is free.

Sunday, June 17

Quinn’s Father’s Day Cigar Brunch
Quinn’s On The Corner (1776 Wilson Blvd.)
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Quinn’s will serve steak and eggs Benedict, breakfast burgers and “Super Mugs” of beer, in addition to handing out free cigars, this Father’s Day. Brunch-goers are invited to stay at Quinn’s to watch the U.S. Open golf tournament.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Local Nonprofit Aims to Put Knitting on Display in Clarendon This Weekend

By Melanie Pincus

Local nonprofit Project Knitwell will celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day this Saturday (June 9) with an event in the “The Loop” at Market Common Clarendon.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can join Project Knitwell volunteers to learn how to knit, enter a raffle and experience the wellness benefits of knitting in person.

“We want to spread the word that working with your hands and knitting and making something can have health benefits,” Project Knitwell Executive Director Michelle Maynard told ARLnow. “The science is starting to catch up with what knitters and other crafters already know.”

World Wide Knit in Public Day launched in 2005 with 25 events around the world, according to its website. Last year, “there were at least a thousand, if not more of these events in 54 different countries,” Maynard said.

This event is Project Knitwell’s first in recognition of World Wide Knit in Public Day, and it joins a long list of programs the nonprofit has offered since its founding in 2010. Volunteers have taught knitting to patients and families at the Virginia Hospital Center, in after-school programs for at-risk youth and through summer programs for children and young adults with cancer.

Project Knitwell communicated with businesses located at Market Common and beyond to help put together a raffle basket and several prize bundles, Maynard said. The basket and bundles consist of items for knitters and non-knitters alike, including a $50 gift certificate to the Cheesecake Factory, hand-crafted needle point protectors and a number of yarns.

Raffle tickets will be $10 each or four for $20. The first 24 attendees will also receive a free cupcake from Williams-Sonoma, Maynard said. The event’s Facebook page recommends that attendees take the Metro to avoid road closures due to the Armed Forces Cycling Classic.

For first-time knitters, Maynard said she hopes the event demonstrates that knitting is fun.

“It’s something that is a great way to pass the time, whether you’re on public transportation or in a hospital waiting room,” Maynard said, “It’s a great alternative to [being on] your screen, and [instead] doing something with your hands that involves a rhythmic almost meditative aspect to it.”

File photo

Concert Series Coming to Pentagon City Shake Shack in June

By Melanie Pincus

(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall and Shake Shack will host live music performances outside the restaurant from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday in June.

Events in the series, called “Shack Sounds,” are free and open to the public near the mall’s S. Hayes Street entrance.

“Shoppers are invited to enjoy burgers, beats and brews while shopping to the soundtrack of summer,” said a press release.

The full concert schedule is below.

  • June 7 — David Thong Band (Pop/Rock/Hip-hop/Acoustic)
  • June 14 — The Ryan Forrester Band (Motown/Top 40/Country/Rock)
  • June 21 — Chris Timbers Band (Singer/Songwriter)
  • June 28 — Most Savage Gentlemen (Covers/Originals)

Shack Sounds series have previously taken place in such locations as Austin, Texas and Lexington, Kentucky.

Arlington Agenda: June 4-10

By Melanie Pincus

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.

Tuesday, June 5

Urban Agriculture: Herbs
Westover Library (788 N. McKinley Road)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Attendees of this workshop will learn how to nurture a kitchen garden that will give them easy access to fresh herbs. Those interested may RSVP here. Attendance is on a first come, first served basis.

Wednesday, June 6

Defining Our Digital Destiny: The Future of Work in Arlington*
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

A panel that includes representatives from Virginia Tech and the county government will discuss how technology will affect the future of the Arlington workforce. Attendees will have the opportunity to network before the panel begins at 6:30.

Brunch and Business: The Successful Journey of an Immigrant Entrepreneur
Arlington Economic Development (1100 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Three Arlington entrepreneurs will discuss their paths from arriving in the United States to starting their own businesses. Admission is free, but registration is required.

Thursday, June 7

YEA! Trade Show
Ballston Center (1000 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 5-7 p.m.

The 2018 class of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy will present their new start-up businesses. Goods and services developed by YEA! students will be available for purchase.

Hip Hop Thursday Cycle Class at Ryde in Clarendon
Ryde Cycle (1025 N. Fillmore Street)
Time: 7:45-8:15 p.m.

Join certified Ryde Cycle instructors for a high-intensity cardio workout featuring rhythm-based choreography and a candle-lit studio. First time “ryders” can take advantage of a buy one get one free offer.

Friday, June 8

PRIDE Buttons
Connection Crystal City Library (2117 Crystal Plaza Arcade)
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Supplies will be provided to craft unique PRIDE buttons in celebration of Pride Month. RSVP for an event reminder. Attendance is first come, first served.

Supreme Fridays
G.O.A.T. Sports Bar (3028 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

The first Supreme Friday at The G.O.A.T. will feature two floors of DJs and music, video games, HD TVs and more. Bar-goers can register here to skip the line.

Saturday, June 9

Unveiling of Historic Civil Rights Plaque*
Hair Vogue (3815 Lee Highway)
Time: 10:30-10:45 a.m.

A plaque honoring participants in the first day of lunch-counter protests in northern Virginia on June 9, 1960 will be placed at 3815 Lee Highway — formerly the location of the Cherrydale Drug Fair, where the sit-in occurred.

Anniversary Celebration: Cherrydale at 125
Cherrydale Branch Library (2190 Military Road)
Time: 11 a.m.

Cherrydale will commemorate the 1959 desegregation of Stratford Junior High, the 1960 Cherrydale Drug Fair sit-in and the contributions of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department at the Pentagon on 9/11.

Sunday, June 10

The Arlington Triathlon*
Washington-Lee Aquatic Center (1301 N. Stafford Street)
Time: 8-10:30 a.m.

This event invites competitors aged 7-15 to participate in a run-bike-swim race to benefit the Arlington Triathlon Club. Registration information may be found online.

The Armed Forces Cycling Classic
Crystal City area (2121 Crystal Drive)
Time: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Competitive cyclists will compete for the Crystal Cup and cycling enthusiasts of all levels can participate in other events on the second day of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic, following Saturday’s Clarendon Cup races.

Bark in the Park*
James Hunter Park (1229 N. Herndon Street)
Time: 3-6 p.m.

Bring your dog for free live music and Smoking Kow barbecue at the Clarendon dog park. Event is presented by Clarendon Animal Care and Clarendon Alliance.

Rosé Garden
Ten at Clarendon (3110 10th Street N.)
3-6 p.m.

Free rosé from Screwtop Wine Bar and light hors d’oeuvres will be served in the Ten at Clarendon courtyard. RSVP on Facebook to attend.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Arlington Youth Triathlon Kicks Off Next Week

By Anna Merod

The fifth annual Arlington Youth Triathlon will kick off next Sunday, June 10, at the Washington-Lee High School pool.

The public event hosted by the Arlington Triathlon Club will feature swimming, running and biking among children ages 7-15 and will start at 7:30 a.m.  The Arlington Youth Triathlon is a part of the USA Triathlon Mideast Region Youth Triathlon Series, where young triathletes from Ohio to Tennessee will come to Arlington to participate.

The triathlon will include a pool swim, a bike ride on closed streets around the school and a track finish. Each event features short distances to include kids of all abilities.

This year’s triathlon will be held in honor of Anne Viviani, an Arlington resident who died April 9 in a car crash striking a deer on I-85 in South Carolina. Viviani, 68, was a world champion triathlete and coach.

Registration for the Arlington Youth Triathlon is open until June 9. It costs $75 to register before May 15, and $85 afterward.

Photo Courtesy Arlington Triathlon Club

Arlington Agenda: May 29-June 3

By ARLnow.com

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.

Tuesday, May 29

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7 p.m.

Tickets to this latest addition to the Star Wars franchise are $10 and available online. The film will be playing at the Drafthouse almost every day for the next week and a half.

Wednesday, May 30

Cars & Champagne Happy Hour
Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge (929 N. Garfield Street)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Drive Society will be hosting a Cars & Champagne Happy Hour at Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge, featuring exotic cars and exceptional champagne. Members of the public are welcome to attend the event and may RSVP online.

Moonwalk at Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
Time: 8:30-10 p.m.

This 1.5 mile hike enables participants to experience the natural beauty of Theodore Roosevelt Island in full moonlight. No pets or children under 16 are permitted, and walkers are advised to wear comfortable shoes and clothing to accommodate the weather.

Thursday, May 31

Yorktown Theatre’s The SeussOdyssey by Don Zolidis
Yorktown High School (5200 Yorktown Blvd.)
Time: 7 p.m.

Join Yorktown High School’s Theatre II class for a literary journey through Homer’s Odyssey transformed into the style of Dr. Seuss. Featuring a singing Cyclops and a battle among teddy bears, the show represents a comedic reimagining of Homer’s classic.

Friday, June 1

Community Rally for Wear Orange/National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Courthouse Plaza (2100 Clarendon Blvd.)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Community members will gather to rally for a future free of gun violence and to honor the 96 lives lost each day to gun violence. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange. Event is hosted by the Arlington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

Battle of the Badges Fundraiser Basketball Game
Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street)
Time: 7 p.m.

Officers from the ACPD join forces with students from Washington-Lee High School to take on Arlington firefighters and students from Wakefield High School. Donations will be accepted to benefit the schools’ Student Government Associations.

Columbia Pike Movie Nights: “Grease”
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

“Grease” will play outdoors as the first film in a series of 28 music-focused movies that will be screened along Columbia Pike on Fridays and Saturdays through September 1. Admission is free.

Saturday, June 2

Arlington Women in Public Safety Outreach Event
Arlington Traditional School (855 N. Edison Street)
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

This event aims to recognize some of the women who help keep the Arlington community safe. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Arlington’s female public safety employees and participate in an “escape room activity.”

Corpus Christi Celebration*
St. Agnes Catholic Church (1910 N. Randolph Street)
Time: 1-3 p.m.

The St. Agnes Church invites community members to join them in their Corpus Christi Celebration, which will include a barbecue lunch and music. Those interested in attending lunch should RSVP by emailing [email protected].

Rosé All Day With Kyle & Amanda from Bravo’s Summer House*
Quinn’s (1776 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: 3-10 p.m.

Guests are invited to ring in summer with Bravo’s Summer House stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula while sipping on the newest addition to Quinn’s menu: forty ounce Rosé bottles. Admission to the event is free and those interested may RSVP online.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Caps to Host Stanley Cup Sendoff in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

The Washington Capitals are encouraging fans to flock to Ballston on Saturday to help send the team off to the Stanley Cup finals.

The event will be held around noon at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road).

More from a media advisory:

Practice is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with players beginning to exit the building in front of fans on their way to Las Vegas at approximately noon.

The 8th floor parking deck will be closed. Fans are encouraged to take the metro (Ballston-MU station) and access the facility from the elevators and stairwell located on Glebe and Randolph.

The Caps will face off against the Las Vegas Golden Knights at 8 p.m. eastern on Monday.

File photo

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