Events

Arlington Agenda: April 17-23

By Chris Teale

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

Challengers Toastmasters Meeting
Asahi (2250 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Join Toastmasters to practice, learn and receive feedback on giving toasts in a comfortable and supportive environment. Learn confidence, vocal variety, storytelling, physical presence, inflection, eye contact, vocabulary, emotion and more.

Wednesday

School Board Candidate Forum
Patrick Henry Elementary School Gymnasium (701 S. Highland Street)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

The Pike President’s Group invites all Arlingtonians to a school board candidates’ debate between candidates James Lander, Maura McMahon and Monique O’Grady, who are all vying for the Democratic endorsement in the May caucus.

Thursday

Lafayette Federal Homebuying Workshop *
Lafayette Federal Credit Union (3141 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 170)
Time: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Owning a home is a great financial investment and mortgage specialists are here to help. Lafayette Federal’s Henry Molina, vice president of business development, will be on hand to discuss best practices for the home buying process.

Arlington Rotary Awards Banquet *
China Garden (1100 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-9 p.m.

The Arlington Rotary Educational Foundation’s annual Fundraiser Banquet. Rep. Don Beyer (D) will be the keynote speaker, while scholarships will be awarded to graduating students from Arlington High Schools both in the county and Uganda.

Friday

Refugee Doll Project
Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Learn how to engage children about the refugee crisis. Jeanne Trabulsi, an Arlington educator and founder of The Refugee Doll Project, will share how parents can foster awareness and appreciation of refugees and new immigrants by using dolls, books and age-appropriate activities.

Paul Rodriguez Live
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: Friday 7:30 and 10 p.m., Saturday 7 and 10 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m.

Longtime comedian Paul Rodriguez has been making audiences laugh all over the world in Spanish and English for nearly three decades with his unique brand of humor that is a perfect blend of his Latin heritage, the American dream and his undeniable universal appeal.

Saturday

Arlington Festival of the Arts *
Clarendon (3003 Washington Blvd)
Time: Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

One hundred and fifty national and international artists are set to display their fine works from across the globe in a prestigious show encompassing fine jewelry, exquisite works of art and hand-crafted apparel and decor.

Arlington Teen Summer Expo
Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

An annual event that links Arlington teens with summer jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities. The Expo is offered free to teens, young adults and those advertising summer positions. Teens will be able to connect with more than 100 employers.

Arlington Community Foundation Spring Gala *
The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City (1250 S. Hayes Street)
Time: 6-11 p.m.

The Arlington Community Foundation’s annual spring gala, a one-of-a-kind evening featuring culinary delights and wines from around the world expressive of the diverse Arlington community. Event also includes outstanding silent and live auctions, dancing and more.

Sunday

In Christy’s Shoes 5th Annual Sole Celebration *
Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 4-7 p.m.

This fundraising event celebrates the life of Christy Levy Peters who may have lost her battle with brain cancer but, not her fight to help women achieve greatness. Event includes a runway fashion show, food and drink, a mobile silent auction and more.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Armed Forces Cycling Classic Returns to Arlington in June

By Chris Teale

Arlington will again be alive with the sound of thousands of pedaling cyclists, as the Armed Forces Cycling Classic returns in June.

Previously known as the Air Force Association Cycling Classic, the event will celebrate its 20th anniversary when it takes place on June 10 and 11.

Presented by The Boeing Company, the event benefits members of the U.S. armed forces.

“For two decades, the Cycling Classic has paid tribute to the men and women in uniform who serve courageously to protect America at home and around the world,” said Boeing chairman, president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg in a statement. “Throughout our 100-year history, Boeing has a proud tradition of partnering with the U.S. military, and we’re honored to support this year’s event, which benefits active-duty and retired veterans and their families.”

The weekend begins with the Clarendon Cup, in the heart of Clarendon. The following day, the Challenge Ride offers a closed course to cycling enthusiasts of all abilities in and around the Pentagon, Crystal City and the Air Force Memorial.

The race for the Crystal Cup follows on Sunday in Crystal City, pitting professional and amateur racers from around the world in a series of races. Free races for children aged 9 and under also will be held both days, in addition to the lifestyle and sponsor expo.

“We’re proud to celebrate our involvement with the Armed Forces Cycling Classic,” said Angela Fox, president and CEO of the Crystal City Business Improvement District, in a statement. “Over the past decade, we’ve watched both the professional races and community Challenge Rides grow while providing an exciting and transformative experience for participants and spectators alike.”

Photo via Armed Forces Cycling Classic

Columbia Pike Food Truck Party on Saturday

By Katie Pyzyk

Food trucks are a common weekday sight on Arlington’s Orange Line corridor, but they’re heading south for the weekend.

The West Columbia Pike Food Truck Party takes place tomorrow (April 15) at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Four Mile Run Drive. Vendors will serve food from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Food trucks taking part in the event include Peruvian Brothers, KaftaMania, Fava Pot, Pacific Twist and Little Miss Whoopie.

The Columbia Forest Civic Association is hosting the food truck event, which is the first of four planned for this year.

Arlington Festival of the Arts Coming to Clarendon

By Katie Pyzyk

The streets of Clarendon soon will become more colorful and creative with the return of the Arlington Festival of the Arts.

The fifth annual festival will take place at the intersection of Washington Blvd and N. Highland Street on Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

More than 150 exhibitors will showcase their original works, which include paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, glass and mixed media. Attendees will be able to purchase items at a wide range of prices.

The following roads will be closed from 4 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, through 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, to accommodate the festival:

  • Westbound Washington Blvd from N. Garfield Street to Clarendon Blvd
  • N. Highland Street from Clarendon Blvd to Washington Blvd
  • N. 11th Street between N. Highland Street and N. Garfield Street will be open to delivery traffic only

Arlington Agenda: April 10-16

By Chris Teale

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.

Wednesday

County Board Candidate Forum *
Marymount University Phelan Hall (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

The Arlington Committee of 100 will host an Arlington County Board Candidate Forum with Peter Fallon, Erik Gutshall, Kim Klingler and Vivek Patil. Scott McCaffrey, managing editor of the Sun Gazette, will moderate.

Thursday

Lipstick Brigade
Marymount University Reinsch Auditorium (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Dr. Cindy Gueli discusses the captivating, surprising and often moving first-person stories she collected for “Lipstick Brigade,” her book of how women triumphed over the challenges of war and the chaotic, frustrating and often deadly capital boomtown.

Food Truck Thursdays
Crystal City (18th Street S and Crystal Drive; 201 12th Street S)
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Get your lunchtime Food Truck fix at Food Truck Thursday in Crystal City all spring and summer long. Many favorites from the D.C. region are set to participate at both locations, subject to change and each truck’s scheduling.

Friday

The Saint John Passion *
Resurrection Lutheran Church (6201 Washington Blvd)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.

A narrative reading of the Passion Story by Johann Sebastian with selections for choir and orchestra drawn from one of Bach’s greatest works. Presented as part of the Liturgy for Good Friday. Free and open to the public. Free will offering accepted.

Grandma Lee Live
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: Friday 10 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m.

Grandma Lee is America’s funniest and most outrageous grandmother who is nowhere close to being ready for the rocking chair. She is a pro at entertaining audiences of all ages with her unorthodox views of family, television and life.

Saturday

Arlington County’s Bi-Annual E-CARE
Thomas Jefferson Middle School (125 S. Old Glebe Road)
Time: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Residents can come and safely dispose of hazardous household materials, and recycle items including bikes, small metal items, shoes, select baby and medical supplies, clothing and much more.

West Columbia Pike Food Truck Party
Columbia Pike at Four Mile Run Drive (4809 Columbia Pike)
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

The first of four dates featuring food vendors and other entertainment. The following vendors will be featured: Little Miss Whoopie, Ricksha Streetside Indian, Margaret’s Soul Food, Peruvian Brothers and Pacific Twist.

Sunday

Easter Service *
George Mason University Founder’s Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 9:15-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church will be having two Sunday morning Easter services. Child care will be provided for both services for children from nursery through fifth grade. Join us after each service for coffee, snacks, and fellowship.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

County Begins World War I Anniversary Commemoration

By Chris Teale
1/5

The county’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I began yesterday with a brief ceremony at the County Building on Clarendon Blvd.

Originally intended to be at the American Legion War Memorial in Clarendon Central Park, the event was forced indoors by inclement weather.

The ceremony was part of a series of commemorative events being held by the county’s World War I Commemoration Task Force throughout this year.

County Board member John Vihstadt, the Board’s liaison to the commission, gave opening remarks, followed by commission chair Dr. Allison Finkelstein. Vihstadt spoke of the significance of World War I to Arlington, as it helped transform the county from a rural outpost to the urbanized home of the military.

“We commemorate World War I because it is not just the story of our country, but our county,” Vihstadt said.

Finkelstein said future events will look to further engage diverse segments of the community, launch community service projects and confront tough issues, like the role of racism in the war effort.

The war memorial where the ceremony was to be held segregates the 12 local men who died in World War I, with two presented away from the others and labeled “colored.” There have been discussions in the past about changing the plaque, and Finkelstein said she wanted to “find a consensus for the best way to address this plaque and respect the challenges they faced in Jim Crow’s America.”

Ed Bearss, chief historian emeritus at the National Park Service, gave the keynote address and discussed America’s involvement in the “war that was to make the world safe for democracy.”

Hello Kitty Truck to Visit Pentagon Row on Saturday

By Chris Teale

The Hello Kitty Cafe truck will stop by Pentagon Row this Saturday as part of its tour of the Mid-Atlantic.

The truck will park near the Designer Shoe Warehouse at 1301 S. Joyce Street from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 8.

It will offer candy and Hello Kitty-branded promotional items like mugs, t-shirts and headbands and water bottles with bows on.

The truck appeared in Bethesda last Saturday, and will move north into Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey after visiting Arlington. A tour is also underway on the West Coast.

The cafe truck debuted in 2014 at Hello Kitty Con in Los Angeles.

Columbia Pike Blues Festival Announces Performers

By Chris Teale

This year’s Columbia Pike Blues Festival will be headlined by three-time Grammy nominee Bettye LaVette, part of a lineup of blues, R&B and funk performers.

The 22nd annual festival is set for Saturday, June 17, from 1-8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive.

Jonny Grave kicks off the festival at 1 p.m., followed by Sol Roots with Carly Harvey at 2 p.m. The Full Power Blues Band follows at 3:30 p.m., before Rufus Roundtree and Da B-more Brass Factory at 5 p.m. and LaVette at 6:45 p.m.

LaVette has been touring and performing since the birth of soul music in the 1960s. She performed at the “We Are One” concert before President Obama’s first inauguration in 2008, as well as the Kennedy Center honors for The Who that same year.

Also at the festival, presented by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, will be food and drink, arts and crafts vendors and activities for children.

Photo via The Kurkland Agency

Arlington Agenda: April 3-9

By Chris Teale

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

Arlington Thrive’s YP Bingo Happy Hour *
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill (2424 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Free attendance to enjoy food and drink specials along with getting to know your fellow young professionals and how Arlington Thrive helps neighbors in need. Try your hand at winning prizes and a 50/50 cash raffle.

Managing Student Debt for Yourself and Your Children
Arlington Public Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Learn how to save for your child’s education, while keeping your personal financial goals in perspective. Workshop highlight include resources for managing student loans and creating and reviewing plans to repay existing student debt.

Salute to AmeriCorps Service Event & BBQ
Barcroft Park (4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive)
Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

In honor of National Mayor and County Recognition Day, Aspire! Afterschool Learning will celebrate its dedicated AmeriCorps team that has contributed more than 100,000 hours of community service to south Arlington children and families.

Wednesday

HireEd: Bridging the Education and Workforce Gap
George Mason University Founder’s Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Entrepreneurs, corporations, business leaders, educators and nonprofits will discuss successful solutions and strategies to place students, graduates and workers at all levels and bridging the gap between educating, finding and placing talent.

Wine Tasting *
Osteria da Nino (2900 S. Quincy Street)
Time: 5-7 p.m.

With RWK Imports owner Robert W. Kennedy, enjoy Paolo Grillo from Sicily, Pietraventosa EstRosa, Paolo Cali Mandragola, Alice Buonaccorsi Rossorelativo and Ettore Gemano Barolo Serralunga. After the tasting you can purchase wine at discount prices.

Friday

Crystal City 5k Fridays
Crystal City Courtyard Green (2121 Crystal Drive)
Time: 6:30-8 p.m. (each Friday in April)

The Crystal City 5K Fridays series will take runners on a USA Track & Field-certified course along Crystal Drive and past Long Bridge Park. After the race, runners can enjoy area bar and restaurant specials exclusively for them.

Author Conversation and Wine Tasting
One More Page Books (2200 N. Westmoreland Street #101)
Time: 6:30 p.m.

Authors Sarah K. Stephens and Laura Ellen Scott lead a discussion of psychological thrillers, having both recently released new titles in that genre. A wine tasting will precede the talk at 6:30 p.m., then the conversation begins at 7 p.m.

Natasha Leggero Live Stand-Up Comedy
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: Friday 7:30 and 10 p.m.; Saturday 7 and 10 p.m.

Natasha Leggero has been a favorite round table guest on the wildly popular “Chelsea Lately”on E! and is currently headlining packed comedy clubs across the country with her own brand of sophisticated writing, physicality and glamour.

Saturday

Arlington Free Clinic Bites & Blues Party
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill (2424 Wilson Blvd.)
Time: 7-11 p.m.

Arlington Free Clinic hosts the second annual Bites & Blues Party benefiting its Oral Health Program. The Bites & Blues Party is a casual evening of music by the band Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes, dancing, raffles and food & drink.

Arlington Poetry Fest
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 12-4 p.m.

With performances by Christylez Bacon, Arlington Poet Laureate Katherine E. Young, the Indian Dance Educators Association and a poetry slam by the likes of Busboys & Poets’ Pages Matam and the Shirlington Poetry Hosts.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

First Best of Ballston Awards Will Honor Neighborhood’s Hidden Stars

By Chris Teale

The Ballston Business Improvement District’s annual meeting will have a new twist this year, as it hands out the first Best of Ballston Awards.

The awards will be in three categories for those in the neighborhood: property manager, innovator and broker.

Nominations are being accepted through May 1, ahead of the event on June 21 at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel at 801 N. Glebe Road.

“Talented, creative, smart and savvy people walk the streets of our neighborhood — this event is our time to share their success stories!” reads the online nomination page.

The Property Managers Award will be presented to a neighborhood property manager who connects tenants to services, products and programs that help build their business and retain or grow their presence in Ballston.

The Best of Ballston Innovation Award is for a Ballston tenant who has developed an innovative product or service, and the Best of Ballston Broker Award will go to a local real estate broker that has leased space, attracted the greatest number of new tenants, or leased the greatest square feet of space.

In addition to the awards, BallstonGives, the charitable subsidiary of the Ballston BID, will give the donation check from the Taste of Arlington food festival to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

And the Robert Ball Award, named after the Ball family for which the neighborhood is named, will be presented to developer John Shooshan in recognition of his contributions to Ballston and Arlington.

Easter Bunny Photos Available At Pentagon City Mall

By Chris Teale

Easter is just a couple of weeks away, and the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is getting in the holiday spirit.

From today through April 15 in the Nordstrom Court on the mall’s first level, shoppers can have their photographs taken with the Easter Bunny.

Times vary each day, but the bunny is around until 8 p.m. each day except Sundays, when he leaves at 6 p.m.

Appointments with the Easter Bunny can be made online for those wishing to skip the line. A $10 non-refundable deposit is required for reservations.

And on April 2 from 9-11 a.m., children and young adults with special needs can have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny in an adapted environment in the same location.

The environment will be adjusted to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities. Those interested are asked to RSVP ahead of time.

Easter this year is on Sunday, April 16.

View More Stories