Events | ARLnow.com

‘Love the Run You’re With 5K’ Returns to Pentagon City

Published February 7, 2017 at 11:15AM

The annual Love the Run You’re With 5K race is returning to Pentagon City this weekend.

The Valentine’s Day-themed race is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. It encourages participants to specify whether they’re single or in a relationship when registering — with different race bib colors for each category.

A number of road closures are planned for the race. From ACPD:

The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures to accommodate the race:

South Joyce Street between South 15th Street and Army Navy Drive will be closed from 07:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

South 15th Street between South Hayes Street and South Joyce Street will be closed from 06:00 AM until 11:00 AM. (The South Pentagon City Mall Garage will be closed for the duration of the event)

Army Navy Drive between South Joyce Street and South 25th Street will be closed from 07:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

Street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-558-2222.

Race attendees are encouraged to use Metro, however, if driving please utilize the parking garage at the Pentagon City Mall.

A number of other seasonal races are planned in Arlington over the next couple of months. Among them: the Four Courts Four Miler on March 11 and Crystal City 5K Fridays in April.

Arlington Agenda: Feb. 6-12

By Tim Regan

Published February 6, 2017 at 4:50PM

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 Young Professional Bingo Happy Hour *
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill (2424 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

This bingo happy hour will have food and drink specials along with opportunities to mingle and chat. Attendees can try their chances at winning awesome prizes. All who show up before 6 p.m. will receive a free gift.

Wednesday

Consequences of School Redistricting *
Marymount University, Phalen Hall Dining Room (2807 N Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

The session will cover future demographic projections and discuss school boundaries. “Demographic projections show many more students will be attending Arlington schools in the near future which will require a discussion of school boundaries,” event organizers said. “Boundary changes can be very personal and affect the entire community. ”

Thursday

Sip & Sample Wine Tasting *
Bistro 360 (1800 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bistro 360 is scheduled to host an evening of fine wines paired with small plates and wine raffles. The event costs $60 per person, with proceeds going directly to Bowen McCauley Dance, an Arlington dance company known for its community outreach.

150 Years of Worship *
Marymount University (2807 N Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

This event will celebrate the 1866 establishment of three area churches: Mount Zion Baptist Church, Callaway United Methodist Church and Lomax AME. Additionally, church members will discuss “their shared and unique experiences and the impact on the county” during a panel discussion.

Teen Annual Broken Hearts Party
Arlington Central Library (1015 N Quincy St.)
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.

Middle and high school students will be able to celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year without having to worry about finding a sweetheart. The Valentine’s Day event is scheduled to include cookie decorating, quizzes, book rating and trivia.

Friday

The Lion in Winter at The Arlington Players *
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S Old Glebe Road)
Time: 8-10 p.m.

“The Lion in Winter” is a tale that waves family rivalry, adultery, and shifting alliances into one dramatic comedy. The play centers around the conflicts of a royal family as they fight over control of the kingdom during the Christmas of 1183.

Saturday

National Chamber Ensemble – Vive la France *
Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street)
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The National Chamber Ensemble is set to play a romantic concert with music from French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. A reception is scheduled to follow the performance, which organizers said is “the perfect occasion to bring your Valentine.”

Regional Jazz Festival 2017
Yorktown High School (5200 Yorktown Blvd)
Time: 2:15-8 p.m.

The free jazz concert will feature performances by regional high school jazz bands and a three-song set by the U.S. Airmen of Note Jazz Ensemble. This year’s theme is “Essentially Ellington,” meaning performers will feature the legendary jazz music of Duke Ellington.

Sunday

Giant Used Book Fair *
St. Ann Church Parish Hall (5300 10th Street North)
Time: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

St. Ann Church and School is scheduled to hold its 6th annual Giant Used Book Fair with books for “every age and taste at amazing prices.” Shoppers can browse all kinds of books, from fiction and politics to DIY and children’s tomes. The event also will have a Valentine’s Day themed bake sale and free coffee, admission and parking.

Rock Spring Recital Series featuring IBIS Chamber Music Society *
Rock Spring Congregational UCC (5010 Little Falls Road)
Time: 3-4:15 p.m.

This concert includes music by Ravel, including IBIS’s original arrangement of the Mother Goose Suite and the Introduction and Allegro, the Jeux D’Enfants by Bizet, a work by composer Marjan Mozetich and other selections.

Comedy and The Princess Bride Movie Night
Arlington Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: Multiple times

The cinema and comedy venue will show attendees the meaning of “wuv, tru wuv,” during four screenings of cult classic film “The Princess Bride.” The screenings, which run Sunday, Feb. 12 and Tuesday, Feb. 14, will feature live comedy before the movie.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Rosslyn Event to Give Entrepreneurs a Chance to Appear on the Home Shopping Network

By Tim Regan

Published February 6, 2017 at 3:50PM

Local entrepreneurs can learn how to get their ideas, products or inventions featured on the Home Shopping Network during a free event in Rosslyn later this month.

The D.C.-area chapter of business mentoring organization SCORE is scheduled to host an event for the Home Shopping Network program “American Dreams” at the Spectrum Theater (1611 N Kent Street) on Monday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.

“American Dreams” features inventions and products from small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. The program’s tagline is to “make your product tomorrow’s best seller,” according to its website.

The upcoming event is set to include a “high energy” presentation about the Home Shopping Network and its various product success stories. Attendees can pitch their products, then refine those pitches during a “show and tell” portion of the event. Afterward, they’ll be able to submit their products for a chance to be featured on “American Dreams.”

“They’ll have an opportunity to describe or pitch their concept,” said SCORE marketing chair and mentor, Len Johnson. “This is a preliminary introduction to the program. It’s kind of a filtering process.”

Unlike a program such as “Shark Tank,” the businesspeople don’t need to show up with a working prototype of their product or invention to be considered for the show.

“That’s why they call it American Dream,” Johnson said. “It’s a program that features people that have a dream but don’t have the means to be successful. It allows an entrepreneur to get airtime.”

After the event, the Home Shopping Network will review the day’s submissions and possibly pick out some Arlington entrepreneurs for a second round of interviews. If all goes well during those interviews, the product could then head to television.

Those interested in attending the free session can sign up online. The event is limited to 500 people.

#Rosslyn

Crystal City Chick-Fil-A to Hold ‘Daddy-Daughter Princess Night’

By Tim Regan

Published February 6, 2017 at 10:30AM | Updated February 6, 2017 at 10:53AM

Fathers and daughters will have a chance to strengthen their bond over chicken sandwiches and waffle fries during an upcoming event in Crystal City.

The Chick-fil-A at 2200 Crystal Drive is slated to hold a pre-Valentine’s Day “Daddy-Daughter Princess Night” on Monday, Feb. 13, at 4 p.m. The event is an annual sit-down meal held at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country.

“We know how important it is to have special moments with your princess and we want to help make this pre-Valentines day one of those special moments,” the Arlington location said on its website. “Let us help make this a lifetime memory.”

Customers interested in attending must reserve a table no later than today, Feb. 6, by calling the restaurant at 703-415-7815. The meal lasts approximately 40 minutes.

“Daddy-Daughter Princess Night” isn’t the only family event the eatery has held. Chick-fil-A’s locations in Ballston and Crystal City also hosted medieval-themed mother-son “date knights” in 2013, for instance.

Photo via Chick-fil-A

Photos: Crystal Couture in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2017 at 10:25AM

Crystal Couture is back for another year.

The annual fashion show and sale in Crystal City kicked off last night on the sixth floor of 2200 Crystal Drive. The event features models walking the catwalk, showing off the work of local designers. There is a bar, a DJ, numerous boutiques and free make-up and hair makeovers.

Thursday night’s event was hosted by media personality Sarah Fraser. Friday’s show will run from 5-10 p.m. and will be hosted by television personality Paul Wharton, while Saturday’s event will run from 2-10 p.m. and will be emceed by radio host Tommy McFly.

Crystal Couture is free to attend.

Pentagon City Mall to Hold Lunar New Year Party

By Tim Regan

Published January 31, 2017 at 5:00PM | Updated January 31, 2017 at 5:33PM

Though the Lunar New Year is technically already upon us, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is planning to mark the occasion next week with a party.

The shopping mall at 1100 S. Hayes Street is scheduled to ring in the Year of the Rooster with dragon and lion dances, “Asian-inspired fashion shows,” and in-store discounts on Saturday, Feb. 11, from noon-5 p.m.

The event will also have food samples, a tea ceremony, calligraphy demonstrations and live music from a Chinese instrument ensemble, organizers said.

“To help guests fully immerse in the diverse atmosphere, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City will team up with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce to host a traditional-style Chinese Spring Festival, complete with activities and entertainment,” a press release for the event says.

The celebration will take place on Metro level of the mall’s food court.

Image via Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

#Pentagon City mall

Arlington to Hold Design Meeting for New Lubber Run Community Center

By Tim Regan

Published January 31, 2017 at 2:50PM

Arlington County will hold a “community kick-off meeting” next week where members of the public can help design the new Lubber Run Community Center.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Barrett Elementary School (4401 N Henderson Road) next Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

In December, the Arlington County Board approved a $3.9 million contract to plan and design a new four-story Lubber Run Community Center at 300 N. Park Drive. As planned, the new center would include a gymnasium, playgrounds, offices and underground parking.

More on the upcoming design meeting from Arlington County:

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the Community Kick-Off Meeting to design the new Lubber Run Community Center.

While youth 10 and older, teens, adults and seniors are invited to attend the kick-off, there will be free supervised recreation activities for preschool and elementary age kids at Lubber Run Community Center starting at 6 pm. – so caregivers can come to the kickoff meeting. If you will be dropping off a child, please RSVP so we know who to expect.

In the event Arlington County Government is closed on February 8 for inclement weather, the kick-off will be rescheduled for February 15 at the same time and place.

In December 2016, the County Board approved a contract to plan and design the new Lubber Run Community Center. The community engagement process, led by the architectural firm VMDO, Inc., will include public meetings starting on February 8, community feedback options and other outreach for the building and park design. All community members are invited to participate!

Over this past summer, the County Board confirmed the scope for the Lubber Run Community Center project and provided guidance as follows:

The Lubber Run Community Center is to be built up to four stories along with underground parking to enable more green space.

The new center should include a gym and accommodate relocation of the senior program from Culpepper Garden as well as continue the DPR preschool program.

Sports and Recreation Division staff currently located at Lubber Run and 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive will be consolidated at the new community center.

Office use should remain subservient to the community center use in the form and function of the overall facility.

Please share this information and sign up on the Lubber Run Community Center Project webpage to receive project updates. For more information about the approved contract see the press release here.

Arlington Agenda: Jan. 30-Feb. 5

By Tim Regan

Published January 30, 2017 at 12:15PM

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

Free Homebuyer Seminar *
Orange Line Living (1600 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Orange Line Living team is hosting a Home Buying Seminar event at their Rosslyn office. Appetizers will be provided and specialists will be on hand to give an of the buying process.

Winter Restaurant Week *
Osteria da Nino Cucina Italiana and Bar (2900 S Quincy St.)
Time: Lunch and dinner service

The Shirlington restaurant is participating in this year’s Winter Restaurant Week with food and drink specials. Diners can order a three-course lunch or dinner that includes seasonal dishes such as winter lentil soup; spaghetti with pancetta, red onions and hot peppers; and slow-braised short ribs.

LinkedIn Q&A
Central Library (1015 N Quincy St.)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Attendees can learn the basics and some of the common pitfalls of the LinkedIn networking tool. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows and basic internet skills are required. Attendees are encouraged to bring along their resume and digital headshot.

Tuesday

Saint Ann Catholic School Open House *
Saint Ann Catholic School (980 North Frederick Street)
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Families interested in enrolling their kids for the 2017-18 school year are invited to take a personal tour of the school and to learn more about the admissions process. No appointment is necessary for the open house event.

Superhero Training Day
Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Ave.)
Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Kids can learn what makes a great superhero great during this event. Young attendees will be able to make their own superhero cape and mask, then try out their superpowers in an obstacle course. The training day will also include stories and treats, organizers said.

Thursday

Crystal Couture
2200 Crystal Drive, 6th floor
Time: 5-10 p.m.

This year’s free Crystal Couture fashion event will include a runway show and displays from nearly 50 area boutiques, shops and designers. Those in attendance can browse discounted clothing, get a free makeover and buy drinks.

Pippin at Washington-Lee High School
Washington-Lee High School Auditorium (1301 N Stafford St.)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Washington-Lee High School is inviting the Arlington community to its musical production of Pippin. The musical is set in a piano bar in the 40s and tells the story of a young prince who longs for passion and adventure. The school will host performances Feb. 2-4 and on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

Chris Kattan at Arlington Drafthouse
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:45 p.m.

The comedian, actor and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member is scheduled to perform a handful of shows at the Drafthouse. In addition to Thursday’s show, Kattan, along with the House Band Sketch Group, will perform two shows per night on Friday Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4.

Friday

The Lion in Winter at The Arlington Players *
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S Old Glebe Road)
Time: 8-10 p.m.

“The Lion in Winter” is a tale that waves family rivalry, adultery, and shifting alliances into one dramatic comedy. The play centers around the conflicts of a royal family as they fight over control of the kingdom during the Christmas of 1183.

Sunday

Quinn’s Super Bowl Party
Quinn’s (1776 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The newly opened bar and eatery in Rosslyn will throw a huge bash for this year’s big game. During the event, the bar will offer buy-one-get-one-free specials on chicken wings and will raffle off a 55-inch television.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

#Arlington Agenda

Arlington Agenda: Jan. 23-29

By ARLnow.com

Published January 24, 2017 at 2:30PM

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.

Thursday

Opera NOVA’s Winter Concert
Our Savior Lutheran Church (825 S. Taylor St.)
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

Opera NOVA is having its Winter Concert featuring well-known passages from operas, art songs and Broadway musicals, followed by a lobby reception to meet the performers. For information about reservations, click here.

Fiddler on the Roof
H-B Woodlawn Secondary School (4100 Vacation Ln.)
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Join H-B Woodlawn as they perform the musical, Fiddler on the Roof, a story about Tevye and his family in Imperial Russia. There will be performance on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the H-B Woodlawn Stratford Auditorium.

Friday

Fortune Feimster Live
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10 p.m.

Comic Fortune Feimster, known for her work on Last Comic Standing, Chelsea Lately and the Mindy Project, will be performing at the Drafthouse on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available online for $22.

Saturday

Wine Seminar*
Osteria da Nino (2900 S. Quincy St.)
Time: 3-5 p.m.

Osteria da Nino will be hosting a winter tour of wines from all over Italy. Robert W. Kennedy of R.W.K Wines will be hosting and Chef Melvin will feature light appetizers. A 10 % discount will apply to all case and mixed-case purchases.

Clarendon Animal Care Open House
Clarendon Animal Care (3000 10th St. North, Ste. B)
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.

Clarendon Animal Care welcomes you to join them for the annual open house. Snacks and beverages will be provided as well as door prizes, trivia, hospital tours, “make-your-own” per goody bags and more. For more information, please visit their website.

Sunday

Saint Ann Catholic School Open House*
Saint Ann Catholic School (980 N. Frederick St.)
Time: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saint Ann Catholic School will be hosting open houses for families interested in applying for the 2017-2018 school year. There will be a tour of the school to learn more about the admissions process and no appointment will be necessary.

Arlington Philharmonic and The U.S. Army Chorus*
Wakefield High School Auditorium (1325 S. Dinwiddie St.)
Time: 3-5:30 p.m.

Arlington’s professional symphony orchestra will showcase opera music’s greatest hits and the U.S. Army Chorus will be feature music by Bizet, Mozert, Verdi, and Wagner. Arlington Artists Alliance will also be hosting an art show in the lobby.

Peace Activist David Swanson Speaks
Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Rd.)
Time: 11:30-1 p.m.

Noted peace writer, author, journalist, radio host and activist David Swanson will be discussing the permanent state of war in the United States and abroad. Swanson’s book War is Never Just (2016) will be available for purchase.

#Arlington Agenda

Artomatic Set to Return to Crystal City on March 24

By Tim Regan

Published January 12, 2017 at 10:00AM | Updated January 12, 2017 at 10:17AM

(Updated at 10:17 a.m.) A free creative arts festival is returning to Crystal City in just over two months.

Artomatic, a six-week art show that was previously held in the neighborhood in 2007 and 2012, is scheduled to return Friday, March 24, and run until Saturday, May 6.

This year’s Artomatic will occur at 1800 S. Bell Street, the Crystal City Business Improvement District said. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to visit the 100,000-square-foot arts space over the course of the event.

In previous iterations, the festival has brought visual art, music, film, live performance, fashion and other forms of artistic expression. Artist registration begins next month, organizers said.

“We first brought Artomatic to Crystal City in 2007 in order to demonstrate the transformation that was already in progress — a new main street, fun restaurants — as well as to underscore how easily accessible our neighborhood is from D.C. The second showing in 2012 helped us further showcase our emerging arts and innovation scene,” said Angela Fox, CEO of the Crystal City BID. “Now in our third iteration, we are excited to mark the beginning of the next generation of growth, engagement and creativity for Crystal City.”

More information on this year’s event from a press release:

Artomatic returns for its signature art event to be held this year in Crystal City, Virginia from Friday, March 24th to Saturday, May 6th. Artomatic draws hundreds of artists and performers throughout the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area to showcase their talents for a six week long free exhibition that routinely attracts thousands of visitors.

“We first brought Artomatic to Crystal City in 2007 in order to demonstrate the transformation that was already in progress – a new main street, fun restaurants – as well as to underscore how easily accessible our neighborhood is from DC. The second showing in 2012 helped us further showcase our emerging arts and innovation scene,” said Crystal City BID President/CEO Angela Fox. “Now in our third iteration, we are excited to mark the beginning of the next generation of growth, engagement and creativity for Crystal City.”

This year’s 100,000 square foot space at 1800 S. Bell Street is provided by Vornado/Charles E. Smith and is located along Crystal City’s Art Underground. Launched in 2013 to transform Crystal City’s interior concourse into a vibrant arts and cultural destination, the Art Underground includes Synetic Theater, the 1200-foot long FotoWalk Underground, ArtJamz Underground, the Gallery Underground, TechShop, and Studios Underground which provides work space for two dozen artists.

Artomatic is well-known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that create unique and exciting events for tens of thousands of visitors – all free to visit. Anyone can show art at Artomatic – it is non-juried and art is selected on a first-come, first serve basis – so it’s a great way to discover new art.

“We are very excited to be working again with the Crystal City BID, a constant champion of the arts, to create a unique, invigorating and brand new artistic experience for all visitors to enjoy,” said Jennifer Williamson, current Artomatic Board President. “We will be conducting Artist tours starting in mid-January to allow interested participants an advance glimpse of their artistic home for six weeks where they can start imagining the endless creative possibilities they can do with the space.”

Annual Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade Set for Feb. 28

By Tim Regan

Published January 11, 2017 at 1:15PM

Though Mardi Gras is still more than a month away, Clarendon is already gearing up for its yearly festivities.

The 18th Annual Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade is slated to kick off on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. on Wilson Boulevard, organizers have announced. During the parade, revelers will make their way from N. Barton Street to N. Irving Street.

Previous years have brought masked characters, dogs in costumes, marching bands and other performers to the neighborhood.

After the parade, partiers looking for more fun can head to the second-ever Clarendon Mardi Gras Ball at the Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd.) The party is scheduled to run from 7 to 11 p.m.

“There will be plenty of music, great food in the Fat Tuesday tradition, and beer, wine and punch,” an organizer wrote of the Mardi Gras party. Tickets for the ball are scheduled to go on sale soon.

The parade isn’t the only way Arlington residents and businesses are getting ready for the holiday. Bayou Bakery in Courthouse is currently taking orders for frosted king cakes.

One king cake costs $39.95, and a limited number of king cakes will be sold in stores each day. Customers can also order the cakes and pick them up 48 hours later.

Photo by John Williams