Events

‘Moon Walk’ Planned at Roosevelt Island

By Jackie Friedman

Theodore Roosevelt Island

A group of outdoor enthusiasts will be taking a “moon walk” on Theodore Roosevelt Island tomorrow night.

The nonprofit group Friends of Theodore Roosevelt Island is leading the “Full Moon Walk,” which will give participants the rare opportunity to explore the park at night, during a full moon.

The 1.5 mile hike around the island will be led by a National Park Service volunteer. The Friday, June 17 event has already filled to capacity, with 25 visitors registered.

The cost for members of the Friends of Theodore Roosevelt Island was $15 while non-members paid $20.

Father’s Day Car Show Returns Sunday in Crystal City

By Jackie Friedman

Crystal Car logoThe annual Crystal Car show is returning this weekend to Crystal City.

The fourth annual Father’s Day Car Festival is being hosted by the Crystal City BID in the surface lot located adjacent to 220 20th Street S., on Sunday, June 19 from 2-6 p.m.

“This family-friendly festival will have a large variety of automobile categories including sports cars, electric vehicles, classic muscle cars, antiques and more,” the Crystal City BID said in a press release. “Along with the cars, enjoy live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden hosted by the Washington Wine Academy.”

Admission is free for guests and vehicles but cash is required to when purchasing beer and wine.

Those with cars they want to showcase can register online.

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

Columbia Pike Blues Festival Returns Saturday

By Adrian Cruz

Columbia Pike Blues FestivalThe blues will return to Arlington as the 21st annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will be held on Saturday from 1-8:30 p.m.

The festival will feature a mix of local and nationally recognized blues talent throughout the day. Admission is free.

Here is the list of acts scheduled to perform:

  • Little Bit A Blues @ 1:00 p.m.
  • Bobby Thompson Project ft. Ron Holloway @ 2:00 p.m.
  • Bosley @ 3:30 p.m
  • Davina and the Vagabonds @ 5:00 p.m.
  • Jesse Dee @ 6:30 p.m.

Along with the music, the festival will also have have local food vendors. Some of the cuisines on offer include Moroccan, Nigerian, Mexican, Caribbean.

Here is a list of vendors:

  • Mazagan Restaurant — Modern Moroccan cuisine
  • Cantina Mexicana — Mexican and Tex-Mex
  • Suya To Go — Nigerian
  • BubbleTeaLicious — Bubble teas, shave ice, ice cream
  • Mac’s Donuts — Fresh-made donuts and lemonade
  • Carol’s Concessions — Caribbean and American festival fare
  • Sloppy Mama’s BBQ — Barbecue and all the sides

Arts and crafts vendors and other local businesses will also represented.

The festival will take place at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive. There will also be street closures for the event.

Here is a the list of street closures according to Arlington County:

  • Walter Reed Drive will be closed from Columbia Pike to 9th Street S. Vehicles can use 7th Street to Highland Street as a detour.
  • 9th Road will be closed from S. Garfield Street to Walter Reed Drive.
  • 9th Street will be closed from S. Highland Street to Walter Reed Drive.

Attendees are encouraged to take public transportation with many ART and Metrobus lines serving the area. The weather forecast for the festival is sunny with a high of 82 degrees.

MakeOffices Holding Big Launch Party for Its New Clarendon Location

MakeOffices Clarendon

MakeOffices opened its 40,000 square foot, flagship Clarendon co-working space on June 1. This Thursday, June 16, the company will be celebrating with a “can’t miss” launch party — and you’re invited.

“Enjoy our tasty cocktails and drinks, indulge in food from local hotspots, and rock out to a live band,” says the event’s RSVP page. “Weather-permitting we’ll take the party out on the patio with cornhole. Come mingle with us and meet [hundreds of] fellow movers and shakers.”

The event will feature:

The party is taking place from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday at MakeOffices Clarendon (3100 Clarendon Blvd, second floor).

MakeOffices is a destination for startups, small businesses and freelancers who want to grow their network and get serious work done. Plus, your employees will love coming here too — the offices attractive and well-furnished, and the space is stocked with all the coffee and beer you could ever need. The staff is friendly and takes care of all of the office-related upkeep, allowing your company to focus on what it does best. Plus, there’s ample parking for those who need it and a direct, underground connection to the Clarendon Metro station.

ARLnow.com has its offices in MakeOffices Clarendon — from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday if you ask for us we’ll show you around, point out our office and tell you more about why we like it here.

The event is totally free, but you must RSVP here.

Arlington Agenda: June 13-19

By Jackie Friedman
Columbia Pike Blues Festival 2014 (file photo)

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

Copy-of-Outside-Going-In-flyerOutside Going In Concert*
Westover Baptist Church (1125 Patrick Henry Drive)
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

The Arlington Chorale (formerly the Metropolitan Chorus) presents selections from its 50th season. Highlights from a wide selection of music are guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Concert is free.

Arlington Central Library

Paws to Read at Central Library
Central Library (1015 N Quincy Street)
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Stress-free reading practice for elementary school kids. The patient, nonjudgmental attention these dogs offer helps reluctant readers gain confidence and improve their reading skills. Registration required.

Wednesday

krabLegsAll You Can Eat Snow Crab Leg Wednesdays*
Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 5-9 p.m.

Only $26.99! All you can eat snow crab legs are back at Mad Rose Tavern. The best deal in town gets better together with the best happy hour in Clarendon. Crabs start being served at 5 p.m. sharp. The event ends at 9 p.m.

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Saffron Dance Summer Open House*
Saffron Dance (3260 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

FREE world dance and fitness classes in the heart of Clarendon. Burn calories, build confidence, make new friends, and have fun! Classes include Belly Dance Technique, Samba Heat Cardio and Shimmy Shakedown Cardio.

 Thursday

Clarendon_Launch_Facebook_2MakeOffices Clarendon Launch Party*
MakeOffices Clarendon (3100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 200)
Time: 6-10 p.m.

Come celebrate the official opening of MakeOffices Clarendon, Arlington’s new premier coworking community, with a “can’t miss” launch party. Enjoy tasty cocktails and drinks, indulge in food from local hotspots, and rock out to a live band.

Saturday

Paddle-Potomac-Paddle-ShenandoahPaddle for Clean Water
Key Bridge Boathouse (3500 Water Street NW)
Time: 8 a.m.

Supporters of Potomac Riverkeeper Network will paddle over (and around) Roosevelt Island to show support for a clean, healthy Potomac. This is part of a week and a half of paddle events up and down the Potomac.

1904145_483632201770805_3618278161214588844_nEagles Academy High School Program*
Bluemont Park (400 N Manchester Street)
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Introduction to Australian football for high school aged players. Free program provides an opportunity for high school players to train and play with the Baltimore Washington Eagles Australian Rules Football Club.

Columbia Pike Blues Festival 2012Columbia Pike Blues Festival 
2903 Columbia Pike
Time: 1-8:30 p.m.

The 21st annual festival on the Pike will have music, local food, and arts and crafts vendors. Community groups and local businesses will be in attendance. There will also be activities for kids. Admission is free.

Sunday

CW_FATHERSDAY_2016-6

Father’s Day at Copperwood Tavern*
Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Ave)
Time: 9:00 a.m.-9 p.m.

Join us on Father’s Day for a meal your dad will be talking about for years to come. On Father’s Day, all fathers will recieve complimentary venison jerky, a gift card, and our famous Copperwood spice rub!

ZERO4

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Capitol Area*
Pentagon Row Courtyard (1101 S. Joyce Street)
Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

The ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk features a 5K run/walk, 1 mile walk, 200 yard Kids Superhero Dash for Dad, and virtual Snooze for Dudes program. The funds raised from the event are invested around the country to provide research for new treatments, free prostate cancer testing, and educate men and families about prostate cancer.

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TechShop Waterjet Destroyer Challenge Night*
TechShop Arlington (2100 Crystal Drive)

In honor of the many veterans who helped launch TechShop Arlington by becoming our first members, TechShop will host its first Waterjet Destroyer competition. Set on our high-powered waterjet cutter, TechShop DCA will battle another shop in the ultimate game of Battleship. This event is open to members and nonmembers. General registration is free.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Air Force Association Cycling Classic Returns This Weekend, Will Honor Fallen Cyclist

By Adrian Cruz

Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal Cup (file photo)This weekend, over 2,000 cyclists will gather in Arlington for the annual Air Force Association Cycling Classic.

The Cycling Classic will hold races for all levels of cyclists ranging from amateurs to elite.

The first day will take place in Clarendon and the second will take place in Crystal City. On Sunday, before the normal slate of races and rides, the event will honor the memory of a fellow cyclist and race competitor.

A ceremony will be held Sunday morning to honor former Navy SEAL and two-time Challenge Ride gold medalist Tim Holden, who was killed last summer after being hit by a car while riding his bike in Bethesda. A special presentation will be made to Holden’s wife, Pam, as part of the ceremony.

The weekend’s schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 11 (Clarendon)
  • 8:00 a.m. – Amateur Races
  • 10:05 a.m. – Women’s Elite Pro Race
  • 11:35 a.m. – Kid’s Race
  • 12:00 p.m. – Men’s Pro Race 
Sunday, June 12 (Crystal City)
  • 6:45 a.m. – Coin Ceremony for Tim Holden
  • 7:00 a.m. – Challenge Ride
  • 10:20 a.m.  – Men’s Pro Race
  • 12:25 p.m. – Kid’s Race
  • 12:35 p.m. – Women’s Elite Race

File photo

Rescheduled ‘Bark in the Park’ Taking Place This Weekend

By Jackie Friedman

dogs

The second annual Bark in the Park event will be taking place this Sunday, June 12, after being rescheduled due to anticipated storms last weekend.

The free event will be taking place at the James Hunter Dog Park, also known as the Clarendon dog park, from 3-6 p.m.

The event will feature live music by Americana group Caroline Ferrante and the Whole Magilla, bites from the Smoking Kow BBQ food truck, and plenty of activities and goodies for human children and four-legged “kids” alike. Dog exhibitors will also be on hand to answer any pet related questions.

The Clarendon Alliance and Clarendon Animal Care (an ARLnow columnist) are sponsoring the event.

There is still time to enter the event’s first annual “Cutest Pooch Contest.” Dog owners can upload a photo of their pup, while any animal lover can vote for their favorites. The winning entry will receive pet- and owner-appropriate prizes.

UPDATED: Major League Quidditch Match NOT Coming to Arlington

By Jackie Friedman

Major League Quidditch screenshot (via mlquidditch.com)

Update at 4:30 p.m. on June 9 — The match has been moved to Fairfax County. It will now be taking place Saturday, June 11 from 3-6 p.m. at Phillips Programs (7010 Braddock Road) in Annandale, according to the league.

Update at 1 p.m. on June 9 — It seems that Major League Quidditch may need a magic wand to make its Arlington match happen this weekend. Originally set to take place at Tuckahoe Park, organizers then switched the venue to Thomas Jefferson Middle School. But that location is also in doubt.

From an Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman:

Not sure about how they thought they’d play in Tuckahoe Park, which is under construction. But we got a request to use the public field at Thomas Jefferson Monday night. We let them know that field is for drop play and can’t be reserved. And with this short notice (and with all the makeup games dues to the rain last month), we don’t have a field for them. They didn’t respond back to us so I’m not clear what their plans are. I guess they will work some magic?

From Major League Quidditch’s Amanda Dallas:

We’re working on securing a field at a school in Annandale… We’re just double-checking the field is the right size. Usually our scheduling isn’t this chaotic.

(Updated at 1:15 p.m. on June 8) An athletic competition, inspired by novels about a young wizard, is coming to Arlington this weekend.

The Washington Admirals, the D.C. area’s local quidditch team, will play the Ottawa Black Bears on Saturday, June 11 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.). Tickets are free and all ages are encouraged to attend.

According to the team roster, the Admirals consist of 28 players and a head coach. The team competes in Major League Quidditch, a national league with a regular season that runs from June 1 to August 30. Sixteen teams are divided up in four geographic divisions — North, South, East and West.

Quidditch, for those who are unfamiliar with the sport invented by author J.K. Rowling and featured in her Harry Potter novels (and movies), is described as a competitive, co-ed and semi-contact sport that’s a mixture of dodgeball, rugby and tag. Major League Quidditch rules call for teams of a half dozen players running around a field with brooms between their legs, trying to score points on a field utilizing a series of balls and hoops.

Quidditch is played by “thousands of athletes all over the world,” according to a CBS News profile of the sport that aired in April.

Arlington Agenda: June 6-12

By Jackie Friedman

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

BeeKeeping

Bee Keeping*
Aurora Hills Branch Library (735 18th Street S.)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Find out what the buzz is about and help save the honeybees! Learn all about bee keeping with the nonprofit Northern Virginia Beekeepers Association. This event is free to attend. For more information call 703-228-5715.

Ted_LOGO

TED Talk Viewing and Discussion: Jane McGonigal
Shirlington Branch Library (4200 Campbell Ave)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.

Attend a viewing and discussion of the TED Talk “Gaming Can Make a Better World” by game designer Jane McGonigal. Ms. McGonigal asks: What if we could harness this gamer power to solve real-world problems?

Wednesday

Marymount University logoAre 21st Century Communications Tools in Arlington Better or Worse*
Marymount Univ. Gerald Phelan Hall (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Print media is no longer king. We receive more and more of our information through technology and on a 24/7 basis. How are these changes impacting timeliness and quality of the information we receive? The Arlington Committee of 100 will hear from representatives of RestonNow.com, Nextdoor.com, the Washington Post and Arlington County. The event is free and open to the public.

Thursday

mf Shirlala Music Festival*
Shirlington Village (2700 S. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Village at Shirlington is hosting live music every Thursday evening through Labor Day. This week will feature a performance by urban folk rockers Justin Trawick and The Common Good.

Saturday

ballston area bike map

Arlington History Bike Tour*
Ballston Metro Station (4230 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bike for up to 23 miles at a leisurely pace for a tour of notable historic sites in Arlington. The all-day circuit includes stops in Clarendon, on Fort Myer and at the Abingdon Plantation historical site at National Airport. Sponsored by Center Hiking Club. $2 for nonmembers.

Sunday

MtOlivetOutdoor Summer Concert Series*
Mount Olivet UMC (1500 N. Glebe Rd)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring friends and family and a picnic to join your neighbors for a free outdoor summer concert series, each second Sunday evening of June, July, and August. Performing this Thursday are the Arlington Jazz Collective and Yorktown Jazz Band.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Arlington Agenda: May 30-June 5

By Jackie Friedman

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

krabLegs

All You Can Eat Snow Crab Leg Wednesdays*
Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 5-9 p.m.

Only $26.99! All you can eat snow crab legs are back at Mad Rose Tavern. The best deal in town gets better together with the best happy hour in Clarendon. Crabs start being served at 5 p.m. sharp. The event ends at 9 p.m.

Thursday

Gulf Branch Nature Center (Flickr pool photo by Cameron Manuel)Gulf Branch Nature Center Symposium: The Birth and Future of Arlington Parks
Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy St)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Presented in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Gulf Branch Nature Center, this symposium will feature a history of Gulf Branch Nature Center, an overview of the role of nature centers in Arlington’s parks, the future efforts and challenges that come with creating and protecting park land in an urbanized environment and more.

Saturday

Big-Bubbles-Pepin-2015-Straw-Fest-640x622-438-KB

Strawberry Festival*
Bethel United Church of Christ (4347 Arlington Blvd)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Attic Sale begins at 10 a.m. followed by strawberry desserts and ice cream, hot dogs and burgers, bake sale, kitten adoptions, kids games and face painting from 11 to 3 p.m.

CulpepperGarden_blue-ltrs-jpg

Culpepper Garden Springtime Party*
Culpepper Garden (4435 N. Pershing Drive)
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join Culpepper Garden to celebrate 41 years of providing affordable housing with services for very low income Arlington seniors at this annual fundraiser event. Culpepper Garden is a nonprofit affordable residential community in Arlington with 340 apartments for seniors aged 62 and older.

Sunday

1524374_932019596819741_8155686030801623728_o

Arlington Triathlon*
Washington Lee High School Aquatic Center (1301 N. Stafford St)
Time: 7:30-10:30 a.m.

The Arlington Triathlon is a swim-bike-run event for children ages 7-15 at Washington-Lee High School Aquatic Center. The race is part of the USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Region’s Youth Triathlon Series.

BarkInTheParkPoster_v3.2-1

Bark in the Park*
Clarendon Dog Park (1299 N. Herndon St)
Time: 3-6 p.m.

Join Clarendon Animal Care and Clarendon Alliance at the 2nd Annual Bark in the Park at James Hunter Dog Park (aka: Clarendon Dog Park). Live music from Caroline Herrera & The Whole Magilla, food from Smoking Kow BBQ, bounce house and balloons for the kids, and lots of goodies for the four-legged “kids!”

 

2016-Carnival-flyer

Community Carnival*
Cherrydale United Methodist Church (3701 Lorcom Lane)
Time: 4-7 p.m.

Games, food, prizes, cakewalks, a silent auction, and more! All proceeds support the Cherrydale United Methodist youth group’s mission trip – helping to make homes warmer, safer, and drier in the Christiansburg, Va. area. Free admission. Rain or shine.

AP-A-only

Crescendo Presents Romantic Russians
Barcroft Community House (800 S. Buchanan St)
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

Crescendo, the Youth Chamber Program of the Arlington Philharmonic, will present romantic movements by Russian composers Tchaikovski, Glazunov and Rimski-Korsakov. A reception with the musicians will be held after the concert.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Gulf Branch Nature Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary

By Adrian Cruz

Gulf Branch Nature Center (Flickr pool photo by Cameron Manuel)The Gulf Branch Nature Center at 3608 North Military Road will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with two events in June.

Both events will be free, with the first one taking place on Thursday, June 2 at Arlington Central Library and the second taking place at on Sunday, June 12 at the nature center.

The nature center released the following press release about the events:

On Thursday, June 2, starting at 7:00 p.m., a one-hour symposium will be held at the Arlington County Central Library on “Gulf Branch Nature Center: The Birth and Future of Arlington Parks.” Three speakers will be featured: Local author Charlie Clark, on how the creation of Gulf Branch in 1966 in response to the construction of Metro and I-66 sparked the move to protect parkland in Arlington; Jane Rudolph, director of Arlington County Parks and Recreation Department, who will review the status of park and green space in Arlington, and what they have on the drawing board; and Peter Harnik, Trust for Public Lands, on creating new parks in heavily urbanized areas.

On Sunday, June 12, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., a birthday party open to the public will be held at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 North Military Rd.; Arlington, VA 22207. The party will include live music, food and beverages, a special visit (in an antique car) by silent-movie icon Pola Negri (who once lived at the Gulf Branch house), live demonstrations of ironsmithing by the Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac, tours of the nature center’s Native American Room and log cabin, live raptors, and (of course) a birthday cake. This family-friendly event is sure to be a hit with kids!

These events are being sponsored with the assistance of the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Arlington County Central Library.

For more information, visit the county’s website for Gulf Branch Nature Center and the Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center website.

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