Events | ARLnow.com

Testicle Festival Returns to Va. Square Next Month

Published April 29, 2016 at 12:15PM

The ever-popular Montana State Society Testicle Festival is only two weeks away.

Now in its 12th year, the festival is taking place from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. As usual, it’s being held at the American Legion hall at 3445 Washington Blvd, in Virginia Square.

The event is, of course, all about the all-you-can-eat Rocky Mountain Oysters, but for those who aren’t fans of “swinging beef” — also known as “cowboy caviar” or “Montana tendergroins” — there are other options thanks to food trucks that will be parked behind the hall. And then there’s the beer and Crown Royal.

Here’s how the pun masters at the Montana State Society are promoting their big day.

You’d be NUTS to miss this! The Montana State Society would like to invite you to have a ball (literally!) at the 12th annual D.C. Testy Fest – “Members Only” – to be held from 6:00PM – 11:00PM on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 at the Arlington American Legion.

Last year over 600 people flocked to the event to enjoy live music provided by the Wil Gravatt Band and graze on all-you-can-eat Rocky Mountain Oysters! Thirsty? Wash them down with a limitless supply of Crown Royal (A.K.A liquid courage) & beer – all for the bargain price of $25 bucks! While the theme this year is “Members Only,” all are welcome at this great event.

Our Rocky Mountain Oysters are prepared by legendary chef Frank McGraw, and shipped fresh from the Rock Creek Lodge in Western Montana. Not your ‘bag’? Don’t worry baby! We will have food trucks there selling delicious grub. Get there early, the first guests will also get a T-Shirt to forever memorialize the event.

What: 12th Annual DC Testicle Festival “Members Only”
When: Saturday, May 14th 2016, 6:00PM – 11:00PM
Where: Arlington American Legion, 3445 N. Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA (metro accessible via Virginia Square or Clarendon stations)
TICKETS: $25 online OR $30 at the door. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2540264
**MUST BE 21+ years of age!

Prepare to go Ballistic! For more information and to see all of your friends who are attending please visit our Facebook page for the event! https://www.facebook.com/events/104383383301895

Pierre Garçon Holding NFL Draft Party Tonight in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published April 28, 2016 at 3:15PM

Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon will be holding an NFL Draft day party tonight in Rosslyn at his pizza restaurant, SpinFire.

“Garçon and his teammates will help welcome in the new class of professional players with a watch party for football fans and pizza aficionados alike,” according to a press release (below).

The event is free and open to the public, and will feature a $20.16 pizza and wing special.

The event is taking place starting at 6 p.m. at SpinFire, which is located at 1501 Wilson Blvd.

Wide receiver Pierre Garçon will celebrate the 2016 Draft Day with a special party at SpinFire Pizza’s Rosslyn location on April 28 at 6 p.m.

Garçon and his teammates will help welcome in the new class of professional players with a watch party for football fans and pizza aficionados alike.

SpinFire, which Garçon founded with his business partner Paisano’s Pizza founder Fouad Qreitem, will offer partygoers a $20.16 special which includes one large pizza and eight wings.

Guests can also try SpinFire’s seven delicious new menu items, including buffalo and barbecue chicken wings, garlic breadsticks and signature SpinFire salads, including The Greek, which features romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, green peppers, banana peppers, kalamata olives and feta cheese and The Spinach Salad, topped with roasted red peppers, goat cheese, candied pecans and dressed with balsamic vinaigrette.

SpinFire, with locations in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood and Ashburn, Va., specializes in made-to-order individual pizzas, gourmet salads and hearty calzones, all freshly served in 90 seconds.

‘Beliebers’ to Flock to A-Town for Bieber Bash Friday

By Tim Regan

Published April 27, 2016 at 5:30PM

If you’re not a true “Belieber,” you might want to steer clear of A-Town in Ballston this Friday night.

The bar and grill at 4100 Fairfax Dr. will host parties before and after Justin Bieber takes the stage at the Verizon Center that night.

“Join us for happy hour to pregame for the show or come back after as we’ll be rocking to Bieber beats and asking what you mean both times,” reads a Facebook page for the event. “We’ll be kicking things off at 5:00pm for happy hour. Hope to see all our fellow Beliebers before or after the concert!”

Steer clear of A-Town Friday April 29 to avoid Beliebers https://t.co/O8cRAam4LP

— Clarendon Nights (@clarendonnights) April 21, 2016

More than 75 Bieber fans have already RSVPed for the event.

Photo via Twitter / Justin Bieber

#Ballston

Greek Easter Festival Kicks Off at Ballston Kapnos Taverna Sunday

By Tim Regan

Published April 27, 2016 at 4:25PM

Celebrity chef Mike Isabella will host a Greek Orthodox Easter festival at Kapnos Taverna (4000 Wilson Blvd.) this weekend.

Patrons will celebrate the holiday with “spit-roasted meats, homemade spreads and flatbread, live Greek music, [and] Greek wine,” according to an event listing.

“Easter is one of the most important events on the Greek Orthodox calendar, and this year Kapnos Taverna is hosting our first annual Greek festival in honor of the holiday on Sunday, May 1,” the listing reads.

The festival starts on the Kapnos patio at noon. Tickets cost $70.

Arlington Agenda: April 26-May 1

By ARLnow.com

Published April 26, 2016 at 4:05PM | Updated April 27, 2016 at 8:48AM

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

Fundraiser to Support Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Cafe Pizzaiolo (2800 S. Randolph Street)
Time: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

A fundraiser is being held for Jack Creedon, an 11-year-old boy from Alexandria who was diagnosed with “very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia” in November. Mention the fundraiser and Cafe Pizzaiolo will donate 15 percent of the sale.

ARLnow Presents: Hot Topics on the Pike
Celtic House Irish Pub (2500 Columbia Pike)
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Development, affordable housing, school crowding, Metro’s woes, the future of Columbia Pike. Those are just a few of the Arlington issues we’ll discuss with our opinion columnists and a number of notable local leaders. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Doorways for Women and Families.

Thursday

Program on Arlington’s Civil War History
Aurora Hills Branch Library (735 18th Street S.)
Time: 2-3 p.m.

Warren Nelson, Chairman of the Arlington County Board’s Civil War sesquicentennial observance, will offer insight into Arlington’s role in the Civil War. Learn about this fascinating history, and see pictures of your own backyard from years gone by.

Friday

Musical: The Addams Family
Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

The first of four performances of The Addams Family musical. Tickets are $10 at the door. Synopsis: “Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday Addams’ ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents.”

Live Comedy: Nick DiPaolo
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10 p.m.

“In this day of watered down comedy Nick DiPaolo’s brutally honest performances remind us of what great stand up should be funny, socially relevant and a little bit reckless.” Tickets are $25. Two additional performances are planned for Saturday night.

Saturday

Arlington Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast*
Clarendon United Methodist Church (606 N. Irving Street)
Time: 8 a.m.-Noon

A “fun-filled morning sponsored by the Arlington Kiwanis Club,” including pancakes, a moon bounce, raffles and more.

Spring Fling and Kids’ Sale*
Children’s Weekday Program (716 S. Glebe Road)
Time: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Inside will be gently used children’s clothing, gear, toys, and household items for sale at below-consignment prices. Outside, families will enjoy kid activities including a bounce house, face painting, active games, refreshments and more.

Mid-Atlantic Spring Beer Festival
Village at Shirlington (2700 S. Quincy Street)
Time: Noon-7 p.m.

This springtime beer-tasting event will include a line-up of 35 regional breweries. Admission for beer drinkers is $30, which includes a wristband, official tasting glass and 10 drink tickets. The event is free for non-drinkers and children.

Jr. NBA Skills Challenge
Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: Noon-4 p.m.

A local competition for the national basketball skills challenge. Registration is $20.

Go Gaga for Green
GMU Founders Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 5-8 p.m.

Go Gaga for Green is a family-friendly, community-wide gathering to celebrate Earth Day and benefit three special programs. The event includes food, fun and live entertainment including a lip sync battle. Additionally, the nominees and winners of the Arlington Green Patriot Award will be announced.

Sunday

5K AVM Awareness bRUNch*
Gravely Point Park
Time: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Join Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) survivor Bridget Falcone for her 10-year anniversary celebration – the 5K AVM Awareness bRUNch. Part awareness run/walk, part brunch festivities, this fundraising event is not to be missed.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

#Arlington Agenda

ACPD to Hold Community Forum Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Published April 19, 2016 at 12:00PM

The Arlington County Police Department is holding a community law enforcement forum on Wednesday (April 20).

The forum is being held at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (125 S. Old Glebe Road) from 7-9 p.m. and will be moderated by WJLA reporter Jennifer Donelan.

The police department says the forum is intended to focus “on the community’s trust and confidence in Arlington’s criminal justice agencies.”

“Safe communities are built on strong relationships among law enforcement officers and the communities they serve,” the police department said. The event will feature a panel discussion, followed by an open question and answer session with audience members.

“This is the public’s opportunity to ask local officials and community activists about issues affecting Arlington County and to learn how we can work together to maintain a safe community,” said police.

Panel members include Arlington police chief Jay Farr, Sheriff Beth Arthur, Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos, public defender Matthew Foley, local NAACP vice president Julius Spain and community activist Andres Tobar.

At an ACPD community forum in 2014, activists called for the hiring of more Latino police officers, while a couple vocal residents decried alleged police profiling and harassment. One of the attendees who spoke out against police profiling was arrested a week later for stripping naked and doing pushups in the middle of the street in Nauck.

Spanish translators will be available at the event, according to ACPD.

Arlington Agenda: April 18-24

By ARLnow.com

Published April 18, 2016 at 3:35PM

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

Home Buyer Seminar*
Optime Realty (1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101)
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Our team is hosting a Home Buying Seminar on April 18 at our Rosslyn office. We will have specialists on hand (including lenders and buyer agents) to give you an overview of the buying process. The event is totally free.

Tuesday

Money 101
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Have an eye-opening tax day? Consider participating in a three-class money management series for young professionals. Learn about salary negotiation, financial basics, student loan debt repayment and investing for your goals.

Wednesday

Super Tuscan Wine Dinner*
Osteria da Nino (2900 S. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Wine pairing dinner, featuring wines and dishes from the Tuscany region of Italy, with the Mazzei Winery. Five courses and five wines. Speaking at the event will be Sig. Giovanni Mazzei. For reservations please call 703-820-1128.

Thursday

Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Softball Game
Greenbrier Park (2700 N. Greenbrier Street)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Yorktown Patriots softball team takes on the W&L Generals at Yorktown High School April 21 in its annual PINK OUT game to raise awareness about breast cancer and support the Sharon McGowan Breast Health Fund.

Arlington Rotary Fundraiser Banquet*
China Garden (1100 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.

A fundraiser to benefit the Arlington Rotary Education Foundation. The cost is $50 per person. The evening’s program includes a silent auction and scholarship awards. To reserve your seat at the banquet, call 703-625-6638.

Friday

Live Standup Comedy: Michelle Wolf
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10 p.m.

Michelle Wolf, writing supervisor and occasional performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers, performs live standup comedy at the Drafthouse. Tickets are $25. Wolf will also be performing on Saturday night.

Sunday

Chausson Concerto: French Music for Piano and Strings*
Clarendon United Methodist Church (606 N. Irving Street)
Time: 3-5 p.m.

IBIS Chamber Music performs a program of French music for piano and strings. The gorgeous Ravel string quartet will open the program. The second half will contain a rare work by Chausson, accompanied by string quartet.

2016 Twisted Vines Spring Rosé Slam!*
Twisted Vines Bistro & Bottleshop (2803 Columbia Pike)
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

A walk-around tasting party featuring 16 open bottles of rosé and an assortment of passed appetizers. Wines include sparkling, still, Virginian, French, Californian, Spanish, Austrian, Oregonian, Macedonian, Georgian, and the list goes on!

Film Screening: An Act of Love
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (1500 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9:15 p.m.

This award-winning documentary tells the stories of the Rev. Frank Schaefer and other Methodist pastors who have fought for LGBTQ inclusion in the United Methodist Church. Rev. Schaefer had his ministerial credentials revoked in December 2013 after officiating his son’s same-sex wedding.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

#Arlington Agenda

Registration Open for Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K

By ARLnow.com

Published April 14, 2016 at 11:45AM

It’s five months away, but registration is open for the annual Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K.

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, this year the race is raising funds for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Early bird registration, through June 6, is $35. It’s $40 after that.

The race will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10 in the Pentagon City area. It is limited to 5,000 runners.

“Since its inception, the Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial Race has had over 30,000 runners cross its finish line and has raised over $500,000 for 9/11-related charities,” notes the race website.

Race organizers are also helping to promote a race this weekend in Alexandria.

The Run for 32 is being held at Cameron Run Regional Park (4001 Eisenhower Avenue) on Saturday, April 16. Held in remembrance of the victims of the 2007 Virginia Tech school shooting, the race helps to raise money for the Koshka Foundation, which was founded by one of the shooting’s most critically injured survivors.

Arlington Agenda: April 11-17

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2016 at 12:30PM

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.

Tuesday

Conversations with Tyler: A Conversation with Camille Paglia*
George Mason University Arlington (3351 Fairfax Drive, 4th Floor)
Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Cultural critic, intellectual provocateur and feminist icon Camille Paglia will join Tyler Cowen for a wide-ranging discussion. Paglia, one of the world’s great polymaths, will engage Cowen on topics from Edmund Spenser to the Rolling Stones to Carly Fiorina.

Wednesday

NextGenNow Gives Back Spring Social*
Lyon Hall (3100 Washington Boulevard)
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Join NextGenNow young professionals at the NGN Gives Back Spring Social! Each year the NextGenNow initiative selects an area of focus for their grant-giving activity. This year NGN will focut on physical, mental and/or emotional health.

Thursday

Live Comedy: Jim Breuer
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Former Saturday Night Live cast member Jim Breuer, the famed “Goat Boy,” will perform live standup comedy at the Drafthouse Thursday and Friday night at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are available online for $35.

Friday

Fancy Pants NOVA Spring Sale*
The Falls Church Episcopal (115 E. Fairfax Street)
Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Don’t miss the largest selection of new and gently used boutique kids clothing, sizes 0-10. You’ll find brands like: Anavini, Bella Bliss, Crewcuts, Funtasia Too, Lilly Pulitzer, Oscar de la Renta, Mini Boden, Shrimp and Grits, Vineyard Vines and more!

Twentieth Anniversary Celebration
Rhodeside Grill (1836 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Rhodeside Grill celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party that will rage from happy hour to closing time. Original happy hour prices offered from 4-7 p.m. Original appetizers back on the menu. Live music all night.

Saturday

Home Buyer Seminar*
Optime Realty (1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 101)
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Our team is hosting two Home Buying Seminar events on April 16 and 18 at our Rosslyn office. We will have specialists on hand (including lenders and buyer agents) to give you an overview of the buying process. The event is totally free.

Fourth Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts
North Highland Street & Washington Blvd in Clarendon
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy a weekend of true visual inspiration in Clarendon, as over 100 artists will showcase their works including glass, mixed media, paintings, jewelry and pottery, providing all sorts of opportunities to appreciate and purchase art. The festival continues on Sunday.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Check Out Arlington’s Poetry Booth This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published April 8, 2016 at 3:55PM

April is National Poetry Month and Arlington has a number of activities planned to help promote poetry and the literary arts. Two are taking place this Sunday, April 10.

First, a Peanuts-like poetry booth (left) will be set up at the Columbia Pike farmers market starting at 10 a.m. A local poet will offer a free poem or literary advice to anyone who asks. The booth will also be set up at the market the following Sunday.

Other poets will staff the booth at the Shirlington Branch Library on Thursday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m., and at the Westover library at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 21 and 28.

Also taking place Sunday is a free poetry reading by the six winners of Arlington’s 16th annual Moving Words poetry competition. That’s scheduled for 4 p.m. at Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd).

Arlington County announced earlier this week that it’s accepting applications in an effort to select the county’s first poet laureate.

#arts

Arlington Festival of the Arts Returns Next Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published April 7, 2016 at 4:45PM

The Arlington Festival of the Arts is returning for to Clarendon next weekend.

The annual event, now in its fourth year, will take place at the corner of N. Highland Street and Washington Blvd from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 16-17.

“Enjoy a weekend of true visual inspiration, as over 100 artists will showcase their works including glass, mixed media, paintings, jewelry, and pottery; providing all sorts of opportunities to appreciate and purchase art,” organizers wrote on the event website.

Admission is free.