Events | ARLnow.com

Library and Emergency Management Team Up for Pet Preparedness Event

Published January 14, 2016 at 3:00PM

The Arlington Public Library and Arlington Office of Emergency Management are combing their resources and missions for a book talk and information session on pet preparedness next month.

The session will be held at the Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy Street on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 7-8:30 p.m.

It will involve both a book discussion focusing on the need for pet emergency preparedness across the country, as well as a talk about ways residents can train their pets in case of an emergency, such as unusual or extreme weather events.

The discussion will focus on Cathy Scott’s book “Pawprints of Katrina: Pets Saved and Lessons Learned.” It’s a journalistic account of the aftermath of the hurricane that hit Louisiana more than a decade ago, telling the stories of pets who were separated from their owners because of the storm. The book recounts the rescues of these pets as well as the reunions with their families.

After discussing the book and the issue, participants will receive safety advice and a free pet preparedness starter kit. The kit will include a collar strobe light, a collapsible food/water bowl and a waste bag dispenser.

Copies of the book will be available to borrow from the Central Library reference desk starting on Jan. 25.

Photo via Turner Publishing

Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade Planned for Early February

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 13, 2016 at 3:30PM

Pending good weather, floats, bands, horses and “critters in costumes” will march down Wilson Blvd during the 17th Annual Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade, scheduled for early February.

This year’s parade is planned for Fat Tuesday, which falls on Feb. 9. It will start at 7 p.m., traveling along Wilson from N. Barton Street to N. Irving Street. The deadline to register to participate is Feb. 1, and bead orders must be submitted by Jan. 25.

Snow has forced the family-friendly parade to be postponed to mid-March the last two years in a row, but this year the organizers — the non-profit Clarendon Alliance — have planned an additional event that’s not weather-dependent on the evening of the parade.

The first-ever Clarendon Mardi Gras Ball will be held from 7-11 p.m. at the Clarendon Ballroom at 3185 Wilson Blvd. The ball will have live performances from jazz ensembles the Yamomanem Jazz Band and the 8 Ohms Jazz Band. A ball king and queen will be announced between the bands’ sets.

Traditional Louisiana food will be served alongside wine, beer and punch. Ticket holders will get one free ticket upon entry. All other food and beverage sales will be cash only or from additionally purchased food and drink tickets.

Ball guests under the age of 21 are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets to the ball are now for sale online for $20 per person, and parade participants can get their tickets at a discounted rate. Proceeds from the tickets — beyond parade expenses — will benefit St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

Couture Fashion Show to Return to Crystal City Next Month

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 12, 2016 at 1:45PM

The annual Crystal Couture fashion show and sale is scheduled to return the first weekend of February for its eighth consecutive event.

This year’s show will be held from Feb. 4-6, taking place from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 2-10 p.m. on Saturday.

The “360 degree immersive shopping experience” will be held at the Crystal City shops at 1750 Crystal City Drive.

The event is a combined fashion show and fashion pop-up sale, bringing together upwards of 50 boutiques, designers and retailers from throughout the metro area. Shoppers will be able to purchase discounted merchandise from these vendors both off the rack and off the runway.

Attendees can also enjoy drinks from the bar, music, complimentary 5-minute makeovers — makeup and hair — and the opportunity to meet local fashion consultants.

While admission is free all three days of the show and sale, shoppers can upgrade to the “VIP Experience” for $20 per person. The experience will last from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 and will include gift bags, access to three hours of VIP shopping, an open bar and $20 of “Couture Cash” to spend at any retailer.

Applications for interested retailers, models and beauty team members are now being accepted in preparation for the event.

File photo

Arlington Agenda: Jan. 11-17

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 11, 2016 at 3:55PM | Updated January 11, 2016 at 4:14PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County and surrounding communities. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Tonight

Meditation Made Easy*
The Teal Center for Therapeutic Body Work (4001 N. 9th Street, Suite 230)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Designed for beginners, this class will teach easy techniques for practicing meditation through a discussion, lessons on techniques and time to practice them. The session costs $40 per person with registration available online.

Tuesday

PACE Informational Session
Arlington Chamber of Commerce (2009 14th Street N)
Time: 9-11 a.m.

The Chamber of Commerce Green Business Committee is hosting an information session about the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), a way to finance energy efficient and renewable energy upgrades to existing buildings. The session is free, but interested guests should register online.

Arlington Young Democrats State of the Union Watch Party
Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 7-10 p.m.

President Obama will give his final State of the Union address as AYD hosts a watch party at Mad Rose Tavern. There will be bingo with prizes for the winners, as well as food and drinks available for purchase.

Cards Against Urbanity Game Night
Courthause Social (2300 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The parody card game is holding its second game night for the urban planning game. New, special cards dedicated to Arlington will be included in the night’s decks. This event is free, and interested players can sign up in advance online.

Wednesday

German High School Exchange Information Meeting
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Arlington students have an opportunity to visit Germany this summer through the Arlington-Aachen Sister School Exchange program. Students and parents are welcome to attend the meeting to learn about the program and what it will entail.

Thursday

AHS Presents: How the C&O Canal and W&OD Railroad Shaped Arlington
Marymount University (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

The Arlington Historical Society’s year of programming will begin with a lecture from Michael Nardolilli, telling the stories of both transportation corridors and their connections to Arlington’s history. The program is free and open to the public.

New Aurora Hills Readers Discussion Group
Aurora Hills Branch Library, Large Meeting Room (735 18th Street S.)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

A new monthly discussion group for the readers of the Aurora Hills Branch Library begins tonight with “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” by Katherine Boo. This group will regularly meet on Thursday nights and has selected books to discuss through the summer.

Friday

Tom Green Live
Arlington Drafthouse & Cinema (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Stand-up comedian Tom Green returns to the Drafthouse for four performances this Friday and Saturday. He’s most known for MTV’s “The Tom Green Show” and has appeared on several late night television shows, including hosting Saturday Night Live. Tickets are $25.

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Annual Martin Luther King Tribute Scheduled for This Sunday

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 11, 2016 at 11:05AM

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Event will return to Arlington this weekend in preparation for the federal holiday next Monday.

The 47th annual tribute is scheduled for this Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Wakefield High School Auditorium at 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street.

Hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, this year’s tribute is called Freedom: America’s Goal, Our Destiny. It will be a celebration with a variety of live music, spoken word and dance performances.

The performances were produced and directed by inspirational arts programmer Nolan Williams, Jr. The featured work will be performed by BET Sunday Best Allstars finalist Clifton Ross, the NEWorks Freedom Dancers and students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Jacquie Gales Webb from WHUR Sunday Afternoon will emcee.

The tribute also includes a food drive for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Guests who’d like to contribute can bring nonperishable food items to the event. Community groups can also register in advance to organize a collection of their own that will end on Sunday night. The group that collects the most donations will be recognized for their contribution during the performances.

The tribute is free, open to the public and does not require any registration in advance.

Photo via Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation

Crystal City Sports Pub to Host Unconventional Yoga Night

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 11, 2016 at 10:15AM | Updated January 11, 2016 at 10:47AM

Avid sports fans probably think of their go-to watering hole as the last place they would go to practice yoga, but one Crystal City hangout is hosting an event that might change that.

Crystal City Sports Pub at 529 23rd Street S. is holding a yoga night followed by a round of drinks on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.

The event — dubbed “Detox & Retox” — will give guests a chance to unwind during a fitness class before reverting back to what people normally go to bars for.

The class will be vinyasa for all levels. Vinyasa is a type of yoga that focuses on connecting movements and breathing as class members transition from one pose to the next. After the class is over, participants can sip on a draft pint or glass of house wine, their choice.

The event is B.Y.O.M. — bring your own mat.

Space for the class is limited, so interested participants can register online to reserve their spot. The cost of the class is $15 and will be accepted at the door, cash only. The fee includes class participation and one after-exercise drink.

Photo via Facebook

‘Cheesehead’ Pep Rally with Packers Notables Coming to Clarendon this Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2016 at 3:30PM

They may be in enemy territory, but “cheeseheads” from the D.C. area and around the country will be showing their Packers pride in Clarendon this weekend.

A pre-gameday pep rally will be taking place at Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street) this Saturday at 6 p.m. The free event is being hosted by Packers Everywhere, an organization that unites Packers fans in locales far from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy will greet fans as they arrive, as well as participate in a question-and-answer session with radio sportscaster and “voice of the Packers” Wayne Larrivee.

Larrivee will also facilitate a discussion between former players Nick Collins and Nick Barnett about Sunday’s matchup with the hometown Washington Redskins. Finally, Packers.com bloggers Vic Ketchman and Mike Spofford will preview the game and give their predictions.

Food and drink will be available for purchase — and yes, Miller Lite, the official beer of the Packers, is on tap. There will also be several fan giveaways.

The pep rally is a precursor to Sunday’s wild card playoff game against the Redskins, which kicks off at 4:40 p.m. on Fox.

D.C. Political Comedy Troupe to Perform at Yorktown for Fundraiser

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 5, 2016 at 12:00PM | Updated January 5, 2016 at 1:28PM

A D.C.-based comedy troupe known for “putting the mock in democracy” is coming to an Arlington high school this month to support local theater.

The Capitol Steps will perform at Yorktown High School on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 7-9 p.m. The ensemble was formed by a group of Senate Staffers and has been performing their comedy — which combines both musical and political elements — for more than 30 years.

The troupe will perform songs from their latest album entitled Mock the Vote at the show. Together, the performers in the group have worked in 18 Congressional offices and have a combined 62 years of experience in the Senate and House.

General admission tickets are $35 per person. There will also be a pre-show cafe from 6-6:50 p.m. that requires separate tickets for $10 apiece. Both are available for purchase online.

A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales will support the Yorktown Theatre Arts Program.

Photo via Yorktown High School Theatre Arts

Arlington Agenda Jan. 4-10

By Jennifer Currier

Published January 5, 2016 at 6:00AM | Updated January 10, 2016 at 3:41PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County and surrounding communities. 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 Mill Pop-Up Library
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Arlington Mill Community Center will host library pop-up hours every Tuesday and Thursday during the month of January. Visitors can check out books and DVDs, get a library card or get technology help.

Happy Holidays! Here’s Your New Tech Device…Now What?
Aurora Hills Branch Library (735 18th Street S.)
Time: 2-4 p.m.

An open house at the Aurora Hills Library is designed to help residents set up their new device from the holidays, including smartphones, tablets and digital cameras.

Wednesday

Red Cross Blood Drive
Westover Branch Library (1644 N. McKinley Road #3)
Time: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Red Cross is holding a blood drive this Wednesday. Interested donors can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org using sponsor code “Westover Library” to schedule an appointment. Drop-ins are also welcome.

Friday

“Winter Light” Opening Reception
Gallery Underground (2100 Crystal Drive/Crystal City Shops)
Time: 5-7 p.m.

The group exhibition of work celebrating winter will run through Jan. 30 in the Focus Gallery. Guests can meet the artists and enjoy refreshments at the reception. The gallery is also featuring the work of watercolorist Lauren Marcott this month.

Snow White
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S. Old Glebe Road)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Encore Stage and Studio presents a musical adaptation of “Snow White.” Eight performances are scheduled over the next two weekends. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, seniors and military members, available online.

Saturday

As You Like It
Synetic Theater (1800 S. Bell Street)
Time: 8 p.m.

The theater’s 12th silent adaptation of a Shakespeare classic is preparing to end its five and a half week run. The show tells the story of cousins who must leave their lives of luxury, without dialogue. Tickets start at $40 and are available online. The show is recommended for audiences ages 13 and older.

Sunday

Arlington Philharmonic: Ritmos Festivos*
Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 3-5 p.m.

Continuing its 10th season, the Arlington Philharmonic presents Ritmos Festivos. The free, family-friendly concert will feature classical music with Spanish influences. The concert is part of the professional, non-profit orchestra’s anniversary celebration.

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Arlington Agenda Dec. 28-Jan. 3

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 28, 2015 at 12:15PM | Updated January 4, 2016 at 12:55PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County and surrounding communities. 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

Winter Break Film Series: “Despicable Me”
Shirlington Branch Library (4200 Campbell Ave)
Time: 2 p.m.

This winter break, students and families can go to the Shirlington Library for one, two or all three movie screenings at 2 p.m. each day. Tuesday’s movie is “Despicable Me,” Wednesday’s is “Despicable Me 2,” and Thursday’s is “Minions.” All screenings are free, open to the public and are approximately 90 minutes long.

Thursday

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at Twisted Vines*
Twisted Vines Bistro & Bottleshop (2803 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7 p.m.-2 a.m.

Twisted Vines is hosting a New Years dinner and countdown party to ring in 2016. A four-course, fixed price dinner will be served from 7-9 p.m. with wine pairings. The countdown party will begin at 9:30 with appetizers, desserts and drink specials. Tickets are $75 per person for the party and $125 for both dinner and the party, available online.

2016 Mad Rose Tavern’s New Year’s Eve MADsquerade Ball*
Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Tickets to the annual masquerade party at Mad Rose Tavern are still available online but are selling quickly. Guests will get VIP entry, drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, party accessories like horns and hats, and access to a live viewing of the Times Square Ball Drop. Masquerade masks will also be available for attendees who don’t bring their own. Admission starts at $40.

Marble & Rye New Year’s Eve Party
Marble & Rye (2501 Columbia Pike)
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Guests at this New Year’s party are asked to “dress to impress” to help ring in 2016. The party will feature a special late night menu, music, party favors and a toast at midnight. Tickets are $45 in advance. They are available online and include six drink tickets.

Friday

PIFF the Magic Dragon Live
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 10 p.m.

This America’s Got Talent finalist and comedian will perform four times this Friday and Saturday. The early, family-friendly shows are sold out, but tickets for the later performances both nights are available online for $20 each.

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#Arlington Agenda

ARLnow to Host Panel Discussion on Arlington’s Restaurant Industry

By ARLnow.com

Published December 21, 2015 at 3:50PM | Updated December 22, 2015 at 3:44PM

ARLnow.com often reports on the opening and closing of restaurants in Arlington. Such articles are among the most consistently well-read on the site, which can probably at least partially be attributed to the growth of foodie culture.

At a time when chefs are the new rock stars, what does it take to run a successful local restaurant? What makes one restaurant thrive while others down the block struggle? What is it like to run a restaurant in Arlington and how to local government policies help or hinder local establishments?

We will attempt to answer those and other questions you might have about the local restaurant industry at the first of a series of events ARLnow.com is holding in 2016.

The event is will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at A-Town Bar & Grill (4100 Fairfax Drive). It will be hosted by local media personality Sarah Fraser.

Panelists include some of the brightest stars of Arlington’s restaurant scene: Tim Ma of Water & Wall, Mark Fedorchak of Liberty Tavern, Scott Parker of A-Town Bar & Grill, Mikala Brennan of Hula Girl and Javier Candon of SER.

This event is FREE for all. You can see if your friends are going on Facebook. ~~A limited number of reserved seats are available for those who book through Eventbrite.~~ (Update on 12/22: The reserved seats are sold out.)

The program — a panel discussion discussion followed by an audience Q&A session — will start at 6:30 p.m.