Events | ARLnow.com

Arlington Agenda Dec. 21-27

Published December 21, 2015 at 3:25PM | Updated December 28, 2015 at 9:54AM

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

Laughter Yoga
Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

After a 15-minute overview about how laughter yoga works, a volunteer instructor will lead a 45-minute class with exercises using breathing, clapping and movement. The class is free and open to the public.

Tuesday

Cocoa and Carolers at Crystal City Lights
The Park (2121 Crystal Drive)
Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

The Clear Harmonies Carolers will sing near the 25-foot LED chandelier that’s lighting up Crystal City through the holidays. Hot chocolate will be served as carolers sing and illuminate the interactive light display.

Christmas with Nova Y. Payton and Friends
Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Avenue)
Time: 8:30 p.m.

A holiday cabaret featuring Nova Y. Payton with a chorus and band. Payton is known for her roles in the musical movies “Dreamgirls” and “Hairspray.” Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., and at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Friday

Merry Christmas!

Sunday

Free Tasting at Arrowine*
Arrowine and Cheese (4508 Lee Highway)
Time: 1-4 p.m.

Just in time for New Year’s Eve, this champagne and wine tasting event is open and free to those 21 and older. Beverages for tasting come from around the world. Attendees are asked to register by emailing [email protected].

Strategy Gaming Night
Shirlington Branch Library (4200 Campbell Avenue)
Time: 6-9 p.m.

The library is hosting the last strategy game night of the year. Play games like “Settlers of Catan” and “Dominion” for free. Starting in January, this game night will only be open to adults ages 18 and older.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

#Arlington Agenda

Shirlington Pool Hall to Host Female Comedian Showcase

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 18, 2015 at 10:45AM

Shirlington’s revived pool hall will highlight female comedians in a showcase event shortly after the new year.

Chester’s Billiards Bar & Grill at 2620 S. Shirlington Road is hosting the first Pink Friday Comedy Showcase on Jan. 22.

The showcase is advertised as a “Ladies First” comedy series at the restaurant and pool hall, which opened this fall in the former home of Lucy’s ARL, another pool hall that closed in 2013.

As the name suggests, the show is produced by women and will feature up-and-coming female comics in the greater metro area.

Hosted by D.C. Improv and Broadway Comedy Club alums Eryca Nolan and Alexx Starr, the lineup currently includes three comedians and additional, unnamed guest performers. However, the lineup is subject to change.

Tickets are available online for $10 (not including fees), but the first 25 people to reserve tickets will get them free.

On show night, doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show will start around 8:30.

Arlington Agenda Dec. 14-20

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 14, 2015 at 3:45PM

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.

Wednesday

55+ Holiday Sing-Along
Culpepper Garden Senior Center (4435 N. Pershing Drive)
Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Adults aged 55 and over are invited to a free gathering to sing holiday songs. Dee Bivens will play the piano to lead the group in song.

Youth Services Winter Open House
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 4-6 p.m.

Kids, teens and their families are invited to an open house and party for the library’s fifth annual winter open house. Guests can hear winter stories, make arts and crafts and enjoy complimentary snacks.

Friday

Suspicious Cheese Lords Christmas Concert
FORUM Arlington (3304 Washington Blvd)
Time: 7-10 p.m.

This male ensemble of singers will perform sacred and secular Christmas songs. Beer and wine will be served at a happy hour starting at 7, and the concert will begin at 8. Tickets start at $10 and are available online.

The Second City’s Holidazed & Confused Holiday Revue
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 & 10 p.m.

The Chicago-native sketch and improv comedy theater is starting its six-night special run at the Drafthouse. The group is known as a training place for famous comedians, including Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and Steve Carell. This weekend’s shows are Friday and Saturday night. Tickets are $30.

Saturday

Breakfast with Santa & Holiday Food Drive
Hilton Garden Inn at The Village at Shirlington (4271 Campbell Ave)
Time: 8-11 a.m.

The sixth annual breakfast asks guests to come with donations of non-perishable for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. They can enjoy the morning meal and meet Santa. Seating is limited, and reservations can be made by calling 703-820-0440.

Last Chance Holiday Bazaar
The Lyon Village Community House (1920 N. Highland Street)
Time: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Local vendors will gather to sell gifts, stocking stuffers, photography, jewelry, crafts, blown glass and art. Attendees are also encouraged to bring new or used coats and sweaters in medium and large sizes to be donated to shelter dogs in Virginia.

Clarendon Candy Cane Crawl
3100 Wilson Blvd
Time: 1-9 p.m.

Explore Clarendon’s bars during a winter and holiday-themed bar crawl. Participants get a refillable Santa mug, a raffle entry, access to bars and food and drink specials. Tickets are available online for $20 or are $30 at the door.

#Arlington Agenda

America’s Got Talent Finalist ‘Piff the Magic Dragon’ to Perform at Arlington Drafthouse

By Tim Regan

Published December 14, 2015 at 1:30PM

A man dressed as a green dragon will take the stage with a Chihuahua at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) next month.

That man is Piff the Magic Dragon and the Chihuahua is Mr. Piffles, his trusty sidekick. Together, the duo’s oddball blend of comedy and stage magic propelled them to the finals in the latest season of “America’s Got Talent.”

Fresh off of a six-month stint at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Piff and Piffles will perform four shows in two nights on Friday, Jan. 1 and Saturday, Jan. 2, with performances at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. each night. Tickets are $20.

Piff — who goes by the name John van der Put out of the costume — said he’s ready to show his audiences things they’ve likely never seen.

“Ever wanted to see a chihuahua escape from a straitjacket?” Piff said via e-mail. “Come to the show and cross that off the bucket list.”

Piff added that he’ll showcase some new tricks during his Arlington show, such as teaching his dog, Mr. Piffles, “how to punch a shark in the nose” and something from “the golden age of magic dragons.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfDxh5XzXsk

Photo by Virginia Sherwood/NBC

National Chamber Ensemble Holiday Concert to Return This Weekend

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 10, 2015 at 6:00PM

The annual National Chamber Ensemble Holiday Concert will return to the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre this Saturday for a tradition almost as old as the musical group itself.

This year’s concert is scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are available online and cost $17 for students, $33 for adults.

The ensemble was founded nine years ago by Leo Sushansky, who is also the group’s artistic director. The holiday concert has been a part of the performance schedule for eight of those nine years.

“I think it’s one of the most fun events of the season in Rosslyn,” Sushansky said. “It brings together classical masterpieces and holiday favorites in one program, for kids, for families, for everyone.”

This year’s program includes classical music from Beethoven and Chopin, as well as a piece from the overture of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, a special performance of “Oh, Holy Night,” a Hanukkah medley and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.”

Per tradition, the concert will end with a sing-a-long, led by performer and Washington Life Magazine performing arts columnist Patrick D. McCoy.

During the show, the chamber will also present the first ever Outstanding Young Artist Achievement Award to Avery Gagliano, a 13-year-old pianist and violinist from the metro area. She’ll be featured in a solo and will also play one song with the entire ensemble.

“She’s a prodigy and the winner of many competitions around the world,” Sushansky said about the young artist. “She’s very deserving of this award.”

Sushansky also said audiences can prepare themselves for more engaging experience than they might expect from a holiday concert.

“All our concerts are very interactive,” he said. “Musicians tell stories, jokes, and talk about personal experiences. Yes, you’ll get to hear some great music, but you’ll also get to know the artists.”

Audience members will have another opportunity to interact with the artists after the concert, as they’ll join a reception with wine, cheese and snacks following the show.

“We’re a society of internationally acclaimed musicians from the capital area, and we come together for chamber music,” Sushansky added. “We’re very excited to share this with the Arlington community again this year.”

Photo by Robert W. Jansen

Arlington Agenda Dec. 7-13

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 7, 2015 at 6:30PM | Updated December 14, 2015 at 12:47PM

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.

Wednesday

Clarendon Menorah Lighting and Community Celebration*
Clarendon Central Park (3140 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-7 p.m.

Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington is hosting this festival of lights gathering. A six-foot-tall menorah will be lit as guests eat hot potato latkes and snack on chocolate gelt. There will also be live music and dreidels. The lighting is free and open to the public.

Community Meeting: Ending Homelessness in Arlington
Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This annual meeting will address highlights from last year’s meeting and outline strategies moving forward to reduce homelessness. A special ceremony for outgoing County Board members Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada is also on the agenda.

Thursday

Rosslyn Holiday Market Festival & Bonfire*
Rosslyn’s Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway)
Time: Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

The third annual holiday market will be open this weekend. Live music, crafts, games, pictures with Santa and more than 20 local vendors will fill the park on both days. Festivities will conclude with a bonfire. A full schedule of events is available online.

Friday

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel (900 S. Orme Street)
Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

In it’s 91st annual meeting, the Chamber will detail its initiatives and development plans for next year. The keynote speaker is Aneesh Chopra who was the first United States Chief Technology Officer, and three Chamber awards will be presented. Late registration is available online for members ($64) and non-members ($80).

Film Night: It’s A Wonderful Life
FORUM Arlington (3304 Washington Blvd)
Time: 7-10 p.m.

A free screening of the holiday classic will begin at 8 p.m. immediately after a happy hour with beer and wine. Admission is free and so is the popcorn that will be served during the film. Children are also welcome to attend.

Saturday

Belleconnecta’s Self Care Day*
Lyon Park Community Center (414 N. Fillmore Street)
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Self Care Day is for women in the D.C. metro area looking to reconnect with their peaceful center. Participants will step away from the stresses of daily life and attend workshops created for relaxation and restoration. More information is available online.

National Chamber Ensemble Holiday Concert*
Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street)
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Musicians ages 9-19 will perform classic holiday pieces at the annual concert, hosted this year by Rosslyn BID President Mary-Claire Burick. The concert will end with a special sing-along. Tickets are $33 for adults and $17 for students, available online.

Sunday

Holiday Cheer Family Concert
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (4444 Arlington Blvd)
Time: 4-6 p.m.

Arlington’s Metropolitan Chorus will perform traditional holiday songs and carols for audience members of all ages. This is the group’s 50th performance season. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content.

#Arlington Agenda

Immigration Book Talk Planned for Central Library Next Week

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 4, 2015 at 12:45PM

An NPR correspondent will host conversation on the history of immigration in America at Arlington Central Library next week.

Tom Gjelten’s latest book A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story considers the impact of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.

Gjelten will be at the Arlington Central Library auditorium at 1015 N. Quincy Street from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10. for a conversation on immigration and book signing.

The book uses demographic and political issues in addition to personal stories to analyze this topic. The stories used are those of families in Fairfax County, including the family of Delegate Mark Keam. He will also be at the event as a special guest and contributor to the conversation.

Copies of the book will also be on sale from One More Page Books, and 10 percent of all sales will benefit the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia.

The book talk is free and open to the public. Interested guests do not have to register in advance.

Photo via Literacy Council of Northern Virginia

‘Winter Wonderland’ This Weekend at Penrose Square

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 2, 2015 at 1:30PM

Arlington hasn’t seen any snow — yet — but that won’t stop a winter celebration from coming to the Columbia Pike this weekend.

The second annual Winter Wonderland at Penrose Square is scheduled for this Saturday from 2-6 p.m. at 2501 9th Road S. It will be held in the breezeway between the apartment building’s leasing office and the Giant store.

The event is free and open to the public. Community members are invited to celebrate the season with holiday food and activities.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will join the celebration from 2-5 p.m. for visits and pictures. There will also be carolers and craft stations set up during this time.

A sleigh full of local businesses will be at the event handing out holiday beverages and goodie bags. Some of the participating area retailers include Starbucks, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Mancini de Paris and Jimmy Potter’s Studio.

Scheduled to make an appearance around 4 p.m.: “Arlington’s own Himalayan Yeti,” provided by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization.

The wonderland will wind down after a tree-lighting ceremony and sing-along, which starts at 5:30 p.m.

File photo via Macy’s

Arlington Agenda Nov. 30-Dec. 6

By Jennifer Currier

Published November 30, 2015 at 4:45PM | Updated December 1, 2015 at 12:01PM

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

World AIDS Day Breakfast
Sequoia 1 Building, Lower Level Auditorium (2100 Washington Blvd)
Time: 9-11 a.m.

Arlington County Public Health is hosting a breakfast for residents to learn about HIV/AIDS. A guest speaker and short film to address how HIV has impacted the lives of people in Arlington and their families. The breakfast is free and open to the public.

Thursday

Arlington Host Lions Annual Fruit Sale*
2213 N. Glebe Road
Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Arlington Host Lions Club will be selling grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, honey, maple syrup and nuts in the Wells Fargo parking lot. The sale ends on Sunday or when all items sell out. Purchases can be made with cash or check only.

The Nutcracker Opening Night
Thomas Jefferson Community Theater (125 S. Old Glebe Road)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

This year’s BalletNova’s production of the holiday ballet opens on Thursday with the first of six performances scheduled over this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available online and cost between $13 and $35.

Friday

Dana Gould Live Standup Comedy
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Comedian and television producer Dana Gould will perform four shows this Friday and Saturday. Gould has recorded several HBO specials, as well as worked on shows including “The Simpsons” and “Parks and Recreation.” Tickets are $22 and available online.

Saturday

Children’s Weekday Program Holiday Bazaar*
Arlington United Methodist Church (716 S. Glebe Road)
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

This family-friendly holiday fair in the second floor great hall will have local craft and gift vendors, a silent auction, children’s activities and pictures with Santa. Donations of new packages of diapers will also be collected for the D.C. Diaper Bank.

Washington-Lee High School Holiday Bazaar
1301 N. Strafford Street
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This holiday festival will have more than 70 local artisans selling a variety of gift items. Sponsored by the Class of 2016, there will also be live music from school groups and multi-ethnic food for sale.

Library Hot Chocolate Open House
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street)
Time: 2-4 p.m.

This library pop-up event is an open house to share stories and songs about families celebrating their unique holiday traditions. It is free and open to the public and includes a create-your-own hot chocolate drink station.

Sunday

The Year of Drinking Adventurously Book Signing*
One More Page Books (2200 N. Westmoreland Street #101)
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Alexandria-based author Jeff Cioletti will be signing copies of his new book, “The Year of Drinking Adventurously: 52 Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone.” He will also discuss adventurous holiday drink trends.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

#Arlington Agenda

Outdoor Hanukkah Celebrations Planned in Arlington

By Jennifer Currier

Published November 30, 2015 at 1:15PM

With Thanksgiving seemingly in the distant past, it’s time to prepare for the next holiday of the season, which actually begins this coming weekend.

Hanukkah this year begins at sunset on Sunday evening and ends the following Monday, Dec. 14.

Events throughout Arlington are happening during the eight-day holiday — also known as the Festival of Lights — for the county’s Jewish community. Here are a few of them.

Dec. 6: Yes, Virginia… there is Chanukah!

Temple Rodef Shalom is hosting a community singalong and dinner on the first day of the holiday. The event will feature the teen, youth and children’s choirs in a festive singalong in Quincy Park at 1201 N. Quincy Street. Dinner will be served from local food trucks. Preregistration is strongly encouraged for guests who plan on eating.

The singalong begins at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available online and are $20 for adults, $12 for NOVA Tribe members, $12 for children ages 6-14 and $5 for children ages 5 and under. There is no admission charge for temple youth choir members. The event is open to temple members and non-members alike.

Dec. 8: Chanukah On Ice

Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington is inviting the community to skate and participate in a menorah lighting ceremony next Tuesday at the Pentagon Row outdoor ice skating plaza at 1201 S. Joyce Street. There will be skating from 6-8:30 p.m. with a lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Dinner of hot latkes, kosher hot dogs and refreshments will also be available.

Admission for all guests is $10 in advance and $13 at the door. These prices include skate rentals, but food will be sold separately. Tickets are available online.

Dec. 9: Clarendon Menorah Lighting and Community Celebration

Community members will gather next Wednesday to light a six-foot-tall menorah in Clarendon central park at 3140 Wilson Blvd, near the Clarendon Metro Station entrance. This celebration is also hosted by Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington and will have food, including hot potato latkes, gelt — or chocolate coins — and dreidels for all guests. The lighting ceremony is free and open to the public.

Know of any other Hanukkah events happening in the next few weeks? Please let us know in the comments.

Thanksgiving Road Closures for the Turkey Trot 5K

By Jennifer Currier

Published November 25, 2015 at 1:30PM

Thanksgiving festivities will begin bright and early tomorrow when more than 4,000 runners, joggers and walkers hit the streets for the 10th Annual Turkey Trot 5K.

This also means the holiday will begin with road closures around the course.

The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Christ Church of Arlington at 3020 N. Pershing Drive. Police are working with race directors to divert traffic and ensure the course is safe.

According to the Arlington County Police Department, the following road closures will be in effect from 7-10 a.m. tomorrow:

Pershing Drive from Washington Boulevard to N. Oxford Street
N. Oxford Street from Pershing Drive to 5th Street N
5th Street N from N. Nelson Street to N. Oxford Street
N. Nelson Street from Pershing Drive to 5th Street N
Washington Blvd from 9th Street N to Arlington Blvd, eastbound lanes only
N. Fillmore Street from 9th Street N to 3rd Street N
3rd Street N from N. Fillmore Street to Washington Blvd
N. Bedford Street from Arlington Blvd to N. Brookside Drive
N. Brookside Drive from N. Bedford Street to Washington Blvd

All roads west of N. Highland Street will close and reopen before those east, due to the direction participants will travel along the course. A detailed course map is available online.

Street parking will also be restricted in certain areas that morning, marked with temporary “No Parking” signs.

Photo courtesy of Arlington Turkey Trot