Events

Lineup for 25th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival Announced

By Mariah Joyce

Dee Dee Bridgewater at Rosslyn Jazz Festival 2011 (photo by Runneralan2004)The Rosslyn Business Improvement District has announced the lineup for its annual jazz festival.

The event, which BID president Mary-Claire Burick says will be “exciting, bold and fun,” is celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer. In addition to performances covering everything from classic soul to international funk, the festival will feature a selection of food and fashion trucks and an expanded beer and wine garden.

The BID has organized a lineup of  both locally and nationally known artists. Several headliners have already gained national acclaim, including Debo Band, whose EP “Debo Band” (2011) appeared on NPR Music’s 50 Favorite Albums of 2012, and New Orleans group The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, whose music has been featured on the HBO series Treme.

The festival will run from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Gateway Park (1300 Lee Hwy, near the Key Bridge). All performances are free and open to the public, and the full concert lineup is below.

File photo by Runneralan2004

Comedian Michael Ian Black to Perform at Arlington Drafthouse

By Mariah Joyce

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_zq0Xgs4z0

Comedian and writer Michael Ian Black is scheduled to perform live stand-up at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) later this month.

Black began his comedic career co-founding and performing in The State, a sketch-comedy group at NYU which was later featured on MTV. He’s since had roles in numerous TV series, along with movies like Ed, Wet Hot American Summer and This Is 40.

Black’s stand-up shows will take place the Friday, July 24 at 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. and Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $25 and can be purchased at arlingtondrafthouse.com.

In addition to releasing his own comedy CDs “I Am a Wonderful Man” (2007) and “Very Famous,” (2011) Black has co-written and starred in a number of comedy sketches for both film and television.

According to the Drafthouse’s event page, “Black is currently co-host of a popular podcast with Tom Cavanagh, entitled ‘Mike and Tom Eat Snacks,’ and of a new podcast with Michael Showalter, ‘Topics.'” He’s also had roles this year on the Comedy Central series Inside Amy Schumer and Another Period, and the soon-to-be-released Netflix series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.

Williamsburg Gift Shop to Hold Christmas Sale, in July

By Mariah Joyce
1/10

Proactive shoppers can get a head start on next season’s holiday shopping at specialty gift store Two the Moon’s (6501 29th St. N) upcoming Christmas in July sale.

Two the Moon, which opened last year, sells an eclectic selection of primarily local merchandise, ranging from pottery to greeting cards to baby clothes. During the one-day Christmas in July sale, owner Johanna Braden says all holiday items in the store will be 40 percent off, including holiday merchandise for the upcoming seasons of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. All other store items will be 10 percent off.

The bulk of Two the Moon’s offerings are made in Arlington or, barring that, somewhere in the USA. The shop currently carries goods from about 25 different Arlington artisans, including headbands and bows, jewelry, handmade cards and canvas tote-bags. Braden also works to hire locally and says she has given both neighborhood mothers and kids jobs at the store.

Braden opened the store on Sept. 2, 2014 after ending her 35-year career in nursing. Owning a local gift shop had long been a dream of hers, and because she knew that nothing like it existed in the Williamsburg neighborhood where she lived, she decided to give it a shot.

Braden says that business has been “phenomenal” ever since she opened up shop last year.

“Just the other day, someone came in and told me that on the last day of school this year, all the kids came in with gifts for their teachers, and they were all Two the Moon bags!,” said Braden. “It’s great — that’s just so great to hear.”

The Christmas in July sale is scheduled for July 18 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., with a “rain date” of July 19. Regular store hours are Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sen. Bernie Sanders to Speak in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Sen. Bernie Sanders (photo via Facebook)Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is scheduled to be a special guest speaker at a policy forum in Arlington next week.

The discussion, entitled “Rebooting Our Policy Agenda To Reclaim The American Dream,” will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association, at 4301 Wilson Blvd.

Sanders will be joined by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), a fellow member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

“This event is a free-of-charge policy discussion by leading progressive voices, not an endorsement of any candidate for public office,” an event page notes.

The event is at capacity and registration has closed.

Photo via Facebook

Long Bridge Park to Host Celebration, ACPD to Close Roads on Fourth of July

By Mariah Joyce

Fourth of July fireworks, as seen from the Air Force Memorial (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)This Saturday, Arlington residents can make their way to Long Bridge Park (475 Long Bridge Drive) to celebrate Independence Day and score fantastic views of the fireworks show just across the Potomac River.

The food, games and live music being offered at the park from 5-10 p.m. should keep attendees busy as they wait for the fireworks at the National Mall. The schedule of free activities includes moon bounces, face painting, hula hoop contests, drop-in kickball and cornhole.

Three local bands will play at the park leading up to the fireworks display. The lineup kicks off with DJ Freedom at 5:15 p.m., self-styled “Caribbean musical powerhouse” The Image Band is scheduled to go on at 6:20 and cover band ForTheWin will take the stage at 8.

Several local food vendors will be at the park offering good ol’ American fare, including Carolina Q, Bada Bing Cheesesteaks and Spiedies, DC Slices and a Chick-Fil-A truck.

According to the National Park Service, the fireworks at the National Mall will start at 9:09 p.m. and last around 17 minutes.

Other recommended firework viewing sites in the area include:

  • Whipple Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (Stewart Rd, Fort Myer)
  • Air Force Memorial (1 Air Force Memorial Dr)
  • Gateway Park (1300 Lee Hwy)
  • Gravelly Point Park (off the George Washington Parkway just before Memorial Bridge)
  • Iwo Jima Memorial (.2 miles from the Rosslyn metro, near the intersection of Route 50 and N. Meade Street)
  • Sidewalks on Key Bridge (.5 miles from the Rosslyn metro; walk along N. Lynn Street towards Georgetown)
  • Pentagon Reservation (all visiting the Pentagon Reservation to park or view fireworks are subject to Pentagon guidelines).

The Arlington County Police Department will also be closing roads (below) to accommodate the large crowds expected to turn out for the fireworks.

From 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Memorial Bridge and Memorial Circle.

From 1 to 11 p.m.: Marshall Drive from Route 110 to N. Meade Street, and N. Meade Street from N. 14th Street to Marshall Drive.

From 3 to 11 p.m.: N. Meade Street from Marshall Drive to Route 50 (access to Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood from Rhodes Street bridge), exit ramp from westbound Route 50 to N. Lynn Street (Rosslyn exit), exit ramp from eastbound Route 50 to N. Meade Street (Rosslyn exit) and Long Bridge Drive from Boundary Channel Drive to S. 10th Street.

From 8:30  to 11 p.m.: Eastbound Route 50 at N. Pershing Drive (detour at N. Barton Street or Washington Blvd.), Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive, Columbia Pike between S. Orme Street and S. Joyce Street and S. Joyce Street between Army Navy Drive and Columbia Pike.

ACPD has warned that street parking around the Iwo Jima Memorial, Long Bridge Park and the Air Force Memorial will be restricted, and all are strongly encouraged to take advantage of public transportation.

Finally, visitors are reminded that alcoholic beverages, grills, and fireworks are prohibited on county and federal parkland during Independence Day events, and coolers and backpacks will be searched upon entry to both Iwo Jima Memorial and Long Bridge Park.

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

‘Freedom Four’ Race to Close Streets in Rosslyn, Courthouse Sunday

By Mariah Joyce

Freedom Four (Copy)This Sunday marks the second annual “Freedom Four” race, which will result in some road closures in the Rosslyn and Courthouse areas.

To accommodate the four-mile course, the Arlington County Police Department will be closing roads sections of Wilson Boulevard, Clarendon Boulevard and Route 110 on June 28 (below). All roads are expected to be open to traffic after 10:30 a.m.

Between 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Wilson Boulevard will be closed from N. Courthouse Road to N. Rhodes Street.

Between 7:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Wilson Boulevard will be closed from from Route 110 to N. Courthouse Road. Courthouse road will remain open. Again from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m., Route 110 Northbound will be closed from I-395 to I-66.

Parking in the area will be also be restricted during the race, and drivers should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. According to the ACPD, illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed.

The U.S. Track & Field-certified course will start and finish on Wilson Boulevard, near the restaurant Ireland’s Four Courts. The race begins promptly at 8 a.m., and participants are advised to arrive early.

Freedom Four was started last year by Pacers Running to replace their previously offered Fourth of July race, the Let Freedom Run 5K. For $40, residents can register for the race online.

Photo via Pacers Running.

Summer Concerts Feature Loud Music and Louder Outfits

By Mariah Joyce

80s cover band The Reagan Years (photo via thereaganyears.com)Two summer concert series in Arlington will feature cover bands paying homage to the best music the 80s and 90s had to offer, big hair, goofy sunglasses and all.

Pentagon Row has announced the line up for “Rock at the Row,” and Rosslyn’s “Throwback Thursdays” has five performances remaining.

“Rock at the Row” is in its 13th year, with concerts starting next month. The performances will take place Thursday evenings from July 16 to August 20 in Pentagon Row’s plaza area. In addition to the music, there will be craft beers and food samples in a VIP section.

The schedule, below, includes several locally-known cover and tribute bands, as well as a special Saturday evening concert by the 257th Army Band:

All performances start at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

If “Rock at the Row” isn’t enough of a music fix, residents can head to Freedom Park (1101 Wilson Blvd.) and check out Rosslyn’s “Throwback Thursdays”.

The series features cover bands “embracing the best of the 80s and 90s,” according to the event page.

Performances were scheduled to start the first Thursday of this month (June 4), but that evening’s concert by The Reflex was rained out and has not yet been rescheduled.

The series kicked off June 11 with a performance by Flannel Junkies. It was to be followed last Thursday (June 18) by Toxic Mouse, but that concert was cancelled due to bad weather.

The five remaining performances, below, are scheduled to take place this tomorrow evening (June 25) and every Thursday evening in September:

Concerts start at 6 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Washington Wine Academy plans to offer $5 beer and wine to those of age at all remaining performances.

Photo via thereaganyears.com

Arlington Agenda (June 22-28)

By ARLnow.com

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

Seminar-group-shotCareer Seminar*
Link Locale (3140 Washington Blvd)
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

If you haven’t refreshed your resume in a while, come hear about the newest trends. You’ll learn you how to position your resume to make a career change, what style of resume you need and what types of language and bullets get noticed.

TechShop in Crystal CityTalk With a NASA Astronaut
TechShop Crystal City (2100 Crystal Drive)
Time: 6:45-7:30 p.m.

NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore will discuss space and 3-D printing technology. While aboard the International Space Station earlier this year, Wilmore became the first astronaut to 3-D print something in space.

Thursday

Twilight Tattoo performanceSalute from the Chief, A Special Twilight Tattoo
Whipple Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
Time: 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Join Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army, for a special Twilight Tattoo program that will recognize former Army Chiefs of Staff and their outstanding service in support of the United States Army. 

Saturday

Saturday Morning Footy (screengrab from YouTube)Saturday Morning Footy*
Bluemont Park (601 N. Machester Street)
Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Free Australian football program for boys and girls aged 5 to 15. The program teaches the rules and skills of the great game of Australian football through fun and safe games and activities.

All American Bar CrawlAll American Bar Crawl 2015*
Various Clarendon bars
Time: 2:00-9:00 p.m.

Uncle Sam and the nation’s most patriotic crawlers gather to celebrate Independence Day in Clarendon. Rock your red, white, and blue and get ready for a day full of Star Spangled shenanigans and festivities with thousands of your closest friends.

Sunday

PopsforPetsPops for Pets
Lubber Run Amphitheater (200 N. Columbus Street)
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The Arlington Philharmonic will host the second annual Pops for Pets free concert to celebrate the mission of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. Guests are invited to bring their picnic baskets, family, friends and dogs.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Zero Prostate Cancer Run Returns to Arlington

By Heather Mongilio

ZERO8Hundreds of runners will celebrate Father’s Day in Pentagon City with a race to help end prostate cancer.

The annual Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, hosted by Zero- The End of Prostate Cancer on Sunday, is a series of four events, with a four-mile run/walk, kids race, a one mile fun run and a “virtual” option for those who don’t want to wake up early.

“This series is a great chance for men, women, children, and families of all ages to increase awareness and raise funds to end a disease that affects one in seven fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, grandfathers, partners and friends,” said Jamie Bearse, the CEO of Zero in a statement.

The event starts with the Superhero Dash, a short sprint for kids ages nine and younger, at 8:15 a.m. Kids can dress up as their favorite superheroes and will receive capes.

The four mile walk/run starts at 8:30 a.m. and will take runners from Pentagon Row courtyard (1101 S. Joyce St.) down Army Navy Drive to S. Adams Street. Runners will turn around at S. Adams Street and finish at Pentagon Row. Participants can select and put on a tie shortly after the one mile mark at the “Tie One of for Dad” transition area (at S. Nash Street).

There will be awards for the top three male and female finishers, top three survivor finishers and top three male and female finishers in each age group.

This year, people can help support the end of prostate cancer from their beds by wearing a “Snooze for Dudes” t-shirt and posting a picture to social media.

Participants can register as an individual or as team. Registration is $40 for the four-mile race, $20 for the one-mile walk, $20 for the Superhero Dash and $35 for Snooze for Dudes.

The race will also feature the “Courage Wall,” a chalkboard wall where people can write what they wish they had the courage to be or do. The wall was created by Del Ray local Nancy Belmont and has since gone viral.

“The run/walk aims to bring together survivors, patients, families, friends and many in the community to raise funds for prostate cancer, and share hope and passion, and the Courage Wall will help us to do that,” said Amanda Pini, the marketing and communications coordinator for the race.

S. Joyce Street, between 15th Street S. and Army Navy Drive, and Army Navy Drive, between S. Joyce Street and 25th Street S., will be closed from 7-11 a.m. as a result of the race.

File photo

Enrollment for Marymount’s Summer Running Camps Closes Tomorrow

By Mariah Joyce

Marymount logoThe deadline to enroll in one of Marymount University’s annual youth running camps is tomorrow (June 19).

Marymount is offering two sessions of the camp this summer, one for younger runners and one for more experienced athletes. Marymount’s cross-country and triathlon coach Zane Castro will coach both, assisted by professional triathlete Calah Schlabach and St. Anselm’s Abbey School cross-country coach Kailey Gotta.

The first session (June 22-26) is designed for runners age 8-13 who are looking to develop their skills. Enrollment in the five day camp costs $310, which includes lunch at the university and a camp t-shirt at the end of the session. The camp will run each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cap on enrollment.

The second session (June 29-July 3) is capped at 25 students and is geared towards runners age 14-17 who are preparing for the coming cross-country season. The more intensive camp will run from 7:30 a.m to 12 p.m. every day. Cost of enrollment is $200.

According to a press release, participants in both camps will receive a written evaluation from the coaches at the end of the session. To enroll their child, parents should send an email with their child’s name, age and emergency contact number.

Parents must also fill out a registration form and bring the form and a check on the first day of the camp. The form, along with a list of other youth development camps being offered at Marymount this summer, can be found on the school’s website.

Arlington Agenda (June 17-21)

By ARLnow.com

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

I-66 passing through ArlingtonVDOT I-66 Public Meeting
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Virginia Dept. of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a planned conversion of I-66 inside the Beltway from HOV lanes to High Occupancy Toll lanes. Vehicles with fewer than three passengers would have to pay tolls during peak hours.

Thursday

A plane takes off from Reagan National AirportCommunity Meeting on Aircraft Noise
County Board Room (2100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Arlington County hosts a meeting with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to discuss the effects of aircraft noise on Arlington County residents

Nauck Community sign (photo via Nauck Civic Association web site)History Discussion: Nauck Past and Present
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Educator and Arlington native and civic leader Alfred O. Taylor discusses the local and national contributions of residents from Nauck, Arlington’s oldest African American community, which was formerly known as Green Valley.

Saturday

Saturday Morning Footy (screengrab from YouTube)Saturday Morning Footy*
Bluemont Park (601 N. Machester Street)
Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Free Australian football program for boys and girls aged 5 to 15. The program teaches the rules and skills of the great game of Australian football through fun and safe games and activities.

Sonny Landreth performing (photo courtesy CPRO)Columbia Pike Blues Festival
S. Walter Reed Drive at Columbia Pike
Time: 1:00-8:30 p.m.

The 20th annual Blues Festival on the Pike will feature headliner Sonny Landreth, as well as numerous local food and craft vendors. The outdoor event is family friendly and free to attend.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

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