Events

Swiftie Soirée offers fans a night of Taylor Swift-themed festivities in Arlington

By James Jarvis
Swiftie Soiree flier (via the Village at Shirlington)

Swifties in Arlington, get ready for a night dedicated to the pop icon Taylor Swift.

“Swiftie Soirée: Celebrating Eras in Style” is scheduled for this Friday from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Village at Shirlington.

The event, aimed at both longtime fans and newcomers to Taylor Swift’s music, will be the same night as the debut of a movie of the star’s highly-anticipated concert film.

“You can choose to attend the movie screening before or after our event,” per a press release. “We’ll be here to keep the celebration going, whether you’re heading to the movie or not.”

The event will have themed cocktails and a DJ playing Swift’s discography. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in outfits inspired by their favorite Swift “era” and take photos inside era-specific photo sets.

Tickets for this 21-and-over event are priced at $31 and can be obtained via the ARLnow events page. Tickets to the movie must be purchased separately.

A full press release is below.

Swiftie Soirée: Celebrating Eras in Style! Calling all Swifties! Join us for a night of Eras-themed celebration. Enjoy cocktails, dancing, crafts, photo ops, and more!

WHAT: Calling all Swiftie fans! Get ready to experience a night filled with all things Taylor at our “Swiftie Soirée: Celebrating Eras in Style!” event, happening on the same night as the release of Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated movie.

Whether you’re a Swiftie from the Fearless era or a folklore enthusiast, this is the place to be to celebrate the iconic popstar and her incredible music journey, and you can keep the celebration going whether you’re heading to the movie or not.

WHEN: Friday, October 13, 2023

TIME: 6-8:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Village at Shirlington
Campbell Avenue
Arlington, Va. 22206

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Album Inspired Cocktails: Enjoy two specially crafted themed cocktails from our participating vendors that pay homage to the popstar’s chart-topping hits.

DJ and Dancing: Our talented DJs will keep the dance floor buzzing with your favorite Swiftie tracks all night long. Get ready to dance, sing, and feel the music as we celebrate her discography.

Friendship Bracelet Workshop: Channel your inner creativity as you craft friendship bracelets. You’ll receive two friendship bracelets to share with friends and fellow fans, and make one to cherish as a memory of this fantastic night.

Eras Tour Photo Moments: Step into this popstar’s world as we recreate iconic photo moments from her various tours and eras. Capture memories with your friends and fellow Swifties in these unforgettable photo setups.

Eras Concert Outfit Challenge: Embrace the spirit of the popstar’s ever-evolving style! Dress up as your favorite era, whether it’s the country charm of “Fearless” or the indie vibes of “folklore.” Participate in our Eras Concert Outfit Challenge for a chance to win exciting prizes.

Movie Night: Coinciding with our event, Taylor Swift’s latest movie will be released on the same night.

You can choose to attend the movie screening before or after our event. We’ll be here to keep the celebration going, whether you’re heading to the movie or not!

This event does not include your movie ticket to Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. Tickets for the movie should be purchased separately from AMC Shirlington.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow Swifties, dance the night away, and celebrate this iconic music. Tickets are limited, so grab yours now for a night you won’t forget!

TICKET INFORMATION: Get your tickets today and join us for a night that will leave you enchanted!

Note: This event is not affiliated with Taylor Swift or her management; it is a fan-inspired celebration of her music and career.

#SwiftieSoiree

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
As seen at the construction of “The Grove at Dominion Hills” on the former Rouse estate (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Funeral for Arlington Marine — “Alexia Collart’s eyes filled with tears as she accepted the flag that had been draped over her son Marine Cpl. Spencer R. Collart’s casket. Her daughter Gweneth, sitting beside her, openly wept. Bart Collart, Cpl. Collart’s father, held back tears. The family’s grief spread to the crowd of more than 100 family and friends, who either dabbed their eyes or let the tears roll down their cheeks.” [Arlington National Cemetery]

HQ2 ‘Is At a Crossroads’ — “Amazon HQ2, the corporate site selection project, was a symbol of the tech industry’s economic muscle. Now it stands as a palace built for a former dynasty… From door desk to gourmet coffee bars onsite, HQ2 was one of the last grand gestures of the Bezos era. It falls to his successor, Andy Jassy, to decide whether to resume the project as designed or opt for a more frugal alternative.” [Bloomberg]

Dog Lost After Crash — From the Arlington County Police Department: “Have you seen Dutch? He was inside a vehicle that crashed last night in the 2000 block of 21st Street N. He was uninjured but panicked and ran. Officers last saw him in the area of Langston Blvd and N. Veitch St. Anyone who sees him is asked to call dispatch 703-558-2222.” [Twitter]

Boy Wounded, Police Investigating — “At approximately 7:44 p.m. on October 5, police were dispatched to the report of a fight. Upon arrival, officers located the juvenile male victim suffering from a laceration and immediately rendered aid. Medics transported the victim to an area hospital with injuries considered non-life threatening. Limited details were provided regarding the events that preceded the call for service and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.” [ACPD]

Preservation Funding for Barcroft — “The Barcoft School and Civic League will use grant funding from the Arlington County government to support urgent maintenance needs on the historic Barcroft Community House. The civic association received $23,000 in historic-preservation funds from the county, which will be matched by dollars it raises.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Columbus Day — At least, that is, to a majority of our readers. Last year an unscientific ARLnow poll found that 54.5% of readers call today’s federal holiday “Columbus Day” to 32.75% for “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” Another 12.75% said they haven’t used either in years. [ARLnow]

Metro Service Plan Today — “On Monday, Oct. 9, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day, Metrorail service will operate weekend service levels and Metrobus will run Saturday Supplemental Service. Pre-scheduled subscription trips will be canceled on MetroAccess, but customers may still make a separate reservation to travel on the holiday.” [WMATA]

It’s Monday — Mostly sunny, then isolated showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. [Weather.gov]

Sponsored

Arts Focus: Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

By Sponsor

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Enjoy an unforgettable evening of celebration and culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington on Saturday, Nov. 1, with an outdoor picnic in honor of Día de los Muertos. Set against the backdrop of crisp fall weather in Virginia Square, this family-friendly event promises art, music, delicious food and performances for all ages.

Spread out your blanket and partake in activities like interactive art projects, live performances and games of lotería (lottery). Savor the flavors of tacos and craft espresso drinks from local food trucks such as TNT Mexican Grill, Taco Cinco De Mayo and Rossana Coffee. Additional vendors include Ana Schwar, Otterly Artistic Designs and David Amoroso. Festive lighting will be provided by AVLD Events .

A cherished Arlington tradition, the event is co-sponsored by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington and Arlington Arts, celebrating the Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering loved ones with joy and festivity. National Geographic notes, Día de los Muertos blends ancient Aztec rituals with Spanish customs brought to Mexico in the early 1500s, honoring the dead through colorful and lively celebrations.

Arlington-based artist David Amoroso is once again creating a large-scale ofrenda (altar) on the museum’s front portico. Attendees are invited to bring a photo of a deceased loved one to include in the ofrenda, making the altar a collective tribute. Participants will be able to decorate their own Calavera masks. Amoroso is also working with Johnerick Lawson on a kinetic element to showcase their creations!

The evening will be filled with music and dance, including a performance by Mariachi Imperio by Blanca Chucuan. The DC-based, woman-led ensemble is carrying on this venerable musical tradition in the DMV, having performed everywhere from the Smithsonian Institution to popular area restaurants and family Quinceanera’s. Dance enthusiasts will also be captivated by the folkloric Mexican dance group Los Quetzales, known for their vibrant performances over the past 26 years.

While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to take a selfie with the popular Reclining Liberty sculpture by Zaq Landsberg. This striking, 25-foot installation juxtaposes the Statue of Liberty with a traditional Buddhist reclining pose, encouraging reflection on the ideals the iconic statue represents. Installed in 2023 co-sponsored by Arlington Public Art and MoCA Arlington, the sculpture was recently granted permanent status at the venue.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington has been a key collaborator with Arlington County Government for decades. Housed in the historic Clarendon School building, the museum is part of Arlington’s cultural legacy, operating under a long-term lease with the County. The building, designed in 1910 and renovated in 2004, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mark your calendar for this vibrant celebration! The Día de los Muertos event will take place from 5:00 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, 3550 Wilson Boulevard. Click here for event details. Visit the Arlington Cultural Affairs website for more details and to explore Arlington’s exciting public art and cultural programs.

Don’t miss out — join us to honor tradition, celebrate culture and experience the arts in Arlington!

Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Oct 6, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 6, 2023.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. BREAKING: Two charged after more overdoses at Wakefield HS (23581 views)
  2. One Arlington restaurant made the Washington Post’s Fall Dining Guide (20979 views)
  3. New European-inspired bakery and cafe ‘coming soon’ to Ballston (8901 views)
  4. Anonymous commenting on new APS feedback platform divides some Arlington School Board members (6596 views)
  5. Man charged with DUI after rollover crash in Arlington Forest (6583 views)
  6. NOW: ACFD battling house fire in Arlington Forest (5938 views)
  7. Arlington Restaurant Week kicks off this month with nearly 50 participating eateries (5826 views)
  8. Celtic House plans to open new whiskey and bourbon bar later this fall (5357 views)
  9. Florida woman faces litany of charges after reported break-in and standoff (5296 views)
  10. Langston Blvd plan criticized for last-minute edits and smaller-than-hoped affordable housing commitments (5025 views)
  11. Free rush-hour ART bus fares in peak directions start today (3951 views)
  12. An Arlington-based startup accelerator has moved into new digs in Rosslyn, with room to grow (3201 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers primarily before 1pm, followed by cloudy skies clearing gradually during the day, with a high temperature near 66°F. Strong northwest winds of 15-17 mph are anticipated, along with gusts up to 25 mph. There is a 50% chance of precipitation. For Saturday night, the sky will be clear with a low temperature of around 47°F accompanied by northwest winds of 11-14 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
– Albert Einstein

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

Announcement

Survey About Performing Arts Center in Arlington and YOU

Embracing Arlington Arts is conducting a survey to help develop a business plan for a new flexible and quality performing arts center in the County. We want to include community and patron feedback about their theater-going habits, interest in a venue in Arlington, art genres they patronize, and more.

Therefore, we are asking ARLnow readers to help us by filling out the survey which should only take about 3-4 minutes. Please complete the short survey at this link by January 30, so that your responses can be aggregated with all the rest.

Go to Survey About Performing Arts Center in Arlington and YOU Read more
Obituary

Obituary: Madelin Jones Barratt (1954-2023)

By ARLnow.com

Madelin Jones Barratt (Age 69)
Memorial service info

Madelin Jones Barratt, 69, of Falls Church, Va., passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2023 of mesothelioma.

Madelin was born in 1954 in Houston, Texas to C.M.C. Jones, Jr. and Jacquelin Jones. Her father was a Marine Corps officer and the Jones family was stationed in several locations around the United States during Madelin’s childhood, including Annapolis, Md., Quantico, Va., Pearl Harbor, and Camp Lejeune, N.C. After graduating from Lejeune High School, where she was a captain of the cheerleading squad, Madelin attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va., where she received a bachelor’s degree in music in 1976.

Not long into her career as an elementary school music teacher in Loudoun County, Va., Madelin’s mother introduced her to Henry D. Barratt, Jr. Madelin and Henry were married in June 1978. They raised three children and enjoyed 45 years of marriage. With visible delight Madelin unified her family and guests with song, artfully playing the piano or strumming the ukulele in lively accompaniment.

Madelin was an active member of The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, Va., where she served as a volunteer with the women’s ministry, as a Sunday school teacher, and with the children’s choir. She also volunteered her time as a music teacher at Rivendell School in Arlington, Va., for almost 20 years. Madelin was known as a welcoming presence in her neighborhood and at church. She was an accomplished seamstress who made and mended clothes for herself and her family. Madelin loved chocolate and covered the cabinets of the kitchen in her college residence with empty M&Ms bags.

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2019, Madelin faced her illness with courage founded on her faith in Jesus Christ. She was grateful for the compassionate treatment she received at Georgetown University Hospital and at the National Institutes of Health, where she participated in a clinical trial that extended her life on this earth and provided encouraging results for further research into new treatments.

Madelin was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Henry; her son, William and his wife Susanna; daughter Ellen Schooley and her husband Andrew; daughter Anna Barratt and her husband Abel Ferreira Mendes; sisters Martha and Molly Jones; and grandchildren Constance and Virginia Barratt, and Timothy, Margaret, Evelyn, and Isaac Schooley.

A memorial service will be held on Oct. 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at The Falls Church Anglican, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va., 22042.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Madelin’s memory may be made to Comunidad, a charity serving children and adults in the Falls Church area through education and leadership training (https://www.comunidadva.org/donate).

>> Donation link

The following memorial event is planned.

Memorial Service
10/10/2023 02:00 PM to 03:30 PM
The Falls Church Anglican
6565 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, Virginia 22042

Announcement

Encore Learning, a Lifelong Learning Organization for Those 50+ Announces Spring Courses

By Encore Learning

Do you love learning and want to become involved in your community? Then Encore Learning is the organization for you!

Our spring semester is here and we’ve got great things in store. We are offering a robust selection of 35 courses including: 18 new courses, 13 in-person courses and 22 virtual courses.

Go to Encore Learning, a Lifelong Learning Organization for Those 50+ Announces Spring Courses Read more
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