Arts Focus

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Experience a showcase of some of Arlington’s cultural gems in the “Spotlight Series,” the centerpiece of an extended outdoor concert season at Lubber Run Amphitheater. The series runs from Friday, Sept. 10 through Friday, Oct. 1. Unlike the traditional summer series, the schedule is designed so most ensembles will be in residence at the amphitheater throughout a particular weekend.

Arlington’s multiple Helen Hayes Award-winning Synetic Theater kicks things off with “Shhhhhhhakespeare Revue” (Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11 at 7:30 p.m.) and a special 11 a.m. family performance of “The Miraculous Magical Balloon” (Saturday, Sept. 11). Rounding out the opening weekend is The Arlington Philharmonic with a one-night-only presentation of their popular “Pops For Pets” (Sunday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m.).

Avant Bard is on stage for the entire second weekend with “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” (Sept. 17-19 — Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.). The power of poetry takes the stage with a showcase of Arlington poets, “Written in Arlington” (Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.)

With a special performance celebrating the return of live audiences, The Arlington Players are on tap for the third weekend with “Together At Last! A New Musical Revue” (Sept. 24-26 — Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.). The Series ends with the contemporary dance ensemble Jane Franklin Dance performing “The View From Here” (Friday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.).

With innovation and resilience, Arlington’s resident ensembles met the unprecedented challenges of 2020. Pivoting entirely to online activations, their offerings ranged from movement classes offered for teleworking parents and their suddenly home-bound kids, to live-streaming presentations that won acclaim from the critics. Celebrate re-engaging with the arts via this special series, spotlighting Arlington’s wealth of artistry and talent.

Admission to Lubber Run Amphitheater remains FREE. This Venue will refer to the Virginia Department of Health (VDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for preserving public health. Access to the venue is first come, first served, and that may be restricted due to capacity. A face covering is recommended for all unvaccinated patrons. Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering when outdoors. If you have COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, know you have been exposed or are feeling sick, please stay home. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to preserve the good health of our community.

So bring a picnic, some friends and enjoy some of the best performers that Arlington has to offer in the Spotlight Series at Lubber Run Amphitheater, located at 200 N. Columbus Street in Arlington (N. Columbus Street and 2nd Street N.). For detailed descriptions of the performances, visit ArlingtonArts.org.

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Even a thunderstorm couldn’t dampen Arlington’s resolve last Friday, with a full-capacity crowd present to hear blues singer-songwriter Chris Pierce at Lubber Run Amphitheater, reopening for the first time since its 50th Anniversary Season in 2019!

This coming weekend, Avant Bard presents a concert version of their hit “Gospel at Colonus” (Friday, July 16), and the Jogo Project brings their fusion of jazz and Go Go music (Saturday, July 17), followed by a family program by The Levine School of Music (Sunday, July 18).

Once the clouds lifted last Friday, Chris Pierce was welcomed to the stage by Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Katie Cristol and the Chair of the Arlington Commission on the Arts and Humanities Anika Kwinana. He then proceeded to weave his spell on the appreciative audience. With blue skies in evidence, even larger crowds continued through the opening weekend for performances.

The FREE events continue through Aug. 15, with concerts on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and family programming on Sundays at 11 a.m.

The summer continues with a mix of familiar names and Lubber Run debuts, including jazz vocalist Akua Allrich (Friday, July 23), reggae masters Nkula (Friday, July 30), the Colombian sounds of the all-female ensemble La Marvela (Friday, Aug 6) and the National Chamber Ensemble (Saturday, Aug. 14).

Since the construction of the first permanent stage in 1969, generations of Arlingtonians have enjoyed free summer cultural events at the sylvan venue nestled two blocks off Route 50, ranging from Arlington Children’s Theater to bands like Eddie from Ohio and superstar Ritchie Havens.

Admission to Lubber Run Amphitheater remains FREE. This Venue will refer to the  Virginia Department of Health (VDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for preserving public health. Access to the venue is first come, first served and that may be restricted due to capacity. A face covering is recommended for all unvaccinated patrons. Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering when outdoors. If you have COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, know you have been exposed or are feeling sick, please stay home. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to preserve the good health of our community.

The Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series runs July 9 through August 15, 2021, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with 11:00 a.m. family-oriented programming on Sundays (run-times vary).

So bring a picnic, some friends and enjoy the arts at Lubber Run Amphitheater, located at 200 N. Columbus Street in Arlington (N. Columbus Street and 2nd Street N.).

While there is a small parking lot, there is abundant free street parking in the surrounding Arlington Forrest neighborhood. For directions on how to get to Lubber Run Amphitheater and leave the car at home, check out the video at Arlington’s Car Free Diet, a program of Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS), a bureau of the Department of Environmental Services!

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

Come on back out to Lubber Run Amphitheater, reopening for the first time since its 50th Anniversary Season in 2019!

Known for his moving rendition of the song “No One” from the hit ABC series “A Million Little Things,” blues singer-songwriter Chris Pierce kicks off the free Lubber Run Amphitheater Concert Series on Friday, July 9. The events continue through Aug. 15, with concerts on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and family programming on Sundays at 11 a.m.

Since the construction of the first permanent stage in 1969, generations of Arlingtonians have enjoyed free summer cultural events at the sylvan venue, nestled two blocks off Route 50, with events ranging from Arlington Children’s Theater to bands like Eddie from Ohio and superstar Richie Havens.

Singled out for his song “American Silence,” NPR Music praised Chris Pierce for “channeling Richie Havens and Bob Dylan.” Rolling Stone described, “It’s the sound of everyone who’s hungry for change, steadying themselves and marching toward a common goal.”

Pierce was diagnosed at 15 with the rare hearing disorder Otosclerosis. Persevering through partial deafness, Pierce has emerged as an artist noted for his prescient observations about contemporary social issues. He has toured extensively with artists ranging from Buddy Guy, Jill Scott and Keb’ Mo’, to Seal and B.B. King.

Following Chris Pierce on Friday, July 9, Lubber Run Amphitheater’s Reopening Weekend continues with nationally acclaimed Brazilian-jazz ensemble Veronneau (Saturday, July 10), and the first of the season’s 11 a.m. Sunday family-oriented presentations, Arlington’s Encore Stage & Studio (Sunday, July 11). Avant Bard returns to open the following weekend with a concert version of their hit “Gospel at Colonus” (Friday, July 16). The summer continues with a mix of familiar names and Lubber Run debuts, including reggae masters Nkula (Friday, July 30) and the Colombian sounds of the all-female ensemble La Marvela (Friday, Aug 6).

Admission to Lubber Run Amphitheater remains free. This venue will refer to Virginia Department of Health (VDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for preserving public health. Access to the venue is first come, first served and that may be restricted due to capacity. A face covering is recommended for all unvaccinated patrons. Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering when outdoors. If you have COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, know you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are feeling sick, please stay home. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to preserve the good health of our community.

The Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series runs July 9 through Aug. 15, 2021, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with 11 a.m. family-oriented programming on Sunday mornings (run-times vary). So bring a picnic, some friends and enjoy the arts at Lubber Run Amphitheater, located at 200 N. Columbus Street.

While there is a small parking lot, there is abundant free street parking in the surrounding Arlington Forrest neighborhood. For directions on how to get to Lubber Run Amphitheater and leave the car at home, check out Arlington’s Car Free Diet, a program of Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS), a bureau of the Department of Environmental Services!

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

Collaboration has long been the cornerstone of the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, one of Arlington’s most highly-anticipated events, presented by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization and programmed by Arlington Arts. This year a hybrid three-day Columbia Pike Blues Festival Weekend (Friday to Sunday, June 18, 19 and 20) combines live-streaming concerts and ticketed outdoor performances that will get you back into your summer groove!

Streaming concerts: 7:30 p.m. — June 18, 19 and 20

Three days of streaming concerts are a new feature made possible by a brand-new partnership with the popular “Live from The Rug Shop” Series sponsored by the Manoukian Brothers Oriental Rugs. The three concerts are:

• Friday, June 18 — Stacy Brooks
  Stacy has been dubbed D.C.’s Queen of the Blues by her musical peers in Washington, D.C. She has multiple awards nominations under her belt and has won the D.C. Blues Battle of the Band and competed in the 30th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. More…
• Saturday, June 19 — Deletta Gillespie
  Deletta Gillespie is a multi-disciplinary teaching and performing artist, playwright, and singer/songwriter. Her stage debut came in her mother’s nightclub act at age 6, and she’s been on stage ever since. Gillespie charms audiences with her energetic stage performances, and a voice that has been described as “soulfully beautiful.”
• Sunday, June 20 — Sol Roots Band
  The Sol Roots band performs a mix of raw funk, deep blues, energetic rock, greasy soul and hypnotic grooves. Sol is a guitarist and vocalist who has toured with many roots, funk, blues and soul legends around the world as a part of Music Maker Revue. The band has shared the stage with acts such as Jon Cleary, Soulive, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles, and many more. Sol Roots was awarded “Best Blues Act/Group” 2019 by The Wammies/The MusicianShip. “Sol performs a soulful blend of rock and blues, with a natural stage presence” — Jambase

Live Ticketed Concerts: Saturday, June 19
Fillmore Shopping Center (2705 Columbia Pike)

Get your groove on at your choice of three separate live outdoor performances. Access to the individual concerts will require a ticket. The venue will be cleared following each act to prepare for the next audience group. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, June 3 at 11 a.m. for a donation of your choosing to the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO).

• 1 p.m. — Robin Kapsalis, Vintage#18
  The first thing you notice when Vintage#18 hits the stage is Robbin Kapsalis’ white glass beaded fringe dress and white knee-hi boots as she sways on stage creating a hypnotic visual with the soul foundation of her voice: something between a Gladys Knight and Anita Baker. Mark Wenner of The Nighthawks says, “Robbin is a whirlwind of soulful excitement backed by one of the tightest trios in the trade.”
• 2:30 p.m. — Cheick Hamala Diabate
  A D.C. staple when it comes to local authentic African musicians, Cheick brings his traditional West African plucked lute to the stage to please audiences that have included world leaders and the U.S. Congress. He also plays a mean banjo and guitar and has recorded and toured with American folk musicians, including banjo player Bob Carlin, a partnership that led to a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional World Music Album.
• 4 p.m. — Carly Harvey
  Based out of Washington, D.C., Carly Harvey combines Blues, Jazz, Soul, & Americana roots styles to create a unique sound that calls to mind Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, with a little Ella Fitzgerald thrown in for good measure.

For links to the streaming concerts and to purchase tickets to one of Saturday’s three live performances, visit the Columbia Pike website.

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

From finding an outlet for stress through art, to sharpening the business skills of working artists, Arlington Arts has offered a wide range of capacity-building opportunities. The final round of our Arts Enterprise Institute Spring Classes on Zoom is designed to better promote your work by telling your unique story via social media.

Social Media Storytelling
Tuesday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Social media is a form of communication that utilizes written, visual and verbal storytelling. By engaging with your audience in real time and being an active user, you can promote your work and build your core audience. The main ingredients for a successful social media presence are consistency and authenticity.

Learn why social media is important for small organizations and individual artists with Nicole Schenkman, Communications & Outreach Manager for City Blossoms, a successful D.C.-based nonprofit that cultivates the well-being of urban communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. Learn how to get started by setting up your goals and a communications strategy.

This is our final workshop until the fall. Attendees will receive a Zoom link via email after 5 p.m. the day before the event. Visit our Eventbrite page for registration fees and details.

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

Arlington Arts continues to offer a range of capacity-building opportunities for Arlington artists. The final round of our Arts Enterprise Institute Spring Classes on Zoom can help you to sharpen your skills as creatives and better promote your work via social media.

Upcoming workshops include:

Hands, Paper Go!
Tuesday, May 4 and May 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Explore creative ways to work with paper and make fun personal storybooks by hand while learning about diverse traditions. No experience necessary and good for both budding and practicing artists.

Session 1: Fold, Cut, Punch, Glue. How did books start out, and what kinds of books did humans create? Learn about Japanese and Himalayan traditions as you fold, cut and punch papers to make creative books.

Session 2: Staple & Sew. How did different writing styles dictate the shape of books? Learn about ancient Islamic book art styles and enjoy blending them with today’s everyday materials.

Leading the above workshops is Sushmita Mazumdar, an Arlington-based artist, writer and educator. She works across stories, book arts and mixed media to explore her memories of home, heritage and migration from India. She mixes into her work present-day places, which inspire, and the community who collaborate, discuss and respond to inform her creations. Sushmita is the founder of Studio PAUSE, a community space for art and stories, and a studio arts instructor with the Smithsonian Associates.

Some supplies are needed in advance (not included with registration). See Eventbrite description for details. The final two sessions of her Artful Mind series’ are still ongoing: the origami session “Fold, Fold, Fold” (April 22) and paper workshop “Tear, Tear, Tear” (April 29).

Social Media Storytelling
Tuesday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Social media is a form of communication that utilizes written, visual and verbal storytelling. By engaging with your audience in real-time and being an active user, you can promote your work and build your core audience. The main ingredients for a successful social media presence are consistency and authenticity.

Learn why social media is important for small organizations and individual artists with Nicole Schenkman, Communications & Outreach Manager for City Blossoms, a successful D.C.-based nonprofit that cultivates the well-being of urban communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. Learn how to get started with setting up your goals and a communications strategy.

Arlington Arts’ Arts Enterprise Institute Spring Classes often fill to capacity. Artists, performers and arts professionals looking to up their game are encouraged to explore the remaining sessions, continuing through May 18, 2021. (All classes are virtual.)

As this is our final round of workshops until the fall, classes are filling up quickly. Sign up now! Attendees will receive a Zoom link via email after 5 p.m. the day before the event. Certain supplies not included with your registration fee will be needed in advance. Visit our Eventbrite page for registration fees and details.

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

Over the centuries, artists throughout the world have developed practices to center themselves and prepare mentally, spiritually and emotionally for making art.

Artful Mind, a series of four workshops (April 1 to 29), will teach you techniques to create a focus that can be helpful in everyday life as well as art-making.

Combining exercises from her art and bookmaking practice, instructor Sushmita Mazumdar will guide students in this lunchtime exploration of mark-making with lines and swirls and playing with various kinds of paper. No experience with art-making is necessary! You can pick one session that catches your fancy or join us for all four sessions. No matter which one you attend, you will leave with techniques to help you find a spot of calm anywhere, anytime.

All classes are held virtually via Zoom, and the schedule is as follows:

Session 1: Line, Lines, Lines (April 1) — Learn how a simple pen or pencil can help you find calm anywhere, anytime.
Supplies: Sketchbook, pencil, marker, color pencils, water-soluble graphite, cup of water

Session 2: Swirls and Puddles (April 15) — Learn how some new and simple tools you find on a walk, in your garden or from around the house can help teach you something new.
Supplies: Sketchbook, twigs and pebbles from your walk or around the house, small bottle of food coloring (any color/s), empty cup, water

Session 3: Fold, Fold, Fold (April 22) — Reading magazines and newspapers can help us relax or make us anxious. Using origami, we can turn them into something that is always fun.
Supplies: Sketchbook, pages torn from magazines, newspaper, scissors, yarn/ribbon

Session 4: Tear, Tear, Tear (April 29) — Let color and texture change your mood and create something new from paper.
Supplies: Handmade paper scrap pack; paper from around the house like grocery bags, wrapping paper, envelopes; stapler

Your instructor, Sushmita Mazumdar, is an Arlington-based artist, writer and educator. She works across stories, book arts and mixed media to explore her memories of home, heritage and migration from India. She mixes into her work present-day places and the community who collaborate, discuss and respond to inform her creations. Sushmita is the founder of Studio PAUSE, a community space for art and stories, and is also a studio arts instructor with the Smithsonian Associates.

Arlington Arts’ Arts Enterprise Institute Spring Classes often fill to capacity. Artists, performers and arts professionals looking to up their game are encouraged to explore the remaining sessions, continuing through May 18, 2021 (all classes are virtual).

Classes are filling up quickly, so sign-up now. Attendees will receive a Zoom link via email after 5 p.m. the day before the event. Visit our Eventbrite page for registration fees and details.

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COVID-19 has not only altered the economy and how we work and recreate, but it has also has upended the typical school experience for a generation of young people. As part of Arts in the Schools Month, Arlington Public Schools in partnership with Arlington Arts presents Collaboration During Isolation, allowing theatre students to express their dreams and hopes for the future as well as gain new skills with the latest video projection technology.

How do young people process the realities of a pandemic? How does a teen awaken to new perspectives and viewpoints? Exploring such questions through their creations, the students will display videos on an 8-by-14-foot screen built in the shape of a head and speech bubble.

Watch a sample video illustrating how the video mapping will look in-action:

The pop-up screen will be set up each evening at each of the four Arlington high schools during March 2021: Yorktown (March 16), Wakefield (March 18), H-B Woodlawn (March 23) and Washington Liberty (March 25). The videos will also be broadcast live on the nights of each event through Arlington Arts YouTube and Facebook accounts with #projectingtogether!

The project is a collaboration between Arlington Public Schools and Arlington Cultural Affairs and is made possible by a grant from Wolf Trap Foundation’s Grants for High School Performing Art Teachers. The students worked with Andres Luque, Arlington Arts Facilities Manager, Jared Davis, Arlington Arts Scene Shop Manager and Patrick Lord, projection and video designer. The theater instructors are Carol Cadby (Yorktown), Chris Gillespie (Wakefield), Hope Lambert (H-B Woodlawn) and Danny Issa (Washington-Liberty).

Celebrate the creativity and resilience of Arlington’s young people and watch the livestreams listed in the schedule below on the Arlington Arts Facebook page.

Schedule of the installation:

Tuesday, March 16 — Yorktown, 5200 Yorktown Blvd, Arlington VA 22207

Thursday, March 18 — Wakefield H.S., 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street, Arlington VA 22206

Tuesday, March 23 — H-B Woodlawn, 1601 Wilson Blvd, Arlington 22209

Thursday, March 25 — Washington Liberty, 1301 North Stafford Street, Arlington 22201

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

Poetry in Arlington is quite literally on the move. The six winners of Arlington’s 22nd annual MOVING WORDS Poetry Competition have their poems printed on colorful placards displayed aboard Arlington Transit ARTBus vehicles, enlivening the ride for thousands of commuters.

The six winning poets were juried by Arlington’s 2nd Poet Laureate, Holly Karapetkova, who also will have a poem displayed. The winners were chosen from a field of 211 poems submitted by 85 poets from the D.C. area. Printed on colorful placards and displayed prominently inside Arlington Transit’s ART Buses between February and September, their poems will be seen by thousands of riders. Each winner also will receive a $250 honorarium.

“This is like a new beginning,” said winner Rana Jaafar Yaseen, who is a published poet and TV host in her native Iraq. “I challenged myself to write in English, and this is my first work since leaving an abusive marriage last year. I see it as ‘a sign’ to get involved again in the creative world that I adore.”

Designed to promote the work of local writers and make poetry a part of daily life for commuters in Northern Virginia, the MOVING WORDS Program was launched in 1999 during National Poetry Month. It was conceived by award-winning poet and literary historian Kim Roberts (founder of Beltway Poetry Quarterly), the then Literary Program Coordinator for Arlington Cultural Affairs.

Originally held in partnership with Metrobus/WMATA, MOVING WORDS launched a new partnership with Arlington Transit for its 16th year. This complements another ongoing Arlington Arts program, Art on the ART Bus, which places original artwork by area artists inside select ART Buses. A parallel Student Competition is held in the fall as the culmination of the Pick a Poet project, a partnership between Arlington Cultural Affairs and the Arlington Public Schools Humanities Project, which places professional poets in APS classrooms.

Moving Words is a program of Arlington Arts in partnership with Arlington Transit, the poems are posted on the Arlington Arts website and will be archived on the Arlington County CommuterPage.com website. Read on to learn more about this year’s winners!

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