festival

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Glencarlyn forest (Flickr pool photo by Dennis Dimick)

Report: Toddler Left in Car Suffered Burns — The Annandale man charged in the death of his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter was watching TV and drinking beer as the child sat forgotten in his car, NBC 4 reports. He was also driving on a revoked license. The girl had a body temperature of 107 when she was rushed to the hospital and had second-degree burns from the car seat. [NBC Washington]

Park Aides Get Banning Powers — Park ranger aides in Arlington now have the legal authority to ban people from parks. The County Board voted earlier this month to add aides to the list of county personnel with powers of attorney for the “Park Safe” program. Offenders who violate the ban — which is typically levied on those who repeatedly violate park rules — can be charged with criminal trespassing. [InsideNova]

Moon Bounce Opportunity — Arlington County will be holding a “Fitness Day in the Park” at Alcova Heights Park on Saturday. The event will include games, nutrition and fitness demos, an inflatable rock wall and a moon bounce. [Arlington County]

Festival Argentino in Arlington — The 2016 Argentine Festival will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theater (125 S. Old Glebe Road) on Saturday, May 14. The event will feature traditional food, exhibitions, music and dance. Tickets are $20 in advance. [Festival Argentino USA]

Flickr pool photo by Dennis Dimick

Arlington Festival of the Arts to Transform Highland Street in Clarendon into Outdoor Art Gallery

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Eclectic displays of original art, a vast array of styles and media, and the finest artists in the country will be featured during the 4th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts April 16th and 17th. Produced by Howard Alan Events and hosted by the Clarendon Alliance, this two-day outdoor-juried art show is an ideal opportunity for art enthusiasts to explore the work of many different artists in one setting.

“We are excited to return to Clarendon,” says festival promoter Howard Alan. “The community here is supportive of the arts and truly appreciates and recognizes quality work.”

Bold and vibrant paintings, contemporary and whimsical art, life-size sculptures, photography and jewelry as well as functional art and unique gift items, all with broad appeal, will be on display and for sale. Prices will be set to suit all budgets and range from as little as $25 to $30,000.

“This event is a wonderful celebration of the arts,” affirms Alan. “It is very much like an outdoor art gallery, perfect for art enthusiasts and collectors interested in new quality investments by emerging artists as well as the casual shopper looking for unique gift items. We showcase the nation’s top artists and exceptional local talent with their finest works of art that will appeal to people of all ages as well as collectors with varied interests and budgets.”

The artists are juried by an independent panel of expert judges and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity. “Our goal is to provide a unique experience where festival goers can take in the sights, sounds and colors of a first-rate festival with a wide variety of art on display, while interacting with the artists,” assures Alan. “It is a terrific opportunity to explore the works of many different artists and discuss their inspiration and creative process before making an investment.” The exhibitors, present for the duration of the show, will set up their displays along Washington Boulevard.

Howard Alan Events develops and produces some of the nation’s finest juried art shows in more than 40 venues each year, many are ranked among the top 100 art fairs in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. These shows, which attract locals and tourists alike, include the Alexandria King Street Art Festival (Alexandria, VA), the Downtown Aspen Art Festival (Aspen, CO), the Beaver Creek Art Festival (Beaver Creek, CO), and the Las Olas Art Fairs, (Fort Lauderdale, FL).

The 4th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts runs Saturday and Sunday, April 16 – 17, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day, admission is free. The art show will take place in Clarendon on North Highland Street. For additional information about this event and other Howard Alan Events shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by Howard Alan Events.

Arlington Festival of the Arts Returns Next Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Festival of the Arts posterThe Arlington Festival of the Arts is returning for to Clarendon next weekend.

The annual event, now in its fourth year, will take place at the corner of N. Highland Street and Washington Blvd from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 16-17.

“Enjoy a weekend of true visual inspiration, as over 100 artists will showcase their works including glass, mixed media, paintings, jewelry, and pottery; providing all sorts of opportunities to appreciate and purchase art,” organizers wrote on the event website.

Admission is free.

Spring Beer Festival Returning to Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Mid-Atlantic Spring Beer Festival (photo courtesy Capitol City Brewing)

Shirlington’s spring beer festival is returning for its third year.

Hosted by Capitol City Brewing, the third annual Mid-Atlantic Spring Beer Festival will take place Saturday, April 30 from noon to 7 p.m., rain or shine.

“The springtime beer-tasting event will include a line-up of 35 regional breweries,” according to a press release. “Admission for beer drinkers is $30 (one general admission pass per person), which includes a wristband, official tasting glass and 10 drink tickets. Additional drink tickets can be purchased for $1 each with a five-ticket minimum. The event is free for non-drinkers and children.”

Participating breweries include:

  • DC Brau
  • Pleasure House Brewing
  • Starr Hill
  • Flying Dog
  • Adroit Theory
  • Hellbender
  • Fair Winds
  • Bold Rock
  • Caboose
  • Union

A number of Shirlington restaurants will be participating, offering springtime fare to festival-goers, including Busboys & Poets, Café Pizzaiolo and Luna. Music will be provided by DJ Julius Talvik.

Ticket sales will begin at 11:30 a.m. the day of the event.

Holiday Market to Return to Rosslyn

By Jennifer Currier

Holiday decorations in RosslynThe Rosslyn Business Improvement District’s annual holiday market is scheduled to return for the third year in a row.

The Rosslyn Holiday Market Festival is a two-day festival this year, to be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 at Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway).

“Like Rosslyn, the holiday market has evolved over the years with a focus on creating experiences where people can spend time and have fun with their co-workers, neighbors and community,” Rosslyn BID President Mary-Claire Burick said in an e-mail.

The family-friendly event will host a full schedule of holiday themed activities, including live music, crafts, games and photos with Santa. There will also be local vendors at the festival, selling goods, food and beverages.

The festivities will end on Friday night with a bonfire in the middle of the market’s “winter wonderland.”

A complete schedule of events can be found online.

Save The Date: Shirlington Tree Lighting Festival

By Jennifer Currier

Shirlie Lights Up The Village (via Facebook:The Village at Shirlington)Update on 12/1/15: “PLEASE NOTE: Due to the forecasted inclement weather, Shirlie Lights Up the Village has been RESCHEDULED to Monday, December 7th from 6-8:30pm. We hope to see you there!”

Thanksgiving will barely be over before celebrations for the next holiday begin in Shirlington.

The annual “Shirlie Lights Up The Village” festival is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature holiday-themed performances and activities for all ages.

The tree lighting is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. at The Village at Shirlington at 4280 Campbell Ave. and will be hosted by a special guest, to be announced at a later date.

Other festival events include pictures with Santa beginning at 6:45 p.m. at the UPS Store (2776 S. Arlington Mill Drive), holiday cookie decorating, face painting and live musical performances.

There will also be horse and carriage rides for guests who bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

The festival is free and open to the public.

Photo via Facebook/The Village at Shirlington

Shirlington’s 16th Annual Oktoberfest to be Held Next Weekend

By Eleanor Greene

Shirlington Oktoberfest 2015 bannerCapitol City Brewing will be hosting the 16th Annual Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest in Shirlington on Saturday, October 3 from 12-7 p.m.

The event will feature more than 60 local breweries, food from local vendors and authentic German music and food. As usual, Oktoberfest will be held along Campbell Avenue at The Village at Shirlington. 

“We have about 90 vendors, 65 breweries, thousands of people come out, it’s just a whole lot of fun,” said Sean Carney, a manager at the brewery’s Shirlington location. Carney says he expects two to three thousand people to come to the event, “Maybe even more… it’s one of the bigger festivals in the fall around here, that’s what gets people so excited.”

Tickets are $30 for the the beer tasting, which includes 10 four-ounce pours, wristband and tasting glass. For non-drinkers, the event is free to attend.

Arlington County has made a video publicizing ways to get there without using a car, both as part of Arlington’s Car-Free Diet, as well as to encourage responsible drinking.

Nauck Civic Pride Day Planned for Saturday

By ARLnow.com

2015 Nauck Civic Pride Day FlyerThe Nauck neighborhood will hold its annual Civic and Community Pride Day on Saturday.

The event, which is being held from noon to 6 p.m. at Drew Model School and the Nauck Town Square, will feature live music and dancing, local vendors, entertainers and speakers, a health fair, and a fish fry and barbecue.

For kids, there will be a moon bounce, a cake walk and a video game truck.

For adults, there will be a voter registration booth, HIV testing and representatives from the public defender’s office, according to an event flyer.

Road Closure Planned for Rosslyn Beer Fest

By ARLnow.com

Backyard beer fest posterThe Arlington County Police Department is planning a some road closures for the Rosslyn Backyard Beer Festival on Saturday.

The event is being held at Rosslyn’s Gateway Park in two sessions, one from 1-4 p.m. and the other from 7-10 p.m. Organized in part by Project DC Events, best known for their Clarendon bar crawls, the festival will feature more than 60 craft brews and live music.

More than 30 breweries are expected to participate, including Flying Dog from Frederick, Maryland, Old Ox Brewery from Ashburn and D.C. breweries Atlas Brew Works and DC Brau. Tickets are now $35-45.

To help accommodate the large crowds expected for the event, police will be flocking off the southbound lanes of N. Fort Myer Drive for most of the day, directing traffic coming into Rosslyn via the Key Bridge to a detour that runs up Lee Highway.

In a press release, the police department warned of the following traffic impacts:

  • “Southbound lanes of N. Fort Myer Drive between east and westbound Lee Highway will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to [midnight]. Detour signs will be posted.”
  • “Heavy pedestrian traffic is anticipated between the hours of 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., be prepared for delays.”
  • “DETOUR (coming from Key Bridge on N. Fort Myer Drive) around the event will be directed west on Lee Highway, then south on Scott Street, followed by Veitch Street.”
  • “Street parking in the area may be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary ‘No Parking’ signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-558-2222.”

Celtic Festival Returns to Shirlington

By Heather Mongilio

Beckett's Celtic Festival flyer (via Samuel Beckett's)

A bit of Ireland is coming to Campbell Avenue in Shirlington with the return of the annual Beckett’s Celtic Festival this Saturday, Sept. 19.

“The Beckett’s Celtic Festival is a celebration of Celtic food, drink and culture. It is an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy themselves and take in the very best of Irish music, dance, food, drink and all around ‘craic,'” said Daniel Perranzas, a manger at festival host Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub (2800 S. Randolph Street).

The festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. and there will be about 20 vendors lining Campbell Avenue, selling beer and food. Samuel Beckett’s will have a vendor stand and will sell Irish delicacies like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, corned beef reuben’s, Irish sausage rolls and bratwurst, Perranzas said.

Vendors will sell Irish draft beers, including Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp, along with Magner’s Cider and wine, he said.

There will also be live music and Irish dancing, both outside and inside the pub.

“The Celtic Festival was started three years ago as a way to connect with a community that has shown us such great warmth and hospitality and also to emphasize the deep connection that Irish heritage and culture holds within the many residents of this and every community,” Perranzas said. 

The Arlington County Police Department will close Campbell Avenue from S. Randolph Street to the parking garage at the Harris Teeter in Shirlington (4250 Campbell Ave.) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday for the festival.

Clarendon Day to Return With an Extra Hour of Music, Food

By Heather Mongilio

Scenes from Clarendon Day 2011Music and the smell of chili will fill the air around the Clarendon Metro station on Saturday, Sept. 26 for the 18th annual Clarendon Day.

There will be arts and crafts, food, beer, music and the annual chili cookoff, all on Clarendon and Wilson Blvds outside the Clarendon Metro station. The free festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., an hour longer than previous years.

There will about 25 bands playing across four stages, with the headliner Slam Allen Band playing blues and soul on the Main Stage at 4:30 p.m.

“Slam Allen is not only pretty good, he is taking the blues world by storm having sat at No. 1 on the Roots Music Report Blues List for 16 straight weeks with top single and album,” said Anders Thueson with Songs, Writers and Poets, one of the festival’s sponsors.

Slam Allen will play until 6 p.m., but the other four stages, including one dedicated to dance performances, will close at 5 p.m., said Matt Hussmann, executive director of the Clarendon Alliance.

For the third year in a row, Clarendon Day is also home to the annual chili cookoff, sanctioned by the International Chili Society and sponsored by Hard Times Cafe.

Members of the chili society will enter their best recipes for red chili, chili verde, salsa and homestyle chili in hopes of winning and moving on the the World Championship Chili Cookoff this October in Palm Springs, California. Proceeds from the cookoff will benefit Wounded Warriors, Hussman said.

Chefs will be giving samples of their chili, but there plenty of other food options from local restaurants, including Bowl’d, Circa at Clarendon, Fuego Cocina y Tequileria and Liberty Tavern, Hussman said. Top Chef contestant Mike Isabella will be selling food from his three Ballston restaurants — Kapnos Taverna, Pepita Cantina and Yona.

“We’re also bringing back several longtime specialty food vendors — evidently fried food is a hit at Clarendon Day,” said the event’s website.

In addition, there will be arts and crafts booths and a kids zone with rides, music, storytelling and face painting.

The Arlington County Police Department will close down Clarendon and Wilson Blvds from Washington Blvd and N. Highland Street starting at 5 a.m. for the festival. N. Highland will also be closed from 11th Street N. to the Views at Clarendon (1210 N. Highland Street).

Wilson Blvd will be closed from N. Highland to N. Lynn Streets from 5-9:15 a.m. for the annual Pacers-organized Clarendon Day 10K/5K/Kid’s Dash. The southbound lanes of Route 110 will also be closed from 8-10:30 a.m. for the race.

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