outdoor

Outdoor Movies Coming to Clarendon, Columbia Pike

By Mariah Joyce

Columbia Pike outdoor movie (photo via CPRO)Arlington residents willing to brave the summer heat have a few more options for outdoor entertainment starting this month.

Outdoor movie festivals at Market Common Clarendon and Penrose Square on Columbia Pike have both announced their weekly lineups.

“Dinner and a Movie on the Loop” will take place on four consecutive Thursday evenings at Market Common Clarendon (2700 Clarendon Blvd), starting this week. The event was started last year as Now Playing at the Loop.

Market Common has added dinner to the mix this year, with a different local restaurant is providing a fixed-price meal before each movie, beginning at 7:45 p.m. In addition, guests can round out their family-friendly cinematic experience with free candy, popcorn and water.

All movies start at 8:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

  • June 18 — How To Train Your Dragon 2
  • June 25 — Grown Ups
  • July 2 — The Sandlot
  • July 9 — The Wizard of Oz

Summer Movies @Penrose Square, a free outdoor movie series at Penrose Square (2597 Columbia Pike), started last Saturday (June 13).

The event, sponsored by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, will continue into September. The schedule is as follows:

  • June 20 — The Hundred Foot Journey (8:45 p.m.)
  • June 27 — Now You See Me (8:45 p.m.)
  • July 11 — The Imitation Game (8:45 p.m.)
  • July 18 — Enough Said (8:45 p.m.)
  • July 25 — The Grand Budapest Hotel (8:30 p.m.)
  • Aug 1 — Life of Pi (8:30 p.m.)
  • Aug 8 — Chef (8:15 p.m.)
  • Aug 15 — Birdman (8:15 p.m.)
  • Aug 22 — The Second Best Marigold Hotel (8:15 p.m.)
  • Aug 29 — How to Train Your Dragon (8:00 p.m.)
  • Sept 5 — Big Hero 6 (7:45 p.m.)
  • Sept 12 — X-men: Days of Future Past (7:30 p.m.)
  • Sept 19 — Interstellar (7:15 p.m.)

Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets to both festivals.

CPRO is also sponsoring another movie festival on the Pike this summer. Starting on August 16, CPRO will screen a movie every Sunday until September 20 at the Arlington Mill Community Center.

The movies at Arlington Mill will start at dusk. A schedule is expected to be announced mid-July.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Rosslyn as seen from the air, at night (Photo courtesy @kennethpiner)

County Offices Closed for Labor Day — Arlington County government offices will be closed Monday for Labor Day. Pools and ART buses will operate on a holiday schedule. Trash collection will proceed as normal, but mulch delivery will be suspended. Parking meters will not be enforced. [Arlington County]

Last Outdoor Films of the Season — Rosslyn will be hosting its last outdoor film of the summer tonight. “Horrible Bosses” is slated to run from 8:00-10:00 p.m. at Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway). The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, meanwhile, gets the honor of hosting Arlington’s last outdoor film of the summer. “Gravity” will be shown at Penrose Square (2503 Columbia Pike) Saturday starting around 7:30 p.m. [Rosslyn BID, CPRO]

Courthouse: ‘A Hot Spot Getting Hotter’ — Courthouse “is on the cusp of being reinvented” says a county planner. Its walkability, abundance of retail and park proximity have all helped to contribute to its increasing desirability among homebuyers. [Washington Post]

Arlington GOP Adopts Local Platform — Billed as its “first local platform,” the Arlington County Republican Committee approved a set of five guiding principles Wednesday. [InsideNova]

Photo courtesy Kenneth Edward Piner

Movie Nights on Columbia Pike Begin Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Columbia Pike outdoor movie (photo via CPRO)(Updated at 1:00 p.m.) Starting tonight, neighborhoods along Columbia Pike are getting in on the summer outdoor movie scene.

The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) is bringing back outdoor movies in Penrose Square every Saturday from this week (June 21) through August 30. This year, CPRO also will offer movies every other Thursday in the plaza of the new Arlington Mill Community Center, starting tonight and running through September 11.

CPRO is trying out something different at Arlington Mill by offering a couple of Spanish movies subtitled in English, and vice versa. The push for diversity in the movie selection isn’t just for Spanish-speaking cultures. CPRO Executive Director Takis Karantonis notes the movie “The Visitor” deals with issue of immigrating to the United States from Africa and the Middle East.

“We really are very interested in bringing movies from the many cultures we have along Columbia Pike,” said Karantonis. “We will test to see how it works. We realize not everybody is happy with subtitles all of the time, so we will collect feedback and adapt according. Our goal is to make the movies as linguistically accessible as possible.”

Movies begin around 8:30 p.m., or when it becomes dark enough. In case of inclement weather, event changes will be posted on the CPRO website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

The Arlington Mill movie schedule follows:

  • June 19 — La Misma Luna (Spanish subtitles)
  • July 3 — Life of Pi
  • July 17 —  No se Aceptan Devoluciones (English subtitles)
  • July 31 — The Visitor
  • August 14 — Sofia y el Terco (Spanish subtitles)
  • August 28 — El Estudiante (English subtitles)
  • September 11 — Avatar

Below is the schedule for movies at Penrose Square:

  • June 21 — Mama Mia!
  • June 28 — The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
  • July 5 — Sideways
  • July 12 — Inception
  • July 19 — Notting Hill
  • July 26 — Little Miss Sunshine
  • August 2 — Slumdog Millionaire
  • August 9 — Before Sunset
  • August 23 — The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
  • August 30 — Gravity

Lubber Run Announces Summer Concert Schedule

By Ethan Rothstein

Performance at Lubber Run Amphitheater (photo courtesy Arlington County)The Lubber Run Amphitheater, an open-air concert and performance venue, has announced its summer schedule with 27 events that are free for the public.

The public stage, near the intersection of N. Columbus Street and 2nd Street, will host musicians, theater troupes and other acts in multiple shows during the week, starting with Mary Anne Redmond on June 13 and ending with Rico Amero on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Spectators are encouraged to bring picnic materials, although alcohol is prohibited. In the event of inclement weather, visitors are encouraged to call the concert hotline at 703-228-1850 for info. There is no schedule for rain-dates in the event rain causes an event to be canceled.

Here is the list of performances scheduled. All performances are at 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For descriptions of the artist or group, visit Lubber Run’s website:

Photo courtesy Arlington County

Five Concerts Remain in Potomac Overlook Summer Series

By Ethan Rothstein

West on 66 performs (photo via Facebook)The Potomac Overlook Regional Park summer concert series is in full swing, with half of its slate of concerts still on tap through mid-September.

The concert series has been an annual tradition at the 70-acre park in North Arlington just off the GW Parkway, providing free outdoor performances of local and regional acts in a family setting, said Park Manager Roy Geiger.

“It’s a kick-back-and-relax time,” Geiger said. “You’ve got whole families coming down, kids in strollers, all ages up to senior citizens. So along come the blankets, lawn chairs, picnic baskets and even some dogs sitting there quietly.”

The crowds at the outdoor venue — which Geiger describes as a Wolf Trap-like feel but “without the big crowds” — vary depending on the weather, but reach into the hundreds on the nice Saturday evenings. The concerts are all put on from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Below is the schedule for the remainder of the season.

  • Aug. 3 — Surrender Friday (classic rock)
  • Aug. 17 — West on 66 (classic rock, pictured above)
  • Aug. 31 — Michael Mulvaney (blues and folk)
  • Sept. 7 — Andrew Acosta (bluegrass)
  • Sept. 14 — Second Wind (Southern rock)

Photo via Facebook

New Shirlington Music Fest Starts Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Shirlala Music Festival logoThe Village at Shirlington will be hosting a new summer music festival starting next week.

The “Shirlala Music Festival” will include 10 weeks of live music from various genres, plus wine tastings from Shirlington’s Cheesetique store. The festival is an outgrowth of the former Shirlington jazz festival.

The event is free and open to the public, but the wine tasting is $5. It will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, from June 13 to August 22 (except July 4).

This year’s musical lineup includes:

  • June 13 — Jeff Carmella Band (Rock)
  • June 20 — MARS 4-tet (Jazz)
  • June 27 — King Teddy (Swing)
  • July 11 — Dan Haas Trio (Pop Rock)
  • July 18 — Lloyd Dobler Effect (80s & 90s Covers)
  • July 25 — The Shack Band (Rock & Funk)
  • August 1 — Ewabo (Steel Tropical Drums)
  • August 8 — Taylor Carson (Acoustic Rock)
  • August 15 — The Morrison Brothers (Southern Rock)
  • August 22 — Beach Bumz (Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Man Busted for Meth Lab Worked for USA Today — One of the men arrested in connection with a suspected meth lab in a Virginia Square apartment building used to be a journalist who was regularly published in USA Today. Leonard Fischer, 44, was formerly a technology reporter for Gannett News Service. [Jim Romenesko, Kenneth in the 212]

Arlington Unemployment Rate Declines — Arlington still has the lowest unemployment rate in Virginia. Arlington’s jobless rate dipped from 3.7 percent in June to 3.5 percent in July, according to newly-released data. The average in Virginia is 6 percent, and the national unemployment rate is 8.6 percent. [Sun Gazette]

Outdoor Movie Lineup Announced — Crystal City’s lineup of outdoor movies for 2013 has been announced. The series — with the theme of “Blockbusters” — will kick of with E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial on June 3, 2013 and will wrap up with Jurassic Park on Aug. 26, 2013. The lineup was chosen via online vote by members of the public. [Crystal City]

Weather Cancels Rosslyn Outdoor Movie

By Katie Pyzyk

Rosslyn’s Outdoor FilmFest movie, “Dave”, will be canceled tonight because of expected rain and thunderstorms throughout the evening.

Weather permitting, the screening of “Swing Vote” will still take place next Friday (July 27) as scheduled.

The region is still under a flash flood watch from the National Weather Service until 11:00 p.m.

WIDESPREAD RAINFALL RATES OF ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR CAN BE
EXPECTED FROM AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS.

EXCESSIVE RAINFALL COULD CAUSE CREEKS AND STREAMS TO RISE
QUICKLY OUT OF THEIR BANKS AND COULD FLOOD LOW-LYING AND URBAN
AREAS…PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT HAVE HAD RECENT SIGNIFICANT
RAINFALL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Central Library Hosting Family Friendly Outdoor Movies

By Katie Pyzyk

Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) is hosting two free outdoor movie screenings next month, as part of Summer Reading 2012.

Viewers are welcome to bring a blanket and picnic while watching the family friendly movies. Films will begin shortly after dusk, around 8:00 p.m.

The first movie is “Hugo,” which will be shown on Thursday, August 2. The second movie is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” and will be shown on Thursday, August 9. Trailers for the films are available on the library’s website.

The screenings will take place in the field facing the Washington Blvd side of the library. If there is inclement weather, the movies will be shown in the library auditorium.

Pentagon Row Concerts Begin Thursday

By Katie Pyzyk

Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street) is getting ready to rock out. Tomorrow, June 7, kicks off the beginning of its summer concert series.

Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m., patrons in the plaza can take in the sounds from one of the bands performing at “Rock at the Row.”

Bands are scheduled for every Thursday evening through August 30. Although the series touts “rock,” there are also bands catering to those who prefer other sounds, like reggae, funk and zydeco.

Tomorrow, the Bon Jovi tribute band “Slippery When Wet” will play. Next week it’s Beach Bumz, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. The full schedule is below.

  • June 7 — Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi Tribute
  • June 14 — Beach Bumz, Jimmy Buffett Tribute
  • June 21 — Just Like Prom Night, 80’s Tribute
  • June 28 — MONSOON & STORM, Reggae
  • July 5 — The Crawdaddies, Roots Rock, Zydeco
  • July 12 — Old Man Brown, Southern Soul
  • July 19 — Higher Hands, Funk
  • July 26 — Donegal Xpress, Celtic Rock
  • August 2 — Bobby Lynch Band, Pop Variety
  • August 9 — Crowded Streets, Dave Matthews Tribute
  • August 16 — Unity, Reggae
  • August 23 — Matt Hutchison, Rock
  • August 30 — Gonzo’s Nose, Pop Rock

Ask Adam: Arlington Swimming Pools

By ARLnow.com

Editor’s Note: This periodic sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty. Please submit follow-up questions in the comments section or via email.

Question:  I’m moving to Arlington and would like to find a neighborhood with a pool.  Do you have any advice?

The majority of single family home neighborhoods in Arlington do not have a homeowners association (HOA), and therefore do not include amenities like swimming pools. I’ve found that this can be a letdown for families moving from Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.

The good news is that there may be other pool options available. The bad news is that it may take a few years to work your way up the local pool’s waitlist. Who knew pool memberships were in such high demand in Arlington?

I’ve put together the following guide to help you out. The information provided is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Please reach out to the individual pools you are interested in to learn more about the waitlist process and the cost details.

Overlee
6030 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA
http://www.overlee.org/

Waitlist:  Currently there are 666 families on the waitlist.  The estimated wait is 3-5 years.  You must be a resident of Arlington, Falls Church or McLean to join.

August passes are available for non-member at a cost of $325 / family.

Cost:  A non-refundable initiation fee of $2,000 (as of February 2011 — this amount is subject to change), plus $1,000 construction fee is required. In 2012 the annual dues are $700.

(more…)

View More Stories