Local cultural highlights for July
By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Advisory Council
Rather than just being the yawning, stifling chasm between the end of the school year and the beginning of fall, July provides a lot of entertainment and cultural events for our community.
Here are some highlights:
July 5 – West African Cultural Heritage Night: Soul in Motion, Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, 7:30 p.m.
July 6 – Spotlight by Starlight concert featuring The U.S. 257th Army Band, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.
July 11 – Spotlight by Starlight concert featuring Good Shot Judy, a high-octane swing band, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 – Artisans United Summer Craft Show opens, Packard Center, 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale, 1-3 p.m. Visit this season’s opening show and sale featuring works from the Potomac Polymer Clay Guild, then take a walk in the adjacent Annandale Community Park. The United Artisans Craft Gallery has regular open hours and classes.
July 12 – Bolivian Cultural Heritage Night: Ballet Folklorico Boliviano Nuestras Raices, Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, 7:30 p.m.
July 13 – Spotlight by Starlight concert featuring rocker Pat McGee, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.
July 18 – Spotlight by Starlight concert: Cathy & Marcy’s Old Time Coalition, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.
July 19 – Dog Days of Summer, Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 1-4 p.m. Let your pup run and play on the great lawn, cool off in the splash, and test their skills in a friendly agility course. Capture the perfect summer memory at the dog-friendly photo booth, enjoy tasty treats for both pets and people, and connect with fellow dog lovers.
July 19 and 25 – Discover the Art of Crochet, a class for absolute beginners, United Artisans Craft Gallery, 4022 Hummer Road, 1-4 p.m. Registration required.
July 19 – Peruvian Cultural Heritage Night: Centro Cultural Peru, Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 – NVA Thai Street Food Market, Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
July 20 – Spotlight by Starlight concert with the City of Falls Church Concert Band, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.
July 25 – Spotlight by Starlight concert featuring the NOVA Symphony Orchestra, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.Â
July 26 – Indonesian Cultural Heritage Night: Santi Budaya, Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, 7:30 p.m.
July 27 – Asiantique Market, food and entertainment, Elmer Timberman Building, 6911 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 5-9 p.m.
July 27 – Spotlight by Starlight concert featuring Project Locrea, a multi-ethnic jazz-fusion ensemble, Mason District Park, 7:30 p.m.Â
July 29 – World Music Collective Performance, George Mason Regional Library, 7-8 p.m. Registration required.
There are shows for kids, too, on Saturday mornings, 10-10:45 a.m., at Mason District Park:
- July 5 – Mad Science of Washington
- July 12 – Marsha and the PositronsÂ
- July 19 – Blue Sky Puppet TheaterÂ
- July 26 – Rocknoceros
Check out the calendar posted on the ArtsFairfax website for more arts and cultural events.
Long-range planning is essential if you don’t want to miss out on what’s happening in the fall, the busiest season for cultural events. This year promises to be no exception.
Keep an eye out for the always-popular and well-attended Taste of Annandale on Sept. 20 and the Mason District Arts Festival on Oct. 11, among other events and activities.