Tag: arts

Environmental films at the Angelika in the Mosaic District
The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, the largest event of its kind in the United States, will include a few screenings at the Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District. More than 180 films from 32 countries will be shown through March 26 at 40 venues in the D.C. metropolitan region. Now in … Continued

‘Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing’ at Signature Theater
Debra Monk as Mrs. Miller. [Margot Schulman] By David Siegel With gentleness and clear affection for an unexpected heroine, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner James Lapine has written and directed with a disarming touch an endearing new play “with music” called “Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing.” In its premiere at Signature Theatre, the production … Continued

An unusual evening of mind reading
Derek Jasper By David Siegel Local audience demand has been so robust that Evan Hoffmann, artistic director of NextStop Theatre in Herndon, said he “had to bring back Derek Jasper to the NextStop stage for a third time. It will be an evening of live entertainment like no other.” Jasper is a magician, mentalist, and … Continued

The Pipeline Playwrights host readings of new plays
From the left: Patricia Connelly, Jean Koppen, Soo-Jin Lee and Ann Timmons. [Pipeline Playwrights] By David Siegel Northern Virginia is very much alive in its support for original play development by local playwrights. The diversity of the Northern Virginia demographic provides for fresh experiences to base a play on. One example is the recent launch … Continued

School news – Lego logo
A Lego creation by professionals. An occasional series highlighting information about Fairfax County Public Schools and programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information here is from FCPS and individual schools. A representatives from the Lego company’s U.S. headquarters in Connecticut visited Mason Crest Elementary School Feb. 21 to present a … Continued

The soundscape of MetroStage’s ‘The Gin Game’ Rocks!
Fonsia (Roz White) and Weller (Doug Brown). [Photo by Christopher Banks] By David Siegel I love being surprised when I go to the theater. Recently, I went to a play, “The Gin Game” (at MetroStage in Alexandria through March 12) and became totally smitten with the textures of its music design. It was a soundscape … Continued

In the Moment: the Jewish Plays Project at the JCC
Sarah Berry [JPP] By David Siegel We in the D.C. theater community are constantly on the prowl for new voices with diverse mindsets and new plays on emerging issues. There are many ongoing efforts to bring new playwrights and plays to the attention of theater leadership, current patrons, and a new generation of theater-goers. One … Continued

‘Blues in the Night’ at Creative Cauldron
The cast of “Blues in the Night.” [Keith Waters/Kx Photography] By David Siegel Ready for top-notch singing talent that brings the blues to vibrant, spicy life? Then high-tail it to Creative Cauldron in Falls Church for a cabaret-like revue called “Blues in the Night.” It’s all about love as a force that will take you … Continued

Edgy, unconventional dark comedy — ‘Trevor’ at 1st Stage theater in Tysons
Doug Wilder in “Trevor.” [Teresa Castracane] By David Siegel A rewarding tale about miscommunication in a family that generates plenty of laughs before a heart-wrenching turn of events makes “Trevor” a moving exploration of one family’s unusual bonds. The play can be seen at 1st Stage in Tysons Corner through Feb. 26. Inspired by true events, “Trevor” … Continued

Dramatic, suspenseful, colorful: ‘The Magic Marksman’ from the Virginia Opera
Corey Bix and Joseph Barron appear in “The Magic Marksman.” [Virginia Opera] By David Siegel “It’s a suspenseful thriller, with passionate romance and the struggle between good and evil.” That is how Adam Turner, principal conductor at the Virginia Opera, describes “The Magic Marksman,” the opera’s next offering at the Center for the Arts at George … Continued

Catch a glimpse of AHS alum on Super Bowl show
If you’re planning to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, keep an eye out for Annandale High School graduate Gregory Gast. He won’t be on the field, though; he’ll be in a Skittles commercial. Gast (Class of 1980) plays the dad in an ad titled “Romance,” which calls for a series of characters to catch … Continued

Unique gifts on sale at the Artisans United Craft Gallery
Textile designs are reflected in a wooden mirror, with inlaid mosaics, by Richard Allen. If you’re looking for one-of-a kind, expertly hand-crafted gifts, the Artisans United Craft Gallery in Annandale is the place to find them. During the months of November and December, the Craft Gallery is open 10 a.m-4 p.m. seven days a week. … Continued

Environmental Film Festival Oct. 31
Here’s something fun to do on Halloween that doesn’t involve dressing up or pumpkins – Attend the free Environmental Film Festival at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College. It’s Oct. 31, 1-4:30 p.m., in the Ernst Center. NOVA and the Fairfax County Restoration Project invite the public to “learn about a brighter environmental future … Continued

Taste of Annandale draws large crowd
People of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed great food and entertainment at the Taste of Annandale Oct. 1. The opening ceremony featured (from the left): Del. Marcus Simon, Supervisor Penny Gross, school board chair Sandy Evans (Mason), Board of Supervisors chair Sharon Bulova, Rep. Gerry Connolly, former congressman and supervisor Tom Davis, and Rev. Clarence Brown, … Continued

Improvements slated for Jewish Community Center
This old house will be transformed into an arts and culture center. The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is expanding. A groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 25 ushered in the start of a project to transform the old white house in front of the center on Little River Turnpike into an arts and culture arts center. … Continued