Tag: arts
Pupusa Fest highlights Salvadoran culture
The local Salvadoran community celebrated their culture at a Pupusa Fest June 9 hosted by the General Consulate of El Salvador. The event, on the grounds of Braddock Elementary School in Annandale, featured free pupusas, a pupusa-eating contest, vendors, giveaways, raffle prizes, songs, and dances from El Salvador, Bolivia, Mexico, and Paraguay. El Salvador’s Consul … Continued
Annandale event celebrates Asian Heritage
Annandale celebrated Asian Pacific Heritage Month on Saturday with dance performances, crafts, and lawn games. The event, at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space at 7200 Columbia Pike, was hosted by the Fairfax County Community Revitalization (OCR) office. The county’s showmobile featured a Chinese yo-yo performance, a Polynesian dance by Lydia “Lili u” Ortiz of D.C. … Continued
Ideas proposed for expanding art opportunities in Mason District
At its final meeting on May 16, the Mason Arts Advisory Committee reviewed its priorities for expanding art opportunities and supporting local artists. Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez formed the committee in February with the goal of proposing art-related activities in Mason District that align with the county’s Master Arts Plan and his promise to make … Continued
Spotlight by Starlight concerts start in June
Mason District’s Spotlight by Starlight concerts start on June 14 with the City of Fairfax Concert Band at the amphitheater in Mason District Park. Free concerts will be held at Mason District Park at 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 18. The popular Tom Paxton and … Continued
More honors bestowed on Annandale HS orchestra director Annie Ray
Grammy Award winner Annie Ray and her orchestra students at Annandale High School will play the National Anthem at the Washington Nationals game on Friday, April 19. Annandale students, families, and community members can purchase tickets in section 405 for the discounted price of $16. The Nationals vs. Astros game starts at 6:45 p.m. at … Continued
Annandale celebrates ‘Art in Daily Spaces’
You don’t have to go to a gallery to see art in Annandale. The Art in Daily Spaces project showcases artworks at six businesses and the Mason Government Center. The exhibit opened April 13 and will close on May 12. Ten artists were selected to participate, with one or artists featured at each location: … Continued
Annandale businesses will host temporary mini-art galleries
“Art in Daily Spaces,” a groundbreaking exhibit that transforms retail and other spaces in Annandale into mini-art galleries, will run from April 13-May 12. Ten artists will display their works across seven locations along Columbia Pike. The project embraces the theme of Pop Art, a movement that incorporates mass-produced objects from popular culture. Community residents … Continued
Artists have space to work at Studios @ 307
Here’s an idea for repurposing underutilized office buildings in Mason District – convert them into art studios, like Studios @ 307 in Falls Church. Studios @ 307 is located in a two-story former office building at 307 E. Annandale Road. It houses 18 art studios and a handful of art-adjacent small businesses, says Tom Gittins, … Continued
AHS music teacher brings home a Grammy
“It was a whirlwind,” says Annandale High School orchestra director Annie Ray of her time in Los Angeles at the Grammys to accept the 2024 Music Educator of the Year Award. “It was unbelievable. It was so cool to see what goes on behind the scenes,” Ray told Annandale Today. She met a slew of … Continued
Jimenez forms an arts advisory committee
Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez established a Mason Arts Advisory Committee to review Fairfax County’s Master Arts Plan and propose art-related activities in Mason District that align with that plan. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Master Arts Plan for Facilities in 2023 to expand community access to and engagement in arts and culture. The … Continued
Annandale teacher Annie Ray wins a Grammy
Annandale orchestra director Annie Ray won the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The announcement was made to the nation Feb. 1 on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. Ray will travel to the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 4 to officially receive the honor. Many of Ray’s students and … Continued
TJ students find deeper meanings in ‘The SpongeBob Musical’
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology invites the community to see “The SpongeBob Musical.” Performances are scheduled for Feb. 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at tjtheaterarts.com or at the door. By Asha Das and Sohana Bahl Get ready … Continued
Artists sought for mural project
The Fairfax County Community Revitalization Section invites artists to apply for a new murals program. “Paint It, Fairfax!” is aimed at building a database of talented artists interested in creating community-focused public art in the county’s eight commercial revitalization areas. That includes the Annandale Commercial Revitalization District, the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization … Continued
Supervisor Jimenez wants to make Mason District a cultural hub
Andres Jimenez, Mason District’s new member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, wants to make Mason District “the cultural hub of Fairfax County.” “Mason District is one of the most diverse districts in the county, and we really want to put a spotlight on the small businesses that are here, the restaurants that are … Continued
New project will bring art to the daily life of Annandale
The “Art in Daily Spaces” initiative invites 10 local artists to showcase their Pop Art creations in commercial spaces throughout Annandale. The artworks will be displayed in such places as restaurants, coffee shops, stores, hair salons, laundromats, or office lobbies. “The goal is to seamlessly integrate art into people’s everyday environments,” states an announcement … Continued