Tag: arts
Festival celebrates Vietnamese culture
The lion dance. Culture, arts, and cuisine of the three regions of Vietnam were showcased at VietFest 2013 at Landmark Mall this weekend. The second annual celebration was aimed at reaching out to the younger generation of Vietnamese Americans and the broader community, said the organizer, Daniel Albert. The first VietFest last year drew 6,000 … Continued
Peruvian cultural heritage showcased at Ossian Hall Park
The cultural heritage celebration at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale Aug. 24 featured traditional music and dance from different regions of Peru. The program was organized by Centro Cultural Peru, a nonprofit organization that promotes Peruvian dance and folklore. Tinkuy uses a mix of traditional and modern instruments. Marinera Nortena, a dance from the … Continued
VietFest this weekend at Landmark Mall
Lion dance. Celebrate all things Vietnamese—food, entertainment, contests, culture, and much more—this weekend at the second annual VietFest at the Sears parking lot at Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St., Alexandra. This year’s theme is “Beautiful Vietnam.” Highlights include a pho-eating competition (1 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25), a crawfish eating competition (12:30 p.m. both days), … Continued
Free summer concerts draw crowds to Mason District Park
One of the recent shows at Mason District Park in Annandale featured the Patty Reese Band. The video, shot by Bob Kovacs, is Reese’s version of “Piece of My Heart,” the Janis Joplin classic. “It’s not an easy song to do convincingly, and Patty convinces from beginning to end,” says Kovacs. On Aug. 9, Caravan … Continued
Music fills the summer nights at Mason District Park
The free Spotlight by Starlight concerts going on this summer at Mason District Park feature all kinds of music, from rockabilly to blues, jazz to country. Here are some samples of songs from the past few concerts recorded by Bob Kovacs, who also uploaded them to the Annandale Arts You Tube channel. This one, from … Continued
Mason District concerts feature wide variety of music
In case you missed the recent Spotlight by Starlight concerts at Mason District Park, Bob Kovacs uploaded three more videos to the Annandale Arts You Tube channel. “Jaco y Paco” is an original song that was performed by Incendio at the park amphitheater July 28. Incendio is a Lost Angeles-based jazz band that plays all … Continued
Illest Ingredients brings skate, b-boy contests to Wakefield Skatepark
The B-boy competition at last year’s Illest Ingredients at Wakefield Park Skateboarders and urban dancers will gather at Wakefield Skate Park in Annandale on Saturday, Aug. 10, for the second annual celebration of youth culture, “the Illest Ingredients,” featuring music, skate competitions, and art. Skaters will compete in a best trick contest (2 p.m.) and … Continued
Speed of Sound brings Paul McCartney’s music to Mason District Park
Here’s a clip of “All My Loving” by Speed of Sound, a Paul McCartney tribute band, that performed at Mason District Park in Annandale July 24 as part of the Spotlight by Starlight series. Speed of Sound is fronted by Jed Duvall, who also has tribute bands for Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, notes Bob … Continued
Capital Steps find fun in current events
If you missed the popular Capital Steps show at Mason District Park in Annandale Sunday night, here’s a taste: “Brat’s in the Cradle,” recorded by videographer Bob Kovacs, is about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the tune of Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle.” Kovacs plans to post more pieces by Capital Steps, a … Continued
Ossian Hall Park shows are overseen by Annandale activist Lassine Doumbia
Lassine Doumbia serves as the MC at Indonesian Cultural Night July 6. If you’ve been to a cultural heritage performance at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale in the past few years, you might have noticed a tall guy setting up the equipment, introducing the artists, and generally overseeing the show. That’s Lassine Doumbia, a nearby … Continued
A rainstorm doesn’t stop the Kleztet show at Mason District Park
Audience members invited on stage during rainstorm. The Spotlight by Starlight concert Wednesday evening was a true example of the saying, “the show must go on,” a reader reports. The Alexandria Kleztet was just a couple songs into their show at Mason District Park in Annandale when the skies opened up, pouring down rain on … Continued
Indonesian dancers charm the crowd at Ossian Hall Park
The Santi Budaya dance group brought graceful moves and lavish costumes to Ossian Hall Park in Annandale July 6 for Indonesian Cultural Night. Members of the audience were invited to the stage to join in with bamboo musical instruments. The shows at Ossian Hall Park continue every Saturday evening through Aug. 31. Next … Continued
The Taters perform at Mason District Park
Annandale Arts videographer Bob Kovacs recorded a couple of songs performed by the Taters Sunday night at the amphitheater in Mason District Park. Kovacs calls the first song, “Spend a Little Time,” a pleasant mid-tempo rocker that sounds like an Elvis song from around 1962. The second number, “Thingamajig,” was written by prolific country/swing songwriter … Continued
Eme & Heteru bring AfroRoots to Ossian Hall Park
Eme & Heteru burned up the stage at Ossian Hall Park last night. Specializing in high-energy AfroRoots music, the group backs up leader and vocalist Eme with horns, guitar, percussion, and bass. Here’s a taste of Eme & Heteru’s “Lady O” by Annandale Arts videographer Bob Kovacs: The show was part of the Spotlight by … Continued
Lots of options for fireworks and fun on the Fourth of July
The Black Cat fireworks stand in the Kmart parking lot on Little River Turnpike. There aren’t any major public Fourth of July fireworks celebrations scheduled in Annandale or the Mason District but there are plenty of things going on a bit farther away. The City of Falls Church is sponsoring a July 4 celebration at … Continued