Tag: arts
Annandale choral students perform a virtual concert featuring African-American composers
The Annandale High School Choral Department hosted its first virtual concert, “Lift Every Voice,” featuring all five of the school’s choirs performing works of six living African-American composers with a focus on hope, equity, and unity. The concert is available on YouTube. Several choral members speak during the performance about what the songs mean to them. The … Continued
Free virtual ‘Nutcracker’ presented by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet Company
Guest soloists Elina Miettinen and Sean Stewart, both American Ballet Theatre alumni, in the Fairfax Symphony and Fairfax Ballet Company production of “The Nutcracker.” [Fairfax Symphony Orchestra] By David Siegel With performing arts venues and concert halls closed for live entertainment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three Fairfax County institutions have developed a solution for … Continued
Made in Fairfax offers holiday gifts made by local artisans
Art from Blue Hyacinth Mosaics Many seasonal craft shows are not happening this year due to the pandemic, but there’s another source for unique gifts created by local artisans: Fairfax County’s Made in Fairfax directory lists dozens of artisans who create everything from jewelry to baked goods, stationery to body lotions. The Made in Fairfax … Continued
Justice High School musicians and vocalists are keeping the music alive
Justice students present a concert at a senior living facility. By Tara Rethore So many things have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for appropriate health and safety protocols. With public school buildings closed and learning conducted online, ensemble music groups are especially feeling the impact. Playing or singing together in person … Continued
Local artist displays political portraits in yard
A portrait of Joe Biden on a tree in Todd Crespi’s front yard. Lots of folks around here have political signs in their front yards, but artist Todd Crespi has gone a lot further. Crespi has decorated his yard, at the corner of Whispering Lane and Oakwood Drive in Annandale, with a rotating display of … Continued
Creative Cauldron’s ‘On Air’ transfers from local stage to worldwide airwaves
Garrett Matthews as Dr. Harry P. Davis, Erin Granfield as Agnes Davis, Robert Aubry Davis as Radio Voice, Nora Palka as Flora Conrad, and Jimmy Mavrikes as Frank Conrad in ‘On Air’ in 2019 at Creative Cauldron. [Keith Waters Kx Photography] By David Siegel “On Air,” a delightful audio musical about the momentous events in … Continued
Annandale’s craft gallery offers virtual shopping
The Craft Gallery of Artisans United, the unique shop in Annandale offering one-of-kind items by local artists and crafters, is offering virtual, as well as in-person shopping. Claire Gesalman, director of Artisans United Inc., will set up a Zoom call for people who can’t visit the shop in person. Contact her at 703-941-0202, [email protected], for … Continued
Fairfax County students produce popular dramatic podcast
Andrew Nguyen By David Siegel Even during these stressful times of COVID-19, the theater adage “the show must go on” remains true. But how? In response to the pandemic, local high school students came up with an answer: develop a fast-paced original podcasting series. The multiple-episode series is called the “Rockfish Gap Show.” The series … Continued
Students bring positive messages to community
The Sleepy Hollow Woods and Columbia Pines neighborhoods in Annandale are filled with messages of kindness and caring, thanks to a project by three Justice High School students. Incoming seniors Sofie Edwards, Evie Garces-Foley, and Renee Grutzik painted upbeat messages – such as “be kind,” “you are amazing,” and “we can do it” – on donated wooden … Continued
Fairfax County’s summer concert series goes virtual
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross presents a concert by singer-songwriter David Wilcox July 31. [Lynne Harty] Since the free summer concerts in the parks have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Board of Supervisors are offering virtual concerts livestreamed on Facebook. Shows are scheduled every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, … Continued
Creative Cauldron hosts outdoor concerts at Mission Lofts in Bailey’s Crossroads
Creative Cauldron, the Falls Church arts venue, is hosting outdoor cabaret shows through the end of September with social distancing procedures in place. The first few shows, beginning tonight, are at Mission Lofts, the new live/work building at 5600 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. All shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30. Here’s the … Continued
Young artist honors Dr. Perez in ‘Portraits of the Brave’ series
Dr. Perez of Annandale, as envisioned by Xinyi Christine Zhang. Xinyi Christine Zhang, a 15-year-old high school student in New Jersey, was so moved by the outpouring of love for the late Dr. Steve Perez that she added him to her Portraits of the Brave project honoring medical personnel. Zhang didn’t know Perez but found … Continued
Board to hold hearing on proposed admissions tax
Movie tickets at the Angelika Film Center, currently closed, would cost a little more if Fairfax County approves an admissions tax. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 March 24 to advertise a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to establish an admissions tax. The ordinance would levy a 4 percent tax on performances, … Continued
Fairfax County seeks proposals to turn a vacant store into an arts or entrepreneurial space
The Container Store on Leesburg Pike, before it closed. For the first project in Fairfax County’s new program “to transform vacant commercial spaces into economic development destinations,” the county is seeking proposals for repurposing the former Container Store building in Tysons. The project, “Activate Fairfax: 8508 Uncontained,” is the pilot for the county’s Department of Economic … Continued
ReelAbilities Film Festival promotes awareness of people with different abilities
A scene from “Cheers of JOY.” The ReelAbilities Film Festival, Feb. 20-March 1, offers films that promote awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different abilities. The films – a mix of dramas, documentaries, and shorts – are screened at various venues throughout the region, including the Pozez Jewish … Continued