Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Crescendo Studios, a new venue for music lessons, signs on as a Taste of Annandale sponsor

A music lesson room at Crescendo Studios. Crescendo Studios, a brand-new, beautiful facility for music lessons, showed its commitment to community engagement by signing on as a Gold-level sponsor of the 2019 Taste of Annandale. Crescendo offers lessons in piano, guitar, drum, bass, violin, cello, viola, and voice to children, teens, and adults.  It’s located in … Continued

Confronting evil: A brilliant stage production of “columbinus” at 1st Stage in Tysons

From left: Rocky Nunzio and Patrick Joy in “columbinus.” [Teresa Castracane/1st Stage] By David Siegel There is palpable rage in the all too disquieting, yet mesmerizing, docudrama production of “columbinus.” The play runs through April 20 at 1st Stage in Tysons. First staged in 2005, “columbinus” combines fact and fiction into unforgiving dramatic theatrical imagination … Continued

School news roundup: Students shine in science, music, journalism, and more

Science Olympiad team at Justice High School. Biking at Bailey’s – The physical education team at Bailey’s Elementary School received two grants – a Community Foundation Healthy Kids grant and a Virginia Safe Routes to School grant – to teach students how to ride a bicycle. Students will learn bicycle skills, safety, and will learn … Continued

Creative Cauldron’s Alice in Wonderland will delight children – and their parents

Izzy Smelkinson as the White Rabbit and Madeline Aldana as Alice. [Keith Waters, Kx Photography] By David Siegel Full of high-spirited playfulness, flights of adorable fancy, and some verbal gymnastics that children and adults can savor, Creative Cauldron’s Alice in Wonderland is family entertainment that will sweep one’s cares away into the joys of “curiouser … Continued

Providence Players present ‘August: Osage County’

Providence Players in rehearsal for “August: Osage County”: Beth Gilles Whitehead as Barbara Fordham and Clint Bagwell as Bill Fordham. [Chip Gertzog/Providence Players] By David Siegel “August: Osage County,” a play with plenty of wit and toughness and winner of the Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Awards, opens tomorrow at the James Lee Community Center … Continued

Intense play at Signature explores meaning of humanity

Felicia Curry, Yesenia Iglesias, and Holly Twyford in “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” at Signature Theatre. [C. Stanley Photography] By David Siegel Arresting and compelling are two words that come to mind to describe Signature Theatre’s fiery production about survival in a society racked by long-term natural disasters and deadly human-made … Continued

Fairfax Orchestra presents a very special concert

Alicia Curtis and Sidney Hampton of the Bowen McCauley Dance Company. [Jeff Malet] By David Siegel Something unique is in store for patrons of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. The FSO is presenting a a music and dance program “way off the beaten track,” says Christopher Zimmerman, the FSO’s conductor and music director. The performance, on … Continued

Middle schools get artists-in-residence

Chitra Sharma Students at three middle schools in the Annandale/Mason District area will have a chance to work with professional artists as part of ArtsFairfax’s Artist in Residency Program. Chitra Sharma, a screen printer, visual artist, and designer, will work with Glasgow Middle School art students on “The Glasgow Print Society” Feb. 11-28. Sharma will integrate social … Continued

Brave Spirits Theatre presents a riveting performance of ‘The Dutchess of Malfi’

Katie Culligan as the Duchess. [Claire Kimball] By David Siegel  Words have lethal consequences in the clear-eyed, unflinching production of The Duchess of Malfi from Brave Spirits Theatre. Under the sure-handed direction of Casey Kaleba, this is a gripping performance full of verbal wrath, physical terror, and compelling characters. First published in 1623, John Webster’s … Continued

Dark passions emerge in ‘The Changeling’

Danielle Scott and Musa Gurnis in The Changeling. [Claire Kimball] By David Siegel Sex, sin, retribution, and vengeance are only starting points for Brave Spirit Theatre’s amped-up production The Changeling at the Lab Studio Theater in Alexandria. The Changeling is a passionate, 400-year-old Jacobean drama by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. This dark tale gains … Continued

A woman takes revenge in Providence Players’ ‘Lovers and Executioners’

The cast includes (from the left): Jaclyn Robertson, Joshua McCreary, Emily-Grace Rowson, Chuck O’Toole, Chris Persil, Kirstin K. Apker, and Scotty Stofko. [Chip Gertzog/Providence Players] By David Siegel The Providence Players is bringing “Lovers and Executioners,” a blend of classic swashbuckling entertainment with a contemporary flair, to its 212-seat theater in the James Lee Community Center. … Continued