Fall Arts Preview

By Jennifer Shapira

From Tony Award-winning theater to the opening of a state-of-the-art cultural center, the opening of this season proves Northern Virginia is for arts lovers. This fall, a groundbreaking dance company makes its long-awaited return to George Mason’s Center for the Arts, talented children mark 40 years of the International Children’s Festival, and Signature Theatre opens an anticipated new series of shows. So grab your calendar, and make some plans.

 

ART
MPAartfest
Easels, paints, sketchpads. Sound like the contents of an art supply shop? Close. It’s goodies provided by the McLean Project for the Arts’ annual art fest. The kid-friendly “open house” is held outside where aspiring artists of all ages can try their hands at creating a masterpiece.

The daylong art fest includes 40 juried Mid-Atlantic artists showcasing their wares. Graze their works, then find your own inspiration. Pick up a paintbrush at an outdoor easel. Take part in the “open studio,” to practice live model figure drawing. Browse the children’s art walk, listen to blues music, or grab a bite.

MPAartfest, Oct. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at McLean Central Park; 703-790-1953; www.mpaart.org; free

‘Party Crashers’
There’s a real interest in the way the graphic novel section has taken over bookstores and public libraries, says Jeffry Cudlin, co-curator of the late fall show in Arlington. “‘Party Crashers’ examines the relationship between alternative comic art and contemporary fine art and gallery culture,” he says. Split between two art spaces, the exhibit includes a dozen juried Mid-Atlantic artists from Chris Ware to Iona Rozeal Brown. Cudlin takes a look at just what makes the art form so compelling: Words and images combine for artful storytelling. The show will combine video, wall pieces and pages from mass-produced books. See for yourself: The medium is the message. “Party Crashers: Comic Book Culture Invades the Art World,”

Nov. 19 through Jan. 15, 2011 at Arlington Arts Center (Virginia Square) and the Arlington Cultural Center (Rosslyn); 703-248-6800; www.arlingtonartscenter.org; free

Journey at Grace
Reston’s GRACE opens the most extensive show of D.C. painter Freya Grand’s work to date. This solo show is significant for the gallery, which is usually divided into three distinct spaces, says exhibitions director Joanne Bauer. Grand’s landscapes recall her travels far and wide, from the Galapagos Islands to Botswana. Pieces include large canvasses, small oils on paper and on Mylar, and some of her prep drawings for the big works. The show will incorporate performance pieces inspired by Grand’s work: Jane Franklin will choreograph a modern dance and Steve Rogers’ jazz band will jam.

“Journey,” Sept. 30 through Nov. 12 at Greater Reston Arts Center; 703-471-9242; www.restonarts.org; free

MUSIC
American Voices with Crystal Gayle, Larry Gatlin and Andy Cooney
The 85,000-square-foot Hylton Performing Arts Center on George Mason’s Prince William campus will launch its first season of “Hylton Presents” with a performance from Crystal Gayle, Grammy Award winner, Larry Gatlin, country music’s 1979 Best Male Vocalist of the Year, and Andy Cooney, an Irish-American soloist with 15 albums to his name. The three will take the stage to open the inaugural season of music, dance and artistry in Northern Virginia’s newest venue.

American Voices with Crystal Gayle, Larry Gatlin and Andy Cooney, Oct. 15 @ 8 p.m. at Hylton Performing Arts Center; 888-945-2468; www.hyltonperformingartscenter.com; $34-$50, half-price for children through 12th grade

At the Birchmere
Head to Alexandria’s laidback, legendary listening room this fall, where promoter Ben Finkelstein says the club offers something for everyone. From well-known singers to niche acts, the Birchmere showcases what it does best. Labor Day weekend brings acoustic Boss guitar player Nils Lofgren, while Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard pulls into town with the Strangers not long thereafter. In October, expect laughs for comedian Paula Poundstone, a first-timer at the club, while Broadway chanteuse Barbara Cook belts Sondheim singles and other beloved show tunes. Look for ‘80s crooners Boyz II Men in November, and grab your best girlfriends as the hormonally imbalanced Four Bitchin’ Babes strike up their true-to-life harmonies the beginning of December.

Nils Lofgren Sept. 4-6, $45; Merle Haggard and the Strangers Sept. 20, $79.50; Paula Poundstone Oct. 12, $39.50; Boyz II Men Nov. 16 and 17, $59.50; Four Bitchin’ Babes Dec. 3 and 4, $35; at Birchmere Music Hall; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com

Virginia Opera
Stories of mistaken identities, spousal swapping and comedic turns swirl onstage when the Virginia Opera performs two classic Italian operas at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts: dramedy “Rigoletto,” and comedy “Cosi Fan Tutte.” “‘Rigoletto’ is one of Verdi’s most powerful and dramatic tragedies,” says Peter Mark, Virginia Opera’s artist director. “And Mozart’s delightful ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ provides the lightest but also most deeply lyrical and sophisticated contrast.”

Look for Fikile Mvinjelwa, a baritone from South Africa, to sing the title role of Rigoletto, backed by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Both performances are sung in Italian with English supertitles.

“Rigoletto” Oct. 15 at 8 p.m., $44-$86; Oct. 17 at 2 p.m., $48-$98; “Cosi Fan Tutte” Dec. 3 at 8 p.m., $44-$86; Dec. 5 at 2 p.m., $48-$98; at George Mason University Center for the Arts; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu

THEATRE
Wayside Theatre
The Shenandoah Valley’s Wayside Theatre serves up equal parts quality performances and storytelling, with a dash of history, says artistic director Warner Crocker.

“Striking 12,” by musical group Groove Lilly, reinvents Han Christian Anderson’s familiar New Year’s Eve story, “The Little Match Girl.”

Mark Twain’s “A Murder, a Mystery, and a Marriage,” with its bluegrass score, has a special significance, says Crocker. Twain left instructions in his will that his autobiography not be published until 100 years after his death. This November, the book will be published. “We’re going to be giving folks a little bit of a Mark Twain celebration with that particular piece,” says Crocker. “It’s very exciting.”

“Striking 12” through Sept. 25; Mark Twain’s “A Murder, A Mystery, and a Marriage” Oct. 9 through Nov. 6; at Wayside Theatre; 540-869-1776; www.waysidetheatre.org; $10-$30

Little Theatre of Alexandria
Once performing around the corner at the historic Gadsby’s Tavern, The Little Theatre of Alexandria marks 75 years at its current location with “Nude with Violin,” a Noel Coward art-filled comedy set in Paris. And in October, “The Visit” takes audiences to the City of Light’s polar opposite: a down-on-its-luck village, one that’s suffering a string of economic hardships a former resident is willing to clear up, for a price.

Founded in 1934, the Little Theatre counts U.S. presidents in its past audiences, according to marketing director Rachel Alberts. Just what you’d expect from one of the oldest continually operated theaters in the country.

“Nude with Violin” Sept. 4 through 25; “The Visit” Oct. 23 through Nov. 13; at Little Theatre of Alexandria; 703-683-0496; www.thelittletheatre.com; $17-$22

Signature Theatre
The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre roars back this season with humor, poignancy and a world premiere. The much-anticipated “Chess” makes its D.C.-area debut through September. Boasting a pedigree of successful Broadway composers and lyricists, it’s little wonder this rarely seen show is a cult favorite. It brings a whole new dimension to Signature: “We’ll have real rock ’n’ roll in the theater,” says artistic director Eric Schaeffer, “which is something we’ve never done.”

In October, delightfully funny Holly Twyford stars in D.C. native Ken Ludwig’s new golf-centric farce, “A Fox on the Fairway.” Through December, Sherri L. Edelen and Nancy Robinette play opposites who sort of attract—when they’re forced to—in the premiere of Joe Calarco’s “Walter Cronkite Is Dead.”

“Chess” through Sept. 26, $55-$81; “A Fox on the Fairway” Oct. 12 through Nov. 16, $50-$76; “Walter Cronkite Is Dead” Oct. 26 through Dec. 19, $50-$76; at Signature Theatre; 703-820-9771; www.sig-online.org

SPECIAL EVENTS
10.10.10: Opening of Artisphere, the Arlington Cultural Center
Music, dance, art, community. Those are the buzzwords for the Arlington Cultural Center, set to open Oct. 10. The former Newseum, the old Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre, a number of new gallery spaces, a 3,000-square-foot dance floor, a restaurant and a WiFi town square combine for the area’s most modern cultural hub. Here, the dance floor plays host to social dance nights, where your steps will be backed by some of the best regional bands. “Skateboarding Side Effects,” the inaugural exhibition at the Terrace Gallery, presents artists’ takes on the sport. Next door at the WIP (Works in Progress) Gallery, visitors can connect with artists as they freestyle about the origin of their works. Now that’s “an atmosphere filled with art,” says marketing director Jim Byers.

Opening of Artisphere, Oct. 10 at Arlington Cultural Center opening; 703-228-1850; www.arlingtonarts.org; free to visit art galleries, $15 at the door for social dance nights

Oatlands Paranormal Tours
When Oatlands curator Kirsten Edwards started her tenure at the Northern Virginia plantation, she never thought part of her job would include guiding ghost tours. “Everyone thinks because it’s an old house, it’s haunted,” she says. After collecting stories from colleagues and accounts from one-time photographers too scared to return, Edwards started documenting. Two teams of paranormal investigators later, Oatlands is still not sure who’s doing the haunting. Find out for yourself. If you dare.

Oatlands Paranormal Tours, Oct. 25-29 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Oatlands Plantation; 703-777-3174; www.oatlands.org; $12, $5 for children under 12, reservations required

Eat, Drink, and Be Virginian
Eat, drink, and be Virginian at Woodlawn Plantation’s first evening of bourbon and oysters, for ages 21 and older. Originally part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, Woodlawn was built in the early 1800s as a wedding gift for the first president’s nephew and his wife. The Federal-style home had its origins in entertaining; GW’s relatives loved to throw parties, sampling spirits from their own distillery. Plan for an evening of tasting handcrafted bourbon from Fredericksburg and puffing on hand-rolled cigars from Yorktown. The price of admission also includes a tour of the National Trust Historic home and a menu that showcases local ingredients. For non-drinkers, the root beer will be flowing.

Eat, Drink, and Be Virginian, Nov. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Woodlawn Plantation; 703-780-4000; woodlawn1805.org; $100 in advance, $125 at door

FESTIVALS
Lovettsville Oktoberfest
From lively accordion music to the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble, the annual Oktoberfest weekend celebrates Lovettsville’s German heritage and offers good, old-fashioned entertainment, says festival organizer and town council member Scott Duckum.

Stroll along the downtown streets where vendors will sell jewelry and other arts and crafts. Let the little ones burn some energy on the moon bounce. Grownups will no doubt enjoy the biergarten and tastes poured by local vintners, and everyone will want to partake in Sunday’s pancake breakfast. Last year’s Saturday-only car show featured German-made Porsches; it was such a hit that Volkswagen and BMW will also exhibit for 2010.

Just don’t leave home without your lederhosen.

Lovettsville Oktoberfest, Sept. 24-26 in Town of Lovettsville; 540-822-5788; www.lovettsvilleva.gov; free

Fall for the Book
This year’s GMU Fall for the Book lineup of 150 authors’ readings, signings and book talks is star-studded. Headlining the event are Greg “Three Cups of Tea” Mortenson and Oprah Book Clubber Kathryn Stockett, who penned “The Help.” Other big names include of-the-moment writer Jennifer Egan, “Bel Canto’s” Ann Patchett, and Washington Post finance columnist Michelle Singletary.

The event originated on the university’s campus a decade ago, but has since spread throughout the D.C. area, making the most of some 30 book-friendly venues including branches of Fairfax and Arlington County libraries, the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md., and the Smithsonian, says organizer Art Taylor. The festival is free, but there is a cost to purchase books.

Fall for the Book, Sept. 19-24 at venues throughout Virginia, Maryland and D.C.; 703-993-3986; fallforthebook.org; free

Waterford Fair
For what’s officially known as the Waterford Homes Tour and Crafts Exhibit, this Loudoun County village of about 300 welcomes visitors from all over, says longtime organizer Fran Holmbraker. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970, the village itself is on exhibit, preserved as it would have looked in the early 19th century. Filled with music, entertainment and the state’s oldest juried crafts fair, the three-day festival is rich in local heritage. The owners of 13 homes open their doors to educate fairgoers on life during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Catch a re-enactment, listen to the fife and drum corps, and plan to eat well.

Waterford Fair, Oct. 1-3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Village of Waterford; www.waterfordvillage.org or www.waterfordfoundation.org; $15 per person in advance, $26 per person per two-day ticket in advance, $17 per person per day at the gate, free for children under 12

International Children’s Festival
The International Children’s Festival has held fast to its place in Wolf Trap’s history as long as the national park has been open for business. The 40-year-old festival continues to delight young audiences with its mission of culture and education. Every September local and international children take center stage at the park, radiating song and dance. This year’s featured guests include performers from Chechnya, Poland and Mexico. Among the festival’s additional attractions are arts and crafts tents and meet-and-greets with children from other nations. From African drumming to Chinese dance, nearly every continent is represented, says festival organizer Scott Fridy. “So many people in the Washington area have an international background and keep their culture alive through dance and music,” he says. Play on.

International Children’s Festival, Sept. 18-19 at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap; 877-WOLFTRAP; www.internationalchildrensfestival.org; $15 for adult two-day pass, $9 for adult one-day pass, $8 for child and senior two-day pass; $5 for child and senior one-day pass

DANCE
MOMIX
MOMIX artistic director and founder Moses Pendleton offers up his interpretation of New England’s four seasons in a new body of work, “Botanica.”

Using the human form and graceful movement, the company of dancer-illusionists evokes the most basic of concepts and explores the deeper meaning of seasonal change through art. While the Northeast is known for its four distinct seasons, Pendleton uses creative and subtle costuming so that “one season slips into the next in ‘Botanica,’ but you’ll recognize what time of year it is.”

What can audiences expect from this garden of earthly delights?

Says Pendleton, “I hope they feel closer to the rhythms of nature.”

MOMIX, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu; $23-$46

Bellydance Superstars Present ‘Bombay Bellywood’
Believe it or not, Bellywood Superstars was born out of the wildly popular Riverdance effect, says producer Miles Copeland. Irish music is hardly chart-topping, but those cloggers sure created a sensation a decade ago. Of belly dance, says Copeland, “what we’ve done is taken this art form that you would have probably seen in a restaurant and put it on the big stage.”

Backed by their own percussionist, and armed with killer choreography, more than a dozen dancers shake it in bright-colored costumes. It looks like something any woman could do, says Copeland. No wonder local gyms are busily updating their playlists.

Bellydance Superstars Present “Bombay Bellywood,” Oct. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Birchmere Music Hall; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com; $29.50

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
Considered one of the 10 best choreographers in the world, the pioneering Lar Lubovitch started his New York-based modern dance company 40 years ago, and was one of the first to choreograph minimalist work in the 1970s. After a decade-long touring hiatus, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company once again graces the stage at George Mason’s Center for the Arts. The company returns with new repertory work that includes “North Star,” from the 1977 Philip Glass album, and “My Favorite Things,” classic Richard Rodgers, revved up by the John Coltrane Quartet’s 1963 recording in Copenhagen.

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu; $22-$44

FILM FESTIVALS
Spooky Movie Festival
Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax once again plays host to the Spooky Movie Festival. The four-day fest kicks off late Friday and runs through Monday night. Founder Curtis Prather, a filmmaker and longtime fan of old-school horror flicks (specifically “Godzilla”) boasts a number of converts from the “regular” art-house cinema crowd and promises wide appeal.

From shorts to feature-length films, the festival centers on one very specific genre: horror. Expect vampires, slashers and zombies. Occasionally, says Prather, there’s humor and gentility.

His MO: If you’re not scared, you’re not entertained. But don’t worry. If you leave feeling too disturbed, Prather just might offer a hug.

Spooky Movie Festival, Oct. 22-25 at Cinema Arts Theatre; 703-642-0862; www.thespookymovie.com; $8 for one block or $20 for festival pass

Rosebud Film Festival
This year marks the 20th anniversary of a local film favorite, the Rosebud Film Festival. Featuring the work of Virginia, Maryland and D.C. filmmakers, this weekend-long festival will be held at the new Arlington Cultural Center. From shorts to features to music videos, the jam-packed two-day festival runs nonstop. “We just knock it out,” says director Sidney-Chanele Dawkins.

In addition to showing high-quality films, the juried Rosebud Film Festival aims to provide aspiring filmmakers with top locations to screen their work. Plan on some audience participation, and be sure to cast your vote for the fan favorite.

Rosebud Film Festival, Nov. 13-14 at Dome Theatre at Arlington Cultural Center; 703-524-2388; www.rosebudact.org; $10 per day

Alexandria Film Festival
Created by the Alexandria Commission of the Arts, the Alexandria Film Festival’s intention was to fill a void. The city is home to numerous filmmakers seeking representation so, for the past four years, AFF has been presenting fine films that compete over the course of four days for juried prizes, with a top award of $1,000. Held last year at the city’s Masonic Temple, some two dozen shorts and feature films from all over the world delight audiences while promoting discussion among film enthusiasts.

Alexandria Film Festival, Nov. 4-7 in Old Town Alexandria; alexandriafilm.org; festival pass $25 in advance ($35 at the door), one-day pass $10 in advance ($15 at the door)