Posted by David Schuller / Friday, May 24th, 2013
Looking to entertain the anklebitters while you get your patriotism on? Your offspring my cramp your style as you celebrate those who served this nation, or you might just be one of those odd parents who enjoys spending time with their children (you wierdo, you). Regardless of your disposition, consider checking these events out for some quality bonding, civic education and good ol’ fashioned ‘Murican fun!
Blend Images /shutterstock.com
Memorial Day Concert
May 26, 5 p.m. Memorial Day weekend provides the opportunity to celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of our men and women in the armed forces. The National Men’s Chorus, founded in 1999, will be led by Artistic Director Thomas Beveridge in a rousing program of patriotic music in honor of those who have served. / Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean; 703-356-0670; musicinmclean.org; $20.
ViVa! Vienna! Festival
May 25-28, Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ViVa! Vienna!—a family and community oriented celebration of Memorial Day and the greater Vienna Community spirit. Amusement rides, food, crafts, vendors and entertainment—fun for all ages! Vendors include handcraft artisans, retail vendors, professionals, political parties and candidates, and community and non-profit organizations. Proceeds go to charitable, community and humanitarian organizations. / Historic Vienna, 245 Maple Ave W, Vienna; 703-255-4742; vivavienna.org; Free.
Band of America’s Few
May 26, 10:30 a.m.-noon. The Band of America’s Few will perform patriotic selections in celebration of Memorial Day on the museum’s parade deck. / National Museum of the Marine Corps, usmcmuseum.org; free.
Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival
May 27, 1-6 p.m. The Commodores, a specialty unit of the U.S. Navy Band will perform at 1. At 2, Al Williams, four-time WAMMIE Award winner, will perform. At 3, Daniel Ori will perform contemporary jazz. At 4, Emy Tseng will perform jazz with a Brazilian twist. And finally, at 5, Bob Gibson Big Band, which includes members of the Armed Forces Service, will perfrom a variety of swing and big band pieces from the ’40s. / Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., Alexandria;alexandriava.gov.
Alexandria Memorial Day Ceremony
May 27, 11 a.m. Join citizens of Alexandria and the “friends of Rocky Versace” in remembering heroes of our military who have fallen. The ceremony will include a reading of the 67 names on the memorial, a wreath-laying, “Taps” and “God Bless America.” / Capt. Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria; virginia.org.
Memorial Day with The Grandsons, Jr.
May 27, 10:30 a.m. The Grandsons, Jr., is the kids band version of DC-area roots rock superstars, The Grandsons. Kids and their parents will dig the upbeat mix of rock, swing, New Orleans R&B, country, latin music we call Americana. Over the past 25 years performing as The Grandsons, the band has noticed that many of their songs resonate with the younger crowd. As the grandsons, Jr., they combine new material learned especially for the younger set, with Grandsons tunes that have always been popular with the kids. / Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna; 703-225-1566; jamminjava.com; $5.
Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by Tim Regan / Friday, May 24th, 2013
Photo Courtesy of National Day of Civic Hacking
Besides being a really awful movie, the cyberpunk thriller “Hackers” propelled the world of computer hacking into the pop culture lexicon. Ever since, the word has conjured images of hours-long electronic crime sprees fueled by energy drinks and a dreamy Matthew Lillard in dreadlocks. But if that’s still your perception of the word, read on and be amazed: Arlington’s National Day of Civic Hacking is totally different.
“It’s an opportunity to get the local citizens…to use some of the data that’s publicly available and create some interesting applications,” says Dr. José Muñoz, Chief Technology Officer of the National Science Foundation and one of the Northern Virginia Day of Civic Hacking’s head organizers. When attendees arrive, they’ll have the opportunity to review free-to-use datasets for sparks of inspiration. The goal? Use the information to solve the Northern Virginia Challenge. Or any of the National Day of Civic Hacking challenges. Solutions normally come in the form of iPhone, Android, or desktop applications coded right there in the conference. An application might take the form of a location-based list of local events happening around the Arlington area. Another might establish a new correlation between two completely different types of datasets and spark a revelation in funding or research. The possibilities are endless.
Of course, programmers, students and IT professionals are encouraged to attend, but the event is open to just about anyone with an imagination. “If you’re a person who has neat ideas but aren’t necessarily a programmer…throw out an idea and see if anyone can come up with a quick solution,” says Muñoz. As an added bonus, guests may receive National Science Foundation thumb drives or other one-of-a-kind mystery prizes.
Register here by May 29 to attend. The event is free.
National Science Foundation Offices 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington Saturday June 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. & Sunday, June 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Strawberries, Ferris Bueller & 8 More Awesome Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day
Posted by Jasmine Lee / Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
… Because plenty of us still have no idea what we’re going to do. Let’s get right into it.
Kaponia Aliaksei/shutterstock.com
Movies, anyone? Rosslyn continues its summer outdoor film festival tomorrow with “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” And “Fast & Furious 6” will finally be here!!! (If you’ve somehow missed the epic trailer, check it out here.)
Show some Natitude and cheer on the home team. A baseball game in the nation’s capital is the perfect summery treat for Memorial Day Weekend. The Nats take on the Phillies this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
May 24-26, times vary. Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C.; washington.nationals.mlb.com; Prices vary.
Traffic Schmaffic: How to Deal
Posted by Octavia Silva / Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Shutterstock.com/CelsoDiniz
Northern Virginians, surely you know all about the grueling endeavor that is driving ‘round these parts – especially during morning rush hour, evening rush hour and (if you’re taking I-66) everywhere in between. Today, I was driving to work and saw someone’s license plate in front of me: “I H8 I-66.” I tried to take a picture, but he/she was in the next lane, a few cars ahead of me. Of all the vanity plates I’ve seen, this is sure to be the most memorably appropriate one—we were in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Interstate 66.
What to Do This Memorial Day: Alexandria Jazz Festival
Posted by Anne Elsea / Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Jazz music is as all-American as Memorial Day. The 36th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival is an Alexandria staple that offers an alternative to the crowded pools this holiday weekend. The five featured bands range from New York contemporary-style to classic ’40s-style jazz.
Shutterstock.com/Grynold
Posted by Ryan Cornell / Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
NoVA’s two-year-old storytelling troupe, Better Said Than Done, battles for the moniker ‘Best Storyteller’ on May 25 at The Auld Shebeen in Fairfax. Here are some of the competitors.
By Ryan Cornell
Jennifer Luu, 31; Alexandria
Where to hear her: Better Said Than Done and Story League
Genre: I tend to tell more emotional and serious stories. A lot of them are about love and relationships, really sappy and romantic stuff. Maybe I’ll make the next one lighter.
If I were a fictional character: The Prince “The Little Prince”
Plot of nominated story: Being a lesbian has always felt natural for Luu, until her parents sent her to therapists and doctors as a teen. She meets her partner at an Equality Ride bus tour. They want to have a baby together. It’s at this point that she wishes she had sperm.
How to Run With The Bulls Without Leaving the State
Posted by Ryan Cornell / Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
It might be the scariest, yet most rewarding, experience you have in your life. / Photo credit: Migel / Shutterstock.com
Where: Virginia Motorsports Park, Petersburg
When: Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013
Cost: $55 through June 7, 2013; $60 until July 12; $65 until Aug. 9; $75 until Aug. 16
Online: thegreatbullrun.com
If running with the bulls is on your bucket list, but getting a new passport is nowhere on your to-do list, the Great Bull Run in Petersburg was created with you in mind.
Keeping the long-honored legacy of Pamplona alive, while being safer than the Spanish version — the bulls’ horns are blunted instead of sharpened — the Great Bull Run will be held in nine locations across the country with Virginia as its inaugural spot.
Participants will run down a quarter-mile track while being chased by 12 half-ton bulls. The event’s website states that each run will be organized into hourly waves of up to one thousand adrenaline junkies.
Naturally, the inherent danger of the event can be scary for non-daredevils. Tickets are also available for the Tomato Royale food fight ($25) following the run or for just spectating ($10).
And if the City Where “Lincoln” Was Filmed is still too far of a drive for you, Congress most likely has enough bull to have a run of its own.
Bow Wow Luau: Animal Fundraising with a Theme
Posted by Octavia Silva / Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Photo courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Forget about whatever plans you had for this Thursday evening because we’ve found something that’ll easily trump anything you might have planned. Anything. I’m talking about the Bow Wow Luau. A rhyming awesome name will only be the tip of the fun iceberg at this Hawaiian-themed animal fundraising event, a Doggie Yappy Hour sponsored by the Canine Wingman Company. The Bow Wow Luau will take place at the Hotel Monaco Alexandria and all the funds raised will be donated to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and the homeless animals under their care at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. There will be dog treats and a full menu offered by Jackson 20.
Celebrate a Night for Heroes with Josh Gracin
Posted by Anne Elsea / Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Ninth Annual Night of Heroes Gala
Celebrate Memorial Day early at the ninth annual Night of Heroes Gala and hear country music artist Josh Gracin, a former “American Idol” finalist and member of the United States Marine Corps, entertain guests at the Ritz-Carlton in D.C.
Posted by Yuhan Xu / Monday, May 20th, 2013
Kuzma/Shutterstock.com
So, the week’s just started and Friday seems so far away. You need something to lift the spirits and make the best of every day. Check this out: six rock bands from the area (with one of them hailing from North Carolina) will take the stage tomorrow at Jammin’ Java, which means you’ll have the opportunity to hear different types of rock music in one night. It sure will be one of the best music experiences you’ve ever had.