Posts Tagged ‘leesburg’
Christmas Countdown: Town Christmas Trees
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011
So you’ve got your own decorations up and looking flashy in the winter air, but nothing quite compares to a professional, humongous Christmas tree. Here’s where to find the area’s best town Christmas trees, to make your holiday season even better.
A sampling of Alexandria's stunning Christmas decorations. Photo courtesy City of Alexandria.
Reston Town Center’s tree is quite famous in the area. The town center always looks lovely this time of year, and their enormous tree is no exception. Right smack in the middle of RTC, where the fountain resides, the tree dominates the festive landscape and glitters merrily all day and night.
Alexandria’s Christmas tree is exceptional as well. Located in historic Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, their Christmas tree compliments the multitudinous lights around Old Town. Lights string along each tree like frosted spider webs. And colored bulbs shine off store windows, creating an atmosphere of wonder.
The Christmas tree at Shirlington is quite the spectacle. Check out this video from their official tree lighting earlier this month:
As you can see, the ceremony is a community event, with loads of good cheer to go around.
Manassas has a Christmas tree as well, located on the Manassas Museum lawn at 9101 Prince William St.
And for you Loudouners, head to Leesburg. Their Christmas tree is looking sharp, and can be found on the town green at 25 W. Market St. Check out even more of Leesburg’s festive spirit in our previous blog post all about the holidays in Loudoun’s county seat.
And don’t forget to check our shopping guide every day. Our experts at S.W.A.G. have dozens of gift ideas for you to choose from.
Merry Christmas!
–Matt Basheda
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
ALICITA®Salsa announced today that all five flavors of their tangy, not–too–hot staple will now be available at TODOS Market in Woodbridge.
In September of this year, TODOS was named a finalist in UVA’s 2nd Annual Toyloe Murphey Resilience Competition. Carlos Castro and his team were honored along with the other finalists for their continued efforts and remaining resilient in harsh economic times. TODOS has also just opened a brand new 50,000 sq. ft. market in the Marumsco Plaza in Woodbridge. Come check out the new store and be sure to grab some of our delicious ALICITA®Salsa.
In addition to their not-too-hot Original, made from a Kansas heartland family-owned recipe and named after mother Alice who now resides in Maryland, Alicita*Salsa® offers a flavorful array of four international tastes – Japan, Germany, India, and Greece – and will be releasing several new flavors being kept under wraps, very soon.
“We’ve had great success with each new flavor we release,” stated Alicita’s founder and owner, Suzanne Fields, “I am confident in Alicita’s ability to continue producing salsa that is neither too hot for children, nor too bland for adults. We want the entire family to enjoy our product.”
Alicita*Salsa® comes in 12-oz jars with wide mouths for easy dipping and first of its kind; unique 4-oz dipping cups; Snackitas™ perfect for packed lunches, food service, take-outs and more! Alicita*Salsa® can also be found in Giant Food stores as well as select local Walmart’s. Watch your local groceries for these healthy, diverse salsa flavors which are sure to be the stars of your next meal.
Alicita*Salsa® is a privately held company that donates part of its proceeds to over 20 Children’s Charities, such as Feed The Children,St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Food Allergy Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and others.
– Jennie Whistler
Pajama Brunch at Virtue Feed and Grain
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Virtue Feed and Grain in Alexandria
At Virtue Feed and Grain, wearing your pajamas is not only encouraged, but rewarded!
On the first Sunday of every month, Virtue Feed and Grain is going to be offering a pajama brunch where you can enjoy traditional Irish breakfast, great beer and live music- all in your coziest pair of jammies!
And on Sunday, December 4th, Virtue Feed and Grain will host the Georgetown Saxatones, who will perform some of their greatest hits for Virtue’s guests.
The Georgetown Saxatones are the newest co-ed a cappella group on Georgetown’s campus. Originally founded as an oldies group in 2000, the Saxatones have expanded their repertoire to include everything from Motown to Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette to Stevie Wonder, and Timbaland to Taylor Swift. The Saxatones were created with the purpose of serving the community through performance and music, and regularly partner with organizations both on the Hilltop and in the greater DC region.
Virtue Feed and Grain is the latest culinary endeavor from Chef Cathal Armstrong and his business partner/wife Meshelle. Specializing in modern American “pub grub,” Virtue is the ideal spot for a relaxing Sunday brunch. Chef Ryan Wheeler compiled a menu based on all time brunch favorites, including Corned Beef Hash with poached egg, French Toast with bacon and even the traditional Irish Breakfast, a nod to Chef Armstrong’s upbringing in Dublin.
Priced at $23 per person, prix fixe brunch includes coffee & juice, your main course, and the morning spread: assorted pastries, organic yogurt with various fruit fillings, assorted cereals, fruit salad, cured meets, cheese, smoked salmon, fresh bread and other goodies—the perfect way to get your appetite going.
Virtue Feed and Grain - 106 S. Union St., Alexandria; (571)970.3669
– Jennie Whistler
Del Ray’s Pork Barrel BBQ Opens Today!
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Image: Rebecca Armendariz/TBD
In 2008, Pork Barrel BBQ founders Heath Hall and Brett Thompson released their company’s first product – the All-American Spice Rub. The brand has grown and, since 2009, Hall and Thompson have entered a competition barbecue team in contests, beginning with the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle in D.C. They even have their own fragrance – “Que.”
The Alexandria restaurant, which opens today, is another first for the company.
The first Pork Barrel BBQ restaurant opens today at 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Rey neighborhood of Alexandria. It’s been over two years since the venture was first announced in August 2009.
Also news is that they’ve brought aboard former Evening Star Café chef, Will Artley, as a consultant to share his knowledge of operating a restaurant and even offering tweaks to the side dishes — including what co-owner Brett Thompson calls an “off-the-charts” rendition of mac-n-cheese.
Pork Barrel BBQ Ribs!
Northern Virginia has been waiting a long time for great BBQ, and I, for one, am looking forward to filling that BBQ void with sumptuous pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and special recipe sausage and sides like BBQ baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, corn salad and mac & cheese!
Opening today! Go get your BBQ on!
Pork Barrel BBQ Restaurant - 2312 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria
Visit their Facebook page or website for more information!
– Jennie Whistler
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
After countless hours at work, wouldn’t it be great to leave the worries of paper jams, unanswered emails and to-be-done project aside and actually have some fun in your day?
Trivia tonight? Yes way! /Photo credit: Shutterstock/Deklofenak
That’s where Bunker Sports Cafe enters the spotlight. Cast all coffee-stain, payroll cares aside and head to a happy hour you can wrap your mind around: trivia night-style. With host Max at the mike, he’ll lead you and your team through multiple categories and questions that have you thinking while drinking.
And actually, happy hour isn’t reserved for after 5 pm at Bunker. They offer discounts all day long (11 am to 9 pm, to be exact).
The questions starts at 7 pm and runs til 9 pm but staff we talked with at Bunker recommends getting there between 6 and 6:15 to get a good table. And you’ll need lots of room – Bunker offers a plethora of food and drink specials. Five appetizers for $5 a piece? Done. $2 drink specials? Done and done.
If you are chalk full of random facts and seemingly useless info, put it to good use at tonight’s trivia challenge at Bunker, where happy hour is educational and entertaining. Don’t forget to come up with a stellar team name. It’s almost as crucial as answering the questions themselves.
Bunker Sports Cafe
510-I East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 443-0777
www.bunkersportscafe.com
HH: 11 am – 9 pm
Cost: $5 per appetizer, $2 a drink.
–Lorin Drinkard
NoVA Halloween Events for Adults
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Give me a drink, arghhh! / Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/Kzenon
October 31 is a time for costumes, candy and kiddy-fun activities like going door-to-door and “trunk or treat.” But what are all the grownups in Northern Virginia to do from Friday at 5 p.m. through Sunday? Not to fret – check out below for some 21-and-up rousing merriment and serious celebrating going on throughout NoVA this weekend. [For our other Halloween guides, check out the food and wine round-up, scary events, where to bring your pets and activities for kids].
Elliot In The Morning’s Halloween Bash
Friday, Oct. 28. Doors open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. Start Halloween weekend right with Arlington’s recurring ghoulish bash, brought to you by DC 101. Clarendon Ballroom is the place to be costumed, jam out to Junkfood live and mingle with other costumed Northern Virginians. It’s $15 before 10 p.m. and then jumps up to $20 after 10 p.m. And don’t just cut eye holes in a sheet and call yourself Casper – the night’s best costume gets $3,000. Let the creative costume planning commence!
Fright Night Monster Bash
Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. The adult Halloween festivities continue at Arlington’s Front Page on Saturday, where costumes are the coolest thing since sliced bread and DJs Pat Premier and Clinton Matthews will have everyone breaking out their spookiest dance moves. Make sure to register your Halloween outfit masterpiece from before 10 p.m. Prizes for costume winners abound and bonus: there’s no cover charge. Take that, DC!
The oranger, the better we always say. / Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Sarsmis
Clarendon Ballroom’s Annual Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 29. Doors open at 6 p.m. And the hauntingly good times continue at the Ballroom. With the return of their killer costume rooftop extravaganza comes not one, not two, but all three floors open for partygoers. Mr. Greengenes and Burnt Sienna are performing on the main stage while DJ Lil Fos will be scratching in the lower lounge. Bring your costume/game face and maybe you’ll take home some cash. The one downside to it all? Cover increases from $10 to $20 by volume of people – so avoid the massive line and get your costumed self there on the early side.
Tally Ho Hauntings Film Series: Slasher Night
Saturday, Oct. 29. First film starts at 9 p.m. Love the thrill of a good, campy horror flick? Don’t miss out on Tally Ho Theatre’s last double feature weekend event of the month. They’ve done Stephen King, haunted house, creature and comedy. Now for the chilling final installment: slasher (insert creepy sound effects here). Watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween in one night? Sounds like a done deal. Admission is only $5 per person.
Día de los Muertos: The Art of Remembrance
Saturday, Oct. 29 from 8 to 11 p.m. This weekend, the Torpedo Factory gets a little, well, dead as they throw their annual Día de los Muertos - or Day of the Dead – costume and dance party. Tickets are $15 (buy in advance here) or $25 at the door. Wear your finest dead/scary costume and enjoy some mini altar-making, live music and dancing, plus bubble gum painting, a cash bar and snacks. Have a gently used instrument you’re no longer playing? Event partner Hungry for Music, a non-profit musical organization, will be gathering up all donations and distributing them to under-privileged children in the area. Also, stop by the art center’s main hall for the Altar Exhibition, displaying local and regional artists’s festive creations (through Nov. 4th).
Poe in Alexandria
Sunday, Oct. 30 – Monday, Oct. 31 from 8 to 9:15 p.m. What better way to embrace the ghoulishness of the holiday then with a little recreation of literary genius Edgar Allen Poe? Actor David Keltz will be portray Poe’s visit to our great state in 1849, right before his death, at Alexandria’s History Museum: The Lyceum. Hear the likes of uber-popular “The Raven,” as well as “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Black Cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” This chilling story event costs $15.
Tricks, Treats and NoVA’s Halloween Events for Kids
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011
We gave you the scary, we gave you the cuddly, and now here’s a rundown of some of NoVA’s best trick-or-treating events for kids.
Angry birds pumpkin! Courtesy Lyndsey Beltran.
Air & Scare is one of the area’s biggest kids events. The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly hosts this Halloween extravaganza. Indoor trick-or-treating is just the beginning.
Watch cartoons in the IMAX theater or take your picture with various “Star Wars” characters. Magicians will be wandering the floor, showing off their skills. And of course, plenty of candy will be involved. The sponsor is, after all, Northern Virginia’s own Mars Chocolate North America, LLC.
Stock up on candy and fun on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission, but parking is $15.
Photo courtesy Shutterstock/Bochkarev Photography.
Trick-or-treating in shopping centers is a classic activity, and Alexandria’s Old Town boutique district participates in a big way. “Trick or Treat with the Boo-tiques” features over 25 boutiques, each with plenty of treats to go around. A few of the boutiques will offer family-friendly tricks as well. The festivities occur on Saturday, Oct. 29 during store hours. Participating stores will be displaying a “Trick or Treat with the Boo-tiques” poster in their windows.
Here’s some more info on Alexandria’s Halloween activities from our shopping blog, SWAG.
Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is one of NoVA’s seriously underrated gems, and I’m pleased to see that they’re joining in the Halloween fun. Meadowlark’s always-beautiful landscape will be specially transformed for their “Trick or Treat Through the Haunted Woods.” Ghosts and goblins will be out and about, and treat stations add to the festivities.
Don’t worry–despite the haunted woods moniker, it’s quite the kid-friendly event. It’s recommended for ages 6-14.
We all know Halloween involves free candy, but how does all the free candy you can grab sound? Throw in a contest for an Xbox 360 and an iPod touch and you’ve got the makings for the best Halloween ever. Octoberblast’s flashlight candy hunt is replete with games, popcorn and candy, and the whole event is totally free.
The flashlight candy hunt occurs simultaneously at two locations, Leesburg and Winchester, on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Don’t forget–this is by no means a comprehensive list. Here some other great ideas, and here are some that specifically involve delicious Halloween-based food and drink.
–Matt Basheda
NoVA’s Scariest Halloween Events!
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, October 24th, 2011
Monday, Oct. 24, 2011
It’s Halloween week. Halloween has transformed over the past decade or so to a major, multi-faceted holiday. But one of its oldest traditions is scariness. So if it’s scares you’re looking for, here are some of NoVA’s best events.
Arlington’s Zombi Race is one of the best Halloween events I’ve ever heard of. Zombies are more popular than ever these days, and I’m surprised it took this long for an event like this to surface.
It’s brilliant: sign up as either a zombie or a human (this just in–zombie tickets are sold out), and make sure to dress the part. Then navigate through a series of checkpoints scattered throughout the city. You don’t even have to navigate by foot. Feel free to use public transportation, though private vehicles like bikes and cars are banned. If you’re a zombie, try to “infect” as many people as possible by simply tagging them. If you’re a human, avoid getting tagged; but if you are tagged, you’re now a zombie.
Zombi Race flyer photo. Courtesy Frawg Stomp Event management.
Oh, and further adding to the awesome factor: the race starts and ends at Bailey’s Pub and Grill, with discounted food and drinks for racers before and after the event. Just make sure to register ahead of time–registration on the day of the race is not allowed. And you gotta be 21, too. Run for your life on Oct. 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. It costs $30 per person.
Halloween Woods turns Algonkian Park in Sterling into a chaotic nightmare. This event’s been around for a few years, and truly lives up to its scariness. In fact, their website includes a disclaimer that children, pregnant women, and people with heart conditions should not participate.
The woods open at 7 p.m. and tickets are available until as late as 11 p.m. Take your pick of dates from Oct. 28-31. Tickets are $15 each.
Manor House Madness in Leesburg should be another super creepy event. The Greenway Manor House will turn into an insane asylum filled with all sorts of disturbing residents. Somewhat ironically, the event is put on by The Edge Youth Ministry. But testimonials for prior events make clear that the organizers don’t hold back. It’ll be scary. And best of all, it’s totally free. If you want to get scared this Friday night, be there from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Manor House Madness from Destiny Church on Vimeo.
And if you’re hungry after all that scaring, don’t worry–we put together a Halloween food and wine guide. And here are some less scary but just as fun events.
–Matt Basheda
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, October 21st, 2011
Your weekly weekend guide, available now! Check out Oktoberfest celebrations before its too late and you can start at Willowcroft Winery in Leesburg.
Beer good.
On a personal note, I am currently sipping a glass of Willowcroft 2007 Cabernet Franc bought from the Brambleton Farmers Market this past weekend, and it’s the perfect end to what was a very long day; full bodied and slightly spicy, it delivers a kick and also sings you into relaxation.
True story.
Also on a personal note, I’ll be attending the NoVA Brewfest and you should too! Beer, beer and- oh yea! More beer!
Taste of the Alpines Oktoberfest
October 22-23. Join us in celebrating Octoberfest with a tasting of Alpine wines paired with light food fares. Wines from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria will be featured. Come see why Willowcroft’s personal attention to detail, both in the vineyard and the winery, has resulted in national award-winning wines, time after time. Willowcroft Farm Vineyards38906 Mt Gilead Road, Leesburg; (703)777.8161; $15
Northern Virginia Brewfest
October 22-23, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The World Beer Experience will feature more than 40 of the world’s best breweries, plenty of delicious food to complement the craft beers and outstanding local and regional bands providing entertainment. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. (888)695.0888 $20/$25 in advance/day of, $15/$20 for dd
Dogtoberfest!
October 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring your dog out to the beautiful Virginia countryside for a leaf looking, fresh air sniffing fun-filled day! Costume parade and contests for dogs and their people! Unique vendors and exhibitors! (early holiday shopping!) Adoptable dogs! Delicious, local lunch plates for dogs and humans! A dog play area! Farm animals! Pumpkins! Pies! And other local goodies to take home! Dream Acres Co-op at the Archwood Green Barns, The Plains; FREE admission!
Check out more events going on this weekend here!
Happy weekend, Gut Checkers!
– Jennie Whistler
Schoolhouse Rock Comes to Lorton, and a Battle Waged in Leesburg
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, October 17th, 2011
Monday, Oct. 17, 2011
The Workhouse Arts Center opens a new theater for young audiences with Schoolhouse Rock Live.
The center is part museum, part art facility. It offers classes, workshops and performances. Now the Youth Arts Center debuts in a big way with live performances of the beloved Schoolhouse Rock every Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. through Nov. 26.
Studio 3 Theatre for Young Audiences is the resident theater company at the Youth Arts Center, and they happen to be one of the few local theater groups who perform exclusively for children.
But adults won’t want to miss this chance to see some of their favorite songs from childhood, either. It’s a great chance for kids and parents to see a show that truly involves both of them.
For more incredible educational fun, check out the Battle of Ball’s Bluff re-enactment this Saturday, Oct. 22. The re-enactment features over 1,000 uniformed soldiers in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the battle.
In fact, this re-enactment takes place exactly 150 years later, plus one day. It looks to be one of the biggest Civil War events in the region, with over 3,000 spectators expected.
Tickets are required, but they are only $5, plus a service charge. Buy them on the official website.
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park is located outside of Leesburg, to the north.
–Matt Basheda
