Posts Tagged ‘Virginia’
Jammin Java’s Mid-Atlantic Band Battle 6 is Here
Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, January 6th, 2012
Jammin Java unleashes its ultimate contest once again in three days.
Courtesy Jammin Java.
The sixth Mid-Atlantic Band Battle is all set and ready to go. Four nights–Monday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 12 next week–see seven bands each. Each night has a single winner who advances to the finals in February.
This is no arbitrary battle of the bands, with the audience voting on the winner. The crown doesn’t go to whichever band happened to bring the most friends. A judges panel presides over the spectacle. All of the judges have significant professional music credentials.
Take Pat Sommers, for instance. He worked with Roger Daltrey, Ace Frehley and many others for years, contributing vocals, guitar and anything else they needed on their albums. But lately he’s been a staple of the Northern Virginia music industry. He runs Pat Sommers Rock Shop, a workshop and launch pad for teenage bands to hone their skills.
And Sommers couldn’t be more excited to bring his years of experience to the table at the band battle.
“The talent that’s coming out of [Jammin Java] is second to none,” he says. “I expect to see a lot of great young bands. … I am super excited about what’s happening here in Northern Virginia. … I’ve noticed that we’re starting to get a music scene here that’s very New Yorkish–people do all different things. I do think that we’re gonna see something come out of here that’s gonna be … really special.”
Other judges include music journalists, venue managers and record company veterans. Full bios on each judge are on the Band Battle’s official site.
These shows are consistently sold out, so get tickets while you can. At the moment they’re still available, but don’t miss out on this chance to catch NoVA’s next big act.
But if you can’t make it, we’ll be there on the scene to give you the scoop. Stay tuned–next week, Northern Virginia’s going to be rocking like crazy!
–Matt Basheda
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
New York Deli sandwich
If you’ve ever wondered where to go to get a totally unique, mouth watering, New York deli-style sandwich, look no further than your own backyard!
In a world of Subways, Quiznos and other nation-wide sandwich chains, it’s refreshing to see a place like New York Deli, a small, privately owned deli nestled in an unassuming strip mall in Tyson’s Corner. Not that there’s anything wrong with the aforementioned restaurants; you are talking to a former Subway Sandwich Artist and I’ve always been a loyal customer ever since. However, if you’re looking for a different kind of sandwich, I suggest starting here.
New York deli came to the area 18 years ago and has been steadily gaining a fan base ever since. They offer New York deli favorites like pastrami and corned beef for affordable prices. Their sandwiches are always made with fresh vegetables, cheese and meat, but the real star of the show is the bread.
Ever notice how a really good piece of bread can make everything seem right in the world? Each sandwich comes atop its own pillow-soft, mini loaf of bread with a choice of white, wheat or pumpernickel. Baked fresh daily, the bread is super soft and warm on the inside, with just the right amount of crisp crustiness on the outside. Mmmm! All is well.
Each sandwich comes with a thick sliced dill pickle and they always have lunch specials, offering deals with chips and drinks. Trust me- you won’t go hungry here!
Like I said before, the place is small and the parking is limited. Luckily there’s a paying garage adjacent and they’ll validate your parking if you just ask.
I’m told their website is in progress, so for now, just call! They do catering, call-ahead pick-ups and even delivery for a limited area!
New York Deli
8150 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
(703)761.2266
– Jennie Whistler
Warrenton-Fauquier Heritage Day is a Historical Blast
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, September 23rd, 2011
Friday, Sept. 23, 2011
The Civil War is one of Virginia’s biggest historical contributions. And now the Civil War’s 150th anniversary is here. Virginia’s marketing the occasion as the Sesquicentennial, which is technically correct, but sesquicentennial doesn’t exactly come tripping off the tongue.
Despite the linguistic hurdle, there are a number of programs commemorating this monumental anniversary. Some of the programs are traveling across the state throughout the year, and two of them will be in Northern Virginia this weekend at the Warrenton-Fauquier Heritage Day.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these special, brand new exhibits. The “Civil War 150 HistoryMobile” is a touring 18-wheeler with a museum inside its trailer. The exhibits within show personal views of the war from letters, journal entries, and other accounts. The focus is on Virginia, and the timeline of the documents runs from Virginia’s secession to the war’s aftermath.
Photo courtesy Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission
“An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia” is the other of the two exhibits. It is a panel exhibit, which means it is comprised mostly of images. An interactive electronic feature for mobile phones is also part of the showcase. It will be on display in the Warrenton-Fauquier County Visitor Center.
Both exhibits should be fascinating, especially since they were created specifically for the 150th anniversary commemoration.
Warrenton-Fauquier Heritage Day is Saturday, Sept. 24. The celebration itself includes plenty of fun. Main Street in Old Town Warrenton will be filled with living historians and special demonstrations. The parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday is the centerpiece of it all.
However, the HistoryMobile will be on display both Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24, after which it leaves the area. The “Turning Point” exhibit is available at the visitor center until Oct. 3.
–Matt Basheda
Inside the HistoryMobile. Courtesy Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission
Brew and Blues Festival in Front Royal Mixes Two Spectacular Flavors
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011
Now here’s an outdoor event that’s sure to get your mouth watering. The town of Front Royal is throwing a Brew and Blues Festival this Saturday, Sept. 24.
The festival brings local and national beers together with, of course, blues music for a delicious combination. In fact, that’s about as ideal a pairing as I can think of. Plenty of food will also be on hand, including steak-and-cheese, burgers, and hot dogs.
Photo credit: Shutterstock/MaxkateUSA
You can’t beat the price, either. If you’re not interested in sampling beer, it’s free. If you want to taste, advance tickets are $13, while tickets at the gate are $15. Tickets for tasters also include a commemorative pilsner glass and one full beer.
The event is rain or shine. With such an irresistible blend of taste and sound, why wouldn’t it be?
–Matt Basheda
Shakespeare, Synetic and Scandal Oh My!
Posted by clara / Friday, August 12th, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Whether you’ve been a regular follower of our Theatre Guide & Reviews, or you’ve skipped the shows because of the crazy expensive ticket prices, this upcoming show at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall is for you. Their summer “Free for All” program presents William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” opening August 18. This year, STC is providing an online ticket lottery for patrons who want to plan ahead instead of waiting in the ticket line before the performance.
“Julius Caesar” is a story about the tyranny of politics. Shakespeare’s three leading men: Julius, Brutus, and Marc Antony, become three voices for the various factions in Rome’s government. Though the play deals with a power struggle in the government, it also gives audiences a well-rounded picture of those involved in a government scandal, and the good and bad traits that make up a person’s character.
Dan Kremer as Julius Caesar, Kryztov Lindquist as the Soothsayer and the cast of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 2008 production of “Julius Caesar.” Photo by Carol Rosegg.
More than 600,000 people have attended Free for All since its inception in 1991. Artistic Director Michael Kahn says, “One of the major goals of the Free For All is to make Shakespeare accessible to diverse audiences—people who have never been to the theatre, people who are unable to pay for tickets or afford a babysitter, young people, students, people on fixed incomes. They all come to experience the magic of Shakespeare, to see how his words and ideas still resonate with us more than 400 years later.”
“Julius Caesar” was first presented by the Shakespeare Theatre Company during their 2007-2008 season. The timeliness of their “Caesar” re-staging is uncanny; this October, George Clooney takes another stab at directing with “The Ides of March.” This film is sure to have audiences buzzing; with the presidential election season fast approaching, the commentary of this movie will not only offer insight into our slate of candidates but give us a new spin on the age old phrase “history repeats itself.” Based on the play by Beau Willimon, the movie stars Ryan Gosling, a staff member of presidential candidate George Clooney whose life is turned upside down by the dirty politics of running for the United States presidency.
In other theatrical news – albeit more lighthearted news – comedian Richard Lewis is coming to Synetic Theater!
Richard Lewis. Photo Courtesy Synetic Theater.
Lewis is going into his eighth season on TV’s hit comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which has received six Emmy nominations. His character performance in the series has been lauded by SAG and magazines like Vanity Fair. He is performing in Arlington as a part of the Misery Loves Company Stand-Up Tour on Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20. Tickets are $40.
For more information about “Julius Caesar,” visit www.shakespearetheatre.org. For more information about “The Ides of March,” click here to visit their IMDb page. For more information about comedian Richard Lewis, visit www.arlingtoncomedy.com.
–Clara Ritger
Posted by clara / Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Are you a “Dukes of Hazzard” fan? Or perhaps you recall the song “Blue Ridge Mountains,” by Fleet Foxes? August 13-14 is Hazzard Homecoming in Sperryville, VA. Numerous Hazzard stars will be present for the event, including Catherine Bach, the original TV show’s Daisy Duke, whose costume made the short shorts which Katy Perry lauds in her song “California Gurls.”
Cooter and Miss Alma (Ben Jones and Alma Viator) will also be there to present the event. The two own the “Dukes of Hazzard” themed stores/museums called “Cooter’s Place” and used to hold the event DukesFest for fans across the country. “People from several states away have already contacted us about coming to the event, as well as folks from Canada, France and England,” Viator says. “They love the ‘Dukes’ and they know all about the Blue Ridge Mountains and Southern hospitality.”
Image: Shutterstock/CarlaVanWagoner
The event has grown and changed over the years, culminating in a festival that has hosted nearly 100,000 fans. This year, John Schneider (Bo Duke) will make an appearance on Sunday, August 14, while other stars like James Best (Robbie P. Coltrane) are expected to be there throughout the event.
Photo Courtesy: Cooter’s Place.
True to “Dukes of Hazzard” style, there will be numerous live music performances, lots of food, and a car show! . “Back when we started ‘Cooter’s’ here some years ago, we would have country music on Saturdays, and gospel and bluegrass on Sundays,” says Jones. “I think we’ll stick with that for the Hazzard Homecoming. I’ve already booked country star T. Graham Brown and some others. There is no tellin’ who might show up.”
You can catch re-runs of the show on CMT. For more information about the event, or to purchase discounted advance tickets, visit www.cootersplace.com.
Image: Shutterstock/Andrew Rhodes
“Every lap gets us closer to a world without cancer!” (Slogan of Karts Against Cancer)
Head to Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia on the evening of August 18 to watch or participate in Karts Against Cancer! It is a two hour endurance race to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Teams of six can register for $300, otherwise the event is free and open to the public. If you hope to participate in the event, make sure you wear closed toed shoes and be ready for an adrenaline rush. These karts can go up to 55 miles per hour! For more information, visit www.summitpoint-raceway.com.
–Clara Ritger
You can’t stop the beat of the “Big” Theatre of Alexandria
Posted by clara / Friday, August 5th, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Why take a chance when you get up and dance? If you twist, I insist, you see “Hairspray.”
Typically, this would be the part where I start to claim my biases. Yes, I’ve seen the movie. Yes, I saw it on Broadway. Yes, I own both soundtracks. But I feel no need to make excuses – The Little Theatre of Alexandria made “Hairspray” their very own, and it’s funny, toe-tapping, and big.
Shannon Kingett as Tracy, Larry Grey as Wilbur and Christopher Harris as Edna in "Hairspray." Photo by Doug Olmstead.
Director Sue Pinkman emphasizes the innate humor in the show. True, it has a powerful message about being different in an image-centric 1960s America. But Pinkman’s production manages to honor that message while also bringing to life a delightful cast of characters and their over the top antics.
Though LTA’s production doesn’t feature big dance numbers, choreographer Ivan Davila transforms the 1960s dance moves into simple group gestures that you can boogie to on your way out to your car. Quick set changes keep the ball rolling; Pinkman and set designer Myke Taister use their space and their set well. The cherry on top for a show with strong design and presentation was revealed in its special effects. Whether it was the starry-sky lighting, trick props, or unexpected costume changes, the unique choices made “Hairspray” all Pinkman’s own.
The live band’s accompaniment backs up a strong set of voices from the cast, and standout Shannon Kingett, Tracy Turnblad, owns the stage. Minor sound problems colored some of the cast’s songs, but overall the vocal strength was impressive. The show opens with Tracy in an upright bed, and her talent shines with enthusiasm and comedic facial expressions. She carried the show with her consistent performance. Other strong voices include Brenda Parker, Motormouth Maybelle, whose delivery in “I Know Where I’ve Been” deserves a Helen Hayes award for putting Queen Latifah to shame.
The acting from the cast gives the audience a portrait of unique characters with their own individualized, poignant movement. Though “Hairspray” can be all about its music, this cast reminds us that without the actors, we wouldn’t have anything to laugh at. Jaclyn Young, Penny, and Adrian Cubbage, Seaweed, make a punchy team that was fun to watch. Another duo deserving of recognition is Christopher Harris, Edna Turnblad, and Larry Grey, Wilbur Turnblad, who not only put the audience in a fit with “You’re Timeless to Me” but vivaciously commanded our attention scene after scene with their shenanigans. Of course, it is all big, but the cast jives well (pun intended) on stage.
“Hairspray” runs through August 13, with a special post-performance talk back tonight, August 5. We hear that special guest Mink Stole, from the original John Waters film, will be there. It’s free and any and all questions are welcome! For more information, visit www.thelittletheatre.com.
–Clara Ritger
The L.A. Times’ Virginia Problem
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, August 4th, 2011
On Aug. 3 The Los Angeles Times published a smug front page article about a grim study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation on the shortened life expectancy of women in the rural south, specifically highlighting Virginia as having the greatest disparity in life span. The article points out that while women in Fairfax can expect to live to 84, women three hours down I-95 can only expect to live to 74.
The disparity stems largely from obesity and smoking.
To illustrate the fact, the paper dispatched a reporter to Emporia, Va., a tiny town in the southern part of the state that’s most famous as being a junction for Route 58 and I-95. It’s also a hot bed for speed traps. The article touches on the region’s economic trouble, a weak economy tanked formerly strong job providers like tobacco and peanut growers, and securing a job with health benefits is nigh impossible.
Census data for Emporia is bleak: median household income is $32,178, $27 thousand less than the state average, which scratches near sixty. Housing prices are over $150 thousand less than the state average.
Emporia has legitimate problems.
But judging by The Times article, the only ones to blame for Emporia’s health woes are the citizens themselves. The article depicts them as a bunch of bumpkins too addled on fried food and nicotine to change their ways. They eat pie for lunch while sitting around all day getting their hair did between smoke breaks in a rocking chair. They eat hush puppies with everything, and will only tolerate vegetables if they’ve been boiled in pork fat. Even the health conscious ones are too ignorant or stupid to know that mayonnaise isn’t exactly diet food.
It’s irritating that the Times dispatched a reporter to a legitimately hard-pressed Virginia town only to produce a snotty hit piece on Southerners and Virginia culture as a result. Southern cooking is far from indefensible. It’s a greasy, brown, artery clogging (*ahem* delicious) wasteland, and many poorer areas of the south are flushed with the stuff—nary an appetizing salad in sight. This is especially the case for Emporia, whose restaurant scene is like a who’s who of America’s most unhealthy eateries: Hardees, Bojangles, Cracker Barrel.
But that doesn’t mean that Emporia is a vegetable-less blight. Last year the city opened the City of Emporia Farmer’s Market, a small, but nice stand that only sells produce grown within 50 miles of the city. The Market only has 81 followers on Facebook, an LA Times bump would likely have been welcome.
The cultural snipes are the worst. The piece is peppered with pithy remarks about the McDonald’s to YMCA to ratio of the city (2:1, for a low income city of 6,000, according to the piece, not bad, really) and the ubiquity of hush puppies, and it dismisses Virginia staples like the Virginia Peanut Festival and the Virginia Pork Festival as examples of southerners’ obsession with unhealthy food–glossing over, or all out forgetting, that both are massive industries in the region.
Obesity in the south is a problem, one with roots in our culture, economy, politics and bull-headed reluctance to accept change; it is without a doubt a topic that warrants serious coverage. But painting southerners in a manner that makes them seem like they’re just too stubborn and ignorant to wise up and eat some greens is insulting and dismissive of the region’s broader problems.
In short, get bent, L.A. Times.
- Kris King
Posted by clara / Monday, August 1st, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Photo Courtesy Mindy Piland and Yoga Time Studio.
This Friday, August 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Yoga Time Studio will be hosting Yoga for Empowerment. The class is free and all donations go to benefit the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS). Francesca Budesheim, a senior at Syracuse University studying Child & Family Studies, hopes to pursue social work in graduate school. After interning at LAWS she was inspired to find more ways to help. Her first step was to partner with Yoga Time Studio to host this event.
“Many people are affected by many types of abuse and those events go untold,” Budesheim says. “I want to spread the word and encourage the community to come together and for those affected by any sort of abuse to feel like they have a support system. That way they can get the help they deserve.”
Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter provides domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault services for Loudoun County. They’ve also had a significant role in raising awareness and prevention for such crimes. Proceeds from Yoga for Empowerment will hopefully help LAWS get the money they need to build a new shelter.
Yoga Time Studio has hosted other charitable events in the past, namely classes collecting food to benefit local food pantries. This class will have modified workouts to benefit all skill levels.
Photo Courtesy Mindy Piland and Yoga Time Studio.
Even if you can’t make it to the class, you can still make a donation to LAWS. Show up at Yoga Time Studio before or during the class to add your donation to their event, or go online where you can make it on behalf of Yoga for Empowerment.
This class will be held at 340 South Nursery Ave in Purcellville, but Yoga Time Studio is located at 142 North 21st Street. For more information, visit the Facebook event, or contact Francesca Budesheim by phone 703-727-3532 or by email fmbudesheim@yahoo.com.
–Clara Ritger
“Titus Andronicus” opened this weekend with a special benefit performance
Posted by clara / Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
“Even though it is a very bloody play, we’ve been focusing on why people do the things they do,” Julia Sears, director of “Titus Andronicus” says. “It’s not just about evil villains; it’s about finding the heart in the gore.”
The Empty Chair Theatre Company’s production of “Titus Andronicus” opened this past weekend. Sears says that outside artistic influences shaped the world of the play. “We’ve set it in a contemporary time period, but heightened,” she says. “Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera images are used in the set.”
Though they’ve had a quick rehearsal process, their run is still very Shakespearean. Most of their performances are at Theatre on the Run in Arlington, but one special benefit performance will be at the Folger Shakespeare Library. This performance is to help the company raise more money for future projects.
Cast of Titus Andronicus. Photo by Megan Spatz.
Sears is one of the founders of Empty Chair, and her experience with theatre in the Northern Virginia area has been very positive. “I come back in the summers to work on shows,” she says. “This is a center of classical theatre and our proximity to D.C. allows me to experience high-quality shows.”
Sears was originally turned on to “Titus Andronicus” after being in a production of it herself. “It’s often written off as Shakespeare’s Tarantino phase where he was a crowd-pleaser and wrote violence for violence’s sake,” she says. “I fell in love with some speeches in the play, and though the visual image is graphic, I feel moved by Shakespeare’s beautiful poetic language.”
Though some characters seem villainous, there’s a heart in each. “I found it hard to connect to some of the characters, especially Titus Andronicus,” she says. “But you find ways to love them because they’re complex.”
The Empty Chair Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus” opened last weekend and will run through July 30. Their special benefit performance at the Folger Shakespeare Library was Saturday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.emptychairtheatre.org.
–Clara Ritger
