May 14 through 20

Courtesy of Taste of Arlington

SPOTLIGHT

Taste of Arlington
May 20, noon-5 p.m. – Join in the 25th Annual Taste of Arlington. Located in Ballston, this event features over 35 restaurants in a lively street festival with local entertainment, dynamic sponsor and children’s activities. No admission fee, but tickets must be purchased to sample food and beverages. Outside of Ballston Common Mall, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-786-6037; tasteofarlington.com

Country French Cooking Class
May 16, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Glenfiddich Farm Cookery School will be hosting a cooking class inspired by country French cuisine. This two-hour class includes a demonstration, hands-on participation and a four-course meal. Reservations recommended. Glenfiddich Farm Cookery School, 17642 Canby Road, Leesburg; 703-771-3329; glenfarmcookery.com; $55 pp

Cornhole Tournament: Day 2
May 16, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. – The second of three matches in Jackson 20’s cornhole tournament, this March Madness-style competition will be offering plenty of snacks at deal prices. Entrance fee is $5 per team and each player on the first place team will receive a $75 gift certificate to Jackson 20 and a one night stay in the Hotel Monaco. Jackson 20, 480 King St., Alexandria; 703-842-2790; jackson20.com; $20 pp (excluding tax and gratuity)

The Lighter Side of Belgium
May 17, 7 p.m. – Enjoy a different side of Belgium with special guest Shawn Malone. He will take guests glass in hand to special brews that are off the well-marked trail. Magnolias at the Mill, 198 N. 21st St., Purcellville; 540-338-9800; magnoliasmill.com; $75 pp (all inclusive)

Tea at Historic Dodona Manor
May 18, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.– Kick off the 2012 Katherine Marshall tea series hosted by The George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor. The event will feature traditional English tea with guest speaker Kitty Winn, Katherine Marshall’s granddaughter. George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor, 310-312 East Market St., Leesburg; 703-777-1880; georgecmarshall.org; $25 pp

Party on the Patio
May 18, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. – Starting May 4, O’Malley’s Irish Pub will be featuring live entertainment and specials every Friday for the month of May. O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 1960 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-893-2100; omalleyspub.com

Mount Vernon’s Spring Wine Festival
May 18–May 20, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. – Celebrate the history of Virginia wines at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Home. Bring a blanket and sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries as you relax on the lawn. Historic Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria; mountvernon.org; $30 pp

Cinco De Mayo Cooking Class
May 19, 10 a.m. – Why only celebrate Mexican cuisine once a year? Join Patowmack Farm to make tasty margaritas and learn delicious recipes including fresh tortillas. The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, 42461 Lovettsville Road, Lovettsville; 540-822-9017; patowmackfarm.com; $65 pp

Testicle Festival
May 19, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.. – The Montana State Society presents the 8th Annual Testicle Festival, a unique western tradition, where you can sample unlimited amounts of bull testicles, better known as Rocky Mountain oysters. To wash down the exotic fare, there will be all-you-can-drink beer and Crown Royal. Arlington American Legion, 3445 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington; montanastatesociety.com; $25 pp (advanced online) or $30 pp (at the door)

Date Night: Chef’s Table
May 19, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. – Grab someone special and join in for an evening of cooking and fun. Working side-by-side, you’ll use easy and sophisticated techniques to create a menu of romantic dishes. Reservations required. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton; 703-584-2900; workhousearts.org; $70 per couple

2nd Annual Beer and BBQ Block Party
May 20, noon-4 p.m. – Bring the kids and indulge in an afternoon of great food, beer and live music by Road Soda at Great American Restaurant’s 2nd beer and BBQ block party. There will be plenty of activities for the little ones including face painting. Admission is free. Sweetwater Tavern, 14250 Sweetwater Lane, Centreville; ; 703-449-1100; greatamericanrestaurants.com