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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Stefanie Gans and Jennifer Zeleski
Music for the soul
One of the things I love about Northern Virginia staple Jammin Java is that it’s always welcoming up-and-coming artists onto its stage. It’s perfect for those who love to brag about their music tastes like, “I saw that band live before they were cool.” Tonight, I’ll be heading to Sarah Reeves’ show at the venue, being held at 7:30 p.m. The singer is best known for her Christian Top 40 hits, but she recently released a soft pop album. I had the privilege of speaking with her about her musical journey for our October issue. Read the article, look her up on Spotify and join me tonight. In the words of Reeves, “Get ready to party.” -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; $15-$25
It’s showtime
Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a movie buff. From foreign films to comedies, if there’s a well-written script and good acting, I’m hooked. But for the past few years, I’ve lived with people who just don’t share the same passion for film, ultimately driving me crazy by chit-chatting through the two-hour time frame meant for silence and enrichment. Lucky for me, the Middleburg Film Festival returns this weekend, giving me the chance to meet like-minded film nerds who most definitely understand movie theater etiquette. While I won’t be able to see all 34 premiers, I will definitely be making my way to Marriage Story, a dramatic, yet honest tale of divorce starring two of my favorite actors, Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. Interested in attending? Purchase tickets here. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant // Middleburg Community Center: 300 W. Washington St., Middleburg; Oct. 17-20; prices vary
Bottoms up
I hope you’ve seen by now that our October issue is all about NoVA’s wonderful wine region. There are so many wineries on my list that I want to visit thanks to the fantastic research the writing team did on the story. While I don’t have time for winery hopping this weekend, I am going to get myself to the 44th Virginia Wine Festival at One Loudoun. More than 200 Virginia wines will be offered for sipping and sampling at this always-popular fall fest. I’ll consider this my warmup to some winery visits later this season. -Katie Bianco, Editor // One Loudoun: 44600 Freetown Blvd., Ashburn; Oct. 19-20, times vary; $15-$69
Not today, Auntie Anne’s
“I want a soft pretzel,” I muttered to my partner when walking through a local mall a few weeks back. He knew I meant it, but as usual when it comes to spontaneous snacks that never seem to satisfy, he talked me out of it by turning the conversation into a debate on whether or not soft pretzels have gotten worse since we were young. The short answer is, yes, they have gotten worse. I have fond memories of shopping trips where I begged my mom for the hot, buttery and salty soft pretzel bites that were shoveled into a soda cup, and I can still taste their pillowy texture, fresh from the fryer. As my 23-year-old self, I didn’t really want one of the sad and saggy pretzels on the slowly rotating gas station-style metal skewers. Ugh. Instead, our snack spontaneity took us to Tysons Biergarten, where we had one of the BEST soft pretzels … ever. “The King of Bavarian Pretzels,” I might add. Hot, crispy and served with spicy mustard. Now all I have wanted to do is get another. (And I’m not sharing this time.) That’s why I’ll be heading to the Oktoberfest Finale at Tysons Biergarten on Saturday. I hear there’s beer, but we all know what I’m really there for. One life-sized soft pretzel, please. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant // Tysons Biergarten: 8346 Leesburg Pike, Tysons; Oct. 19, 1-6 p.m.; free admission, food and drink prices vary
Taste of something new
Nevin Martell, my friend and a fellow food writer, curates the best of the new crop of restaurants opening for his Mess Hall event: New Kitchens on the Block 6. This year, find preview bites for Maialino Mare by restaurateur Danny Meyer, Hi/Fi Taco by chef Nate Anda and Pearl’s Bagels by owners Allee and Oliver Cox. -Stefanie Gans, Dining Editor // Mess Hall: 703 Edgewood St., NE, Washington, DC; Oct. 20, noon and 3 p.m.; tickets start at $85
For more fun things to do this month, check out these 19 events.