<i>Send announcements to The Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, send an e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Jean Card at 703-917-6437, with questions.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.</i>
Design Studios of Reston announces an opening reception at ARTWORKS Gallery & Studio Friday, May 13, from 6-8 p.m., as part of the Second Friday Studio Series. The exhibition will present the works of artists from the "Painting Out of Your Mind" workshop and will run from May 13-29.
The exhibition features a group of Washington-area artists who have been participating in the monthly workshops taught by Brenda Belfield, artist and owner of ARTWORKS Gallery & Studio. Belfield’s workshops teach abstract painting through a variety of techniques and processes that develop intuitive creative thinking, rather than image making. Several Reston artists are featured in this exhibition, Charlene Gridley, Ginny Moore, Patty Chisholm, Aline Chen and John Dusenberry.
ARTWORKS Gallery & Studio is located at 11411 Sunset Hills Road, Suite G, Reston. Call the studio at 703-464-7477 or visit www.belfieldartworks.com.
The Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) invites all who are interested to enroll in summer session classes and take part in its production this summer of "Beauty and the Beast." Auditions for the family classic will be held May 16-19, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center.
Anyone interested in auditioning must enroll by May 19 in one of two classes offered by the Alexandria Campus speech and drama department: Acting II or Theatre Workshop. The courses are three credit hours each, at a total in-state tuition cost of less than $72 per credit hour. All those who sign up for either or both of the two classes are ensured to be part of the show’s cast or crew.
The show will be directed by experienced professionals in theater, dance, and music, and will also feature live actors interacting with puppets. The show will run Aug. 5-7, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. Call 703-845-6166 or e-mail sshetler@nvcc.edu.
Wee Play Open House classes. Dig in the bean tables, hear a story in circle time, make a craft project, play in the activity room and enjoy a snack at Wee Play Wednesday, May 18. Class times 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:45-11:45 a.m. Ages 22 months-4 years with an adult. Classical Ballet Academy, 320 Victory Drive, Herndon. Free. Space is limited, reservations required. Call Kathy Brennan 703-403-8699.
Fishing Workshop/Clinic. Children, accompanied by their parents, will meet at Hunter's Creek Clubhouse and learn about casting, habitat, fish biology, fishing techniques, rigs, lures and bait. Register for the fishing. $10 for Town of Herndon residents and $15 for nonresidents. For children ages 8-12. Wednesday, April 27, and Friday, April 29, from 6-8 p.m. Volunteers needed for this new program.
Herndon residents 14–17 years of age interested in participating in Youth Police Academy will learn about law enforcement, our community and your role in community policing. The class is limited to 25 students. The Herndon Youth Police Academy will be held Wednesdays, April 6 to June 22, from 5-7 p.m. The fee for the academy is $10, scholarships are available. Contact SPO G. Warren Brathwaite at 703-435-3134.
Pilates is a new exercise class that will help a person achieve a higher level of physical fitness with reduced soreness and fewer injuries. Pilates improves posture, strength and flexibility. RCC's new Pilates class will be held Tuesday nights, from 7:30-8:40 p.m., at the Lake Anne RCC. The class will run from June 21-Aug. 9. The course fee is $55 for people who live or work in Reston and $70 for all others. Course listings and registration forms can also be found on RCC's Web site, http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
The YMCA Fairfax County Reston announces the start of a new session of swim lessons for ages 6 months to adult. Lessons are divided by age group. Lesson time and days vary depending on level. Contact the YMCA for a complete schedule. YMCA Fairfax County Reston, 12196 Sunset Hills Road, Reston. Cost:
* Parent/Child & Preschool Swim Lessons
YMCA Member: $50; YMCA Program Member: $90.*
* School Age Swim Lessons
YMCA Member: $55; YMCA Program Member: $100*
* Youth Stroke Development & Adult Swim Lessons
YMCA Member: $60; YMCA Program Member: $110*
* A program membership is required to participate in YMCA activities for nonmembers. Annual Program Membership: $35/Child or $70/Family. Visit the YMCA or call 703-742-8800.
Wee Play is a weekly activity class for parents or caregivers and their 2- or 3-year-olds, held in the Classical Ballet Academy in the Reston/Herndon Industrial Park.
Registration now open for the summer session. Program meets once a week for four weeks. May 25-June 17. Classes held Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, 9:30-10:30 a.m., or 10:45-11:45 a.m. $50. Call Kathy to register 703-403-8699. Next session begins in September. Visit http://weeplayinfo.tripod.com.
Tiny Dancers is now available at the Reston YMCA preschool. This dance education program emphasizes technical excellence and self-expression through the use of well-known stories and hundreds of costumes and props. Young dancers gain confidence and self-esteem through positive reinforcement in a creative and nurturing environment.
Voted 'Best Dance Studio' by readers of Families Magazine, Tiny Dancers offers ballet, tap and hip-hop classes specifically tailored to young dancers. In addition to the varied programs offered at the main studio in Fairfax, Tiny Dancers is the area's premier provider of satellite dance programs. Visit www.tinydancers.com or call the studio at 703-385-5580.
Free ESL classes are being offered at Dranesville United Methodist Church. Various levels of instruction are available for beginning to advanced students. Registration and classes Thursday mornings, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., until the semester ends May 19. New students are welcome at any time. Free child care provided during class time for children 2 years and older. Dranesville United Methodist Church, 1089 Liberty Meeting Court, Herndon. Call the church office at 703-430-3137 during the day, or Sharon Harroun at 703-860-9417 in the evenings.
Registration is now open for the spring 2005 series of Children’s Workshops at the Greater Reston Arts Center. These workshops give children an opportunity to learn more about art techniques in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. 3:30-5 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 14 or 28, March 28, and April 25. This series is for children in grades K-6. The workshops are:
April – "Tissue Paper Collage"
Visit the Web site at www.restonarts.org/education.htm. $11 for GRACE members and $16 for nonmembers. Preregistration is recommended since space is limited and participation is on a first-come first-served basis. Call 703-471-9242.
Dragonfly and Mayflowers are continuing the Second Friday Studio Series each month from 6–9 p.m. Gallery talks are at 7 p.m. May 13: Living Outdoors – create a whole new room. Call Dragonfly at 703-467-8675 or Mayflowers at 703-318-8078.
Angela’s Happy Stamper offers free Learn at Lunch programs every Tuesday, from 12–2 p.m., free make and take opportunities and many new classes. Currently, Happy Stamper customers are creating and donating all kinds of stationery for the charity, Support Our Troops. In Iraq, stationery is in short supply for those wishing to send mail home. Call 703-435-0051 or visit www.ahappystamper.com.
Practice Your English, for beginning- and intermediate-level conversation groups for adults learning English. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. Call 703-689-2700.
Individual Internet training for adults at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. One-hour sessions with a technology volunteers. Call 703-689-2700.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers classes in Buddhist meditation, which is open to the public. The classes are Tuesdays of each month, 7-8: 30 p.m., in the "cry" room next to the chapel at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainright Drive, Reston. Visit the Web site www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-331-2122.
Gentle Hatha Yoga. Group sessions for beginners and those who would prefer to remain at a gentle level are offered Saturdays, 12-1:30 p.m., at Brown's Chapel, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave, Reston. Suggested donation is $50 for five classes; $12 for drop in. Weekday, daytime and evening classes are available in private studio in Reston. Call 703-787-0268.
The Fairfax County offices of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (CBRB) offer free weekly career seminars for those interested in learning more about a career in real estate. Information about the residential real estate profession and the opportunities available are among the topics to be discussed. The seminar is appropriate for those interested in starting a new career as well as for experienced sales associates looking to work with the "Company of Choice in the Mid-Atlantic region." To register, call Mark Pergerson at 703-476-8440.
Sahaja Yoga free meditation class, each Tuesday, to reduce stress and improve health. 7:15-8:15 p.m., at the Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Contact Navneet Agarwal, 703-793-6556.
Reston Community Center offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for adults with beginning to intermediate levels of proficiency in English. The courses will cover basic grammar, conversation, pronunciation and writing. Classes are targeted to people age 16 and older. Students are required to take a free assessment test before they can attend a class. The fee is $20 for Reston residents and $60 for all others. Call 703-476-4500.
Reston resident Carol Berman will help students learn pastel drawing and improve drawing skills on Thursday mornings, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at her Reston studio. Cost is $15 per session. Call 703-437-9068.
SOAR, or "Scouts Obtain Achievements and Recognition," teams Scouts with Reston Community Center Youth Department staff members, who assist the youth in
earning merit badges and completing projects in the areas where they have resources and special expertise such as photo developing, cooking and crafts. Scouts can register for one-day, hands-on workshops on Mondays
and Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. Call Julie Windsor, youth director, at 703-390-6163 to schedule a workshop. The cost of the workshops is $6 for Reston residents and $9 for all others.
Candlelight beginner yoga classes at Brown's Chapel include gentle stretching, breathing and deep relaxation/guided meditation. Mondays 7:30-9 p.m., Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-476-2827.
Crossroads School of the Arts, located in Herndon, offers classes in dance, drama and art for preschoolers through teens, as well as workshops for adults. Call 703-404-2977 or visit www.crossroadsarts.info.