Entertainment

Del Ray Art Market Opens for Season

For the fifth year, artists filled the Nicholas A. Colasanto Park offering their work for sale at the annual Del Ray Art Market. More than 25 artists have signed up for the monthly market. The market is held on the second Saturday of the month from May through October.

Netcasters Reborn

The ecumenical music group from the Springfield-Burke area was originally formed over 30 years ago.

You hear about babies being born in the back seats of cars, but sometimes good ideas are, too. Six months ago on the way back from singing at a church service in Romney, W. Va., a small group of vocalists and musicians that had formerly sung together decided that the there was simply too much harmony between them to let it go. With that, The Netcasters were reborn.

Animal Shelter Grand Opening

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house this Saturday, May 17, to celebrate the official completion of the shelter’s renovation and expansion. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and will include behind-the-scenes tours, face-painting and hands-on interaction with rabbits, guinea pigs and small reptiles. The shelter’s at 4500 West Ox Road and is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hilarious Comedy in 19th-Century England

Oakton High presents ‘The Pirates of Penzance.’

Ahoy, mateys! There are pirates on the horizon – but this bunch sings, dances and makes people laugh. And they’re all in Oakton High’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” It’s a satiric operetta about a group of inept pirates off the shore of Cornwall, England in the 1880s. And they’ll commandeer the stage, this Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Langston Hughes Middle Celebrates Poetry

Poetry contest inspires creativity.

At the end of April, Langston Hughes Middle School held an after school award ceremony for the annual poetry contest. Approximately 80 poems by students were entered in this year’s annual poetry contest, and winners were announced. The contest, sponsored by Northwest Federal Credit Union (NWFCU) and the school’s PTA, offered students an arena to express ideas poetically. Representing NWFCU was Nicolette Watkins. “It has been a wonderful opportunity for the credit union to work with this school,” said Watkins.

Art Taking Over Town Center

Popular fine arts festival this weekend, May 16-18.

One of the largest outdoor festivals on the East Coast will come alive in Reston Town Center this weekend. The 23rd annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will fill the streets with more than 200 artists and street performers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-18, to raise money for Greater Reston Arts Center.

Paladar Brings Latin-inspired Cuisine to Vienna

Restaurant launches with benefit for Food for Others, plans to be good neighbor in community.

Mix innovative Latin “comfort” food with a twist, a rum bar with more than 60 rums from throughout the Caribbean and South America, gracious staff, and a mission to be a friend to the community, and you have Vienna’s newest good neighbor, Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar. On May 8, Paladar hosted a benefit dinner on behalf of Food for Others, donating the proceeds to the Northern Virginia-area charity. It opened its doors to an enthusiastic public the following evening.

ViVa! Vienna! Returns Memorial Day Weekend

Rides, food, entertainment, kids’ activities and Memorial Day tribute celebrate community spirit.

Memorial Day is a time to honor America’s fallen and to celebrate life. ViVa! Vienna!, a three-day family-focused festival covering Memorial Day weekend, does both with fun activities and a Memorial Day tribute. ViVa! Vienna!, sponsored and hosted by the Vienna Rotary club, in partnership with the Town of Vienna and Navy Federal Credit Union, opens on Saturday, May 24, with food vendors and amusement rides for all ages. On Sunday and Monday, 350 vendors converge in the historic Church Street corridor and on the Town Green. Church Street closes down and nonstop live entertainment is presented on a children’s stage and a main stage. The Rotary Club returns its profit from the festival back to the community. It is awarding more than $165,000 to local nonprofits and schools in 2014.

Satiric Operetta Captures 19th-Century England

Ahoy, mateys! There are pirates on the horizon — but this bunch sings, dances and makes people laugh. And they’re all in Oakton High’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” It’s a satiric operetta about a group of inept pirates off the shore of Cornwall, England in the 1880s. And they’ll commandeer the stage, this Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Memorable Evening of Movement and Dance

Three local professional dance troupes pull into Reston's CenterStage.

Its successful season of adventuresome professional touring artists series nearing its close, Reston Community Center is bringing the contrasting styles of three local professional dance troupes to CenterStage.

Celebrating McLean

99th annual event is last for event director.

It’s the place to be. At least, that’s according to a phrase the McLean Community Center’s Director of Special Events coined for McLean Day: Celebrating Our Homeetown, which takes over Lewinsville Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

5K Ice Cream Race at Bull Run

The first annual 5K Ice Cream Race will be held Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.

Alexandria to Host GI Film Festival

Sinise, Arquette set to honor troops.

Gary Sinise, David Arquette and Adam Driver are just three of the celebrities who will be in attendance as the GI Film Festival heads to Alexandria May 19-25.

Potter’s Fire Issues Holiday Challenge

Fife and Drum Corp highlight fundraising event.

Members of Herndon High School (HHS) Band participated in the American Originals Fife and Drum Corps performance in a kickoff celebration for a fundraiser sponsored by local ceramics business Potter’s Fire on May 10. The Potter’s Fire Throwdown is a contest to challenge other businesses in Herndon to decorate their storefronts for the patriotic holidays from May 10 to the 4th of July. The business with the best decorations will win a trophy designed at Potter’s Fire. Donations for the event will be divided between The Fisher House Foundation and The Pride of Herndon Marching Band. “Every dime will be going back to charity,” said Mike Faul, owner of Potter’s Fire.

Author Shares Work at Potomac Public Library

Hannah Barnaby discusses her new young adult novel “The Wonder Show” on May 17.

Many young children and teens dream of running away. Hannah Barnaby’s new young adult novel, “Wonder Show,” follows a young girl named Portia Remini as she runs away from her children’s home and joins the Mosco’s Traveling Wonder Show in an effort to find her father.

The Connection