Entertainment

Thinking Small

White House Drug Czar visits Holy Cow.

White House Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske paid a visit to Del Ray's Holy Cow restaurant Nov. 30 as part of President Barack Obama's initiative to support “Small Business Saturday.”

The City of Alexandria held its annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Market Square Nov. 29. Entertainment and a visit from Santa were part of the festivities that signaled the official start of the holiday season. For a complete schedule of holiday events, including free concerts to be held in Market Square, visit www.visitalexandriava.com.

A Riotous Farce

The Lady from Maxim’s at West Springfield’s stage.

After waking up from a night of drunken debauchery, Dr. Petypon spins a web of lies to keep his unsuspecting wife and uncle from discovering the notorious dancer found in his bed the next morning. A delightful romp, The Lady from Maxim’s showcases a slew of talented performers and pokes fun at everything from provincial life to the medical profession on the West Springfield High School stage.

Adding Personal Touch to Fairfax Station Railroad Museum

Wreaths hung outside the museum feature cuttings from members’ houses.

On Nov. 26, members of the Dominion Valley Garden Club didn’t just gather at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum for a history lesson; they wanted to spruce it up – quite literally. For the past eight years, the women’s group of nearly 50 active members has helped decorate the exterior of the museum with fresh green wreaths. Their work is usually complemented with interior halls-decking by the Clifton Community Women’s Club.

Tales of Triumph

Dominion Power's Johnson launches new book.

Sherman Parker was only 14-years-old when he was selected as one of two African American students to desegregate King George County schools in rural Virginia in the 1960s. Shunning a police escort, he still remembers the angry crowds that greeted him on his first day of school.

Encore Dancers Present ‘Switching Christmas’

Fairfax High student is in new, holiday show.

When a precocious, young girl changes places with a playful elf at the North Pole, things are bound to go awry and only Santa can save the day.

Fairfax High’s Musicians Perform at VMEA Event

For the first time in Fairfax High’s history, the school band’s Wind Ensemble was chosen to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) convention. This year’s event was held Friday, Nov. 22, at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va.

Small Business Saturday: Different Shops, Different Turnouts

The Bike Lane in Springfield and The Picket Fence in Burke experienced two versions of the national event.

Following the controversial additional shopping hours on Thanksgiving, the typical fray on Black Friday, and the online melee of Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is positioned in a highly competitive shopping storm.

Sweet Saturday

Cupcakes Actually in Fairfax offered free cupcakes as a gift with purchase.

“There was Black Friday, and that’s great for small businesses,” said Braddock District supervisor John C. Cook. But, he continued, “This makes it a really nice day to celebrate small, independent businesses where you get a different shopping experience, an alternative to going to the malls.”

Holiday Parade Returns To Reston

Holiday season celebrated in Reston Town Center.

Activities at Reston Town Center continued throughout Black Friday, with thousands of people participating or observing holiday themed events. Among the events were the Gingerbread Man Mile for Kids, the annual holiday parade, and the evening Christmas tree lighting and sing along.

New Year’s Eve Celebration at ArtSpace Herndon

A New Year’s Eve Celebration is an ArtSpace Herndon signature event. The celebration, on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in historic downtown Herndon, features live music and family-friendly activities both inside and outside the gallery.

‘Dress Up Herndon’ Contest Announced

Town of Herndon residents are invited to deck the halls, hang wreaths, string lights – and nominate their own or their neighbors’ homes for the annual "Dress Up Herndon for the Holidays" Neighborhood Decoration Contest, sponsored by the town’s Cultivating Community Initiative.

‘Must-see’ Absurd Nonsense

1st Stage presents ‘Noises Off.’

Good news. The cure for doldrums or just a plain-old bad mood is here. It is playing at 1st Stage, where a merry, talented band of actors take the audience on a frenetic, joyful, ride into the farce "Noises Off." The actors literally throw themselves into the production. They are unselfconsciously fearless in their pratfalls, spot-on with their comic timing and bring on a happy, silly bliss.

Church Street Holiday Stroll in Vienna

Hundreds come out to music, marshmallows and winter magic.

Hundreds of people strolled along Church Street on Monday evening, Dec. 2, during the annual Church Street Holiday Stroll between Lawyers Road and Mill Street. Highlights included local singing groups performing holiday carols, a petting zoo, marshmallow-roasting on open fires, hot chocolate and a visit with Santa.

Jon T. Thew of Reston Dies

Jon T. Thew, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, Nov. 24. Jon was originally from the Hudson Valley area of New York. He has resided in Reston, Va., since 1992. Jon had a 30-year career at IBM and worked as a consultant until he retired in 2001. Jon was an active member of Vienna Presbyterian Church.

The Connection