Entertainment

Couple Produces ‘Environmental Read of the Summer’

Publisher cites importance of “environmental literacy.”

Arlington County educators Sharon Gaston and Richard Halttunen are a husband-wife children’s book writing team whose first brainchild together, “Turtle without A Home,” has been sweeping up literary accolades. Creative Minds Publications, a publishing company specifically for classroom-oriented literature, released the book in 2012.

Herndon High School Step Team Crowned National Champs

Herndon High School Step Team wins second national championship in three years.

The Herndon High School Step team stood onstage holding hands, waiting anxiously for the results in the 2013 Youth Step USA National Championships Saturday, May 25. As the names of the top five finishers started coming in, coach Gary Bushrod started hearing every name but theirs.

Herndon Celebrates 33rd Festival

Annual festival brings live music, entertainment to downtown Herndon.

By the time it gets to Saturday, the third day of the three-day annual Herndon Festival, Jimmy Schwein of Herndon knows exactly what he wants to do. Having grown up coming to the festival, he’s used to coming at least three of the four days.

Langley Alumni Face Off Against Varsity

Second annual Langley Alumni Baseball Game held at Nike Field.

The Langley High School varsity baseball team squared off against its past self Sunday, June 2 at Nike Field, as the current team took on a team made up of alumni for the second straight year.

Hen-Pecked Arlington Officials to Consider New Rules for Urban Agriculture

Should neighbors have to consent to backyard chickens?

Arlington County Board members are about to either lay an egg or be considered chicken.

And the Winners Are …

Cappies Gala on Sunday, June 9, at Kennedy Center.

The 14th Annual Cappies Gala will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, in the 2,400-seat Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Viewpoints: What Inspires Your Work?

The Reston Arts Show 2013 brings new artists and fresh perspectives from across America.

Artists share what inspires them in their work.

Greek Mythology, 80s Disco Meet at South Lakes

South Lakes High School present “Xanadu.”

Produced first as an initial-flop of a movie, “Xanadu” went on to gain a cult following and inspired the musical of the same name. “Xanadu” was penned by Douglas Carter Beane with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and to contrast the movie, opened on Broadway in 2007 to rave reviews.

Herndon High Drama Presents ‘The Tempest’

The Herndon High School drama team put on a production of William Shakespeare’s last play, “The Tempest” on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.

Week in Vienna

A 65-year-old Vienna man was riding his bicycle on the W&OD Trail when he was struck by a motorist who was driving her car on the trail. Sensational Summer Strategies will be presented by Assistive Technology Services on Friday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services. The Vienna Farmers Market located at 301 Center St. S., the Faith Baptist Church parking lot in Vienna, is hosting special events for children on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to noon.

A Shear Madness of an Evening

1st Stage presents "Blithe Spirit" by Noel Coward.

Light-hearted fare has arrived at Tysons 1st Stage in the guise of Noel Coward's 1941 hit, "Blithe Spirit." It is a lovely dessert-like confection of escapist froth and meringue. But its age—it was written during the "keep calm and carry on" times of the London Blitz of World War II—is beginning to show even under the assured direction of Lee Mikeska Gardner.

Maplewood Grill Continues the Fine Dining Tradition

Father and son keep local restaurant part of community.

The years that Chef Paul Kuchler spent at the sides of the classical chefs who worked his father’s kitchen at Le Canard paid off. Kuchler now is co-owner and head chef of Maplewood Grill, designing the menu, perpetuating some of Le Canard’s traditional recipes, refining new signature dishes and overseeing the kitchen details of Maplewood Grill. It was Marcel Kuchler’s idea to reinvent his French restaurant as one with a contemporary American spin and his son Paul took off with the concept.

Cappies Review: ‘Don’t Count on Forever’ at TJ

Running the yearbook, finding a date to prom, and writing a speech for graduation are the least of Lisa’s worries when she learns of her parents’ long-coming divorce. Such is the life of senior Lisa Solheim in Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s production of “Don’t Count on Forever.”

Social Life of 20s Revisited

Flint Hill High School’s performance of “The Boy Friend.”

Throwing themselves and the audience back into the jiving time of the 1920s, Flint Hill High School performed “The Boy Friend” on May 3.

Artist Karen Bateman Brings the Outdoors in at Katie’s

Virginia painter Karen Bateman is the featured guest artist at Katie’s Coffee House in Great Falls for the month of June in an exhibit entitled “Water Everywhere.” The artist creates oil paintings

The Connection