Weekend Buzz: July 9, 2025
So much to do around town this weekend! From the Falls Church Foodie Trek, to fun activities for teens and kids, to a local author talk, to music, magic, theater, cinema, and fine arts – there's plenty to enthrall. Also, The LOL Podcast will be coming live to Warner Theatre, an Art Rave will be held at Dupont Circle, a dose of healthy Nature Therapy can be found at Meadowlark Botanical Garden, and you'll have a chance to hit golf balls into the drink – on purpose – at The Wharf DC. Enjoy!
Enjoy Local Cuisine!
Join the Falls Church Foodie Trek!
At Participating Restaurants in Falls Church, through Aug. 31.
You’re invited to taste your way through town!
Let us guide you to your next favorite spot for food, drinks, and fun — one delicious stop at a time. Pick up your passport at any of the 12 participating restaurants next week and start collecting stamps:
📍 Borek G
📍 Cafe Kindred
📍 Ellie Bird
📍 The Falls
📍 Harvey’s
📍 Ireland’s Four Provinces
📍 Panjshir
📍 Preservation Biscuit Co.
📍 Solace Outpost
📍 Stray Cat Bar & Grill
📍 TeaDM
📍 Westover Taco
✅ Turn in your completed passport between August 18 – 31 for a chance to win a basket of gift cards and goodies from your favorite Falls Church restaurants.
Three lucky winners. Endless flavor! #fcfoodietrek.
Summer Activities for Teens
Summer Teen Nights!
Arlington Mill Community Center, 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington, Saturday, July 12, 7 - 10:00 p.m.
Our next event is taking place on Sat., July 12 at Arlington Mill Community Center from 7-10 p.m. with our Splash & Glow Party.
More Teen Nights are coming up on July 26 and August 23, and don't miss our special pool party on August 19 at Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center. Click here for the full schedule!
Fun Activities for Kids
Daily Animal Talks at Long Branch
Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington.
Families are invited to join a naturalist in the classroom to meet some of the animals that live at Long Branch Nature Center. From July 15 - 18, at 3:00 p.m. each day, participants will hear stories and enjoy close-up experiences with two different live or preserved animals. It’s a fun way to learn about local wildlife. Registration is required. Click here to register and see our other family programs.
Enjoy an Author Talk!
Author Talk & Book Signing: Kathy Kleiman
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Sunday, July 12, 2–4:00 p.m. Upper Level Conference Room. Ages: Teens to Adults.
Celebrated author and global speaker Kathy Kleiman returns to her home library to discuss her book Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World's First Modern Computer. Kleiman's previous book talk venues include the Smithsonian Institute, the National Science Foundation, UCLA, Princeton, The Cooper Union, American University, Drexel University, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Discover a fascinating look into the lives of six historic trailblazers in this World War II-era story of the American women who programmed the world’s first modern computer. At the start of the Second World War, the U.S. Army improved artillery accuracy by hiring young women math majors from around the country to hand-compute ballistics trajectories. They called them Computers and sent them to work on a secret Army project in Philadelphia. Later, the Army funded a highly experimental project, the first general-purpose, programmable, all-electronic computer, to speed up these calculations. It was not supposed to work, but when it did, the Army asked six of its best Computers to program it and, with no manual or programming languages, they did (and went on to found modern programming concepts and organizations). While most students of computer history know of the great ENIAC computer, few have known of the pioneering contributions of these women – until now.
About the Author
Internet law professor Kathy Kleiman discovered this story in college and became friends with four of the original six ENIAC Programmers. She recorded extensive oral histories about their work, produced an award-winning documentary, and later wrote this book. Proving Ground restores these women to their rightful place as programming pioneers we all should know, and is the celebration they deserve.
Awards
Kathy Kleiman’s documentary The Computers: The Remarkable Story of the ENIAC Programmers, premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2014 and won the UNAFF Grand Jury Award for Best Short Documentary at the United Nations Association Film Festival in 2016.
Her book Proving Ground was published by Grand Central Publishing in 2022 in hardback and 2023 in paperback, Hurst Publishers (EU, UK & Commonwealth countries), Hanbit Media (Korean translation and distribution), and Kyoritsu Shuppan Publisher (Japanese translation and distribution). It received the IEEE William and Joyce Middleton Electrical Engineering History Award in 2023 and Sejong Book Award in 2024.
To register, go here.
Local Music
Enjoy Outdoor Summer Concerts!
Founders Groove
Founders Groove, Founders Row, 110 Founders Ave. Falls Church. Every Thursday Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m., through Aug. 14.
Get ready for the 2nd year of Founders Groove!
This event is all about celebrating creativity, community, and of course, grooving to some awesome tunes. Join us for an evening filled with live music, delicious food, and fun family vibes. Grab your friends, some folding chairs, and come dance the day away with us at Founders Groove!
Upcoming Musical Line-Up:
- July 10 - 49 Cent Dress (Rock & Roll, Blues)
- July 17 - Oasis Island Sounds (Reggae, Caribbean)
- July 24 - Mac Heat (R&B, Funk)
- July 31 - On The Edge (Pop, Rock, Dance)
- August 7 - Mardi Gras Kings (New Orleans, Cajun)
- August 14 -Ty Sherwood (Country)
For more information, visit www.foundersrow.com.
2025 Concerts in the Park Series
Falls Church Recreation and Parks
Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church.
The Summer Concerts in the Park Series hosted by the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) and the Recreation and Parks Department returns for its 33rd year!
Concerts in the Park are Thursdays in June and July this year! Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chairs and a picnic dinner to the concerts.
Concerts start at 7:00 p.m. and range from 60 to 90 minutes-long. Advanced registration not required.
Upcoming Summer Concerts:
- July 10: Richard Walton Group (Jazz, Rock, Latin, Fusion)
- July 17: Kiti Gartner and the Drifting Valentines (Rockabilly, Country, Americana)
- July 24: The Bob Gibson Big Band (Vintage to Modern Jazz)
- July 31: Big Tow (Rock and Blues)
Summer Passport Music Festival
at Creative Cauldron
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St. Through Sept. 14.
Featuring some of the most talented and diverse musicians in the metro area and beyond, this annual series, now in its 14th year, is one of the most popular events of the Creative Cauldron season. The concert series offers musical styles for every taste: latin, jazz, blues, folk and world music. Presented in a cozy club format that's been described by one of our frequent performing musicians as, “one of the best listening venues in the DMV.”
Next Up:
Ayreheart
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St., Friday July 11, 7:30 p.m.
A progressive, renaissance-folk quartet, founded by GRAMMY-nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane, restores the lute to its former glory – but in a modern context. With backgrounds in rock, folk and jazz, the members of Ayreheart, with vocalist Heather Aubrey Lloyd (of iLy Amy... you saw her at the Passport Music Fest's Simon & Garfunkel show) bring fresh energy to old traditions. https://ayreheart.com/.
Sponsored by Local Thrift and The Falls Church News-Press.
Tickets: Tier One: $30; Tier Two: $25; Live Stream: $15.
Table for Two (Includes two cups of wine): $90.
Table for Four (Includes bottle of wine): $180.
For ticket info go here.
Glen Echo: Summer Concert Series
Glen Echo Park, Bumper Car Pavilion. All concerts are free. Dancers are welcome. Free parking. Rain or shine. Shows: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Through Aug. 21.
RSVPs preferred, not required. Limited seating available — feel free to bring folding chairs. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks for sale in Bumper Car Pavilion courtesy of Praline. Bringing your own alcohol is not permitted.
Upcoming Concerts:
July 24 | U.S. Marine Band Latin Jazz Ensemble
July 31 | Halley's Hot Gumbo Swingtet
August 7 | Kiti Gartner & the Drifting Valentines
August 14 | Justin Trawick and The Common Good
August 21 | James Bazen Big Band
RSVP for FREE Summer Concerts! (RSVPs preferred but not required.)
For more info go here.
Lubber Run Amphitheater – Free Concert Series
Lubber Run Ampitheater, 200 N. Columbus St., Arlington.
Since the construction of the first permanent stage in 1969, generations of Arlingtonians have enjoyed free summer cultural events at the sylvan venue nestled two blocks off Route 50, ranging from Encore Stage & Studio to bands like Raul Midón, Eddie from Ohio and superstar Ritchie Havens.
The Lubber Run Summer Concert series features free performances from a variety of genres including big band, blues, soul and orchestral music as well as cabaret to the Lubber Run Amphitheater. Working in partnership with the Lubber Run Amphitheater Foundation, we bring the very best of D.C. metro area arts to the heart of Arlington.
The series will run through August 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (see exceptions below).
The Sidleys
Friday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.
Fronted by husband-and-wife songwriting/performing duo Annie and Steve Sidley, alongside their talented sons Sean, Colin, and Ian, Washington D.C.'s first family of rock and soul delivers a fusion of soulful melodies, amazing harmonies, and infectious beats. Having captivated audiences around the world with three critically beloved albums, including the chart-topping Breathless, The Sidleys have released their most recent album, Sugar Kingdom, in 2024 to worldwide acclaim! Visit the website for The Sidleys.
King Soul
Saturday, July 12, 8:00 p.m.
Born of a mutual passion for the deep, down-home sounds of an earlier time, eight-piece band King Soul is bringing the excitement of real Southern Soul to a new audience. Featuring original songs, powerful vocals, soaring horn work and driving rhythms, King Soul has become a top draw at area clubs and events. The all-star band includes members of the Slickee Boys, the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours, the Recliners, the Grandsons, the Hula Monsters, the Thangs, and the J Street Jumpers. King Soul’s membership holds more than 30 Washington Area Music Association Wammies and Austin Music Awards to its credit. King Soul’s new self-titled album on Austin’s Freedom label was recorded live in the studio and features nine new original tunes that sound like lost Muscle Shoals sessions. Visit King Soul on Facebook.
And some MAGIC!
Drew Blue Shoes
Sunday, July 13, 11:00 a.m.
Presented in partnership with Arlington Public Library
Drew Blue Shoes is your best choice for a family-friendly magician! Drew amazes audiences with magic, comedy, and participation shows that have kids going bananas! Get ready for eye-popping illusions, side-splitting humor, motivating magic and surprises. Visit the website for Drew Blue Shoes.
View an at-a-glance season schedule for the series.
Summer Concert Series at The Wharf DC
Rock The Dock!
The Wharf DC, 970 Wharf St. SW. Every Wednesday evening through Labor Day.
Rock The Dock 2025 Lineup:
At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through Labor Day, come to Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy free live performances by these talented local artists:
Upcoming Shows:
July 16: Secret Society (Feel Good Music)
July 23: The HariKaraoke Band (Special Karaoke Band)
July 30: So Fetch (2000s Hits)
August 6: The JoGo Project (Go-Go/Funk)
August 13: DuPont Brass (Big Horns/Electric Soul)
August 20: Uncle Jesse (90s Pop)
August 27: Pink PaLiSh (Funk/Soul)
- Every concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
- Learn more about different ways to Get to The Wharf.
- Limited bench seating and tables and chairs are available on a first-come first-served basis.
- This event is family-friendly — all ages are welcome. Dogs on a leash are also welcome. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.
- Waterside bar Cantina Bambina serves up cold Pacifico and mixed drinks throughout the concerts. Outside drinks are not allowed.
- Don't forget to visit the DC Lottery tent on Transit Pier to spin the prize wheel to win cash and DC Lottery swag.
- You may bring in food from any Wharf restaurant. Stageside kiosk Union Pie offers hot and fresh pizza throughout the show. Whether you're craving a Cuban sandwich, a hot and sweet pizza, or chips and guac, our Wharf restaurants have something for everyone.
- In the event of inclement weather, event status updates will be posted on the Rock The Dock event page on The Wharf Facebook page.
For more info go here.
City of Fairfax Band: Summer Concerts
Veterans Amphitheater, 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Free.
What nicer way to spend Thursday evenings in July than on the grounds of the beautiful Veterans Amphitheater? Spread out your blanket, bring a chair, pack up some munchies and water and enjoy the music of the Main Street Community Band, directed by Henry Heidtmann [July 10] and the Fairfax Swing Band, directed by Rick Parrell [July 17]. Inclement weather venue for both concerts will be the Stacy C. Sherwood Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax.
Next Shows:
July 10 - Main Street Community Band
July 17 - Fairfax Swing Band
And.... SAVE THE DATE for the "Children's Concert" on July 24 with pre-concert activities including FREE ice cream and balloons!
Have Some Laughs with a Live Comedy Podcast!
The LOL Podcast: Laugh Out Loud World Tour
Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Saturday, July 12, 3:30 p.m.
The "LOL Podcast Presents: Laugh Out Loud World Tour" is a live show featuring the hosts of the popular LOL Podcast: Cash, Kate, Harper, and Maverick. The tour promises an evening of laughter, interactive games, and exclusive content not heard on the podcast. Guests can expect hilarious moments, personal stories, and insights into the hosts' lives. The tour offers different ticket options, including meet & greet opportunities and a pre-show hangout.
Tickets start at $40.
For ticket purchases, go here.
Local Theater
Dead Inside
Presented by Ali Wong & Bill Hader
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW. Preview Performances: Wednesday, July 9, 8:00 p.m; Thursday, July 10, 8:00 p.m.; Friday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 12, 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 12, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 13, 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 13, 8:00 p.m.
Created and performed by RIKI LINDHOME. Directed by BRIAN MCELHANEY.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is proud to present the American premiere of Dead Inside, a hilarious and deeply personal new musical written and performed by actress, comedian, and songwriter Riki Lindhome (Garfunkel and Oates, Wednesday).
Part musical, part solo stand-up spiral, Dead Inside pulls back the speculum on Lindhome’s real-life fertility journey – hormone shots, invasive tests, monthly disappointment, and navigating a culture that still expects women to smile through it.
Tackling a subject often swept under the rug next to the biohazard bin, Dead Inside offers an unfiltered glimpse into one woman’s journey through infertility – told with humor, vulnerability, and original songs you’ll hum all the way to your next OB-GYN appointment.
“Trying to conceive is a full-time job that pays in despair and stretchier pants,” says Lindhome. “But at least now it also comes with a soundtrack.”
Artist Talkbacks following the July 17 and 24 performances.
Note: This performance includes explicit language and discussion of infertility, miscarriage, abortion, and sexual acts.
For more info go here.
Mama Mania!
Capital One Hall, The Vault, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, Friday, July 11. Doors open: 7:00 p.m.
Prepare to be transported back to the vibrant 1970s as New York City’s premier ABBA tribute band, Mamma Mania! brings the classic hits of one of pop music's most iconic groups to life. With their dazzling costumes, flawless harmonies, and captivating stage presence, this tribute captures the essence of ABBA’s unforgettable sound.
For ticket purchases, go here.
Apropos of Nothing: A Comedy
D.C. Premiere Opening This Weekend! ~ Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Select Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. July 12 - August 10, 2025
Playwright: Greg Kalleres. Director: Ray Ficca.
Owen confesses, apropos of nothing, that he’s in love with his best friend’s wife. But it’s just “a passing phase,” he tells him. “Forget I even said it.” Unfortunately, no one can. And now that it’s out there, everyone’s lives are suddenly turned upside down. With the help of a precocious millennial, all parties are soon forced to examine their lives and relationships for the first time. In a comedy about love, irony, and cliche, five friends struggle with… well… love, irony, and cliche.
Tickets: Adults: $54. Seniors (62+): $44. Students/under 25: $44. Single tickets incur $5 service fee per ticket.
July 13, 2025 Post-Show Discussion: APROPOS Playwright Greg Kalleres: Following the matinee performance, audiences are invited to join award-winning playwright and screenwriter Greg Kalleres after the matinee performance for a discussion of his comedy APROPOS OF NOTHING, as well as his career and playwriting process. Free and open to all patrons!
For ticket info go here.
A Wrinkle in Time
Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW. Through July 20.
A world-premiere musical of the classic young adult novel.
Meg Murry's father was experimenting with time travel and the fifth dimension when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin, and her younger brother Charles Wallace must race to rescue him. Can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space? Join Meg on this epic quest in an adventurous new musical adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's Newbery Medal-winning classic novel that will energize your spirit, expand your imagination, and inspire you to believe that love, friendship, and courage can conquer all.
For ticket info go here.
The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical
Final Weekend! ~ Signature Theater, Arlington, 4200 Campbell Ave. Through July 13.
Directed by Christopher Ashley. Choreography and Musical Staging by Jon Rua.
Let’s get wild in this exciting new musical about the infamous author from the mind of Joe Iconis (Be More Chill) and directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley (Come from Away).
A collision of politics, counterculture and rock and roll in human form, Hunter S. Thompson is impossible to pin down. Careening from the 1940s to 2005, Thompson invents Gonzo journalism, attempts to take down a corrupt president, and quests for equality for his fellow weirdos, outsiders and freaks. However, this anti-hero’s drug-fueled tornado leaves a trail of destruction as he grapples with his legacy in a world that has left him behind.
Funny and unique, as anarchic and irreverent as the writer himself, this explosive rock musical will spark a revolution for the rebel inside us all.
“Funny, freaky, informal, fiercely independent… an emotional passing of the torch to the future activists of the world, a celebration of and a primal call to the freaks and misfits.” – San Diego Magazine‘s review of the original sold out production at La Jolla Playhouse
Next Discussion Night: July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Go behind the scenes with an exclusive post-show discussion following select Tuesday and Wednesday performances.
Recommended Age: 18+.
Effects Warnings: This show will use strobe lights, gunshot and explosion sounds, and theatrical haze. Content Warnings: Contains adult language, depictions of drug use and violence, and discussions of traumatic subjects. Running Time: Running time is approximately 2 hours, 35 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
For ticket info go here.
Local Cinema
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf!
The Wharf DC, 760 Maine Ave. SW. On Thursdays through Aug. 28, come to Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy the following free outdoor movies. Shows begin: 7:30 p.m.
July 10: Twisters (2024)
July 17: Money Ball
July 24: Casablanca
July 31: Shrek
August 7: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
August 14: Pitch Perfect
August 21: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
August 28: La La Land
Movies take place at Transit Pier at The Wharf, 970 Wharf St. SW. Learn more about different ways to Get to The Wharf. Movies begin at 7:30 p.m. Limited adirondack chairs available on a first-come first-served basis starting at 7:00 p.m. You may bring a blanket or folding chairs to this event. Closed captions available upon request. Please see the movie attendant on site or email here (below) to make the request.
This event is family-friendly — all ages welcome. Dogs on a leash welcome. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Waterside bar Cantina Bambina serves up cold Pacifico and mixed drinks throughout the movies. Outside drinks are not allowed.
You may bring in food from any Wharf restaurant. Stageside kiosk Union Pie offers hot and fresh pizza throughout the show. Whether you're craving a Cuban sandwich, a hot and sweet pizza, or chips and guac, our Wharf restaurants have something special for everyone.
In the event of inclement weather, event status updates will be posted on the Sunset Cinema event page on The Wharf Facebook page.
For more info go here.
Observe a Nature Film at the National Gallery of Art!
How Deep is Your Love
National Gallery of Art, West Building Lecture Hall, 6th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Saturday, July 12, 2-4:00 p.m.
Part of By Land, Sea, and Lens: Creatures on Film.
Have you ever wondered about the little beasts lurking in the unexplored depths of Earth’s oceans? Filmmaker Eleanor Mortimer did and accompanied exploratory scientists eager to collect and name unknown species from the depths of the central Pacific, 4,700 meters below. As they uncover mesmerizing creatures and ecosystems thriving in darkness, a looming threat emerges: the prospect of deep-sea mining in this untouched wilderness. Weaving wonder with urgency, How Deep Is Your Love challenges us to balance the drive for resources with the intrinsic value of an ecosystem. (Eleanor Mortimer, 2025, DCP, 100 minutes)
For more info go here.
Shahzia Sikander: The Last Post
Just Opened! ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets, NW, Open Daily, 11:30 a.m.– 7:00 p.m. Through July 12, 2026. Free.
Through precisely inked and animated scenes, Shahzia Sikander’s video artwork The Last Post (2010) critically considers the legacy of British colonialism in Asia, using her signature approach of infusing Indo-Persian miniature paintings with a contemporary perspective.
The Last Post centers a European gentleman in a red waistcoat, a symbol of British imperial power. Indian court architecture, Chinese cut-paper silhouettes, and a watercolor map of South Asia all dissolve and reconfigure around him. Artist Shahzia Sikander based this figure on miniature paintings from the late eighteenth century depicting British East India Company officials.
Sikander’s faceless “Company man” and his shifting surroundings allude to that corporation’s expanding presence from the 1600s to the 1800s in South Asia and China, where it blurred state, military, and mercantile power. As images shatter across the screen and electronic beats by Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Du Yun explode on the soundtrack, we are invited to viscerally feel the reverberations of imperial activities across continents, oceans, and time.
The Last Post was recently added to SAAM’s collection as part of a longstanding time-based media art initiative. It is presented in a dedicated gallery for immersive media art installations that opened in 2023. This ten-minute film runs continuously and can be entered at any time.
The presentation is organized by Saisha Grayson, curator of time-based media at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
For more info go here.
Take in a Schlocky Sequel at Falls Church's New First-Run Movie Theater!
M3GAN 2.0
Paragon Theaters Founders Row, 112 Founders Ave. Wednesday, July 9, 3:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 12:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m.
The murderous doll who captivated pop culture in 2023 is back. And this time she’s not alone.
The original creative team behind that phenomenon — led by horror titans James Wan for Atomic Monster, Jason Blum for Blumhouse and writer-director Gerard Johnstone — reboot an all-new wild chapter in A.I. mayhem with M3GAN 2.0. Two years after M3GAN, a marvel of artificial intelligence, went rogue and embarked on a murderous (and impeccably choreographed) rampage....
For our recent story on the opening of Paragon Theaters Founders Row in the City of Falls Church, see below:
Christopher Jones
Local Fine Arts
Check Out Falls Church Arts' Member Show (M-Z)
Falls Church Arts, 700-B W. Broad St. July 12 - 25. Meet-the-Artists Reception, July 12. (See below for details).
For a preview of the show, see our recent article below:
Christopher Jones
Jessica Caso
Rare Bird Coffee Roasters, 230 W. Broad St. Now Showing: "Côte d’Azur Mon Amour," Through September 28.
Artist Statement by Jessica Caso: Through my lens, I invite you to wander with me through the sunny streets of Nice, the tranquil shores of Eze, and beyond. It's not just about the sights; it's about the feelings they evoke – the joy, the excitement, the wanderlust. Join me on this walk through "Côte d'Azur Mon Amour," where each snapshot is a love letter to the timeless charm of the Riviera. Email: jessicacaso@gmail.com. Website: https://jessicacasophotography.com/.
For more info go here.
NEITHER/NOR:
Traci Reynolds & Liz Johnson
Just Opened! ~ Fenwick Gallery at Fenwick Library, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, Through Sept. 5.
Neither/Nor is a collaborative exhibition between Traci Reynolds and Liz Johnson, both MFA candidates in George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Working with handmade paper and photography, the artists consider the gendered body as an in-between, non-conforming, unruly space. The gendered body — one that is perceived, shaped, disciplined, and transformed by normative standards and societal expectations — can at turns be seen as dangerous and vulnerable, alluring and repulsive, something to be feared and protected. Like pressing against a fresh bruise, both artists revel in the discomfort and subversive pleasure of this uncertain space.
In a series of photographic self-portraits, Ripe and Rot, Liz Johnson works with decaying fruit as a collaborator. Balanced and braced against her body, the fruit sometimes collapses under its own weight or is crushed by powerful limbs. Johnson uses these organic materials to navigate a complex terrain of fertility, time, and bodily transformation—not seeking an answer, but embracing entropy.
Traci Reynolds’s work, Raise, presents another view of the body (particularly the trans and non-gender-conforming body) as a site for deconstruction and reformation. This large-scale, abstracted, handmade paper sculpture is built through an intense process of beating fiber into pulp, molding and shaping each sheet, and imbuing the still-wet paper with hair and latex—symbolic forms of identity, protection, containment, and kink. Drawing from studies of the abject and the genre of body horror in film and manga, Reynolds’s paper forms are in continuous flux between beauty and the grotesque, tearing and repair, and containment and eruption.
Neither/Nor is on view in Fenwick Gallery through September 5, 2025. Visit masonexhibitions.org to learn more.
For more info go here.
8th Annual Invitational Show
Just Opened! ~ Reston Art Gallery 11400 Washington Plaza West Reston, Through July 27.
Featuring original works from RAGS members and their invited guest artists.
For more info go here.
Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest
Special Exhibition
The Phillips Collection, Goh Annex and Sant Building, Floor 3. Through Sept. 28.
Drawing upon previously unknown works and archival findings, this exhibition recovers the depth and variety of the more than four-decade career of Vivian Browne (b. 1929, Laurel, FL; d. 1993, New York, NY). The exhibition features paintings, prints, and works on paper across seven bodies of work, as well as ephemera that highlight Browne’s pioneering activism and influential teaching career. Browne was a founder of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition, an organization that fought for Black representation in New York museums; a member of SOHO20, one of the first women’s art cooperatives in Manhattan; and a professor at Rutgers University (1971–92). Her signature approach to color and form challenged the neatly defined categories of abstraction and figuration, and art and politics, revealing a more nuanced approach to art-making that is part of Browne’s unique contribution to 20th-century art of the U.S.
For more info go here.
Check Out an Art Rave!
ArtRave - Dupont Artisan Market
Dupont Market Artisan Fair, Dupont Circle, 1913 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Saturday, July 12, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
From ArtRave. Part of the Summer Days collection.
Welcome to ArtRave - Dupont Artisan Market! Join us for a day filled with creativity, community, and fun. Discover unique, handcrafted items made by local artisans, including paintings, sculptures, hand-carved goods, gourmet bakery products, jewelry, handmade items, and home decor.
Don't miss the opportunity to support small businesses and find one-of-a-kind pieces to enhance your collection. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for something special, there's something for everyone at ArtRave.
We are an every-other-Saturday venue. Immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere of creativity.
In Need of Some Nature Therapy?
Lotus Bloom Nature Therapy
Meadowlark Botanical Garden, Visitor Center, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna, July 12, 9 - 11:00 a.m.
Experience a serene morning at Meadowlark Botanical Garden, where we will awaken our senses to the beauty of blooming lotuses and reflective waters. This special guided nature therapy walk welcomes you to nourish inner peace and presence through a refreshingly sensory and mindful guided wander along shimmering blooming ponds and cooling woodland trails. Guided by certified nature therapy guide Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, we will conclude with tea to enhance our sense of connection and vitality as summer unfolds. All adults are welcome. Registration is required.
About Nature Therapy
Nature therapy, also known as forest therapy or forest bathing, draws inspiration from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. Through mindful and sensory nature connection invitations, we create space to slow down and reconnect — with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. This practice helps us rediscover our sense of belonging within the natural world and our community. Research shows that nature therapy naturally reduces stress, restores focus, boosts creativity and mood, and supports immune health.
Your Experience
- Awaken your senses beside garden ponds thriving with lotus blooms, turtles, and dragonflies;
- Slow down with guided mindfulness practices in a peaceful, natural setting;
- Absorb the vibrant beauty of mid-summer while finding your own inner calm;
- Enjoy gentle guided wanders and quiet moments by the water or in shaded woodlands;
- Reflect, share, and connect within a warm-hearted, supportive community;
- Close with tea, light snacks, and gratitude in the gardens.
Each program offers a unique journey, co-created by the season, the location, the wildlife, and our group. We may walk about a mile or less at a relaxing pace, on a mix of terrain that can include both paved and unpaved paths. Every invitation is adaptable to your comfort level — no experience or special skills needed. Whether you're new to mindful nature connection practices or have joined us before, you're warmly welcomed to this experience.
Meet Your Guide
Ilana Rubin brings warmth and expertise as a certified nature and forest therapy guide and as the founder of Kindred Nature. Trained and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, Ilana established Kindred Nature in 2021 to replenish inner radiance, resilience, and belonging with nature and community through empowering and restorative experiences. She has guided many rejuvenating nature connection programs at NOVA Parks sites, as well as for diverse clients including the US Forest Service, the GW Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, families, couples, and individuals. Visit Kindred Nature to learn more.
Registration Details
- Registration: $35 per participant (ages 18 and older). All attendees are considered participants. Advance online registration required.
- Welcome: All adults are warmly invited - no previous experience or background needed!
- Meeting Point: Meet at the Visitor Center of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
- Bring: Water bottle, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing, and shoes for outdoors.
- Weather: Program runs rain or shine unless conditions are hazardous.
- Arrival: Please come 10-15 minutes early to be ready to begin our journey together.
- Special Requests: For dietary allergies or accommodation needs, please contact kindrednatureguide@gmail.com.
- Refund Policy: A refund is provided only if your space is filled by an individual on the waitlist. Refunds are not provided within 72 hours of the program.
For more info go here.
Hit Golf Balls into The Drink!
Waterfront Driving Range
The Wharf DC, Transit Pier, 970 Wharf St. SW. July 9, 6 – 9:00 p.m.
A waterfront driving range anyone? Practice your swing and hit biodegradable golf balls with Corona Premier and Splash City Golf onto the floating golf target in the Washington Channel on Wednesdays through July 9. Splash City Golf supplies the clubs and the certified biodegradable golf balls; you get to tee off on the waterfront.
For more info go here.
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion