Weekend Buzz: July 16, 2025
No summer doldrums here! What's going on around town? Local music, comedy, theater – check out the two different Shakespeare re-imaginings! – cinema, fine arts, kids' activities, and a wonderful summer Tuesday dance-on-the-waterfront series. Or – for something quietly enriching – a local library Book Sale. If that's not enough, how about a way to celebrate National Moth Month with lepidopterists?!
Go Book Browsing!
Used Book Sale
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Upper Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave. Friday, July 18, 1-5:00 p.m. (Preview Sale with 5-item purchase limit); Saturday, July 19, and, Sunday, July 20, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Check out our quarterly Used Book Sale this weekend! Find great bargains on books, compact discs, and DVDs for all ages. (Any time you're in the library you can also check out our smaller ongoing book sale on the two shelves in our Main Reading Room.) All proceeds support library programs and services!
Prices:
- Hardback: $3.00 + tax
- Paperback: $2.00 + tax
- Kids Board Book: $1.00 + tax
- DVD/Blu-ray: $0.50 + tax
- Audiobook: $1.00 + tax
- Specialty Item: As marked + tax
For more info go here.
Local Music
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:
The Flybirds
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St., Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
This award-winning musical embodiment of Alternative Bluegrass & Appalachia based out of Winchester, Virginia, have migrated through the music industry for eight years, their voices and melodies soaring to new heights together. Unique and original, this band is comprised of Elizabeth Baker on banjo, and fiddle, Mary Dunlap on bass, Sarah Twigg on guitar. Their first full-length original album "The Band is Causing Problems," released in 2020, and they've just released their second album, "The Band is Playing Covers," in 2023.
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.
Octavia
Latin Rock
The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St. Friday, July 18. Doors open: 7:00 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m.
OCTAVIA es una banda de rock pop fundada en La Paz, Bolivia en 1996. Conocidos antes, como CODA 3. Octavia es una banda boliviana de folk rock y pop considerada por muchos como la banda boliviana más representativa de este género.
You must be 18 or over to enter unless accompanied by your parent. Valid ID required. Save some money! There's only a $1 fee when you buy your ticket in person at the box office.
Tickets: $40 in Advance. $45 on Day of Show.
For more info go here.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet Plays Gershwin
National Symphony Orchestra
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. Friday, July 18. Gates Open: 6:30 p.m. Showtime: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets Start at: $45.50 (incl. fees).
Superstar pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet brings vibrant color to George Gershwin’s jazzy Piano Concerto in F — a bluesy masterwork filled with Charleston rhythms. Closing the program is Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, an exotic journey of love, peril, and intrigue inspired by the famous folktale about a clever young queen who spins 1,001 fantastical stories to outwit a murderous sultan.
Before the performance, join pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, conductor Katharina Wincor, and WETA Classical Host Nicole Lacroix on the Farmhouse Lawn (to the left of the main gate) at 7:00 p.m. for a pre-performance discussion about the program.
For more info go here.
Founders Groove
Summer Concert Series
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 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.
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 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)
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.
Bongo District
Friday, July 18, 8:00 p.m.
From the melting pot of cultures that blend in the Washington D.C. area, emerges a fusion of musical genres that's shaking dance floors and captivating music-lovers attention; they are known as the Bongo District. Their mix of reggae, funk, and ska spiced up with a latin flavor has earned them local recognition becoming one of D.C.’s most sought-after bands, playing as regular acts in top venues such as The Bullpen and the Bluebeat Concert Series, as well as opening for established South American artists Los Cafres, Los Rabanes and Desorden Publico, among others. Bongo District's unique blend of popular covers and original music makes their live act appealing to audiences of all ages, taking them on a trip through passages of relaxing reggae music to full blown stadium-chant percussive parties. Visit Bongo District on Instagram.
US Navy Band Commodores
Saturday, July 19, 8:00 p.m.
As the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, the Commodores have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for more than 50 years. Formed in 1969, this 18-member group continues the jazz big band legacy with some of the finest musicians in the world. The Commodores' mission includes public concerts, national concert tours, ceremonial support in honoring our veterans, jazz education classes and clinics, and protocol performances for high-level military and civilian government officials. Visit the website for the US Navy Band Commodores.
The Rainbow Rock Band
Sunday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.
Are you ready to rock the rainbow?? Join the Rainbow Rock Band as they entertain your little dudes with tunes, laughs and more! Winners of a Parents' Choice Fun Stuff Award for their debut CD, "Meet the Rainbow," in addition to a Family Choice Award, a Mom's Choice Award and a National Parent Product Award (NAPPA) winner for their newest release "Total Eclipse of the Rainbow," an absolute mix of musical genres from folk, pop rock to rockabilly, all the while being EDUCATIONAL and FUN!! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, nature and more! The Rainbow Rock Band encourages all rainbow rockers to participate in the show either on the mic or at their seat, any which way you play it, your little one is sure to have fun!
Suggested Ages: From infant to 7 yrs.-old. Visit the website for The Rainbow Rock Band.
The series will run through Aug. 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (see exceptions below).
For more info go here.
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 Fairfax Swing Band, directed by Rick Parrell [July 17]. Inclement weather venue will be the Stacy C. Sherwood Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax.
Next Show:
Thursday, 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!
Comedy & Story-Telling
An Evening with David Sedaris
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. Saturday, July 19, 8:00 p.m. Gates Open: 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $41.25 (incl. fees).
One of America’s pre-eminent humor writers, David Sedaris’ sardonic wit and incisive social critique made him one of NPR’s most popular commentators, as well as a frequent contributor to The New Yorker. Established as “a chronicler of dysfunctional families and oddball enthusiasms” (The New York Times), the five-time Grammy nominee has over 10 million copies of his books in print. Experience Sedaris’ storytelling come alive on stage for one evening only!
For more info go here.
Local Theater
Dead Inside
Presented by Ali Wong & Bill Hader
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW. Wednesday, July 16, 8:00 p.m., Preview, Limited Availability; Thursday, July 17, 8:00 p.m., Preview, Sell-Out Warning; Saturday, July 19, 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 19, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 20, 2:00 p.m. Through July 27.
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.
Apropos of Nothing: A Comedy
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.
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 more info go here.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare, A Synetic Theater production
Olney Theatre Center, Roberts Mainstage, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Md. July 17 - Aug. 10.
For over twenty years, in-the-know D.C. audiences have thrilled to the magic of wordless Shakespeare from Synetic Theatre, called by the Washington Post “the region’s premier troupe for physical theater.” Now, Olney Theatre Center introduces audiences to Synetic's thrilling, kinetic performances with one of their most acclaimed, groundbreaking productions! Love-drunk teens stumble upon a troupe of wannabe actors and find themselves caught in a war between the Fairy King and Queen… and that’s before one wily sprite intent on mischief-making sprinkles a little fairy dust. What could possibly go wrong?!
This playful adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream features Synetic’s trademark wordless storytelling and is the winner of two Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Resident Play and Outstanding Ensemble.
“Synetic reimagines one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays with wordless elegance. A decade after first attempting that delicate dance, this “Midsummer” still knows how to cast a spell.” ~ The Washington Post
Adapted by Ben Cunis and Paata Tsikurishvili. Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili. Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili.
Duration: 100 minutes, no intermission.Age Guidance: If this were a film it would be rated PG for some adult moments.
Buy Tickets. For more info go here.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, July 17, 7:00 p.m.; Friday, July 18, 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 19, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Broadway’s Spellbinding Sensation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to a city near you on its first-ever North American Tour. Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards including Best Play. “It’s one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes).
When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all — with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It’s a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine).
For more info go here.
Duel Reality
Shakespeare Theatre Company, Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. Wednesday, July 16, 1:00 p.m.; Wednesday July 16, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jul 19, 2:00 p.m. (Audio Described); Saturday, Jul 19, 7:30 p.m.; and, Sunday, July 20, 2:00 p.m.
“DAZZLING…. This is a Montague-vs.-Capulet epic where the principal antagonist is gravity.” ~ The Washington Post
“BRASH AND BREATHTAKING…. Full of power, wonder, and awe.” ~ BroadwayWorld
“ENDLESS EXCITEMENT…. Beautifully blends death-defying acrobatics, modern dance, and theatrical storytelling to create something truly memorable.” ~ DC Theater Arts
“A THRILL RIDE…. You will be surprised, titillated, gobsmacked, and incessantly asking yourself, how did they just do that?” ~ MD Theatre Guide
“Will have you on the edge of your seat…. Shakespeare like you’ve never seen before.” ~ K Street Kate
Two households, both alike in agility…
Crackling with electric energy, Duel Reality distills Shakespeare’s epic love story down to the core of its conflict. Fusing circus, theatre, and dance, two feuding families face off in an acrobatic sporting arena where death-defying stunts are challenged by life-affirming passion in this action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Hailed by critics as a “very slick, heart-stopping, awe-inspiring performance” (Edinburgh Festivals for Kids), this international spectacular will thrill the whole family.
By The 7 Fingers. Directed by Shana Carroll. Originally produced and created with Virgin Voyages. Commissioning partner ArtsEmerson.
Runtime: Approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. Youth tickets are available to all persons 17 and under for $35 with the purchase of an adult ticket, by phone only. All performances of Duel Reality are designed with open captions.
For more 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 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.
It Is Night in America
Register early! ~ National Gallery of Art, West Bldg. Lecture Hall, 6th St. & Const. Ave. NW. Saturday, July 26, 2-3:30 p.m.
It is Night in America was filmed at Brasilia Zoo, habitat to hundreds of rescued species fleeing agribusiness, urbanization and the pollution of the Brazilian cerrado. As a nocturnal feast filmed on expired 16mm, this immersive work casts an animalistic spell with shades of eco-horror, wildlife fictions, and documentary, subverting the limits of cinematic genres. Giant anteaters and otters, maned wolves, owls, and capybaras meet with biologists, veterinarians, caretakers and the environmental police in a somber plot where the challenges of preserving life weave a web of intersecting perspectives. In the end, who are the real captives? (É Noite na América, Ana Vaz, 2022, French and Portuguese with subtitles, 16mm to DCP, 66 minutes)
To register, call: 202.737.4215, or go here.
Summer Movies on the Lawn: “The Goonies” (1985)
Library of Congress
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Bldg., Southeast Lawn, 10 1st St. SE. July 17, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Part of Live at the Library ; Summer Movies on the Lawn.
Join us for a screening of “The Goonies” (1985), starring Josh Brolin Garland, Sean Astin, and Ke Huy Quan. This film has become one of America's greatest adventure comedies.
Part of the Library’s eight annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn,” this series showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry and will be presented on Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, located on the corner of 2nd Street SE and Independence Avenue.
No tickets are required, but visitors are encouraged to arrive early as space is limited. Visitors must stay with their items on the lawn at all times. Guests may bring their own blankets, chairs, food and beverages, but alcohol is prohibited.
Restrooms are available in the James Madison Building located at 101 Independence Ave. SE. Please be advised, visitors must navigate U.S. Capitol Police security screening to enter the building to use the facilities. Restrooms in this building are fully accessible. Themed snacks and drinks will be available for sale before the movie begins.
Accommodations: Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.
For more info go here.
Local Film & Historic Gardens Extravaganza
Dinnertime Classics | Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW.
Enjoy a summer evening at Hillwood with a classic film! Tour Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, greenhouse, special exhibition From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley at Hillwood, eat a delicious meal at Merriweather Café, and enjoy a film. This evening’s featured film is Sylvia Scarlett (1935), featuring Katharine Hepburn and our exhibition's own Natalie Paley.
Reservations are required for a seated dinner at the Merriweather Café between 5:30 and 6:45 p.m. Book your reservation for dinner on our website, here!
Help set a festive atmosphere and receive a treat with your dinner reservation! For guests who have a dinner reservation for full-service dining at the Merriweather Café, dress up in 1930's period-themed attire or Sylvia Scarlett-specific costumes to receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine with your meal.
Timeline:
5:30-7:30 p.m. | Explore Hillwood
- Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, greenhouse, and From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley
- Find the perfect souvenir for your visit at the museum shop
- Enjoy dinner at the Merriweather Café or Merriweather To Go
7:30-9 p.m. | Film Screening
- Seating for the film is first-come first-serve in the visitor center theater, Dina Merrill Pavilion, CW Post, and Merriweather Room B.
About the Film:
After the death of her mother, Sylvia Scarlett (Katharine Hepburn) decides that she can help her debt-ridden father, Henry (Edmund Gwenn), by dressing like a young man in order to move more freely in society. Returning to England from France, the pair are conned by smuggler Jimmy Monkley (Cary Grant), but are impressed enough by him to join several of his unsuccessful swindling schemes. This film also features Natalie Paley, the star of our current special exhibition.
For more info call: 202.686.5807, or go here.
Local Fine Arts
IMPRINT 2.0
Tephra ICA and Tephra ICA at Signature
Opens Tomorrow! ~ Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art, 11850 Freedom Drive, Reston. Artist Talk: Thursday, July 17, 6-8:00 p.m. Exhibit Runs: July 17 - Aug. 30.
Join us for the Opening Reception and Artist Talk for IMPRINT 2.0. By Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art.
On June 10, 2005, the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) opened its doors in its Reston Town Center, Market St. gallery with IMPRINT: The Artists from a New Town, exhibition. Inspired by Robert E Simon’s belief that the arts are at the core of a thriving society, this exhibition highlighted artists whose early experiences in Reston were shaped by — and contributed to — the town’s collective spirit of community, creativity, connection, and artistic expression.
Twenty years later, GRACE, now Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA), continues to embrace Simon’s belief that the arts are an essential component of a well-rounded life.
IMPRINT 2.0 revisits the inaugural exhibition, exploring the continued careers of artists Maggie Booth, Adam Grossi, Elizabeth Kendall, Pete Petrine, Marco Rando, and Yumi Janairo Roth. This new iteration will feature painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawings, photographs, and video and will be on view in both Tephra ICA’s main gallery (July 17–August 10) and satellite gallery, Tephra ICA at Signature (July 17–August 30, 2025).
RSVP Here. For more info go here.
Susanne Kamalieh
New Paintings exhibit at Idylwood Studios, July 20 - Aug. 16. Opening Reception.
Opening This Weekend! ~ Idylwood Studios, 7617 Idylwood Rd., Falls Church, (Idylwood Presbyterian Church, upper level). Opening Reception: Sunday, July 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Idylwood Studios — where art creates community — is delighted to welcome Susanne Kamalieh’s work to our walls. The opening is Sunday, July 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. You're invited to enjoy light refreshments, mingle with our visitors and meet the artist. See you then!
For more info go here.
For our recent article on Susanne Kamelieh's People's Choice Award, see below:
Christopher Jones
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
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.
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.
Dance Along the Georgetown Waterfront!
Dancing on the Waterfront: Summer Series
Georgetown Waterfront, 3200 K St. NW. Tuesday evenings, 6-9:00 p.m. through Aug. 12. Next event: July 22, 6:00 p.m.
Get Down in G'town!
Dancing on the Waterfront: Summer Series is a free weekly outdoor dance class with the Potomac as your backdrop! This event takes place in Georgetown Waterfront Park, where participants of all ages and skill levels gather to embrace the joy of dancing. Every week, a DJ will spin a mix of music, blending various genres and beats. From salsa to square dancing, bachata, country line dancing and kizomba, you’ll get to try an array of dance styles.
The Georgetown BID is partnering with Dancing on the Waterfront to offer a special weeknight series on Tuesday evenings this summer (schedule below). If you can’t make it on Tuesdays, check out Dancing on the Waterfront’s regularly scheduled classes, Saturdays through October.
2025 Dance Schedule
*On Latin and African dance nights, salsa and bachata instruction is from 6-7:00 p.m., followed by unguided social dancing (salsa, bachata, kizombo, and zouk) from 7-9: 00 p.m. All other nights, an instructor will be guiding the group from 6-9:00 p.m.
*July 22: Latin and African Dance Night
July 29: Country Line Dancing and Two Step (*rescheduled from June 17)
August 5: Make-up class! (Dance style TBA)
August 12: Make-up class! (Dance style TBA)
Celebrate National Moth Month!
Moth Madness: Moth Observing on the Mount Vernon Trail
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail. Daingerfield Island, in the soccer field near the back parking lot off of Marina Drive, here. Sunday, July 20, 8:45 - 9:30 p.m. Free.
Join us at our moth observation station to learn about moths for National Moth Week
Join us after dark for Moth Madness, a nighttime nature adventure celebrating the mysterious beauty of moths! As the sun sets, we’ll gather around softly glowing light traps to observe an array of moth species up close. Whether you're a seasoned lepidopterist or just curious about the creatures that flutter through the night, this is your chance to learn, explore, and marvel at the hidden world of nocturnal pollinators.
Naturalist will be on hand to identify species, share fun facts, and explain how moths play a vital role in our ecosystems. Bring a flashlight, your curiosity, and a sense of wonder — you never know what might fly in! This event is free and family-friendly.
The event is part of National Moth Week from July 19 to 27, which celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths around the world.
We'll meet at Daingerfield Island in the soccer field near the back parking lot off of Marina Drive, here.
This is a drop-in event. Come anytime during the event to observe and look at the moths and other bugs we find.
Things to bring:
- Flashlight (preferably with red light setting).
- Reflective vest if you have one.
Inclement Weather:
In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled and notification will be sent by e-mail by 5:00 p.m. the day of the event.
Getting there:
By foot or bike: The meetup spot is located on the Mount Vernon Trail in the soccer field near Daingerfield Island here. You can park bikes at the Washington Sailing Marina. By public transportation: Take DASH bus AT5 to the Slaters Ln and W. Abingdon Dr. stop and walk .5 miles to the meetup spot. By car: There should be parking available in the Washington Sailing Marina Parking Lot.
Food
We'll be eating at Catboat Pizza Bar ahead of the event. If you're feeling hungry, please stop by for a bite to eat before the event. Please note that Catboat Pizza Bar closes at 9:00 p.m.
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion