Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Whether in uniform or not, there are many unsung heroes in our lives. And on Saturday, May 16th in Vienna, VA - those heroes will be unsung no more!

Vienna Choral Society presents their final concert of the season. As is their tradition, it's a "Concert For A Cause". This year's concert will be done in partnership with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, the Vienna Police Department, and the 2015 World Police & Fire Games. (You can read more about these partners on the VCS blog.)

With so much bad news being broadcast, we love the idea of celebrating the heroes in our midst. The theme of this year's concert is "SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME: EVERYDAY HEROES".

The concert was planned almost two years in advance. And the timing couldn't be more perfect. As an example, Vienna's own Chief of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, John Morrison, is one of the volunteers helping with rescue efforts in Nepal.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Many times you don't even know their names. But the actions they take change the world. I can think of a few heroes in my life. One grew up right under my own roof. She's a teacher now. An everyday hero.

#notallheroeswearcapes

Here's the Concert 411:

Date: Saturday, May 16

Time: 4:30PM

Place: Vienna Baptist Church (541 Marshall Rd SW)

Cost: $25/adults, $20/seniors (65+) and students (15 – 18), and free to youth (14 and below, and with a paying audience member).

Where To Buy Tickets: http://vcs-heroes.eventbrite.com/

Vienna is full of everyday heroes. Just another reason why THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE VIENNA!

Celebrate Christmas Around the World

Looking for a wonderful respite from the craziness of the malls & shops?

Or maybe you need some Christmas music to get you in the holiday mood?

Perhaps you're curious what carols are sung in other parts of the world?

If so - there's a wonderful concert happening in Vienna this Saturday (December 20th). Vienna Choral Society is presenting "Nowell e Navidad - Christmas Around The World".

Not only will you hear the Vienna Choral Society (who are top notch!), but you will be treated to guest performances from the children of the Bridges Choir and the Vienna Jammers! (Sounds like this show will be rockin!)

In addition to traditional Christmas carols, they will share songs sung in Latvia, Scandinavia, South America & the West Indies. What fun! You can travel the world, without leaving your seat, AND the show is family friendly. Children under 14 are free with a paying adult. (Seniors get a discount too!). You can buy tickets online or at the door. Shows starts at 4:30PM at Vienna Baptist.

Live music is just one of the many things we love about living in Vienna. And it sounds like this is a do not miss event!

Road Trip!

"Road Trip!"

Who doesn't love hearing those words?

So spontaneous sounding . . .  

Filled with excitement . . .

Potential adventure in the air . . . 

And you KNOW it's going to be fun!

Well - if you're looking for excitement, adventure, spontaneity & fun - but you don't have time to REALLY take a road trip - then you'll want to get a ticket for this season's first show from the Vienna Choral Society.

Vienna Choral Society has four shows planned this season (their 28th season!). And "Road Trip" is the inaugural event. December brings "Nowel e Navidad" (Christmas Around the World). In March they will present "Text & Sound" (When Music Paints A Thousand Words). And May's Concert for a Cause will be "Someone To Watch Over Me" (Everday Heroes). This last concert will be in partnership with the 2015 World Police And Fire Games, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, and the Vienna Police Department.

This Saturday's show (October 18) will be an evening of music about people, places, unforgettable memories, and the open road. So grab your friends for a road trip and get your tickets online here. Shows starts at 7:30PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (2709 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton).

Slippers, Stories, Songs & Sweets!

Every family has a ritual that revolves around bedtime.

"Read it again Dad!" (In our house the favorites were "Goodnight Moon" and "Where The Wild Things Are". Though I'm, not sure how "Where The Wild Things Are" is supposed to make a child want to be left in a dark room all alone to fall asleep!)

"One more song Mom - pleeeeeease." (OK - this wasn't the routine in our house. I can't sing. But I know houses where they sing great nighttime songs.)

"Bless Grandma and  Grandpa and Johnny and Susie and  Muffin and Snoopy and and and . . ." "Yes, son it's great to bless the mailman, but it's time for bed!"

On Saturday, the Vienna Choral Society offers the opportunity for a family outing you've probably never experienced before. And it just might give you some fresh ideas for YOUR sleepytime ritual at night.

At least once a year, VCS does a "family-friendly" concert. This year's concert theme is "Lullabies". Not only will the performers be dressed in their jammies, but YOU and your kids can come in your slippers & pajamas too! How fun is that?!

And - VCS puts it right out there that they WANT kids to leave their seats. So no worries if your son or daughter is a wiggle worm! They say, "We go all out to engage the kids. Or at least get them to leave their seats, come to the front, and let the parents of the really young ones have a good five to ten minutes sans squirmy child in lap."

This year, in addition to the amazingly talented performers from VCS, you will hear the Mosby Woods Mustang Singers. And best of all, there will be a storyteller! Because no bedtime ritual is complete without stories.

The show will take place Saturday, March 15th from 4:30PM - 6:30PM at VBC (541 Marshall Rd SW in Vienna). You can buy tickets online & skip the line at the door. (Youth 14 and below are free with a ticketed adult. Adult tickets are $25. Seniors $20.)

And we hear they'll have cookies afterward.

Slippers, stories, songs & sweets. You can't beat it!

Concert For A Cause

If you're looking for a fabulous interlude in what can often be a season of craziness, we've got a good one for you!

Once a year, the Vienna Choral Society does what they call "Concert For A Cause". This year's concert is done in partnership with a wonderful local organization, The Women's Center of Vienna. Though they have been around for a number of years, you may not have heard of the Women's Center - unless you have experienced some sort of loss or challenge. And then they were likely a light for you in a time of great darkness.(Read more about The Womens's Center).

That brings me to this month's concert. VCS always comes up with clever themes for their concerts and this year's Concert For A Cause is called "SOLSTICE: Light And Dark".

The concert will take place on Saturday, December 21st - which is the shortest day of the year. VCS's tag line is "We raise voices and spirits". And so at this holiday time, when many are celebrating, they are aware that there are others for which this may be a time of sadness & struggle. VCS's aim (and we think it's a good one) is to make this a time of "great community, coming together & raising hope".

We invite you to join in that mission - to either be community and hope for someone else - or to come and be lifted by others.

Their shows always offer a variety of music - something for the casual listening novice, as well as for the most discerning afficionado. This time, you might hear everything from a 17th century carol, to a modern American classic like Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque," to the Appalachian folk song "Bright Morning Stars."  And there will be an after-show reception catered by Vienna Whole Foods.

Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, December 21

Time: 4:30PM to 6:30 PM

Where: Vienna Baptist Church (541 Marshall Rd SW in Vienna)

Tickets:  $20-$25 (youth under 14 FREE with a paying adult)

Buy your tickets now & skip the line at the door!

Vienna Choral Society - just another hidden secret of why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!

The Beatles, A Good Beat and a Great Buzz!

The Beatles

A Good Beat,

And a Great Buzz.

It's NOT what you think.

You can even bring the kids!



Cuz we're talking about the season opener of the Vienna Choral Society (VCS) with their "Coffee House Concert".

VCS is one of those "hidden secrets" of Vienna. The musical quality rivals anything you'll hear at Jammin Java, Wolftrap, The Barns or even The Kennedy Center!  And their sense of fun & sense of humor are unparalleled.

With four concerts scheduled between October & May, the new season kicks off with a coffeehouse concert. It's billed as "an eclectic evening of folk music and familiar tunes with a great caffeine buzz". We hear they'll be performing everything from The Beatles to Billy Joel to Cyndi Lauper and The Turtles. And no worries if your kids (or your parents) don't recognize the groups - they'll probably recognize the tunes from popular shows like "Glee", "American Idol" or even commercials!

As an added bonus, there will be nibbles from Whole Food AND coffee from Caffe Amouri. Who needs to go to Vienna Austria for great coffee, when we've got Caffe Amouri right here at home?!

The concert is on October 26th at 7:30. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors & students (15-18), and kids 14 & under are free with a paying adult. You can buy tickets for Vienna Choral Society's Coffee House Concert here.

Vienna Choral Society . . . making music fun  . . . and just another reason why we love Life in Vienna!

It's Raining Men! Really? Where?

One of the great things about living in Vienna, VA is the wide array of cultural options available - especially when it comes to music. (For example, we recently shared "Vienna's Best Kept Music Secret" and we've also written about "Rock N Roll Royalty in Vienna" , "Kyllopalooza" and "Byrds In The Barns".)

Well, this month there is another great musical opportunity! On Saturday, March 16th, the Vienna Choral Society will present "Music of the Storms".

Vienna Choral Society has an entire array of concerts each year. This season's schedule features a number of genres with shows like October's "Swing! Music You Can Dance To" and "Opera For The People" coming up in May.

Each year they designate one concert as their "Concert for a Cause". So not only can you enjoy a wonderful performance, you can help raise awareness for science education and disaster relief. Vienna Choral Society has partnered with the American Red Cross (National Capital Region), Ideaventions & the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network to bring you a great show!

I asked Vienna Choral Society President Karen Akers for a "sneak peek" into the show and here is what she said:

"The concert runs the spectrum from music that explores the emotional aftermath of devastation (Requiem was written for the 2004 Tsunami, and After the Storm for the residents of Joplin, Missouri following the 2011 tornado) to the lighter side of weather (Singing in the Rain, and the weirdly satisfying National Weather Report). The choir will create an African rainstorm on the risers, throw in a few pop numbers (It’s Raining Men, Dust in the Wind) and perform in styles ranging from 12^th century to jazz to full-on choral."

OK - that sounds just plain fun to me. What a FABulous way to introduce your family to great music! Or it would make a great date night for you & your sweetie. Or even a much needed Mom's Night Out (you know, for Moms who really just need a break & some adult entertainment!). Plus it's incredibly affordable. Family tickets are just $35. (Single tickets are $20, Students & Seniors are $15).

"Music of the Storms" will take place at the Fairfax Unitarian Church located at 2709 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. You can buy tickets ahead of time online or at the door.

Vienna Choral Society - - - Just another reason we WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!