"There's no place like home. . . there's no place like home. . . there's no place like home." Home for The Belt Team is Vienna, Virginia. Please stop by frequently and share with us all the things about life in Vienna that make Vienna truly the best place to live.
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!
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!" 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).
This weekend is Labor Day weekend. For many, this time of year signals "end of summer" and "back to school". (Show your sad face here.)
But we say - let's take summer out with a BANG! And if you live in Vienna - that's EASY!
SATURDAY: Sing-A-Long Sound of Music
Head to Wolftrap & bring the whole family on Saturday, August 31st. Do you remember "Rocky Horror Picture Show"? It was the first audience participation movie "back in the day". Well, this weekend - you can share in that experience - except family style. (Rocky Horror wasn't quite family-style!).
The movie "Sound of Music" will be run on GIGANTIC screens both in house & on the lawn at Wolftrap. There will be a costume contest. The audience is invited to sing a long. AND your ticket will include a goodie bag of props. It's a fun, interactive event for all ages.
SUNDAY: First Sunday Jazz Brunch at Bazin's on Church
Don't just treat your taste buds, but treat your ears as well at Bazin's First Sunday Jazz Brunch. Bazin's On Church (and that's Church Street - not a church building!) is one of our favorite Vienna restaurants. On the 1st Sunday of each month, they have live jazz music from Virginia Music Adventure's Chapel Square Combo. We say if you start your day off with a Pear & Cranberry Bellini & Bananas Foster French Toast - you just can't go wrong!
MONDAY: W&OD Trail:
On Monday, it's time to work off all those treats from the weekend, get back in shape & get outdoors! The W&OD Trail goes right through Vienna. But which way will you ride (or skate or run or bike or stroll)? In one direction - you'll head toward Falls Church & Arlington. And in the other, you'll hit Herndon & (eventually) Purcellville. You never know what you might see along the trail, so keep your eyes wide open - not only is there gorgeous flora & fauna - but there is lots of wildlife along the way!
When you get home, put on Pandora, set it on The Beach Boys station. And BAM. You'll think summer is just beginning.
"It's summertime and the living is easy" . . . at least it is for kids! If you're a grownup, I bet you wish you still got to have summers off too.
Well, you may not have a 2 month summer vacation, but how about welcoming the season in with Five Fab Summer Celebrations! If you live in or near Vienna - you're in luck!
1. Vienna's July Fourth Festival & Fireworks (FREE)
Vienna does 4th of July right! It's an old-fashioned kind of holiday and that's just up Vienna's alley. The Vienna Community Center is the site of the daytime activities (from 11AM to 4PM). The festival will include:
Chili cookoff
Arts & crafts sale
Antique & classic car show
Pooches on Parade!
Oldies music
Kid's crafts
Vienna Community Band
Presentation of the Colors by the Vienna Police Honor Guard
In the evening - head over to Yeonas Park for some great music by "Fat Chance" and the Vienna Fireworks show. Music starts at 7PM and fireworks are scheduled for 9:15PM. I've been watching the Vienna Fireworks since 1972. And truly, these are usually some of the best fireworks in Northern VA!
2. Vienna's Summer on the Green Concert Series (FREE)
Grab a chair or a blanket & head down to Vienna's Town Green for free concerts every Friday & Monday (early May through early September). You'll hear a variety of groups - with everything from country to jazz to rock to bluegrass.(One of my favorites is Tommy Lepson Band!) You can picnic (no alcohol though) and if you have kids, they'll love it too.
Vienna Town Green Concert Schedule 3. Nottoway Nights (FREE)
One of Vienna's many parks is Nottoway Park. And during the summer, they also host a concert series. It's on Thursday nights throughout June, July and August. And it's also free! Groups like The Seldom Scene & The Hula Monsters can be found there this year. This is another great picnic location.
Pretend you're on vacation, head to Happy Hour & let someone else do the cooking! Whole Foods often has an event called "Five After Five Thirty" - also called "Thirsty Thursdays." Each event has a different theme. For example, tonight's event is "Backyard Celebrations". For $5, you get a wine glass, 5 pours of wine to taste and 5 small plates of food that might be served at summer cookouts. What a deal!
At 1 PM each Wednesday, Historic Vienna, Inc sponsors Story Hour (actually - story HALF hour) at the Historic Vienna Little Library (behind the Freeman House). Then at 1:30 the kids are invited to run through the sprinklers. This is a perfect way to beat the heat!
Just because you don't get the whole summer off like your kids do doesn't mean you can't celebrate summer. Especially if you're lucky enough to live in Vienna, VA!
Why go all the way to Vienna, Austria to hear opera when you can hear 150 fabulous voices right here in Vienna, Virginia?!
This Sunday, May 19th, The Reston Chorale joins our very own Vienna Chorale Society in presenting "Opera For The People".
I love the name they've given the show. And Vienna Chorale Society President Karen Akers wrote a hilarious article ("Opera: 18th Century Metallica") where she talks about what the typical listener thinks about opera and then challenges our thinking.
I have to admit, I am one of those people who thinks (or should I say thought) opera is just weird. Big ladies, singing in another language, wearing costumes & wigs. And that's supposed to be culture?!
But after reading Karen's article, I just might have to re-think. (Sample quote: "Opera is the bad boy of the classical music world").
As a Mom living in Vienna, I love having the opportunities that are so often afforded us for family events - whether that is with my own children or with multiple generations. And Vienna Chorale Society is great at offering these types of events. Growing up, my kids had to try every food at least once before they could say they didn't like it. So why not apply that same philosophy to music? You know your kids love country (or rock or rap or metal or whatever), but maybe they just might like opera too!
The show on Sunday takes place at 4PM at DeSales Hall at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. (If you can't make that show, you can catch "Opera For The People" on Saturday night, May 18th, at 7:30PM at Reston Community Center in Hunters Woods.) Ticket prices range from $15-$25 and children 15 & under are free with a ticketed adult. (Tickets available here or at the door.)
Opera in my hometown . . . just another reason why THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE VIENNA!
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.
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 12th 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!
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around
you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely
places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
This
quote from Roald Dahl (you probably remember reading his books as a
child: "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory", "Matilda" and "James &
the Giant Peach") is the perfect description of one of Vienna's best
kept secrets - Jammin Java.
Tucked
away in a small strip mall on Maple Avenue, you've probably driven by
Jammin Java a million times. Because of its name, many people who have
not stepped through the doors think it's just another coffee shop. And
after all - don't we have a million of those in Northern Virginia? Who
needs one more?!
Well, they do serve coffee there, but what they REALLY serve is DREAMS!
The truth is - it's one of the premiere music
venues in all of the Washington D.C. area. We were reminded of that
recently when we attended a show there and once again were surprised by
the fact that most of the people in attendance drove from miles &
miles around to see the show. We, on the other hand, drove all of a mile
and a half.
As always, we arrived early so we could have dinner
before the show. Not only do they have aweome chili (four different
kinds!), but it's a great time to chat with the other folks who attend
and oftentimes the musicians are around as well. This particular night
we were there to see Pete & Maura Kennedy - national performers who
are very popular locally - and Pete was out front before the show taking
song requests. As we chatted with various people before the show, it
was apparent that this audience was very similar to almost every
audience we have ever experienced at Jammin Java.
What was the common thread?
They were really knowledgeable not only about The Kennedys, but about
music in general - super tuned in to the local music scene. We happen to
be "oldies but goodies" and it's always fun to chat with other folks
our age and share stories about all the shows we've seen dating back to
the 70's. You see, the Northern Virginia-Washington D.C. area has a rich music
history. (You'd be surprised by the legendary groups who performed in
local community centers, churches & roller rinks back in the day -
but that's another blog post!)
Take The Kennedys for example.
Pete & Maura are well established musicians. Each has had a solo
career in addition to touring together. They have toured nationally, as
well as internationally, and have recorded & played with amazing
folks like Nanci Griffith, Nils Lofgren, Roger McGuinn, Charlie Byrd,
Mary Chapin Carpenter & Kelly Willis (just to name a few!). They
have performed at places like Royal Albert Hall in London, Jack's Tracks
in Nashville, Carnegie Hall, Wolftrap, Central Park and even The
Tonight Show. And they currently host a radio show on Sirius Satellite
Radio (channel 70) called "Dharma Cafe".
Pete & Maura used to
live here locally (in Reston). They started performing together in 1993
and back in the early days we had the pleasure of seeing them more
often. They're now based in New York, so this recent visit was a real
treat for us. After the show, we had the chance to chat with Pete for a
bit. Pete actually grew up in Northern VA. He went to O'Connell High
School (my alma mater and the school across the street from where my
husband grew up). Turns out that his Mom "Mrs. Kennedy" was the head of
the Guidance Department for many, many years at O'Connell. What a small
world!
And that's why I call Jammin Java "Vienna's Best kept Music
Secret". If the average person who lived in Vienna had any idea what
kind of talent was on display there, the place would be packed with
locals. Pete & Maura Kennedy are just one example of the level of
talent that performs at Jammin Java.There's something for everyone. They
have shows for kids, teens, Gen Xers, Gen Y and even Seniors. And
there's a great mix of well-established talent (like The Kennedys) and
up & coming talent that will soon be seen on the national stage. If
you live in Vienna and haven't checked out Jammin Java yet - check it
out. You'll be surprised with the magic you might find there!
(Oh - and if you do - make sure to say hi to the "Jammin Java Door Gal". Her name is Mei and she rocks!)
Do you have a "bucket list"? I don't have one that's written down, but I do have a few ideas of things I'd like to eventually do or see. And the band U2 is DEFINITELY one of them.
Well - I'm not quite there yet, but I'm getting closer. And if this is something on your bucket list too, maybe you'd like to join me.
This Saturday (May 19th), the Vienna Choral Society is presenting a concert called "Seikilos to U2". The concert is being held to support arts education in Fairfax County & beyond and it will take place at 7:30PM at UUCF (2970 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton).
Vienna Choral Society is partnering with several organizations including One Voice, which is David
Reynolds' organization (he is the way cool teacher at Vienna Elementary who
leads the VES Jammers that VCS featured at the Celtic Arts Fest. You might also remember their Flash Mob at Viva Vienna last year).
There will also be a pre-concert talk given by Jennifer Rodgers Beach at 7PM. Families young & old are welcome. And seniors and children even get discounted tickets. (Details & tickets are available online or at the door.)
Here's what VCS had to say about the show:
"And yes,
Seikilos to U2 is a huge span - 2000+ years of western music history in 90 odd
minutes. Why? Because we are the Vienna Choral Society, and we can!"
Now seriously folks - you can't beat that. You too can hear U2!
Vienna Choral Society - just another reason why WE LOVE LIVING IN VIENNA!
Have you been to The Barns yet? (Not the kind of barn where the horses live, but the one that's part of Wolftrap!) If you haven't been, then you are missing out on something really special. Wolftrap & The Barns are part of why we LOVE living in Vienna!
Right here in small town Vienna, we have one of the premier music venues in the country - America's National Park For The Performing Arts. The initial 53 acres of land for this park was originally purchased (and later donated) by Catherine Shouse for $5,300 (don’t you wish you could buy land around here for $100 an acre!) and she named the farm “Wolf Trap Farm”.
From late May to early September each year, people enjoy the outdoor amphitheatre known as The Filene Center. (People like us who have grown up here just call this “Wolftrap”.) The Filene Center seats about 7,000 people. The Barns, on the other hand, is an intimate facility that probably seats less than 200 people. It is made up of two 18th century barns that were restored & rebuilt using only 18th century methods with hand -hewn beams & panels. It’s simply gorgeous and the acoustics are phenomenal.
The Barns' season runs from October through May, so you only have a few chances left to catch a show there this season. We made the most of that opportunity on Saturday night when we attended Bandhouse Gigs' "Tribute To Rod Stewart". This isn't the first time Bandhouse Gigs has brought one of their tribute shows to The Barns and hopefully it won't be their last - because IT ROCKED!
If you've never caught a Bandhouse Gigs "gig" before, let me explain. Basically, it's a gathering of the premier rock n roll royalty of the DC music scene. Musicians and singers from all different bands and various genres gather together for a one or two night show. Musicians mix and match - and they pay tribute to whomever the chosen artist is. Previous shows have celebrated Neil Young, Nils Lofgren, Bob Dylan, Nick Lowe, Joni Mitchell, Warren Zevon, Allen Toussaint, Paul Simon, the British Invasion, Woodstock & The Byrds. It's an incredible opportunity to see so many top notch musicians - all at one time, in one place and for just one ticket price! It's a great way to scope people out & see who you might want to see again on their own.
Saturday's show was a tribute to Rod Stewart - great timing since while we were watching the Tribute Show, Rod & The Faces were actually being inducted to the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame! Here's a list of just SOME of the musicians who participated:
Tad Wadhams
Scott Kurt
Ronnie Newmyer
Patty Reese
Paul Bell
Mike Cotter
Louie Newmyer
John Jennings
Jim Clatterbuck
Janine Wilson
Greg Hardin
Doug Tull
Daryl Davis
Buddy Griffin
Billy Coulter
Bill Wadhams
Andy Shriver
Akira Otsuka
Bill Craig
Bill Starks
Brandon Ehrgood
Chuck Sullivan
Dary Jr. Cline
Eric Scott
Helen Hausmann
Jeff Watson
Joe Romero
Jon Carroll
Mark Walston
Max Evans
Paul Pisciotta
Rico Petruccelli
Seth Kibel
Spencer Hoopes
Like I said, this is the royalty of the DC music scene. Musicicans listed above include Grammy Award winners & WAMMIE Award winners and have performed with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Steve Miller, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ringo Starr & Nils Lofgren. One of them even was the piano player for the King of Rock N Roll - Chuck Berry!
It's always hard to tell at a Bandhouse Gigs tribute, who is having more fun - the folks in the audience or the folks on stage. After all, most of these musicians don't get an opportunity to see one another perform. You can't be two places at once, so if your band is playing, you can't very well catch someone else's! EXCEPT at a Bandhouse Gigs tribute. And boy do they guys (and gals) have fun!
I don't know the answer to the question of who has the MOST fun, but I do know that I loved it. It's hard to pick out highlights - especially with this kind of star studded cast, but let's pick three who I thought stole the show:
John Carroll - the consummate Washington DC area musician. You might recognize him from back in the day when he was part of Starland Vocal Band and had his own TV show. But he's had a long, storied career since then, playing both solo and with a number of nationally knows artists. I started following John when I was a kid (ie- a LONG time ago). He'd play piano at my best friend's house and the way he could tickle those ivories mesmerized me - and it still blows me away today. Then you add his frenetic energy & great voice. And boy is he fun to watch. I especially liked his version of "I'm Losing You".
Tad Wadhams - If you were around in the early MTV days, then you might remember Tad. His band Animotion's video "Obsession" was played on MTV a LOT!
On Saturday, Tad definitely livened things up. Ronnie Neumyer, co-founder of Bandhouse Gigs, said "I love a man who knows how to wear a wig and crawl on a piano." Well, guess what? So did we!
Daryl Davis - OK, this guy stole the show. Some people just have that "it" factor. And Daryl has IT! From the second he came onstage, you knew something special was going to happen. This man can PLAY! Not only did he play the piano - but he played the electric guitar - - - - - BACKWARDS. Daryl had the crowd on its feet.
The night ended with more than 30 musicians on stage and a fabulously fun five minute version of "If I Knew Then What I Know Now". Of so true!
Two more Bandhouse Gigs shows are in the works (tributes to Stevie Wonder & a re-creation of The Band's "The Last Waltz"), but we're waiting for the next time they come back to The Barns. Because when you live in Vienna, you get spoiled. After the 3 hour show, we popped into our car & were home in less than 5 minutes. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!
If you'd like to catch a show at The Barns before the season ends, here's what's coming up:
Jim Brickman (pop pianist)
Jeri Sager (Broadway sensation)
John McCutcheon (folk singer/songwriter)
Joyce Yang (piano)
The Nields (sisters folk duo)
Tom Principato Band (blues rock)
25th Annual Evening of Comedy
THE BARNS - Just another reason why we LOVE living in Vienna!
St Patrick's Day is almost upon us. And if you're tired of celebrating the occasion by wearing your "Kiss Me I'm Irish" t-shirt and drinking green beer, and you're looking for something a little more unique (OR you're looking for some fun in the afternoon before you go out to drink green beer at night!), we've got just the thing for you!
The Vienna Choral Society is hosting a Celtic Arts Festival. It will take place at Vienna Elementary School on St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) from 1 - 5 PM.
The Celtic Arts Festival will be an afternoon of Celtic music, dance, culture & food. All kinds of fabulous groups will be performing - including Tinsmith, Rich Follett, The Irish Breakfast Band, Katherine Hughes, and several other artists.
Here's a sampling of what you might hear:
Vienna's very own Pure Pasty will be there too. If you've never tasted a pasty (and that's PASSty - not PASTEy or PAYsty!) - you don't want to miss the opportunity. YUM!
And - perhaps even more exciting is that the Vienna Elementary School Jammers will be making an appearance. You might remember them. They made quite the splash at last year's Viva Vienna with a flash mob led by their teacher, David Reynolds.
