Arts Focus

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We’ve all heard the warnings: Don’t pour grease down the drain… don’t put batteries in the trash… But where do these items really belong? The Arlington Art Truck’s fall installation, “Let It FLOW!” by artist Scott Pennington, turns a classic bean bag toss into an educational experience, showing you the right way to dispose of common household waste.

This interactive art piece mimics carnival games, inviting participants to toss bean bags with images of cotton swabs, food scraps, cat litter, cigarette butts, “flushable” wipes, dental floss and more into the appropriate disposal bin — whether it’s the sink, toilet, trash can or food scraps collection bin.

Designed for two to three players, this activity teaches participants how household waste can affect Arlington’s wastewater systems and how they can help prevent clogs and damage.

The Water Pollution Control Plant, the project’s community partner, will have representatives at Arlington Art Truck locations to educate residents on protecting our wastewater infrastructure and environment. They will also discuss upcoming plant upgrades and inform residents about food scrap drop-off sites, including 4300 29th Street South, Columbia Pike Farmer’s Market, and seven new on-street collection points for multi-family residents.

Launched in 2018 with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arlington Art Truck was a finalist for Americans for the Arts’ 2019 Gard Award for Arts and Community Life. This innovative mobile art venue blurs the line between participant and presenter, featuring digital and traditional creative tools and hosting three artists-in-residence from April through November.

About the Artist: Scott Pennington is a Baltimore-based artist known for his large-scale participatory installations and sculptural assemblages. With a background in furniture and cabinetmaking, Pennington crafts intricate, vibrant works that engage diverse audiences and enliven public spaces. His art often explores themes of labor, consumer culture, and the pursuit of simple pleasures, creating connections that are both nostalgic and thought-provoking.

About the Community Partner: The Water Pollution Control Plant, located in South Arlington, treats 23 million gallons of wastewater daily from local residences and businesses. Its mission is to process wastewater safely and efficiently, protecting the environment, especially the Four-Mile Run, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Future upgrades will focus on enhancing solids handling, resource recovery, and reducing Arlington’s reliance on fossil fuels.

“Let It FLOW!” debuted at the Arlington County Fair earlier this month and runs through October 26, 2024. Upcoming Arlington Art Truck activations include:

• Rosslyn Jazz Fest: Saturday, September 7, 1-7 p.m., Gateway Park (1300 Langston Boulevard)
• Rock ‘n’ Recycle: Saturday, September 14, 1 p.m., Trades Center (4300 29th Street South)

For the full Arlington Art Truck schedule, visit the Arlington Art Truck website.

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Join us for Arlington’s 40th annual Dark Star Park Day tomorrow on Thursday, August 1.

This special event, starting at 9 a.m., invites the community to witness the remarkable shadow alignment of Nancy Holt’s iconic sculpture, “Dark Star Park.” 

This year’s celebration is the grand finale of a year-long tribute to Arlington’s internationally acclaimed public art collection. Highlights include an official County proclamation and a new poem by Arlington Poet Laureate Courtney LeBlanc, commissioned to honor both “Dark Star Park” and its visionary creator, Nancy Holt. Attendees will also receive vibrant, limited-edition posters by Globe Posters at MICA while supplies last. 

At approximately 9:32 a.m., Holt’s “Dark Star Park” spheres and poles will cast shadows that align perfectly with their permanent forms on the ground. This captivating event marks the moment of Rosslyn’s founding and transforms the park into a magical space of cosmic alignment. Rosslyn, known for its striking skyline and extensive public art, is one of Arlington’s most dynamic urban neighborhoods. Light refreshments will be provided by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The 40th anniversary of Arlington Public Art has been celebrated with a series of events throughout 2023–2024, highlighting the entire collection and introducing several new pieces of artwork. The annual shadow alignment commemorates the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired the land that became Rosslyn. Holt’s “Dark Star Park” critically explores themes of land ownership and the connection between the cosmos and our planet, with the spheres representing stars that have fallen to Earth. 

“Dark Star Park” is a pioneering example of integrated public art in the U.S. and was Arlington’s first major public art commission. It remains one of Nancy Holt’s most significant urban installations, offering an accessible and profound artistic experience. Holt (1938–2014) was a groundbreaking artist whose work spanned various media, including poetry, film, video, and large-scale public sculptures. Her art continually pushed boundaries, questioning our perception of the world and our place within it. 

Starting at 9 a.m., join us for a morning of activities, culminating with the shadow alignment at 9:32 a.m. “Dark Star Park” is located at 1655 N. Fort Myer Drive, where N. Fort Myer Drive and N. Lynn Street meet, just off Route 50/Arlington Boulevard, in Arlington’s vibrant Rosslyn neighborhood. 

Please visit these website links for more information about the Dark Star Park Day event on August 1, or to learn about Arlington Public Art.

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The summer heat can be relentless day and night, but a brief respite is on the horizon!

If you’ve been hoping to get out for some fresh air, enjoy free films under the stars during Columbia Pike Movie Nights, Fridays and Saturdays from July 12 through August 24.

The series takes place at two locations: Fridays at Arlington Mill Community Center and Saturdays at Penrose Square. There’s something for everyone, from comedies and documentaries to musicals and adventure films!

This is the 13th season of free outdoor movies sponsored by the Columbia Pike Partnership. Opening weekend features “Hairspray” on Friday, July 12, at Arlington Mill and Dirty Dancing on Saturday, July 13, at Penrose Square. The following weekend will showcase “Vivo” on Friday, July 19, at Arlington Mill and Disney Pixar’s Coco on Saturday, July 20. Columbia Pike Movie Nights continue through August 24.

All movies begin at sunset (between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) and are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Leashed pets are welcome, but alcohol is not permitted at either Arlington Mill or Penrose Square. In case of inclement weather, please check this page and our social media channels for updates around 3:30 p.m. on the day (s) of each screening.

For more information about Columbia Pike Movie Nights, visit the Columbia Pike website.

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This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The event that “Arlington Magazine” calls “Arlington’s best block party,” the 27th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival takes place on Saturday, June 15 (1-8:30 p.m.), celebrating women in the blues with an all-woman-fronted lineup headlined by New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith.

“The New York Times” had this to say about this year’s headliner, “Bette Smith moved effortlessly across the stage wearing a tight holographic vinyl dress and five-inch-heeled thigh-high boots, strutting like Tina Turner.”

Get an advanced taste of Smith’s third album, Goodthing (Kartel Music Group), with Grammy-winning UK producer Jimmy Hogarth. The lineup of all-woman-fronted bands continues with:

• Three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent
• Mama Moon & the Rump Shakers
• The Stacy Brooks Band
• The Honey Larks (Carly Harvey, Jenny Langer and Holly Montgomery)

Bring your whole family to this free event spanning three blocks at the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike in Arlington.

The Columbia Pike Blues Festival draws thousands of blues fans to the Pike each year. Now in its 27th Year, the Columbia Pike Partnership presents the event in collaboration with Arlington Arts. Click here for the complete schedule and detailed Columbia Pike Blues Festival information.

Here’s a preview of this year’s lineup:

Bette Smith — 6:35 p.m.

New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith returns with her third studio album — Goodthing — a triumphant injection of soul music and gospel into rock & roll. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Jimmy Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, James Bay, Paulo Nutini, Sia), the album showcases Bette Smith’s penchant for anthemic, feel-good Soul Rock carried by her signature raspy, soulful vocals inspired by legends Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Etta James. The album sees her sound scale new heights and builds on the accolades she received on 2017’s debut Jetlagger and 2020’s The Good, The Bad, and The Bette. Smith’s tremendous range and power combined with her infectious energy to solidify her position as a dynamic rising force in soul music.

Eden Brent — 5 p.m.

Three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent is a modern-day piano-pounding, juke-joint hollering powerhouse of American music. A legendary performer and southern songwriter, she spent the first two decades of her career under the tutelage of Abie “Boogaloo” Ames, before winning the Blues Foundation’s Blues Challenge and bouncing onto the international scene. Since then, she has earned steady honors, three Blues Music Awards among them. Her new album Getaway Blues presents nine original songs recorded in London with a four-piece band and will be officially released on June 21, 2024. Laid down in London. Mixed up in Memphis. Made in Mississippi.

Mama Moon & The Rump Shakers — 3:40 p.m.

Infusing a distinctive creativity into the blues genre, this dynamic six-piece blues fusion ensemble honors its soulful roots while crafting a unique musical identity. At the helm is Mama Moon, renowned as D.C.’s “Goddess of the Blues.” The band claimed the title of 2022 DC Blues Society “Battle of the Bands” champions and made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Currently in the throes of crafting their debut EP, the band is deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Washington, D.C.’s lively music scene.

The Stacy Brooks Band — 2:20 p.m.

Winner of the DC Blues Battle of the Bands, The Stacy Brooks Band has competed in the 30th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2014) and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2012). She has been nominated multiple times as “Best Female Blues Vocalist” by the Washington Area Music Association. Brooks has shared the stage with numerous greats, including: Bobby Parker, Eddie Shaw, Sugar Blue, and opening for the legendary Buddy Guy at his Chicago club.

The Honey Larks — 1 p.m.

Featuring Carly Harvey (D.C.’s Queen of the Blues), Jenny Langer (Blues Hall of Fame) and Holly Montgomery (Blue Elan Records). In 2020, these three best friends shared their love of the blues in a virtual concert in the absence of live concert opportunities during the pandemic. What was intended to be a fun, one-off show turned into a female super-group with fans requesting more.

Bette Smith — I’m A Sinner (official video)

Eden Brent — Getaway Blues (official video)

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This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The sound of summer is here in Arlington with free outdoor concerts and a music festival kicking off over the next three weekends!

The Lubber Run Amphitheater Free Summer Concert Series kicks off on Friday, June 8 (continuing June 14 through August 2), and the 27th Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival takes place on Saturday, June 15!

Free Summer Concerts at Lubber Run Amphitheater
June 8-August 2

“Magical… gives everybody the joy!” is how Billboard magazine describes Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, the fast-rising, funk-soul sensations kicking off the free Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. The series resumes the following Friday with Ethio-Soul singer Munit Mesfin (June 14), D.C. salsa stalwarts Rumba Club (Saturday, June 15), and an 11 a.m. family performance by the Arlington Children’s Chorus (Sunday, June 16).

The concerts continue through August 2 with an array of music ranging from the Arlington Philharmonic (Sunday, June 23), Blues favorite Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark (Friday, July 12) and Veronneau (Saturday, July 20). Bring a picnic, add family or friends and season with a summer of free concerts at Lubber Run Amphitheater!

Presented by Arlington Arts in collaboration with the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation and with the collaboration of the Lubber Run Amphitheater Foundation, the Lubber Run Amphitheater Concerts take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, June 8 through August 2. Concert times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday morning family performances beginning at 11 a.m.(unless otherwise noted), three of which are co-presented with Arlington Public Library.

The Lubber Run Amphitheater is nestled within the Arlington Forrest neighborhood, at N. Columbus Street and 2nd Street North. Click here for the complete schedule and detailed information, directions and info about the Lubber Run Concert Series!

Joslyn & the Sweet Compression — Honey, Be

Columbia Pike Blues Festival
Celebrating Women in the Blues
Saturday, June 15 1-8:30 p.m.

The event that Arlington Magazine calls “Arlington’s best block party,” the 27th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival takes place on Saturday, June 15 (1-8:30 p.m.), celebrating women in the Blues with an all-woman-fronted lineup headlined by New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Bette Smith. Get an advance taste of Smith’s upcoming third album, Goodthing (Kartel Music Group), with Grammy-winning UK producer Jimmy Hogarth.

The lineup of all-woman fronted bands continues with: three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent, Mama Moon & the Rump Shakers, The Stacy Brooks Band and The Honey Larks (Carly Harvey, Jenny Langer and Holly Montgomery). Bring your whole family to this free event covering three blocks at the intersection of South Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike in Arlington.

The Columbia Pike Blues Festival draws thousands of blues fans to the Pike each year. Now in its 27th Year, the event is presented by the Columbia Pike Partnership in collaboration with Arlington Arts. Click here for the complete schedule and detailed information about the Columbia Pike Blues Festival.

Bette Smith — Goodthing (official video)