culture | ARLnow.com

Published January 31, 2020 at 11:05AM

The selected poet would be the second laureate in the county’s history, succeeding Katherine E. Young, who ended her term in 2018. The new poet laureate would serve from 2020 to 2022, and will receive an honorarium of $1500 per year, according to Arlington Cultural Affairs.

Applicants must be published poets, with a track record of publishing their original work in poetry journals, magazines, and/or websites, that are predominantly not self-curated, personal websites or personal blogs. Interested poets must be 18 years of age or older.

Events

‘Cowboy Bebop’ Star Headlines ‘Blerdcon’ in Crystal City Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published June 13, 2019 at 10:00AM

Cosplayers at Blerdcon in 2018 (photo via Blerdcon/Facebook)

Blerdcon — a comic convention highlighting black nerd culture — is returning to Crystal City and fans of the ’90s anime Cowboy Bebop may recognize a familiar voice.

The convention is scheduled for the Hyatt Regency (2700 Richmond Highway) from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14.

News

Digital Screens Displaying Local Artwork Set to be Installed at Five Arlington Metro Stations

By Alex Koma

Published March 11, 2019 at 9:00AM

Passengers board at the Rosslyn Metro station (file photo)

Arlington Metro riders might soon notice some digital screens displaying local artwork popping up at five stations sometime this spring.

WMATA plans to install the new screens at a dozen stations across the Metro system over the coming weeks, including several stops in Arlington itself: Crystal City, Ballston, Pentagon City, National Airport and Rosslyn.

Events

Legacy of Fire Station No. 8 to Be Discussed Saturday

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published April 13, 2018 at 3:15PM

Fire Station Number 8

The legacy of Arlington’s Fire Station No. 8, and how to honor it, will be the subject of a community discussion this weekend.

The event is scheduled from 3-4:45 p.m. on Saturday (April 14) at the Arlington Central Library auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street).

News

With Spectrum Theatre Closing, National Chamber Ensemble Prepares For New Season in New Venues

By Chris Teale

Published September 20, 2017 at 2:45PM | Updated September 20, 2017 at 3:07PM

For the first time in its decade-long history, the National Chamber Ensemble will play concerts at venues other than Rosslyn’s Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street), starting next month.

Arlington Cultural Affairs Division director Michelle Isabelle-Stark said the county’s lease on the theater expired in July, and they took “immediate steps” to help find new spaces in which the group can perform.

Around Town

‘Little Saigon’ Fading Away in Clarendon

By Omar DeBrew

Published August 11, 2016 at 4:45PM | Updated July 25, 2017 at 9:52AM

A Vietnamese-operated shop at Wilson Blvd and N. Hudson Street, circa 1987 (photo by Michael Horsley, via Echoes of Little Saigon Project)

Reminders of Clarendon’s Little Saigon past continues to fade. Minh’s Vietnamese Restaurant, a favorite of some foodies, closed last month. While newer Vietnamese restaurants have opened recently — Four Sisters Grill in Clarendon, Pho Deluxe in Courthouse — there’s no denying that the character of Clarendon has changed significantly over the past decade.

News

Arlington Is Seeking Its First Poet Laureate

By ARLnow.com

Published April 5, 2016 at 4:15PM

To date, perhaps surprisingly, Arlington has not had one. But that’s about to change.

Arlington County is seeking applicants from individuals seeking to become the county’s first-ever poet laureate. The position only pays $1,500 per year — partially from donated funds — but it does come with the lofty title. The poet laureate’s two year term is set to begin July 1.

Events

Asian Dance Showcase This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published October 28, 2014 at 10:15AM

On Saturday (November 1) from 7:00-9:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Auditorium (125 S. Old Glebe Road), 11 dance groups featuring more than 100 performers will present dance pieces designed around a particular color. The dancers — who range in age from 5 to 60 years old — designed the performances to reflect their culture, traditions and identities.

A couple of goals for the event are to showcase the diversity of Asia and raise awareness of the intricacies of Asian dance forms. The performers come from diverse backgrounds, including East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern and Pacific. There will also be featured guest performers of Latin American and African heritage.

Opinion

Morning Poll: Are Tall Brown Boots the New Brown Flip Flops?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 15, 2014 at 10:20AM

On Sunday, one observer of local culture might have found the female equivalent of “dudes in brown flip flops” — women in tall brown boots.

At the first annual Arts and Craft Beer Festival in Courthouse over the weekend, Twitter user @SeenInClarendon saw — and photographed — many such pairs of boots, which might seem more appropriate on someone riding a horse than on someone downing a lager and a lobster roll.

Events

Carnaval de Oruro Parade Planned Sunday

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2014 at 11:00AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bDw9cD6dxo

Several streets will be closed near Shirlington on Sunday for the Carnaval de Oruro parade.

Opinion

Morning Poll: Hipsters in Arlington?

By ARLnow.com

Published November 25, 2013 at 9:55AM

People walking on a sidewalk in Ballston (file photo)

A hipster ZIP code is generally defined by RealtyTrac as an area where residents are young and lots of people rent and take public transportation. The 22203 ZIP code, the second-highest ranking ZIP in the D.C. area next to Alexandria’s 22304 ZIP code, includes the neighborhoods of Ballston, Virginia Square, Bluemont and Buckingham.

Arlington’s 22201 ZIP code, meanwhile, ranked 23rd on the list. That ZIP code includes Courthouse, Clarendon, Lyon Village, Lyon Park, and parts of Ballston and Virginia Square.

Events

Festival to Celebrate African American History and Culture

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 29, 2013 at 9:45AM

Avon Dews will provide live music and the Soul in Motion Players will offer an African dance and drumming performance. Kids can enjoy face painting, balloon art and making art projects while adults check out the vendors.

Anyone interested in taking in the history of the High View Park neighborhood can join in a cultural walk starting at 2:30 p.m. The group will stop at significant locations along the route, where walkers will be encouraged to share memories about the neighborhood, its residents and its traditions.