Polar Dip at Lake Anne on Feb. 7
Hundreds of men, women, and children dress up in crazy costumes and converge at Lake Anne every February for the Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip. The event, in its eighth year, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7 in the heart of Reston in the bone-chilling waters at Lake Anne Plaza. This mid-winter tradition event will kick off at noon with family friendly activities and warm-up - with the Dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Each year the event draws record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $85,000.
Lopez Studios Students Shine at the Junior Theater Festival
Students from Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts School in Reston earned high praise at the 2015 Junior Theater Festival, held Jan. 16, 17 and 18 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga. The 17 students, ages 8-16, presented selections from “Once On This Island JR.” for Karen Sharp, education director at Seattle Children’s Theatre; and director, composer, music director, and performer Rob Rokicki (:Hairspray;” “Love, NY”).
Reston’s Beaver Gate
Reston Association seeks to address Reston’s busy beavers.
The Glade Stream Valley in Reston has been home to beavers for over 25 years. Reston Association’s environmental resource manager, Claudia Thompson-Deahl said beavers originally entered the stream system from the Twin Branches end, probably traveling up from the Potomac River via Difficult Run.
Herndon, Reston Galleries Attract Art Lovers
Exhibits at ArtSpace Herndon and Reston GRACE on display through February.
In January, both the ArtSpace Herndon and Reston GRACE community art galleries opened new art exhibits at their locations. ArtSpace Herndon located at 750 Center Street in downtown Herndon opened the soloist exhibit “In Warm Observations: People and Places” by artist Jill Banks.
The Dream is Alive
Reston Community Center holds annual celebration for MLK holiday.
Reston Community Center is keeping the dream alive. RCC’s annual Hunters Woods luncheon program to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and analyze current issues in racism was held on Monday, Jan. 20, with keynote speaker Anna Deavere Smith’s series of monologues showing Restonians how Americans have reclaimed grace in the face of adversity.
Getting into the Spirit of the Holidays
Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) shared some extra special holiday magic with this year’s presentation of “The Nutcracker,” performed at the 525-seat Ernst Theater in Annandale. A sellout, the production featured beautiful choreography, stunning costumes, and some of the most highly trained pre-professional talent in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
The ‘Dream’ Lives On
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday birthday events to be held at Reston Community Center.
For this year's 30th annual Reston Community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday birthday celebration the renowned Anna Deavere Smith will be the keynote speaker at the Monday, Jan. 19 community event. Her address, “Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adversity," will aim "to highlight the issues of community, character, and diversity in America."
Art Show to Honor Reston’s Official Bird
Friends of Reston is hosting a Children’s Art Show at the Walker Nature Center in celebration of the new Official Bird of Reston, the Pileated Woodpecker. Deadline for art is Saturday, Jan. 31 by 1 p.m. All submitted art will be displayed inside the Walker Nature Center’s Nature House from Sunday, Feb. 1 until Saturday, Feb. 7, and posted on its Facebook page.
Murder Mystery at Reston Stage
Reston Community Players to present thriller “Rehearsal for Murder.”
"Be ready for a suspenseful murder mystery," said cast member Wilson Paine (Reston) describing the Reston Community Players next show, "Rehearsal for Murder." Mystery, love and being led in the wrong direction are central to what happens in this story about the search for the truth.
Anna Deavere Smith to Highlight MLK Birthday Celebration
Anna Deavere Smith will highlight Reston Community Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Birthday celebration at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Hunters Woods, Reston. Events are Sunday, Jan. 18 and Monday, Jan. 19.
Reston Garden Club Hosts Decoration Workshop
Garden club creates holiday decorations for Reston community.
December usually brings a holiday decorations workshop of some kind. The Reston Garden Club, an active community organization, held their decoration workshop at the Walker Nature Center in December on Glade Drive.
‘The Nutcracker’ at Reston Stage
Last week more than 100 students ages 4 to 18 took audiences on a magical adventure in the Conservatory Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” For more than a decade, fighting mice and triumphing over the evil Mouse King has marked the start of the holiday season for South Lakes High School (SLHS) Senior Colin Lamoureux.
Great Falls Celebration of Lights on Saturday
The 24th Annual Celebration of Lights will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Great Falls Village Centre Hill (behind the Post Office). The schedule of events includes:
Holiday Parade Returns to Reston Town Center
This year’s parade to be held on Friday, Nov. 28.
Reston Town Center presents the 24th annual Reston Holiday Parade, the highlight of a day filled with fun for the whole family, Friday, Nov. 28.
Ready for Winter Skating Fun at Reston Town Center
Meteorologists around our region have been gleefully talking about the earlier-than-normal return of Polar Vortex-like weather for weeks, but the forecast for the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion this past weekend was appropriately chilly, with brilliant blue skies overhead, holiday decorations all round, and buckets of fun on the ice.