Dear Arts Patrons, Aficionados and Supporters,
We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far and had a nice Fourth of July holiday weekend. Things have been busy on our front, so read on for more details.
County Board and the Arts:
The County Manager officially established the “Community Arts Advisory Committee for the FY2021 Transition” dealing with the scenic studio, the CostumeLab and the Mobile Stage. A website has been established so that Arlingtonians can keep apprised of our work (Janet Kopenhaver, Chair and Sara Duke, Board Member of Embracing Arlington Arts have both been named to serve on this Committee). That website can be found here.
Also, at the last County Board meeting, the Board approved a grant of $150,000 for George Mason University to assist in the buildout of the interior of Latitude Art Space. According to the Board report, “The one-time grant in support of interior construction of the space limits ongoing financial and resource risks for the County while ensuring the delivery of an active and publicly-accessible cultural amenity with a stable and collaborative partner.” Among the events expected to take place at the space are a mix of innovative and traditional art, participatory programs, exhibitions, performances, screenings, workshops and drop-in gatherings. It will also serve as a living laboratory for graduate students in George Mason University’s Arts Management program.
Corporate Sponsor of the Month:
Continuing our newest feature of the Update, we would like to acknowledge the generous support of Natalie Roy, Bicycling Realty, a Division of Keller Williams Realty. With more than 30 years of professional environmental experience and local civic activism, Natalie is a strong advocate and works tirelessly for her clients. As a longtime member of the Arlington community, she specializes in Arlington, particularly the neighborhoods of Lyon Park & Ashton Heights, and the Ballston/Clarendon/Rosslyn Orange Line corridor. In addition to VA, she is also licensed in MD and DC. Natalie has her Military Relocation Professional certification and designation as a Seller Representative and Senior Real Estate Specialist. She has been voted the top 2018 residential real estate agent by Arlington Sun Gazette readers and has been recognized as a top 2018 agent in Northern VA Magazine, Arlington Magazine and the Washingtonian. As a biking enthusiast, Natalie offers a new unique service – bicycling house hunting. If biking is not an option, she is happy to help you house hunt by car, foot or metro too!
Media Hits/Community Posts:
Embracing Arlington Arts issued a Press Release applauding the County Board’s vote to formally adopt the Strategic Plan for the arts that was drafted by the Arlington Commission for the Arts entitled Enriching Lives: Arlington Art and Cultural Strategy. This release was picked up by ArlNow.
Arlington Arts organizations continued to take advantage of our subscription to ArlNow to allow them to publish a Community Post column for free. Columns published in the last several weeks were written by the Arlington Arts Center (link to column), Encore Stage & Studio (link), Educational Theatre Company (link), and UrbanArias (link).
Radio Show on WERA 96.7FM:
We had an eclectic and extremely knowledgeable set of guests on the radio show recently. First, we learned about audio production, and the history and services provided by Arlington’s own Inner Ear Studio from its owner Don Zientara. Then we went backstage with the Casting Director and Choreographer for Signature Theatre Kelly Crandall d’Amboise who talked about her work on their current production of “Blackbeard,” as well as other shows she has worked on.
We were so honored to also welcome to the studio Arlington County’s “First Lady” Megan Beyer who talked about all her impressive work advocating for the arts nationwide and her numerous successes when serving on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH).
Finally, for our last two interviews we went to the “front of the stage.” Caroline Dubberly and Christian Montgomery, two actors appearing in Monumental Theatre’s current production of “Be More Chill” talked about the show, their characters and why this show is resonating with so many young adults. We also chatted with the Artistic Director of UrbanArias Bob Wood about his production of the opera “The Juliet Letters” based on songs written by Elvis Costello.
To listen to these interviews, or any others in the past, follow this link. We have also added a new section to the web page which breaks the interviews into genres.
2019/2020 Arlington Arts Groups Performances and Events
July 2019
7/11-7/14 – The Juliet Letters, UrbanArias, Signature Theatre
7/12 – A Comedy of Errors, Educational Theatre Company, Nottingham ES
7/12 – Reception “Black and White”, Arlington Artists’ Alliance, Gallery Clarendon
7/17 – Complete Dogness, Jane Franklin Dance, Westover Library
7/17-8/18 – Treasure Island, Synetic
7/18 – Devising Hope, Educational Theatre Company, Church of the Epiphany
7/18 – Devising Hope, Educational Theatre Company, The Sycamore School
7/19-7/28 – Disney’s Newsies, Encore Stage & Studio, Kenmore Middle School
7/21 – Angela Pregano Concert, Opera NOVA, Wakefield High School
7/26 – Two Blue Band Concert, New District Brewing Company
August 2019
8/2 – Reception “Fire, Earth, Water, Air”, Arl. Artists’ Alliance, Gallery Underground
8/2 – Smorgasbord, Educational Theatre Company, Trinity Presbyterian Church
8/6 – Mouse in House, Jane Franklin Dance, Shirlington/Columbia Pike libraries
8/9 – Opening Reception, Arlington Artists’ Alliance, Gallery Clarendon
8/11-9/29 – Assassins, Signature Theatre
8/16 – Musical Revue Cabaret, Educational Theatre Co., Williamsburg MS
8/20-8/24 – The British Invasion, Cabaret Series, Signature Theatre
September 2019
9/6 – Opening Reception, Cody Gallery, Marymount University
9/7 – Opening Reception, Arlington Artists’ Alliance, Gallery Underground
9/13 – Opening Reception, Arlington Artists’ Alliance, Gallery Clarendon
9/14-9/29 – Beauty and the Beast, Arlington Players, TJ Community Theatre
9/21 – Multi-Cultural Street Festival, Prio Bangla, 880 S. Walter Reed Drive
9/21 – Regional Biennial, Opening Reception, Arlington Arts Center
9/21-10/20 – Transitional Objects, Artwork from Summer Camps, Arl. Arts Center
9/21-12/14 – Marissa Long Solo Exhibition, Arlington Arts Center
9/21-12/14 – Regional Biennial Exhibit, Arlington Arts Center
9/24-11/3 – Escaped Alone, Signature Theatre
9/25-10/20 – The Tempest, Synetic Theater
9/27 – AVAST Launch Party, Cody Gallery, Marymount University
9/28-9/29 – Arlington Visual Arts Studio Tour, info: http://arlingtonartstudiotour.org/
9/29 – Valley Fest Street Festival, 2709 South Oakland Street
9/30 – Play Reading, SigWorks, Signature Theatre
To view the entire 2019-2020 Calendar of Events, click here.
If you would like to support the work Embracing Arlington Arts by making a donation, here’s how:
* Make tax-deductible contributions online.
* Tax-deductible contributions by check: check made out to Embracing Arlington Arts and sent to Embracing Arlington Arts, 754 North Vermont Street, Arlington, VA 22203
Embracing Arlington Arts 