‘The Drawer Boy’
Canadian classic debuts at Port City Playhouse.
It was 40 years ago when a Toronto theater company crafted the basis of a play by sending a group of actors to live and work on the farms of Ontario. The experiment became a landmark in Canadian theater and was the inspiration for Michael Healey’s “The Drawer Boy,” now playing at Port City Playhouse.
MetroStage Garners 7 Helen Hayes Nominations.
Griffin named a “Helen’s Star.”
Theatre Washington has announced the nominations for the 2013 Helen Hayes Awards with Alexandria’s MetroStage Theater among the 25 theatre companies nominated in 26 categories.
Honoring the Greatest Generation
Post 24 veterans pay respects to Iwo Jima survivors.
Representatives of American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria visited with World War II veterans in Arlington Feb. 15 during a reunion of survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
And the Winner Is …
Greener Cleaner voted 'Heart of Del Ray.'
The votes are in and Greener Cleaner has been named the 2013 “Heart of Del Ray,” an annual award presented during the Valentine's Day holiday by the Del Ray Business Association.
Gadson Addresses Annual Breakfast
Janet Barnett receives Distinguished Service Award.
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association held its annual breakfast Feb. 18 at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Old Town in the traditional kick-off to the city's George Washington Birthday Parade celebrations.
Uncommon Valor
Survivors reunite for 68th anniversary of Iwo Jima.
The morning of Feb. 19, 1945, dawned eerily quiet as Private First Class Carl Norton made his way toward the shores of the remote Japanese island of Iwo Jima. But in an instant, the 20-millimeter dual purpose guns buried in the side of Mount Suribachi exploded, erupting into one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history.
‘Shakespeare’s R&J’
Tragic tale debuts at Signature Theatre.
At first glance, they are the model of Catholic school conformity, trained to recite in unison as they learn their catechism. But then an illicit copy of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is discovered, disrupting the lives of four prep school boys in “Shakespeare's R&J,” now playing at Signature Theatre.
'Catch the Wave'
Renner celebrated as chamber board chairman.
With a theme of “Catch the Wave,” the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce officially celebrated John J. Renner II as its incoming board chairman Feb. 9 at the annual Chairman's Gala.
She’s Promoter-of-the-Arts-in Chief
Del Ray Artisans welcomes city’s new arts director.
The arts community turned out in force Feb. 8 to officially welcome Diane Ruggiero to Alexandria as the new director of the Office of the Arts.
Celebrating the Maestro
ASO concerts marks 25th anniversary of Kim Allen Kluge.
Showcasing talent from throughout the city, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra celebrated the 25th anniversary of Maestro Kim Allen Kluge with a weekend of concerts Feb. 9 and 10 that featured the world premiere of River Poem, an original piece by Kluge and his wife Kathryn Vassar Kluge.
Motorola donates $15,000 to Police Foundation.
Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook was joined by Mayor Bill Euille Jan. 24 as the Alexandria Police Foundation was presented a check for $15,000 on behalf of the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety and Security Institute to benefit the police foundation's memorial fund.
The Final Countdown
Remembering the Space Shuttle Columbia.
He was just 16 minutes from home. As a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, Arlington native David Brown was going through final landing preparations aboard STS-107 to conclude what for 16 days had been a routine mission. At 9 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2003, that changed.
For Those Who Serve
World's largest USO facility opens at Fort Belvoir.
Less than two years ago, it was just an overgrown lot in the shadows of Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. But on Feb. 5, the world's largest USO facility welcomed the community with a grand opening celebration of the new USO Warrior and Family Center.
Helping Nation’s Heroes
Inside the new USO Warrior and Family Center.
Growing up in Richmond, Staff Sergeant Charles Eggleston never imagined what awaited him when two improvised explosive devices detonated next to his vehicle in Mosul, Iraq in 2006. The Cornell University computer science graduate was severely injured, his spine nearly severed and his face badly scarred as part of his mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Leading the Charge
Gadson to keynote Friendship Veterans Breakfast.
Colonel Gregory Gadson, Garrison Commander at Fort Belvoir, will be the featured speaker at the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association Breakfast Feb. 18 to kick off a day of events in honor of George Washington's birthday.
A Lullaby to Birdland
MetroStage premieres “Ladies Swing the Blues.”
Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee. Their voices defined the history of jazz alongside the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. But it is the indomitable influence of Charlie “Bird” Parker that sets the stage for “Ladies Swing the Blues: A Jazz Fable,” now playing at MetroStage.
A Noble Cause
Charity event raises $6,200 for Special Operations families.
Their victories are unknown, their successes and accomplishments unheralded. Yet our nation's Special Operations troops are considered America's best — the toughest mentally and physically and the most elite of units on any battlefield.
Bragging Big
American Century Theater shows off through Feb. 2.
The American Century Theater’s production of “The Show Off” is playing now through Feb. 2 at Gunston Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington.
The Bare Necessities
LTA debuts “The Full Monty.”
The year is 1992 and unemployment is high in Buffalo, N.Y., where former millworker Jerry Lukowski hatches a plan to earn some quick cash by producing a Chippendale’s-style strip show in “The Full Monty,” now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Bragging Big
American Century Theater shows off through Feb. 2.
Aubrey Piper is self-centered and self-deluded, a pathological liar and shameless publicity seeker determined to climb Philadelphia’s social ladder by any means necessary in George Kelly’s Pulitzer Prize nominated “The Show Off,” a production by The American Century Theater now playing at Gunston Theatre Two in Arlington.
Happy New Year
Thousands celebrate First Night Alexandria, flock to fireworks finale.
Revelers from as far away as New Zealand celebrated the New Year here as a dazzling display of fireworks lit up the Alexandria waterfront to signal the arrival of 2013.
The Way We Were
A look back at 2012.
Dominated by a hard-fought City Council race and the ongoing battle over the waterfront, Alexandria citizens had no shortage of topics to debate over the last year.
DASH-ing All the Way
Employees of the DASH transit system pose for a photo with Santa (aka DASH driver Charles Johnson) in front of the King Street Trolley Dec. 15 to kick off a day of free photos with Santa at Market Square.
Bovine Intervention
Del Ray's Holy Cow, ACT partner for local charities.
With checkbook in hand, Bill Blackburn sat down Nov. 27 to write the first check payable to ACT for Alexandria as part of a partnership between the community foundation and the recently opened Holy Cow gourmet burger restaurant in Del Ray.
Inova Dedicates Cancer Center
Facility named for supporters Joseph Viar Jr. and Bonnie Christ.
Inova Alexandria Hospital held a dedication ceremony Dec. 12 to officially name its cancer center in honor of longtime Alexandria residents Joseph Viar Jr. and Bonnie Christ in recognition of a $1.25 million Legacy of Life gift through Viar's estate.
That's What Friends Are For
Firefighters and Friends annual toy drive to help 4,000 area children.
For 45 Head Start preschoolers, Christmas arrived a week early when they entered Penn Daw Fire and Rescue Station 11 Dec. 18 to select a toy of their choice from the thousands that had been collected as part of the 2012 Firefighters and Friends annual toy drive.
Titanic Success
T.C. teacher, student honored for community service.
The Titan pride of T.C. Williams High School filled the Dec. 11 meeting of the Alexandria Rotary Club as both a T.C. teacher and student were honored by the organization for their community service.
ACVA’s 2012 Superstar Awards
Washington introduced as new tourism chief.
The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association presented the 2012 Superstar Awards at its December Tourism Marketing Forum Dec. 7 at Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, using the occasion to formally introduce Patricia R. Washington as the new president and CEO of the city's tourism agency. “I am excited to be in Alexandria,” Washington said.
Curtain Up
Everything old is new again at Old Town Theater.
For nearly a century, The Old Town Theater served as a venue for entertainment ranging from vaudevillian stage shows to silent films, puppet shows and contemporary Hollywood blockbusters. But after the marquee dimmed and the doors were boarded up earlier this year, the Alexandria landmark is once again ready for its close up.
LTA’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
Opening night of the holiday classic welcomes families from the Georgetown Hospital Pediatric Oncology Center
It’s a tale as old as time: The miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge is ethically and emotionally transformed after being haunted by visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come in the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol,” now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Working Together on Toy Drive
Occasionally Cake partners with Firefighters and Friends Toy Drive.
When Sabrina Campbell volunteered to help put together a tribute to local police and firefighters, she had no idea the event would lead to a chance meeting with Capt. Willie Bailey, founder of the Firefighters and Friends Holiday Toy Drive.
Scottish Walk Celebrates 42 Years
Pipes, plaid and pageantry filled the streets of Old Town during the 42nd annual Scottish Walk Parade.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Dec. 9 Holiday Market to benefit women’s programs.
More than 30 female artisans will showcase their crafts Dec. 9 at the 14th Annual Women’s Holiday Art Show in support of the City of Alexandria’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
Boats Light the Potomac in Annual Parade
The 13th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights lit up the Potomac River Dec. 1 as 40 boats cruised from the Washington waterfront to Old Town to compete in 11 categories in the traditional seafaring holiday display of lights.
Santa Paws
Old Town School for Dogs continues AWLA tradition.
As owner of The Old Town School for Dogs, Carlos Mejias can answer just about any canine question asked of him, save for one.
Scottish Walk Weekend Events
The 42nd Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend kicks off the holiday season Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
10th Annual Toast to Hope Raises $65,000
Event supports SCAN’s local child abuse prevention programs.
More than 270 people turned out Nov. 17 for the 10th annual Toast to Hope, a garden-party themed gala that raised more than $65,000 for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia, a local nonprofit that leads child abuse prevention efforts across the region.
Building for Success
Commonwealth Academy dedicates new Lower School.
Parents, prospective parents, educational professionals and neighbors joined Mayor Bill Euille, Police Chief Earl Cook and Fire Chief Adam Thiel Nov. 13 as Commonwealth Academy officially dedicated its new Lower School.
Desperately Seeking Santas
Black Fire Service Professionals to host annual toy drive.
The Black Fire Service Professionals of Alexandria are looking for donations from community partners in preparation for its 12th annual holiday toy party for underprivileged and at-risk children.
Bows, Baskets and Bikes
ACVA launches “Alexandria Cares” corporate service program.
Holiday spirits were high as the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association launched Alexandria Cares, a corporate community service program in partnership with the nonprofit Get Out and Give Back to offer corporate groups the opportunity to include service projects in their Alexandria-based business meetings.
What the Dickens?
MetroStage continues ‘Broadway Christmas Carol’ tradition.
Oh come, all ye faithful fans of musical theater. For the third year running, MetroStage is staging the wickedly funny “A Broadway Christmas Carol,” an irreverent musical take on the classic novel by Charles Dickens.
Hope for the Holidays
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign to run through Dec. 24.
The familiar sound of the Salvation Army bell is again being heard as volunteers take to the streets of Alexandria for the 2012 Red Kettle campaign.
Play Ball
Kelley Cares Miracle Field dedicated for athletes with special needs.
The t-shirts being handed out by volunteers said it all: “A miracle happened in Alexandria, Virginia on November 17, 2102” as the new Kelley Cares Miracle Field was dedicated and officially opened for play.
Armstrong Hailed as Leader of Year
Chamber honors chef, local businesses.
Cathal Armstrong was honored Nov. 13 by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce as the 2012 Business Leader of the Year.
Shop 'Til You Drop
Score Black Friday steals and deals locally.
Coordinated by the Shop Local Alexandria project and the Old Town Boutique District, more than 50 of Alexandria's independently owned shops will be participating in this year's Black Friday promotion.
Soul Survivors
Port City Playhouse stages “The Soul Collector.”
In a throwback to 1970s television hits like “Sanford and Son,” “Chico and the Man” and “All in the Family,” Port City Playhouse's latest production of “The Soul Collector” tells the story of two African-American sanitation workers living in a cramped apartment in Cleveland.
Hometown Title & Escrow Opens
Clarke joins firm as branch manager.
Hometown Title and Escrow, LLC celebrated the opening of its new offices in Courthouse Square Sept. 21 with a reception that also marked the announcement that Kellye Curtis Clarke has joined the company as partner and branch manager of the Alexandria office.
Soul Providers
Meals On Wheels volunteers recognized.
Retired since 1987, Thomas has been a volunteer for the Meals On Wheels program for 25 years. Along with other volunteers, she was honored for her service Oct. 18 at the Senior Services of Alexandria volunteer appreciation luncheon at The Fountains at Washington House.
In Campagna’s Name
Weaver honored for 20 years of service.
Longtime Campagna Center volunteer Bridget Weaver was honored Oct. 4 with the Elizabeth Anne Campagna Award at a Circle of 1000 reception at the home of Douglas and Grace Marie Turner.
Voices From the Past
‘Cantorial’ debuts at LTA.
“Cantorial” is playing now through Nov. 17 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria. For tickets or more information, call 703-683-0496 or visit www.thelittletheatre.com.