Art, Music and Yoga at the September FIRSTfriday

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

Meet featured artist, oil painter Kathie Rogers, at a celebration of the kids going back to school at Stifel and Capra: Art and Ornament for your Wonderful Life (260 W. Broad Street). Meet resident artists at a reception from 5 until 8 p.m.

Musical performances are both indoors and outdoors at the September FIRSTfriday.  At Art-A-Lot (in the parking lot at 111 Park Avenue), take in the performance by Doug Parks and the Lone Wolves on the outdoor stage from 6 until 8 p.m.  Indoors, enjoy Celtic music at Ireland’s Four Provinces Restaurant (105 W. Broad Street) starting at 8 p.m.

You can start the holiday weekend with a bit of yoga at an all-levels class for charity at Sacred Well Yoga Studio (450 W. Broad Street, Suite 320) from 6 – 7:15 p.m. Pay what you like.  All donations will go to Creative Cauldron, a Falls Church non-profit organization that provides innovative educational programs and affordable access to the performing and visual arts across the generations in northern Virginia.

For more information about other events, dining and retail specials throughout The Little City on Friday, September 3, see www.FIRSTfridayofFallsChurch.com.

Concrete Call for Abstract Artists

By GINA CACECI
Falls Church Times Staff

Falls Church Arts has put out a call for artists for a juried show titled “Abstract Expressions” to be held in September.  FCA invites member artists to explore abstraction in all media and submit their entry forms and $15 fee by Friday, September 10.  Completed forms can be mailed to FCA (P.O. Box 6912, ZIP 22040) or dropped off at either Art and Frame of Falls Church (111 Park Avenue) or Stifel & Capra (260 W. Broad Street).

The show’s juror is Karen J. Schmitz, an award-winning painter and printmaker from Alexandria, Virginia.  An opening reception will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 17, at the Falls Church Arts Gallery at ArtSpace (410 S. Maple Avenue).  The exhibit will run through October 3.

For information about becoming a member of FCA and more details about the show, including an entry form, go to www.FallsChurchArts.org.

August Art in the Park and on Park Avenue

By GINA CACECI
Falls Church Times Staff

August 3, 2010

Thursday, August 5 is the last of the very popular summer concerts at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Avenue).   Start the evening off at 6:30 p.m. viewing the paintings and photographs by Bev Rocco and Justine Spilman on exhibit under the Falls Church Arts canopy.  The concert, featuring Judo Chop and their ’80s music, starts at 7 p.m.  For more information, go to www.vpis.org or call the Falls Church Recreation and Parks department at 703-248-5199.

On FIRSTfriday, August 6, stroll a couple of blocks down Park Avenue from Cherry Hill Park and check out “Hat Innovation” at Art and Frame of Falls Church (111 Park Avenue), an exhibit featuring graffiti art on hats!  Meet the artist, Adriel Perkins, at as reception from 6 until 8 p.m.

Also that evening on Park Avenue, take a turn through ArtALot in the parking lot at 111 Park Avenue.  Groove to music by The Style Masters, pause for the paws at “Doggie Yappie Hour,” check out the classic cars in competition for “best in show” and enjoy several art exhibits showcasing jewelry, handmade books, paintings, photographs and more.  For more information about other FIRSTfriday events elsewhere in The Little City, go to www.firstfridayoffallschurch.com

THURSDAY 7/29: Fashion Showcase at New To You Boutique

New To You, a unique women’s clothing store in the heart of Falls Church, is hosting an open house Thursday, July 29, from 4 until 8 p.m.

In addition to showcasing great, affordable clothing for the fall, New To You will also be showing jewelry by designer Debra Fabian.

In the windows of the store are some of owner Christina Novak’s favorite fashion icons painted by NTY’s very own Shelby Rolla.  The display features Twiggy, Princess Diana, Kate Moss, Mrs. Obama, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn.  In addition to great fashion, there will be some nibbles and a bit of bubbly.

New To You is located at 108 West Broad Street, right next to Brown’s Hardware.  For more information, check out www.newtoyou.net.

New Art Exhibit at City Hall through Summer

By GINA CACECI
Falls Church Times Staff

July 20, 2010

As part of Falls Church Arts’ Gallery Without Walls program, the latest art exhibit at City Hall (300 Park Avenue) features paintings by Kathleen Clarken Buschow, who is also City Clerk for “The Little City.”  Located in the ground floor corridor between the East and West Wings, Buschow’s paintings are a mix of landscapes and portraits and reflect her evolution as a painter.

The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., through the summer.

The Gallery Without Walls program supports Falls Church Arts’ mission of promoting art and artists in the area.  It links FCA member artists and organizations; it’s a way for artists to get an opportunity to show their work and for businesses and organizations to support the arts. And our residents and visitors to “The Little City” enjoy the increased presence of the arts in daily life.  Other GWW locations in Falls Church include Argia’s Restaurant, Burke & Herbert Bank and Vantage Fitness.

For more information about the Gallery Without Walls program, see www.FallsChurchArts.org

Thursday, 7/8: New Group Performing at Cherry Hill Concert

By GINA CACECI
Falls Church Times Staff

Bring a fan along with your lawn chair and picnic dinner to this week’s Concert at Cherry Hill Park.  The concert by Doris Justis & Friends begins at 7 pm and the art exhibit, featuring jewelry created by Ellen Dempsey, will be on display starting at 6:30 pm.

New to the Falls Church summer concert series, Doris Justis has been a mainstay of the folk and acoustic music scene in the Washington, DC area for many years.  Her long career was recently celebrated by the World Folk Music Association. Doris has performed at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland.  In addition to performing, Doris has also produced concerts, coffeehouses and showcases.

Accompanying Doris at Thursday’s concert will be Scott Morgan, a lifelong musician and luthier.  He has played all types of music with family and friends for many years. His roots in music and fine instrument building started at an early age, and he continues to build instruments and perform. He has shared the stage with many excellent musicians over the years including Curly Fox, John Hartford, Red Rector, John McCutcheon, Ralph Stanley, the New Grass Revival, and Grandpa Jones, to name a few.

The summer concerts are co-sponsored by the Falls Church Parks and Recreation Department and the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS).  Members of Falls Church Arts (FCA) present the art exhibits.  The ice cream sales during the concert benefit the Falls Church – Kokolopori Sister City Partnership.

If it looks like rain, call 703-248-5077 after 5 pm to find out if the concert will be held inside the Community Center.

Art-filled Holiday Weekend Starts Thursday

By GINA CACECI
Falls Church Times Staff

Start enjoying the holiday weekend early on Thursday, July 1 at Cherry Hill Park with a concert at 7 pm by Andrew Acosta and the New Old Time String Band and an art exhibit before and after under the Falls Church Arts canopy.  View the paintings and photographs by local artists, Mary O’Donnell and Henry Galluci as you listen to roots music.  See www.fallschurchva.gov for more details.

Continue your adventures in art and music on FIRSTfriday, July 2.  Most special events begin at 6 pm including: Deborah Conn’s untraditional portraits in a traditional medium, watercolor, at Stifel and Capra (260 W. Broad Street), more watercolor paintings by Bill Abel inside Art and Frame of Falls Church (111 Park Avenue) and lots more artists outside in the parking lot at Art-A-Lot featuring Michael Snell’s handmade books and journals and jewelry by Hazel Brutsche.  Also check out some cool classic cars at Art-A-A lot.  Or make your own art at Clay Café Studios (101 N. Maple Avenue).

If books are your thing, then meet local author Amy Brecount White who will be on hand to sign copies of her new novel “FORGET-HER-NOTS,” about the language of flowers that come magically to life.

More into music?  Then you’ll find what you like inside or outside on Friday!  Check out “The Sparksplug Band” at Art-A-Lot in the parking lot at 111 Park Avenue.  More music indoors at Ireland’s Four Provinces Restaurant (105 W. Broad Street) and the Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad Street).
For more detailed information about FIRSTfriday and special offers at restaurants and stores that day, see www.firstfridayoffallschurch.com

If your favorite art is more culinary, take in the Falls Church Farmers Market (in the parking lot at City Hall) Saturday morning from 8 until noon. 

While the Fourth of July is our nation’s birthday, Saturday, July 3 marks the fourth birthday bash for Stifel and Capra.  From 10 to 5 pm, celebrate with cake and balloons and specials on treasures and art.

The City of Falls Church Fireworks Display starts around 9:30 pm at George Mason High School on Sunday, July 4.  But if you get there early, you can continue your art-filled holiday weekend listening to the concert by the Ken Smith Band that starts at 7 pm.

So start celebrating early and make it a four-day festival of music and art – food and fireworks – throughout The Little City.

Glass Beadmaking Show & Tell Thursday 6/24

Special to the Falls Church Times

Falls Church Arts member, Cathy Kaye, will discuss the art of lampwork beadmaking at the Artists Roundtable meeting on Thursday, June 24, at 7 pm at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 S. Maple Avenue.  The talk is free and open to everyone.

Cathy has been a glass beadmaker (also known as a lampworker) since 1996. After starting out stringing beads and making jewelry, Cathy changed her focus when, “at a bead show I saw a demonstration of lampworking and that was it . . . beads and FIRE, what could be better!”

Cathy’s current work centers on creating groups of beads to work in specific ”signature pieces” of jewelry. She also creates items like cheese knives and wine stoppers that can be used to bring beads to every aspect of daily life. “An unsuspected bit of whimsy. . . that’s what I think beadmaking is all about!”

Cathy has been featured in the coffee table book 1,000 Glass Beads and has had beads on display in the National Bead Museum, which was dismantled and moved to Arizona when the National’s stadium was built. Her work has also been featured in local stores and in many trunk shows.

For more information, see the FCA website at www.fallschurcharts.org

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