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Arlington’s community calendar features volunteer opportunities, donation drives, concerts, theater productions, environmental events and cultural celebrations extending into early May.
Community opportunities
The Glebe Ladies Tennis Club is holding its annual membership drive for women in and around Arlington. The club has more than 100 players of varying skill levels and organizes social tennis events throughout the year. Annual dues help cover reserved courts for Wednesday drop-in play, a member directory and other activities. The notice states that members joining by March 1, 2024, will be included in the annual directory.
Centers for Opportunity Arlington is seeking donations of adult clothing and shoes for its closet, including workplace attire for participants looking for jobs. The center serves people recovering from homelessness, substance use and mental illness in a stigma-free setting. It is at 3219 Columbia Pike, Suite 101. Program coordinator Greg can be reached at 703-567-1346.
Arlington Neighborhood Village, Arlington County and Marymount University are recruiting volunteers for the Community Ambassador Program. Ambassadors connected with civic groups, faith communities, senior centers, apartment buildings and other local networks receive training about resources available to older adults.
The volunteers share information about support services, social and civic opportunities, and educational activities. They also gather community feedback to improve programs that help older residents remain safe, independent and connected. Prospective volunteers may contact cap@anvarlington.org.
Arlington seniors seeking services or recreational and educational activities can call 703-509-8057 to connect with an ambassador.
Theater and exhibitions
Signature Theatre presents Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Tony Award-winning musical “In the Heights” from Feb. 11 through May 4. Set in New York City’s Washington Heights, the production follows residents confronting gentrification, personal ambitions and the possibility of a life-changing lottery win. Special events include discussion nights March 18 and April 9, an ASL-interpreted 2 p.m. performance March 29 and Pride Night April 25.
Encore Stage & Studio presents “Flip the Script: Jamila’s Table” from Feb. 22 through March 2 at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. The story centers on Jamila, a young Black restaurant owner working to transform her family’s Columbia Pike business into a community gathering place celebrating Vietnamese, Latinx and African American cultures.
Synetic Theater premieres “The Immigrant” at Thomas Jefferson Theater from March 14 through March 23. Created by Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, the production draws on the 1918 Charlie Chaplin silent film and follows a young emigrant facing danger and uncertainty while traveling to the New World. After its Arlington debut, the show is scheduled to run for three weeks at Theater J in Washington during April.
Jane Franklin Dance gives its farewell performances at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, on March 15 and 16. The Saturday show begins at 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday performance at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $23 through March 13, $25 beginning March 14 and $28 at the door. A Sunday family package for two adults and two children younger than 10 costs $70 through March 13.
“A Brighter Light,” a juried Arlington Artists Alliance exhibition, runs March 20 through May 4 at Alliance Gallery, 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Suite R330. Through color, shadow and texture, participating artists explore hope, renewal, resilience and optimism. An opening reception is scheduled for March 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 21
Extension Master Gardeners Molly Newling and Angela McNamara lead a free online class on winter pruning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The presentation covers removing damaged or crossing branches, suckers and water sprouts, as well as reducing shrubs, trimming hedges and safely cutting larger limbs.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Arlington’s 31st annual Feel the Heritage Festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Charles Drew Community Center. The gathering highlights the county’s historically African American neighborhoods through live entertainment, food and dozens of vendors.
Retired U.S. Navy Commander Sandra Lawrence discusses “Women in the Military: A Long and Honored Tradition” from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Drive. Arlington AAUW is presenting the program.
International Mother Language Day begins at 5 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School in Glencarlyn. Twenty-five cultural organizations from across the Washington area are participating in the multicultural celebration and performance. A children and youth art competition starts at 3 p.m.
Poets Bennie Herron and Carol Beane appear at Fred Schnider Gallery in Virginia Square from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Visitors can also see Herron’s exhibition, “All of the Pieces are Women,” and bring their own work for an open microphone.
EcoAction Arlington holds a climate-resolution rally from 11 a.m. to noon at Courthouse Plaza outside the Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. The rally supports a resolution scheduled for consideration during the Arlington County Board’s Feb. 22 meeting. A brief program and celebration are planned after the vote, with the event moving indoors if weather requires.
Sunday, Feb. 23
The Arlington Philharmonic presents “A February Fanfare” at 4 p.m. in the Washington-Liberty High School auditorium in Virginia Square. Violinist Akemi Takayama joins the orchestra for the free concert, preceded by a reception hosted by Encore Learning.
Friday, Feb. 28
Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills presents a free online program about native spring ephemerals from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The updated class examines 23 Mid-Atlantic species, including bloodroot, trout lily and Virginia bluebells, with attention to their adaptations, care, landscape uses and value to early pollinators.
March 7 and 14
The Friday Morning Music Club offers free noon concerts at Saint George’s Church, 915 N. Oakland St. The March 7 program includes works by Charles Martin Loeffler and Louise Farrenc, along with piano selections by David Saperton, George Gershwin and Leopold Godowsky. Music by Mozart, Lazarus and Ravel is scheduled for March 14. Each concert lasts about an hour, and no ticket is required.
Saturday, March 8
The Comedy Karaoke Trivia Funtime Show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Highline RxR, 2010 Crystal Drive. Individuals and teams can compete in trivia and karaoke for prizes during a comedy program hosted by Christian Hunt. The calendar contains conflicting headliner information, naming both Umar Khan and Winston Hodges for the March event.
The Arlington Chorale presents “Enchant!” at 5 p.m. at Westover Baptist Church. The program includes the second performance of Jocelyn Hagen’s “We Are the Lucky Ones,” commissioned by the chorale and based on poems by Julia Singer and Freya Manfred. Gustav Holst’s “The Cloud Messenger” and a new poem by Afghan poet laureate Bahir Nasiri are also featured. Tickets begin at $25, while children 17 and younger are admitted free.
Saturday, March 15
Arlington’s Spring E-CARE event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wakefield High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St. County residents may safely drop off electronics and household hazardous materials, including batteries, garden chemicals, fire extinguishers, cleaners, petroleum products, flammable solvents, automotive fluids and small metal items. A limit of 25 cans applies to paint products.