Article Text
Northern Virginia’s first weekend in May brings live music, dance, pet competitions and a colorful anniversary celebration to venues across the region. Here are five events scheduled from Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3.
A tribute to Genesis and its famous frontmen
ABACAB will perform the music of Genesis, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St. in Falls Church.
The Charlotte-area tribute band features vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Pete Lents, bassist and rhythm guitarist Cliff Stankiewicz, keyboardist Patrick Raymaker, lead guitarist James Nelson and drummer Matthew Hedrick. Its repertoire spans Genesis’ progressive-rock years, the band’s later stadium hits and music from its members’ solo careers.
Pet Festival brings adoptions and animal talent
The 2026 Pet Festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at The Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE in Leesburg.
The annual event will include pet exhibitors, rescue adoptions, a lure course, face painting and caricatures. From 3 to 4 p.m., the main stage will host Leesburg’s Got Talent Pet Edition, presented by Wiggle Butt and Whiskers.
The competition offers novice, intermediate and advanced divisions. Participants can collect a number at The Village at Leesburg tent before 2:30 p.m. that day.
Tap and street-dance styles collide in Fairfax
“The Center Will Not Hold” makes its Center for the Arts debut at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive in Fairfax.
The evening-length Dorrance Dance production is a collaboration between Bessie Award-winning choreographer and breakdancer Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie and MacArthur fellow Michelle Dorrance. Its 11 performers draw from house, breaking, hip-hop, tap, Chicago footwork, Detroit jit, litefeet, Memphis jookin and body percussion.
Donovan Dorrance composed the original music, with drummer and percussionist John Angeles providing live percussion.
Festival of Colors marks its 10th anniversary
The Festival of Colors will celebrate its 10th anniversary from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Bull Run Special Events Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive in Centreville.
The celebration centers on spirituality, community, love and diversity. Attractions include celebrity DJs, interactive performances by local and visiting dance schools, food, shopping and children’s activities, along with the event’s signature throwing of brightly colored powder. A full bar and hookah lounge are also planned.
Richard Shindell closes the weekend in Vienna
Singer-songwriter Richard Shindell will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E. in Vienna.
Shindell’s acoustic songs move between lighthearted ballads, love stories, political and religious commentary, and narratives told from the perspectives of people on society’s margins. His catalog even includes a comic tale narrated by a cow caught in a barbed-wire fence.