Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Rock Spring Garden Club introduces the First Annual Garden of the Year Award. Any garden in Arlington is eligible for the First Annual Rock Spring Garden Club’s “Garden of the Year Award”. Entries will be judged by qualified judges and the winner will be announced in June. Deadline for applications is May 31, 2010. Applications are available by contacting the Club at rockspringgardenclub@gmail.com
<cal1>Now Through June 4
<cal2>"America and Vietnam: Photographs by Charlene Nguyen." Cherrydale Branch Library, 2190 Military Road, Arlington (703-228-6330); Hours: Mon.: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tue.: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.; Wed.: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.; Thu.: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; Fri.: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
<cal1>Mondays
<cal2>Meditation and Buddhism. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost $12. General Program - What is the key to a good relationship? This month we will explore the Buddhist psychology of love and how this can be applied practically in our daily lives. Topics include: The Bigger Picture; Living with Gratitude; Connecting with Others; The Practice of Loving Kindness. Each General Program class includes a teaching, guided meditations, and time for Q&A. Everyone is welcome. Each class is self-contained. You can drop in at any point. At Vajrayogini Buddhist Center – Arlington Branch – The Griffin Center 3800 Fairfax Dr., Suite 5. Visit www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-986-2257 or info@meditation-dc.org.
<cal1>Now Through May 11
<cal2>Become a Foster Parent. 6-9 p.m. Participants take part in an orientation session before enrolling in the program. At UMFS Northern Virginia Regional Center, 6335 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria. Call 703-941-9008, ext. 308.
<cal1>Now Through May 16
<cal2>"The Fool at the Circus." Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. For ages 4 and up. Run time: 1 hour. Tickets are $12/advance, $15/door, $10 for parties of 10 or more. Call 800-494-8497 or www.classika.org. At the Synetic Family Theater, 4041 Campbell Avenue, Arlington.
<cal1>Now Through May 30
<cal2>"Sophisticated Ladies." Starring Maurice Hines. At Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. curtain on 4/25); Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (1 p.m. curtain on 4/25); Weekday matinees at noon on 4/21, 4/27 & 5/5. Tickets range from $25 to $74. For tickets, call 202-488-3300. At Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington.
<cal1>Now Through June 20
<cal2>Just Imagine. It's astronomy with a twist, when imagining a sky lit only by stars, or the Earth without a moon, or our sun as a different kind of star. Showtimes are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 1:30 & 3 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens & children 12 and younger. At the David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy Street, Arlington. Call 703-228-6070.
<cal1>Wednesday/May 5
<cal2>Vegetable Gardening for Urban Gardeners. 7-9 p.m. This program will explore ways to do more with less- less space, less water, less time, less light and other challenges for urban gardeners. At Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S Stafford St. Arlington. Call 703-228-6414 or email ex013mg@vt.edu.
<cal1>Friday/May 7
<cal2>Irish Music and Dancing. 7:30 p.m. With the Irish Breakfast Band. At the Arlington Presbyterian Church, 3507 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Call 703-920-5660 or pastor@arlingtonpresbyterian.org.
<cal1>Saturday/May 8
<cal2>2010 Housing Fair. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 40 exhibitors. The Housing Fair will connect renters and first-time homeowners to information and resources that will help them to navigate the Arlington County housing market. At Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Spring Road, Arlington. Call 703-228-3765.
Walk for the Animals. 8:30 a.m. check-in. 9:30 a.m. walk. The three-mile walk or one-mile stroll will start and finish at Arlington’s Bluemont Park, 601 N. Manchester Street, Arlington. Registration is $25 in advance and $40 on the day of the Walk. All pre-registered persons will receive a T-shirt; dogs participating in the Walk will receive a bandana. Sponsored by the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. To register or donate, visit www.awla.org.
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. 10 a.m. to noon. Did you know that coffee was originally discovered in Kaffa, Ethiopia where it still grows wild today? Neighbors there drink coffee together, and during this traditional gathering an atmosphere of human bonding is created. Free. At the Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington. Call 703-228-5988.
Bicycle Collection. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Support Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School's first used bicycle collection to support poor people overseas to become more productive through providing bikes so they can go to work and school. Additionally, a $10 cash donation is suggested to help defray shipping costs. James Rowan is the student leader at rowanpj@earthlink.net or home telephone 703-426-2718. Visit www.bikesfortheworld.org.
Clay Connection's Spring Show. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. High quality handmade pottery and ceramics on exhibit and for sale by artists from the local metropolitan area. At the John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Visit www.theclayconnection.org.
Autism Fund-Raiser. 5-9 p.m. The Autism Relief Foundation (ARF) will sponsor a fund-raising event at the Chick-fil-A in Ballston Common Mall, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. The group will receive a percentage of redeemed sales receipts on food purchases made during the event. Visit www.autismrelieffoundation.com or at www.cfarestaurant.com/ballstoncommon/home.
Letter Carriers Food Drive. To benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). The National Association of Letter Carriers will be picking up donated food left at mailboxes. Visit www.afac.org or call 703-845-8486.
Dance Program: "Forty +". 2 p.m. "Forty +" is a performing group of older adult dancers who work collectively under the direction of Jane Franklin to create works that blend dance, theater and humor. At Arlington Central Library Auditorium.
<cal1>Sunday/May 9
<cal2>NOVA CARES (Northern Virginia Cares). 3 p.m. Opera Guild Nova welcomes the general public to Singing Hope for Haiti, a benefit concert for Haitian Children. At NRECA Bldg., 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Suggested donation $15. Call 703-536-7557 or mcdm1@verizon.net.
<cal1>Monday/May 10, 17
<cal2>Seminar on Travel. 7 p.m. Prince George's Community College professor Matthew Stone presents a three-part seminar on travel. Subjects include "European Travel 101," "Travel Planning Using the Web," and "Best Budget Travel Tips." At the Arlington Central Library Auditorium.
<cal1>Tuesday/May 11
<cal2>Author Event: William Sample. 7 p.m. William Sample, local author and former Secret Service staffer, reads from his new book "Prelude to Danger." At the Arlington Central Library Auditorium.
Swing Dancing. 9 to 11 p.m. Admission is $10. With the band, Jimmy and the Blue Dogs. At the Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington.
Architecture in the Schools. 7 p.m. A gallery talk and reception celebrating the work of area children in grades 2 - 6. Co-sponsored by the Washington Architectural Foundation. At Shirlington Branch Library.
<cal1>Beginning May 11 and 13
<cal2>Purpose and Power of Prayer. Tuesdays 7:30-9 p.m. Thursdays 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eight-week study led by Lisa Gibbs-Smith. At Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 N. Irving, Arlington. Contact Lisa for information mrslisagibbs@gmail.com or 703-426-4448
<cal1>Wednesday/May 12
<cal2>“Islam and the West.” 7:30 p.m. Cost is $25. Joe Famme will focus on the origins and history of Islam and America's intersections with Islam, beginning with the Founding fathers. Presentation Hosted by Arlington Republican Women’s Club. At the home of Ann and Tom Hafer, 3805 N. Harrison Street, Arlington. To RSVP, contact Marcia Fioramonti at mfioramontirn@yahoo.com.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Storytime Celebration. 4 p.m. Enjoy folktales, music and costumes from all over Asia. Bring your favorite Asian snack to share. Call 703-228-5710. At the Columbia Pike Branch Library.
<cal1>Thursday/May 13
<cal2>Historical Society Program: Women in Military Service for America Memorial. 7 p.m. Brigadier Gen. Wilma Vaught, USAF(Ret.), discusses how the memorial at Arlington National Cemetery became a reality. At the Arlington Central Library auditorium.
Multicultural Volunteer Recruitment. 5:30-7:30 p.m. At The Front Page, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call Dana Taylor at 703-820-9001 or email dtaylor@scanva.org.
<cal1>May 13-14
<cal2>The Infamous Stringdusters. 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. Performs at IOTA Club & CafÈ, Arlington. Go to www.iotaclubandcafe.com.
<cal1>Saturday, May 15
<cal2>Huge Yard Sale / Bake Sale / Car Wash / Labyrinth Walks. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Celebrate Arlington Day with your neighbors on “the Ridge.” Advent Lutheran Church, 2222 S. Arlington Ridge Rd., Arlington. Call 703-521-7010. adventlc@hotmail.com; www.adventlc.us
Country Western Dance. Line dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. Beginners Night Club Two Step at 8 p.m. Open dancing from 8:30-11 p.m. and includes Two Step, Waltz, line, Swing, Cha Cha and specialty dances. $15/advance, $20/door. At Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Country Western Dance Association. Visit the Web site, www.nvcwda.org or call the hot line 703-860-4941.
Ashlawn Fun Fair. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ashlawn Sails the Seven Seas. Food, beverages, fun, raffles and prizes. Sponsored by Ashlawn Elementary School PTA, 5950 8th Road, N. Arlington.
Great Strides Arlington. 12 noon. A fund-raiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. At the Bon Air Park, Picnic Shelter, Arlington. Visit the Great Strides Web site http://www.cff.org/Chapters/metrodc/GREATSTRIDES/ . Call 301-657-8444.
Runners Training Program. A 16-week Runners Training Program for cancer survivors to successfully complete a half-marathon (13.1 miles) in Arlington. Craig Mastrangelo founded the Friends & Fitness Half Marathon Training Program in 1996. Go to www.FriendsandFitness.com, or contact Craig Mastrangelo, Program Founder directly at Craig@NeighborhoodHome.com.
<cal1>Sunday/May 16
<cal2>Service of Remembrance. 7 p.m. At St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4250 North Glebe Road, Arlington. Remembering those who have died, whether recent or long ago. Call 703-536-6606, or visit www.saint-peters.org
Free Concert. 3 p.m. IBIS Chamber Music Society. Members of the Kennedy Center Orchestra, National Symphony and Boston Pops perform Mendelssohn Octet, and works by Handel, Vivaldi and Debussy for flute, harp and strings. At Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6201 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington. Contact Susan Robinson 703-527-3960; susan@ibischambermusic.org; www.ibischambermusic.org
Taste of Arlington. Noon to 5 p.m. Lively street festival, local entertainment, children's activities and over 40 restaurants participating. 10,000 people expected. At Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall.
Jane Franklin Dance. 7 to 9 p.m. Zip Through a Tight Space. The evening features performances, light supper, wine tasting and a silent auction. Admission is $35, at the door $40; 703-933-1111 or www.janefranklin.com. At the Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.
<cal1>May 18 Through June 13
<cal2>"Sycamore Trees." "Sycamore Trees" is the second part of Signature’s “American Musical Voices Project” sponsored by The Shen Family Foundation. Show times are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets range from $52 to $76. Call Ticketmaster at 703-573-SEAT (7328) or go to www.signature-theatre.org. At Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington.
<cal1>Tuesday/May 18
<cal2>Author Event: "Getting a Grip 2." 7 p.m. By Frances Moore Lappe, author of "Diet for a Small Planet." Frances Moore LappÈ discusses rethinking the meaning of power, democracy, and hope itself. At the Shirlington Branch Library.
<cal1>Wednesday/May 19
<cal2>Container Gardening Made Easy. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Master Gardener Nancy Burns will demonstrate and discuss how to grow a beautiful, prolific vegetable or flower garden in a limited space by planting in containers. Learn how to select the right pots and plants, prepare for planting, and keep your plants healthy and happy, whether growing indoors or out. Fairlington Community Center, Room 118, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Free, but call 703-228-6414 to register.
Women in Business Networking Luncheon. 12 noon. $45/guest. The midday lunches are geared towards celebrating influential and successful women in the local business community, this time honoring Julie Taylor, president of the Greater D.C. chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and president of Capital Strategy and Development. At Morton's Steakhouse, 1750 Crystal Drive, Crystal City, Arlington. Call Kim Christensen at 703-418-1444 or cm.mar@mortons.com.
<cal1>Thursday/May 20
<cal2>Author Event: William Nagy. 7 p.m. William Nagy discusses "Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution." At the Arlington Central Library Auditorium.
Jim Lauderdale. The North Carolina-born, now Nashville-based musician was recently nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009 in the "Best Bluegrass Album" category for his album Could We Get Any Closer. At IOTA.
<cal1>May 20-21
<cal2>"Misscalled Simplicity." A theatrical showcase to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Part of Mind's Wide Open. Admission by donation. Suggested donations: General $25, student $10, family $50. At Lyon Park Community Center, 414 North Fillmore Street, Arlington.
<cal1>Friday/May 21
<cal2>Encore Chorale Spring Concert. 7:30 p.m. Free. An Evening of American Song. Program includes American folk songs, spirituals, Gershwin, Porter, and a Lerner and Loewe medley. At Washington-Lee High School, 1301 N. Stafford Street, Arlington. More information at encorecreativity.org or Jeanne.kelly@encorecreativity.org or call 301-261-5747.
<cal1>May 21-22
<cal2>"It's a Steal." Friday from 5-8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art sale presented by the Arlington Artists Alliance. All artwork under $75. At Arlington United Methodist Church, 716 S. Glebe Road, Arlington.
<cal1>Saturday/May 22
<cal2>Building Block Blitz. 12:30 p.m. Registration. The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to host a Building Block Blitz to raise funds to build real houses for families in Northern Virginia. To benefit the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia. At The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 1100 South Hayes Street, Arlington. Call 703-415-2400 or visit www.habitatnova.org.
<cal1>Sunday/May 23
<cal2>Film: "The Soviet Story" [2008]. 2 p.m. Directed by Edvins Snore. At the Shirlington Branch Library.
<cal1>Thursday/May 27
<cal2>Author Event: Ruth Baja Williams. 7 p.m. Ruth Baja Williams will read from her memoir, "Detour Berlin," as the Library celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. At the Arlington Central Library Auditorium.
<cal1>Saturday/May 29
<cal2>Bicentennial Argentina. 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The 23rd Edition of the Argentina National Day Celebration highlighting the cultural and social diversity of the Argentinean people. At the Thomas Jefferson Theater, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington. Tickets are $20/online, $25/door. For tickets, visit www.festivalargentinousa.com.
<cal1>Sunday/June 6
<cal2>"A German Requiem" by Johannes Brahms. 4 p.m. Clerestory Choir, Vocal Soloists and Two Pianos. At Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington. Contact Bob Griffith at bob.griffith@uucava.org or 703-892-2135.
<cal1>June 12-13
<cal2>Air Force Cycling Classic. 12.5 km course through Arlington's Clarendon neighborhood and continues on Sunday, June 13 in Crystal City. Visit www.airforcecyclingclassic.com.