The Connection

McLean Community Center has events scattered through the summer to keep boredom at bay for history buffs - and everyone else - during the hottest months.

A dance session, a traditional Independence Day celebration and a visit from James and Dolley Madison are all lined up at MCC.

The Sunday Soiree Series Dance from 3 to 5 p.m. on June 8 is the sole event of the three that has a cost to enter. Admission is $5, which MCC Director of Special Events Sam Roberts III said is a great price for an afternoon of refreshments and dancing.

“They’ve got a buffet of sandwiches and fruit,” he said. “We do have a new band, as well.”

The event is held at MCC located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

The band - Hot Club of D.C. - plays gypsy jazz music from the 1920s through 1950s. Attendees have a 3,000 square foot dance floor to spread out on. Roberts said the event, which usually has dates scattered in the spring and fall, attracts up to 70 people per soiree.

THE FIREWORKS show, held at Langley High School, attracts many more people. Thousands more.

“Between 6,000 to 8,000 people attend every year,” said Roberts. “This will be our last year at Langley High School because they are going under construction for five years.”

The fireworks show will move to Cooper Middle School next year.

The free Independence Day celebration and fireworks show will be held at the school stadium on July 4 at 8 p.m. with a rain date on July 5. Fireworks, shot by East Coast Pyrotechnics, Inc., starts at dark.

“The community center has been hosting the firework show since the inception of the facility,” said Roberts.

He said parking is always tight at the school and recommends visitors park at the community center or St. John’s Episcopal Church and ride the free shuttle to the event. Parking is free.

Another event celebrating history is An Afternoon with the Madisons, a “chat” with impersonators of James and Dolley Madison to commemorate McLean’s role during the War of 1812 when Washington D.C. burned to the ground.

The free event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the community center and is sponsored by McLean and Great Falls Celebrate Virginia, Inc. with help by MCC and several other local organizations. Seating is limited, so come early.

“It will be held exactly 200 years after the British burned down the city of Washington,” said event Chairperson Carole Herrick. “James Monroe, Dolley Madison and James Madison fled from D.C. to the place that is now known as McLean.”

Herrick will be playing the role of Dolley Madison. James Madison will be played by the actor that does re-enactments at Montpelier, John Douglas Hall. She said the event is more of an informative conversation rather than a re-enactment.

“This is a really big thing for McLean,” she said. “The Madisons are a really big deal here. McLean is changing and many new residents really don’t know the story.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION of the events, visit http://www.mcleancenter.org/special-events/upcoming.