Nightlife is zilch in Tysons at the moment due to the pandemic. After a brief hiatus, the “Tysons After Dark” series is back to highlight different online activities from local organizations that keep people busy once the sun goes down. 

McLean Community Center is closed, so the McLean Project for the Arts is shifting its art classes from in-person to online.

MCC announced the Zoom classes in its recent newsletter. Now, people can register for the classes, which include watercolor, painting, drawing and more.

Some classes are in the afternoons, while others are in the evening. The classes are on a set schedule with predetermined time slots on different days. Prices vary from class to class.

Here are some of the upcoming ones:

• Portrait and Figure Painting
• Drawing in Landscape
• Drawing and Painting Studio
• Vibrant Flower Paintings in Oil

MPA is also offering a new class on experimental portraiture with former MPA faculty and staff member Arthur Kwon Lee, who is currently in New York City, the newsletter said.

More about the class:

The history of art cannot be told without witnessing portraiture painting in its myriad of forms. This class explores different approaches to creating the human gaze. Through the lens of art history exercises and alternative mark making approaches, artists will discover new ways to excavate the world of portraiture with excitement. Our class will emulate multiple modalities of portraiture from the De Koonings, the cubists and beyond.

The class is on Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m., starting April 21.

People who are staying at home with small kids can keep them entertained with Abrakadoodle classes.

People who are interested or have questions can contact Briana Clorey at [email protected].

The McLean Community Center recently announced that it’s canceling McLean Day and events in April and May due to coronavirus concerns.

The annual event usually draws roughly 10,000 people to Lewinsville Park for laser tag, bubble ball and live entertainment, according to Visit Fairfax.

The event also always people to vote for candidates running for the McLean Community Center’s Governing Board.

The board decided yesterday (Wednesday) to cancel the center’s sponsored events for those two months following concerns that the events could draw large crowds, according to a press release.

Previously, the center, which is home to the Alden Theatre, galleries for the McLean Project for the Arts, the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio and meeting rooms, announced it would be closed through April 12.

Now, the center is closed “until further notice.”

As for the election, absentee voting is currently underway through 5 p.m. on May 13.

“The McLean Day in-person voting, stipulated in the Center’s Memorandum of Understanding, will be held at MCC, 1234 Ingleside Ave., as scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 16,” the press release said.

Movie theaters and performing arts venues in the Tysons area have shut down the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The temporary closures come on the heels of the White House recommending that gatherings with 10 people or more be avoided.

Yesterday (Tuesday), Gov. Ralph Northam issued an order “that allows law enforcement to enforce a ban that prohibits more than 10 patrons in places such as restaurants, fitness centers and theaters,” Inside NoVa reported.

The newly opened Showplace Icon (1667 Silver Hill Drive) in The Boro is now “temporarily closed until further notice,” according to its website.

Over at Tysons Corner Center, which is open with reduced hours, AMC Tysons Corner 16 “is temporarily closed in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines,” according to the AMC website.

“It will re-open when those guidelines allow,” the site said. “Please continue to check back here for updates.”

Yesterday, the Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District announced a temporary closure.

“The health and well-being of our guests and our theater teams is our top priority, and we believe that this step will be the most effective way to both retain that priority and mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” says a note on the theater’s website.

The theater did not say when it plans to reopen.

Tickets bought in advance –either from Angelika or from a third-party vendor — for movie showtimes that won’t play due to the closure can be refunded.

Performing arts-goers will have to wait to watch their next play or concert in the Tysons area.

Tysons’ 1st Stage Theatre announced yesterday that it’s suspending upcoming productions.

Plans for the theater’s upcoming production of “A New Brain,” which was set to run March 26-April 19, are uncertain at this point.

The Alden Theatre at the McLean Community Center is closed until April 12.

Wolf Trap is postponing all of its performances, classes and events between March 13-31.

“We are working with the artists to reschedule their performances for future dates and will share that information as it becomes available,” according to Wolf Trap’s website. “All current tickets will be honored for the rescheduled performances.”

All of the public shows between now and April 3 are postponed at The State Theatre in Falls Church.

(Updated 11 a.m.) Presidents’ Day is almost here and there will be closures around the area.

All Fairfax County government offices, public schools and public libraries will be closed, according to the county website.

Trash and recycling will be collected on a regular schedule if community members are customers of Fairfax County, the website said, which added that people with a private company should contact the company directly.

The Fairfax Connector will be running on a Holiday Weekend Schedule on Monday.

The Metro will be running on a Saturday schedule from 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., according to the WMATA website.

The Mary Riley Styles Library in Falls Church (120 N. Virginia Ave) will be closed, according to the website, along with all city offices.

Since waste collection falls on a Wednesday in Falls Church, it will not be affected by the holiday.

In the Town of Vienna, all government offices will be closed but waste collection will run on a regular schedule, according to the website.

The McLean Community Center will be closed on Monday.

Tysons Reporter will also have the day off on Monday.

Photo by Lucas Sankey via Unsplash

Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:

Falls Church Home Prices Spike — “The city of Falls Church zoomed past the District of Columbia to be the local jurisdiction where home-buyers spent more, per square foot, than anywhere else in January… The median per-square-foot cost of $453 for Falls Church property for the month was up 13 percent from a year before.” [Inside NoVa]

Furry Convention Leaving Tysons — The Mid-Atlantic region convention called “Fur the More” is moving from Tysons to Crystal City this year. [ARLnow]

Falls Church Theater Nabs Nominations — “Falls Church’s rapidly-emerging regional theater powerhouse, the Creative Cauldron, scored an astonishing nine Helen Hayes Award nominations for the past season.” [Falls Church News-Press]

McLean Board Seeking Candidates — “Local residents who are looking for ways to make a difference in the community should consider running for a seat on the McLean Community Center’s (MCC) 2020-2021 Governing Board.” [Falls Church News-Press]

I-66 Corridor commuters, in response to commuters request to get a slug pickup station at the Pentagon, Congressman @GerryConnolly @EleanorNorton @DonBeyerVA and @JenniferWexton send a request to the Pentagon #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/MeOOVVJnY8

— Sluglines (@sluglines) February 12, 2020

Sneak Peek: Later today, look for an article on Vienna’s new economic development manager and her plans for how to spark business in the town. Next week, look for a profile of Fava Pot in Falls Church.

Weekend Send Off: Let Tysons Reporter know what your plans are for the long weekend.

Welcome back from the long weekend! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:

Calling All Candidates — “The McLean Community Center, funded by the Dranesville Small District 1A tax district, is set to begin the election process for the 2020-2021 governing board. Candidate petition packets will be available at the center beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.” [Patch]

Vienna-Based Hair Salon Chain Cutting Some Spots — The parent company of Hair Cuttery, Bubbles and other salon chains will close more than 80 locations around the country, starting in late January. The Ratner Cos., based in Vienna, said it will close 10% of its 844 stores.” [Washington Business Journal]

New Fire Marshal in Falls Church — With Tom Polera’s retirement, the City of Falls Church announced the new fire marshal and emergency management coordinator. [Falls Church News-Press]

4th Annual MLK March Sees Civil Rights Activist Speak https://t.co/ud0jnLgGlc pic.twitter.com/T8x81FxS59

— Falls Church News-Press (@fcnp) January 20, 2020

You asked, we have answers: One reader asked when Newport Academy withdraw its appeal of the Fairfax County Zoning Administrator Leslie Johnson’s determination that the Davidson Road properties could be a congregate living facility. The answer, according to the Board of Zoning Appeals staff? “Awhile ago.” The staff that Tysons Reporter spoke to were not able to provide the date or month.

Sneak Peek: How would you splurge during a weekend in Tysons? We asked readers in a poll last week and this week, expect a story about people’s how to ball out for a vacation/staycation in Tysons.

Have a great Tuesday and look out for Morning Notes again on Friday.

For art lovers across the community, the McLean Project for the Arts will host a talk next week featuring the artists responsible for the latest showcase at the Emerson and Atrium Galleries.

Eve Stockton and Kyujin Lee will be at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) on Sunday (Jan. 12), sharing stories about their artwork from 2-4 p.m.

Though the showcase opened about a month ago, this event gives visitors the chance to learn more about the process behind “Origin Stories” by Stockton and “Replay and Reshuffle” by Lee.

“Combining the spontaneity of surrealist automatism with refined illustrative skill, Kyujin Lee draws on the world of fairy tale to compose paintings exploring dreams, identity and personal transformation,” a press release said.

Meanwhile, Stockton’s works are inspired by nature and science, according to the press release, which added that woodworking is her specialty.

Admission is free and the event is open to everyone.

Photo courtesy McLean Project for the Arts

Monday is Veterans Day — a chance to celebrate the servicemen and women who currently or previously served in the United States Armed Forces.

Certain businesses or offices are altering hours in remembrance or even offering perks for veterans.

The City of Falls Church is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Community Center (223 Little Falls Street) beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday. A wreath will be laid for those missing in action and attendees can listen to a performance by the Falls Church Concert Band.

Founding Farmers (1800 Tysons Blvd) is offering a 50% discount on brunch, lunch and dinner for those who bring along a military ID or wear their uniform. The Department of Veterans Affairs compiled a list of other chain locations offering discounts or free things for servicewomen and men.

The Fairfax County government offices and Fairfax County Public Libraries will be closed in remembrance.

Fairfax County Public Schools will be open and teachers are encouraged to lead students in Veterans Day oriented activities.

Across the county, all of the neighborhood and community service centers will be closed.

In Falls Church, the senior center and Mary Riley Styles Public Library will be closed, while the community center will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The Vienna Community Center will have reduced hours from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Over in McLean, the McLean Community Center and the Old Firehouse Center will be closed on Monday.

Trash collection from the county will run on a normal schedule, although the offices will be closed, according to the website. Locals are advised to put their trash and recycling out by 6 a.m. for timely collection.

Fairfax County animal shelters are closed on Mondays, the website said.

Some Fairfax Connector routes will operate regular weekday service, while others won’t run at all. For Metro, buses and trains will run on a Saturday schedule on Monday.

As election season heats up, debates give voters a chance to hear from candidates and learn more about pressing issues that matter to them most.

Throughout October, there will be several public forums around the area hosted by community organizations.

Wednesday, Oct. 16: Providence District candidates

The Providence District Candidate Forum will take place from 7 -9 p.m. at the Providence District Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive). This is an opportunity to meet the candidates running for the Providence District School Board and Providence District Supervisor seats. This event is hosted by the League of Women Voters in the Fairfax Area.

Thursday, Oct. 17: Dranesville District candidates

The League of Women Voters-Fairfax Area will host a forum at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue). Speakers will include those running for Dranesville District Supervisor, Dranesville District School Board Member and House District 34, which represents Great Falls, parts of McLean and the Wolf Trap area. It starts at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 24: Falls Church City Council candidates

Attendees will be able to hear from the four candidates vying for three seats on the Falls Church City Council starting at 7 p.m. at the Falls Church American Legion Hall, Post 130 (400 N. Oak Street).

The candidates are: Phil Duncan, Letty Hardi and David Tarter — incumbents — and Stuart Whitaker. Former candidate Thomas Cash dropped out of the race in August.

Wednesday, Oct. 30: Dranesville District candidates

The McLean Citizens Association will hold a forum at the McLean Community Center with the candidates running for Dranesville District Supervisor, Dranesville District School Board Member and House District 34. The event starts at 7:30 p.m.