Updated at 6:35 p.m. on 12/16/2021 — All performances of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” have been canceled due to illness, per the Town of Vienna.

The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.

We’ve searched the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean, and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Monday, Dec. 13

• Sweet Yonder and guests — 7:30 p.m. at Jammin Java (227 Maple Ave. East) — An all-women bluegrass band brings Southern sounds with speed and flare. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Tuesday, Dec. 14

• Simple Lines — 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at The McLean Textile Gallery (6819 Elm St.) — A new exhibit tied to the nonprofit Studio Art Quilt Associates features fiber art. It runs through Jan. 14.

Wednesday, Dec. 15

• Falls Church Santamobile — 6:30-9:30 p.m. throughout December (Dec. 15-19, with weather rescheduling if necessary from Dec. 20-23) — Track the Santamobile each night on the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page. Elves will distribute candy canes.
• Street Corner Symphony —  7:30 p.m. at Jammin Java (227 Maple Ave. East) — An acapella group brings the holiday spirit following its NBC debut on the second season of “The Sing-Off” in 2010. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22.

Thursday, Dec. 16

• “Traveling While Black” — noon-8 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave.) — A virtual reality movie shows participants’ part in the struggle for racial justice. One-hour appointments are available for the exhibit, which runs through Feb. 12.

Friday, Dec. 17

• Red Cross Blood Drive — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the McLean Community Center — The American Red Cross Heart of Gold Foundation is seeking donors of all ethnicities to give blood. All donors will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
• “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” — 7 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry St. SE) — Performances continue throughout December for this holiday musical from the Vienna Theatre Company, based on a story by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Cost is $15, but shortened, kid-friendly matinees on Saturdays and Sundays are $10.
• Family Trivia Night — 7-9 p.m. at the Old Firehouse (1440 Chain Bridge Road) — Enjoy unlimited popcorn and test your trivia skills. Preregistration is recommended. Cost is $5 for a family of four.

Saturday, Dec. 18

• Holiday Movie Pajama Party — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ShowPlace ICON Theatre (1667 Silver Hill Drive) — Grab your pajamas and enjoyed holiday-themed music, goodie bags, a photo booth, and more, part of a movie marathon at The Boro’s movie theater. Cost is $8.
• Winter Village — noon to 5 p.m. at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike) — A new community space is transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring a local holiday market and activities. Free.
• NVMR Holiday Open House — 1-5 p.m. at the Historic Vienna Depot (231 Dominion Rd. NE) — Take a look around Vienna’s historic train depot at the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders’ last open house of the year. Masks are required for everyone 2 and older, but social distancing can’t be guaranteed due to the building’s size.

Sunday, Dec. 19

• Santa at Neiman Marcus — noon to 7 p.m. at Neiman Marcus Tysons Corner (1961 Chain Bridge Road) — After featuring white Santas since its opening in 1988, the Tysons Corner Center department store will have its first Black Santa this weekend. A second event was added from 2-8 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 18), but photo reservations have been filling up fast.

Photo via Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook

Autumn is approaching and the Vienna Community Center is hosting a native plant event this weekend.

From 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 12), people can gather at the Vienna Community Center (120 SE Cherry Street) to buy a variety of fall-friendly plants, learn how to make rain barrels, educate themselves about stormwater and participate in other activities, according to the event flyer.

Hill House Nursery will be on site with perennials, shrubs and trees, the flyer said.

“The plants we offer are chosen for their aesthetic qualities, their durability, their vigor, and their wildlife benefits,” according to the nursery’s website.

For people who want to pre-order greenery, pickup will be available as well at the event. Those interested can email Hill House Nursery.

To keep everyone safe, event organizers ask that attendees wear face-masks, refrain from touching merchandise before purchasing and practice social distancing.

Photo via Hill House Farm and Nursery/ Facebook

Though firework displays and community gatherings are canceled for this year’s Fourth of July in Vienna, the town is offering a solution so people can still partake in festivities.

People can purchase a “4th of July in a Box” package from the town for $20. The box includes s’mores supplies for four people, glow sticks, a picnic blanket, a craft activity for two kids and an assortment of patriotic accessories and toys, according to Vienna’s website.

People can pick up their packages from the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) starting June 29, the webpage said.

Though anyone, not just Vienna residents, may purchase the package, the town has imposed a two-box limit per household.

“Visit Webtrac and use activity #610701-A1 to reserve your box,” the webpage said.

July 4th in a Box is now available for purchase for residents and non-residents!

More info available here: https://t.co/bh8mc6we1y pic.twitter.com/jFTT5aSXxK

— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) May 26, 2020

Photo by Paul Weaver on Unsplash

Valentine’s Day is coming up on Friday (Feb. 14). To celebrate, several restaurants, stores and places in the Tysons area are offering themed events this week.

Here’s where to find restaurant deals, parties and even a Valentine’s Day Zumba class.

Tysons 

Several restaurants in Tysons are offering Valentine’s Day meals and specials.

From 5-10 p.m. on Friday, La Sandia (7852 Tysons Corner Center) will have a three-course menu for two ($35) with dishes like chunky tuna guacamole, carne tampiquena and espresso tres leches.

Turkish Coffee Lady Café, a woman-owned small business in Tysons Corner Center, will have “coffee readings” on Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

“The promotion is inspired by the Turkish tradition of reading your fortune in the coffee grounds found at the bottom of the cup after enjoying a delicious brew: Turkish coffee dregs known as ‘telve’ allows fortune readers to see your future in the most scrumptious way,” according to a Facebook post.

Looking for a unique dining experience? Greenhouse Bistro (2070 Chainbridge Road) will have “Dining in the Dark” from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, where diners eat a four course prix-fixe meal while blindfolded.

Looking to break a sweat instead? Sport & Health McLean (1800 Old Meadow Road) will have a Valentine’s Day Zumba Party from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Merrifield and Vienna 

The “All You Need is Love” party for people ages 55+ at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) will provide attendees with a meal from The Davis Center.

The party, which is being hosted in partnership with the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna, is set to run from noon-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Tickets are $18 per person.

In the Mosaic District, several stores are offering Valentine’s Day-themed events, including Kendra Scott on Thursday (Feb. 13) and Kaleidos with NIB Studio on Friday.

True Food Kitchen (2910 District Avenue) is offering a pre-fixe menu on Valentine’s Day weekend from Feb. 14-16.

On Saturday (Feb. 15), Undeniable Boutique will have “Certified Lipsologist” Ariana Lightningstorm give a palm reading for people’s lips.

Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

Today’s snow has prompted the cancellation of events around the Tysons area this evening.

In Falls Church and the Town of Vienna, the recreation and parks departments canceled activities after 4 p.m., according to press releases from the city.

The Falls Church City Hall is set to close at 5 p.m., while the community center will close at 10 p.m. and the library will close at 9 p.m. — their regular hours. In Vienna, the community center and town hall are also expected to remain open.

Residents in the Little City can expect their trash, recycling and compost collection to occur on Wednesday.

In Vienna, the Windover Heights Board of Review meeting set for tonight has been canceled.

The public hearing on the newly proposed Capital Improvement Program set for tonight at Jackson Middle School (3020 Gallows Road) has been rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m., according to a tweet from Fairfax County Public Schools.

Parks and rec programs and classes beginning at 4 pm or later today have been canceled. Community center and Town Hall will remain open until normal closing times. This evening's Windover Heights Board of Review meeting has been canceled. Info: https://t.co/cNIqI0dObA. pic.twitter.com/YrUyd34BXx

— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) January 7, 2020

 

SNOW UPDATES AT 4:30 PM ON 1/7 :: all previously scheduled Rec & Parks activities after 4PM are cancelled due to weather. City Govt. facilities open tonight with normal hours (@mrsplfc closing at 9PM & Community Center closing at 10PM). pic.twitter.com/2JxhfhTh9A

— City of Falls Church (@FallsChurchGov) January 7, 2020

Wednesday  (Oct. 16)

• Panel Discussion on Human Trafficking — 7 to 9 p.m. at Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, Second Floor (400 Center Street S.) —  This panel will discuss human trafficking in local neighborhoods and how to end it.
• Boro Fall Festival — noon to 2 p.m. at Whole Foods (1635 Boro Place) — This free event offers attendees a chance to try fall foods, participate in crafts, enjoy live music and enter into a raffle.

Thursday (Oct. 17)

• Avenir Pumpkin Festival — 5 to 8 p.m. at Modera Avenir Place Apartments (2677 Avenir Place) — This event is free to attend and features a Biergarten, music and pumpkin decorating.
• Local Candidate Forum — 7 p.m. at George Mason High School (7124 Leesburg Pike) — This public forum will allow community members to gather and hear from local candidates running for office on Nov. 5.
• Wild Game Beer Dinner — 7 to 10 p.m. at Caboose Commons (520 Mill Street NE) — This event will feature a five-course meal from chief David Rabin. Tickets are $90 and will include meat such as antelope, bison and goat.
• Meet Author Bill Lewers — 7:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library (101 E. Maple Avenue) — This author will discuss his upcoming fiction book “Gatekeepers of Democracy,” which discusses those who serve on election day. Copies will be available for purchase during the book signing.

Friday (Oct. 18)

• “One Man, Two Guvnors” — 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) — This play explores the life of someone who ends up employed by gangsters in England around 1963. Tickets start at $15.

Saturday (Oct. 19)

• Vienna Halloween on the Green — 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the Vienna Town Green (144 E. Maple Avenue) — Kids ages two to 10 are welcome to join in some seasonal fun including trick-or-treating, crafts, games, pumpkin decorating and age-appropriate activities. This event is free and open to the public.
• Recycling Extravaganza –– 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Recycling Center (217 Gordon Road) — People are encouraged to bring things they may not be able to get rid of at the curb including toxic chemicals, shredded documents, and electronics. A list of accepted items can be found online and people wishing to drop things off must prove residency.
• Party for a Cause — 9 p.m. t0 2 a.m. at Inca Social (2670 Avenir Place) — This free event will raise money for breast cancer awareness and support for families.

Sunday (Oct. 20)

• McLean Pet Fest — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd) —  This event gives pet owners the chance to learn about opportunities that will enhance the lives of their furry friends while watching a pet-parade. This event is free and open to the public.
• Ito’s Taste of Colombia — all night at Blend 11 (111 Church Street NW, Suite 101) — Chef Andrés Julian will prepare a five-course meal for guests that includes traditional Colombian dishes. The price is $55 with an optional $21 wine pairing.

Photo via McLean Community Center/Facebook

A musical about how women won the right to vote is coming to the Town of Vienna for a sold-out preview ahead of a national tour.

“19: The Musical” chronicles the struggles of women suffragists, including Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, and Inez Milholland.

Ratified Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment made it illegal to deny U.S. citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex. The show’s national tour for this fall coincides with the amendment’s centennial next year.

From the musical’s website:

The inspirational story of these fearless women is brought to life through jazz, traditional musical standards style, spoken word, hints of gospel and dance. 2020 is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment; our goal is to get a full production of 19 up and running, and onto a stage by the end of 2019.

The show’s book and lyrics were created by Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw, the cofounders of the Alexandria-based Through the 4th Wall. The show’s music is by film composer Charlie Barnett.

All 200 tickets got snapped up for the special preview performance at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) on Friday (May 17), according to the musical’s Facebook page. The preview will include songs, dance and narration from the first and second acts of the show.

Photo via Facebook

A free forum tonight (May 15) will question the Hunter Mill District Supervisor candidates just on the Town of Vienna.

Vienna Votes, a new voter outreach initiative in the Town of Vienna, will host the forum at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) from 6-9 p.m.

Five Democrats have jumped into the race for the seat, which oversees Reston and Vienna. Cathy Hudgins, who currently holds the seat, announced her decision in January to retire after her current term ends.

Vienna Votes posted on Facebook that all five candidates have said they will participate in the forum. They are:

• Former Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn
• Lawyer Laurie Dodd
• Comstock Companies executive Maggie Parker
• U.S. Air Force veteran and community advocate Shyamali Hauth
• Recent Roanoke College graduate Parker Messick

Vienna Votes was launched in March to help citizens have easy access to voting resources and information.

From Vienna Votes’ Facebook:

The Vienna Votes Project has organized this casual forum to hear what all five candidates on the ballot have to say about Vienna. Please join us this Wednesday, May 15th and, more importantly, remember to vote in June. High voter turnout signals to our elected officials that Vienna is an active and engaged population that will be paying attention!

The forum will consist of questions entirely about the Town of Vienna. That discussion will be held from 6:30-8:30 PM although some candidates will be available before and after for one-on-one conversations. Have other obligations that evening? This is a casual event and you are welcome to come in/out anytime between 6 PM and 9 PM.

The Democratic primary is June 11.

Second photo via Facebook

The following article excerpt is from our content sharing partner, FairfaxNews.com.

Vienna Theatre Company’s production of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan debuts at 8 p.m. Friday, January 18. Weekend performances will be staged through February 2. General admission tickets are $14 and available via viennava.gov/webtrac.

The production flips the script on several traditional facets of the original play, including the character of Peter, who is cast and portrayed as a woman; the inclusion of written stage directions as narration; and use of a digitally projected set.

Read more at FairfaxNews.com

Image of the Vienna Community Center, where Vienna Theatre Company productions are staged, via RRMM Architects

Launch Day for Tysons Reporter — Today is the official launch date for the website you’re reading, Tysons Reporter. Find out more about us here. Have a news tip? Email [email protected]. As we do on our sister sites, we’ll be starting most mornings with our “Morning Notes” — links to interesting articles and social media posts around Tysons, McLean and Vienna.

New Dining Options Coming to Tysons — “More dining options are coming to Tysons Corner with the arrival of a new Tex Mex restaurant called Rango’s and a trio of Hawaiian-inspired Pokeworks locations starting next month.” [Eater]

Theater Chain Mulling Tysons Galleria Lease — “Experiential movie theater chain iPic Theaters could soon open its second D.C.-area location at the Tysons Galleria mall.” [Bisnow]

Driver Drives Down W&OD Trail — “A motorist was traveling northbound on Park Street, S.E., on Sept. 18 at 11:54 a.m. and was intending to turn into the parking lot at the Vienna Community Center when the driver mistakenly turned onto the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Trail instead, Vienna police said.” [InsideNova]

Road Closures Near Vienna Community Center — “The Town of Vienna has announced road closures near the community center for repair work during the day this week.” [Patch]

McLean 5K Scheduled Next Month — “The McLean 5K is set for Saturday, Oct. 6, at 8 a.m. This is the tenth time the event has been held in McLean.” [McLean Connection]

Madison HS Teams Awarded Plaques in Vienna — “The Madison High School Women’s Swim and Dive team, Men’s Swim and Dive team, Girls Soccer team, and Softball team were recognized for both their successes in competition and the classroom. Each 2018 team was awarded a plaque by Mayor DiRocco for their accomplishments.” [Twitter]