For the fourth year, Public Art Reston will present ChalkFest this weekend on Market Street in Reston Town Center.

Professional artists and sponsor will kick the weekend off, getting their work started from noon to 11 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the event will be open to everyone.

Prizes will be given in several categories, and there will also be “Audience Choice Awards” given to the favorites of event visitors.

According to information provided by Public Art Reston, “the festival is one of the area’s most unique and fun events” and it “attracts a diverse and motivated audience and promotes public art in Reston”:

The festival draws a wide range of participants and even larger group of visitors to witness their amazing talent. In 2016, over 2,000 visitors participated in the festival’s programming, exceeding the expected visitor goals for the three-year-old festival. The festival”s visitor profile reflects highly desired market segments like: families, young professionals, community leaders and local government officials and the area’s growing “creative class.”

Categories for participants will be amateur ($15 registration fee), families and kids ($15), and professional ($20). Registration can be done online through Friday, or at the event Saturday morning.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 703-467-9797.

File photo from 2015 event courtesy Chip McCrea

It will be another busy weekend in the Reston/Herndon area.

Among the highlights will be the 34th annual Reston Triathlon, which will start at 7 a.m. Sunday at Lake Audubon. Those taking part will swim 1,500 meters in Lake Audubon, bike 40 kilometers on area roadways and run 10 kilometers on Reston pathways, ending at the South Lakes High School stadium.

Some traffic in South Reston will be affected by the event. Take note of the attached map of which roads will have bike traffic during the event, which is scheduled to last until about 11 a.m.

Volunteers are still needed for the event, as well.

Even if you aren’t taking part in the triathlon, though, there is plenty else to do around the area this weekend too. Listed below are some other events that you can enjoy.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• The JamBrew series continues tonight in Herndon. Aslin Beer Co. will be pouring frosty mugs, Weird Brothers Coffee will be offering tasty drinks, Nordic Knot Pretzels will provide tasty snacks, and there will be much more. Live music will be offered from MK Skillz, Shane Gamble and Burn the Ballroom. The free event is slated for 6-10 p.m. at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.).
• North Point Village Center will celebrate the arrival of fall Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a Fall Kick-Off event. Washington Redskins great and former All-Pro defensive end Dexter Manley will meet fans at Glory Days Grill (1400 North Point Village Center) from noon to 2 p.m., while the event will also feature carnival games, roaming characters for kids, a DJ playing music, a moon bounce and more.
• DogFest Walk ‘n Roll, a charity event to benefit Canine Companions for Independence, will be at Reston Town Center on Sunday. Admission and parking are free.
• The next exhibition at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.), featuring the work of D.C.-based artist Sue Wrbican, opens Saturday with a free public reception Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the gallery. “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view through Nov. 18.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• There will be a ChalkFest workshop Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Reston Town Center (11900 Market St.). The free event will be hosted by Public Art Reston.
• Pulitzer Prize-winner display “Disgraced,” exploring Muslim assimilation and identity in America, will be performed at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) tonight at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m.; and at a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets range in price from $17.50 to $55.
• The Water Mine (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) will “go to the dogs” Sunday for its annual Dog Daze event. Suggested donation is $10 per dog. In addition to the doggie splashing, there will be a canine resource fair, door prizes, demonstrations and more.
• The Herndon Garden Tour, slated for Sunday, will feature five private gardens, as well as the Monarch butterfly waystation at Runnymede Park. Painting demos, garden music and more will also be offered. Gardeners will be on hand during the self-guided tour to discuss their gardens and answer questions. Cost is $15; children 12 and under can participate for free.
• An open house at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Drive) is planned for 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.
• At Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive), the movie “Musicals” will be shown from 2-4 p.m. Saturday.
• United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive) will host a panel of community and faith leaders on Sunday at 2 p.m. for what it is calling a “post-Charlottesville town hall.” According to information provided by the church, residents are invited to take part in the “[discussion of] bigotry and unconscious bias as we seek to work together to heal the wounds.”
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Catchin’ Toads tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits during those hours Saturday night.

NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) is hoping to spark open dialogue about Muslim assimilation and identity in America with the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Disgraced,” which opens Thursday.

According to a press release from NextStop, several recent incidents have made this an issue of great relevance locally:

Not only did a viral video of an anti-Islam encounter in a Reston grocery store recently sweep the internet, with more than 3 million viewers watching the shocking incident, but the family of a recently murdered [Reston] teen believes their daughter was targeted because of her religion. Additionally, incidents of vandalism have also shaken residents recently, with the Northern Virginia Jewish Community Center being targeted and graffiti found on a highway wall of Baron Cameron Drive near Fairfax County Parkway espousing hate messages.

In the play, “Amir” (portrayed by Jesse Bhamrah) is a Pakistani-American who has hidden his Muslim background as he finds success as a Manhattan corporate lawyer. He struggles with his identity and America’s complex attitudes about Muslims and Islam throughout the play.

“This is an opportunity to have conversations with people about identity and open up and explore who you are,” said Thembi Duncan, the play’s director, in the release. “That doesn’t necessarily sound pretty in marketing language, but you’re learning more about yourself by seeing these other people … and the only way that we move forward as a society is by making human connections across lines of difference.”

In addition to Bhamrah, the cast includes other professional actors from the DC area including Nahm Darr, Jordan Friend, Chaela Phillips and Jenna Rossman. The production team includes Jack Golden, set designer; Kristina Martin, costume designer; Jonathan Alexander, lighting designer; Kevin Alexander, sound designer; Keta Newborn, stage manager; Jessica Dubish, assistant director; Cheyanne Christopher, assistant stage manager; Marilyn Lopes, costume design apprentice; Jonathan Abolins, master electrician; and Kristin Pilgrim, fight choreographer.

Performances will be each Thursday through Sunday, through Oct. 1, with general admission tickets ranging from $17.50 to $55. The show contains adult language and situations that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

County Water Rescue Team Helping in Texas — About 14 members of Fairfax County’s swift-water rescue team left Sunday for Texas, where they are assisting in rescue efforts after massive flooding related to Hurricane Harvey. They expect to be there for about two weeks. [WJLA/Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

SLHS Football Team Starts Season with Big Win — The South Lakes Seahawks opened the 2017 varsity football season Friday night with a 42-7 win over Woodson High School. [ScoreStream]

Green Fireball Streaks Across Sky — Did you happen to notice a bright green streak across the sky at about 9:14 p.m. Friday? You weren’t the only one. Reports of the meteor came from across Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and beyond. [Fauquier Times]

Deon King a Strong Performer Again for Browns — The Cleveland Browns are 3-0 on the preseason, with their latest win coming Saturday as they topped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 13-9. One of the Browns’ leaders on defense in the victory was South Lakes High School graduate Deon King, who recorded five tackles. [ESPN]

Herndon Ballet Company Looks to Expand — Classical Ballet Theatre (320 Victory Drive, Herndon) is undertaking a fundraising campaign to convert its rehearsal space into an all-new dance theater that will seat up to 150 people. [Fairfax Times]

Image via South Lakes Athletics/Instagram

The next exhibition at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) will feature the work for D.C.-based artist Sue Wrbican.

“Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at the gallery Sept. 9 through Nov. 18. According to a press release from GRACE:

This first comprehensive exhibition of Wrbican’s work will bring together her most recent photographic series inspired by the landscape paintings of American Surrealist Kay Sage (1898-1963) — The Eventual Outcome of an Instant and Biography of Catastrophe — both dealing with ideas of epic journeys, one personal and the other representing impossible connections through time, place and dimension. The exhibition will also feature a site-specific installation and sculptural elements. Over the years, Wrbican has had many instances of encounter with Sage, a one-time student of painting at the Corcoran School of Art. By building three-dimensional models of Sage’s painted structures, Wrbican not only actualizes the hallucinatory images from Sage’s two-dimensional renderings but makes them relevant for the contemporary viewer in an ever-changing landscape.

Wrbican is an associate professor and director of photography at the School of Art at George Mason University. Her education includes an MFA in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design, and BA in English writing with a concentration in poetry from the University of Pittsburgh.

A free public reception to celebrate the show’s opening is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 from 5-7 p.m. at GRACE. Further free public programming related to the exhibition will include:

• Creative Responses (Thursdays, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26, 6-7 p.m.): Hear a creative professional respond to the work on view in the gallery. The short presentation will be followed by open conversation. Presenters may include poets, dancers, writers, musicians, visual artists and more. The Oct. 26 response will be held in conjunction with the Now Be Here project.
• Conversation and Book Release with Sue Wrbican and Lily Siegel (Saturday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m.): Enjoy the release of Wrbican’s book, “Biography of Catastrophe and the Eventual Outcome of an Instant,” and a conversation with Wrbican and gallery curator Lily Siegel. The book’s cover is crafted with material from one of the sails in the narrative. Varied covers featuring a handwritten embroidered title and binding by the author make each book unique in an edition of 50.

Images courtesy Sue Wrbican/Greater Reston Arts Center

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• This weekend, the “Summerbration” series rolls on at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of the 2017 live-action film “Beauty and the Beast.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of the month. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• Saturday night, Reston Town Center will continue its summer concert series with a show from Grammy Award-winning Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• This is the last weekend for Reston Community Center’s August exhibit, “The Heart of Art.” It is on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.).
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” closes tonight at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.).
• Interested in stand-up paddleboarding? Surf Reston is offering sessions this weekend on Lake Anne. Advance registration is required.
• The Friends of Reston Regional Library back-to-school book sale is taking place at the library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) through the weekend. Hours are until 5 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday. All proceeds benefit the library and its programming.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from The Vandelays tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• “A Grand Night for Singing” closes this weekend at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon). Shows are tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Tickets range from $17.50 to $55.
• Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) will be having a photo scavenger hunt event from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday. Cost for the all-ages event is $6 for Reston Association members and $8 for non-members.

Photo via Reston Station on Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXjWgO_lckm/

Makeshift boats will be taking over Lake Anne this weekend for a first-of-its-kind Reston event.

The Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta will take place Saturday from 2-6 p.m. at the plaza. A pre-event “launch party” is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. tonight.

Participants in the event will be using self-constructed and decorated boats, which will take to the water in timed heats. Some extraneous material could be used in building the vessel, but there are many rules and limitations to what could be utilized. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest boats in each category, as well as the “Titanic” award for the ship that sinks “most spectacularly.”

It should be fun for all, participants and spectators alike.

There will be plenty else to do in the area this weekend as well. Get out there and enjoy Reston.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• This weekend, the “Summerbration” series rolls on at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., Eastern Standard Time will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of “Lego Batman.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• Saturday night, Reston Town Center will continue its summer concert series with big band jazz from the Navy Band Commodores from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center. This week, as part of National Farmers Market Week, there will be a SNAP at Market Appreciation Day.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Lakes High School will be the host to a “Back 2 School Bash” to get K-12 students ready for the coming school year. The free event will feature local schools, government and nonprofit providers of services, resources and activities for Reston community members.
• This is the last full weekend for “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.), which closes Aug. 18.
• Reston Community Center’s August exhibit, “The Heart of Art,” is on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.) through Aug. 21.
• Reston Association will host an open house for the Lake House from 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from The Jones tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• “A Grand Night for Singing” is being performed at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. There will also be a performance at 7 p.m. Sunday, which is currently sold out; however, a waiting list is available. The show is being performed through Aug. 20. Tickets range from $17.50 to $55.
• Reston Community Center’s Sunday Art in the Park series will wrap up Sunday from 7-8 p.m., with a performance by the Shenandoah Conservatory Saxophone Quartet. The show will be at Reston Town Square Park, at the corner of Market and Explorer streets.
• ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.) will host The Solo Projekt, a one-man show by Shabbar Raza, from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. The show is described as “is a eclectic cross-hybrid genre act that pushes from pure orchestral that has been experimented with and can change into heavy and soft luscious electronic sounds with beats that mix and incorporate psychedelic, ambient, hip hop soundscapes that can spill into alternative rock.”

Children ages 6 to 14 will be participating in the annual Reston Kids Triathlon this weekend.

The triathlon is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday at Ridge Heights Pool (11400 Ridge Heights Road). Participants will be broken into three age groups to tackle the course: Ages 6-8 will swim 50 meters, bike 1.1 miles and run 7/10th of a mile; ages 9-11 will swim 100 meters, bike 2 miles and run 1 mile; and ages 12-14 will swim 150 meters, bike 4 miles and run 1.4 miles.

Those who are not participating in the event should still be aware of it, as traffic on some roads in the area may be affected between about 7:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday. 7:15-10 a.m. Those roads include Ridge Heights Road, South Lakes Drive, Soapstone Drive and Seahawk Drive.

There’s plenty of other fun around Reston on this summer weekend. Take a look at some of your options below.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• The Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival continues this weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon), from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Parking is free today, and it will be $8 per car Saturday and Sunday.
• This weekend, the “Summerbration” series rolls on at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., Alfredo Mohica & Friends will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of “Moana.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• Saturday night, Reston Town Center will continue its summer concert series with Incendio, a Spanish flamenco and Latin fusion group, from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Aug. 18.
• Reston Community Center’s August exhibit, “The Heart of Art,” is on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.) through Aug. 21. The opening reception will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalyspo’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Ron Honeycutt and Steele Rose Band tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• “A Grand Night for Singing” is being performed at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. The show is being performed through Aug. 20. Tickets range from $17.50 to $55.
• Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Reston Community Center’s Family Fun Entertainment series will present The Magic of John Dodge. The free event will be at Reston Town Square Park, at the corner of Market and Explorer streets.
• On Sunday from 7-8 p.m., there will be an Art in the Park event at Reston Town Square Park with the Shenandoah Conservatory. Amor Saudade will perform “romantic and inspiring pieces from Brazil to Romania, jazz and classically inspired work.”

File photo courtesy Sean Bahrami/RA

It’s probably not going to be too pleasant outside this weekend.

Heavy rains, possible flooding and cool temperatures are predicted as we are embroiled in a tough midsummer storm. It might be a good weekend to just stay inside and catch up on your Netflix or home projects.

But there’s always a lot of fun to be had in Reston, too. If you still want to get out and find something to do, there are plenty of choices at your disposal. But with the poor weather in the forecast for this weekend, we recommend you check the status of any outdoor event before you trek out.

Below are some of your options if you want to fight Mother Nature and take in some entertainment.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• This weekend, the “Summerbration” series rolls on at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., 3G Musica will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of “Finding Dory.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• Saturday night, Reston Town Center will continue its summer concert series with Love Canon, a bluegrass group, from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through August.
• On Sunday from 7-8 p.m., there will be an Art in the Park event at Reston Town Square Park with the Shenandoah Conservatory. Trio D’Anches will perform a virtuosic and energetic concert of woodwind trio works.
• Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Reston Town Center’s Family Fun Entertainment series will present Blue Sky Puppet Theatre’s Pig Tales. The free event will be at Reston Town Square Park.
• This is the last weekend for the Reston Community Center’s July exhibit, “Nature’s Allure,” at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.).
• Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza N.) is hosting its “Reston Stories” exhibit through this month. The Reston Historic Trust and Museum has been collecting residents’ stories and preserving them for future generations. The collection includes stories about volunteering in Reston, the Fountain at Lake Anne Plaza, the early history of Reston and the amazing connections we make in our community.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalyspo’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Odell’s Knife tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• “A Grand Night for Singing” is being performed at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) tonight at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. The show is being performed through Aug. 20. Tickets range from $17.50 to $55.
• Herndon High School Theatre (700 Bennett St.) is presenting “Willy Wonka” tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets are $12 for each show. Prior to the Sunday show, there will be a “Chocolate Factory Tour” — for a cost of $3 — that will give children a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes of such a production.

File photo

The first show of NextStop Theatre Company’s season, “A Grand Night for Singing,” recently opened.

The musical revue, based on the music from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, takes both the least known and the most popular hits from the playwright duo and gives them new meaning. Rodgers and Hammerstein were the minds behind popular musicals like “The Sound of Music” and “The King and I.”

The show is one of two shows chosen by Evan Hoffmann, producing artist director, to show the “power of catharsis” in theater.

“This season debut is such a fun evening of theatre with remarkably talented singers,” Hoffmann said in a press release. “It fills the theatre space with joy–both from the music and from our patrons. In our ‘Point and Counterpoint’ season, it’s a great match in our ‘catharsis pair’ to the play ‘Disgraced,’ which comes next in September.”

The company has converted their warehouse performance space into a “club-like environment” that opens the setup to be explored and even features a bar on stage.

Led by director Michael J. Bobbitt, the cast and crew include Matthew Hirsh, Karen Vincent, Katherine Riddle, Sarah Anne Sillers and Marquise White. The production team includes Elisa Rosman, Bobby Libby, Jason Arnold, Reid May, Laura Moody and Jessica Dubish.

The theater is located at 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon. The show runs until Aug. 20, with performances on Wednesdays through Sundays. Ticket prices change with performance popularity, ranging from $17.50 to $55. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 866-811-4111.

Pictures courtesy Lock and Company

For the fourth year in a row, South Lakes High School’s STEAM Team Art Club has designed an art display for Lake Thoreau.

The STEAM Team (science, technology, engineering, art and math) was challenged with creating a kinetic work of art that included natural elements and enriched their community. They came up with “Althea,” which they say represents all aspects of human rights.

The sculpture is made up of rings that rotate randomly, like the “constantly evolving nature and complexity of human rights.” There are concentric circles to depict orbital paths of the planets in the solar system. This is supposed to “reinforce how deeply connected humans are to each other.”

Students were involved in every step of the project with the help of art teacher Marco Rando. They presented three concepts to Public Art Reston and considered their input when they choose the design. The students then produced digital and physical three dimensional models, that were also presented to the board for approval. The Reston Association Design Review Board provided feedback on the final design.

The sculpture is made of galvanized metal, plywood, wire rope and spray paint. It is being displayed on the 19-square foot concrete spillway on Lake Thoreau, visible from South Lakes Drive.

The South Lakes students who worked on Althea were Samantha Busch, Carson Bush, Harrison Cahn, Jonathan Doctor, Isabella Emmons, Yanis Gribi, Christian King, Amirah Kirwan, MacKenzie Krider, Catherine Lashley, Darja Loidap, Phoebe Liu, Leah Moyer, Kimi Nacu, Lucy Nguyen, Saeed Louis Razavi, Morgan Ryan, Victoria Slaski, Jeremy Southern and Lily Vogel. Alumni Jefferson Frost, Margaret Lashley and Josh Rodriguez also assisted.

Previous projects have been “Pyramid of Light” (2014), “Nothing Twice” (2015) and “Simon” (2016).

While the days will be hot this weekend, the evenings will be “cool.”

Enjoy outdoor summer fun at Reston Station this weekend as part of its “Summerbration” series. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., By & By will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of “The Lorax.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)

Saturday night, Reston Town Center will continue its summer concert series with Scythian, a gypsy folk rock group. Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.

There are tons of other great events around Reston this weekend. Be sure to take a look and stay cool.

• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through August. Also this weekend, Dr. Tuliza Fleming, curator of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, will visit Reston for a discussion with Bailey. That free event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road).
• The Reston Community Center’s July exhibit, “Nature’s Allure,” will continue to be on display through the end of the month at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.).
• On Sunday, there will be an Art in the Park event at Reston Town Square Park with the Shenandoah Conservatory. From 7-8 p.m., join Robert Larsen for a special evening of jazz trio standards. If jazz isn’t your speed, there will be another Art in the Park event Sunday at 3 p.m. that’s a bit more hands-on. Called “Basic Bead Making,” the event invites children of all ages to come together to transform scraps of paper and magazines into beads.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, bring the kids out for Family Games Day at Herndon’s Town Hall Square. Cornhole, sack races and more will be part of the free family activity, which starts at 10 a.m.
• Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza N.) is hosting is “Reston Stories” exhibit through this month. The Reston Historic Trust and Museum has been collecting residents’ stories and preserving them for future generations. The collection includes stories about volunteering in Reston, the Fountain at Lake Anne Plaza, the early history of Reston and the amazing connections we make in our community.
• Join Berthold Academy and Eastern Ridge School on Saturday and Sunday for a workshop that dives deep into the topic of connecting your children to nature. Experts from Eastern Ridge School will talk to attendees about how to keep children deeply rooted to nature and the outside.
• Keep exercising Sunday with Athleta in the Reston Town Center pavilion for a free barre class that welcomes anyone.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; CraftHouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalyspo’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Lawn Dart Incident tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• Children’s music artist Guava Jelly will be at Reston Town Center Saturday at 10 a.m. for a free show. The artist creates and performs music infused with a lively island feel meant for both kids and adults.
• If you’re in Leesburg this Saturday, making sure not to miss the Village at Leesburg Block Party. The free party runs from 3-8 p.m. and will feature music, food and family activities.

Walking down a path in the area and spot a small, hand-painted rock?

Don’t ignore it, because it was probably placed there for a good reason — for you to find it.

Herndon Rocks-Painted Rock Share! is a new Facebook group meant for Herndon-area residents to craftily paint rocks and leave them for others to find, share and trade. Since starting last month, it has grown to more than 200 members who are engaged in the family activity, which is growing in popularity across the country.

In Herndon, even the mayor is in on it. On Sunday, Lisa Merkel posted in the group, “OMG. I love this!!! How can I help promote it?”

The details of the painted rocks range from simple designs to elaborate small paintings, such as those pictured above, which were painted by the niece of the group founder, who goes by the name “Monet Flower” on the site.

On the Facebook page, Flower describes the group as “meant for people to paint rocks and then hide them around town, in public places or on the edge of property.” Participants are requested to put a note on the back of their rocks directing those who find them to take a picture and post it on the Facebook page before re-hiding the rock.

Group member Melory Mika is hoping that the group will grow and develop throughout the community.

“Our goal is that we want to give families a real-life treasure hunt and bonding time,” Mika said.

She said that given the relatively small number of people currently in the group, and the fact that everyone can’t be painting rocks all at once, it might be a little hard at first to find these painted objects.

“Since we are a new group, we are working hard in creating our hidden treasures at the moment,” Mika said. “Once we have grown and more people become involved, finding these will become easier.”

While the group may be new, the craze isn’t. Participation in rock-painting groups has exploded across the country in recent months. Reston Now editor Dave Emke even stumbled upon a painted rock on the W&OD Trail near Town Center Parkway a few months ago.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1MtnMliCE/?taken-by=emkedave

Flower said she became hooked on the pastime when she discovered it through her grandchildren while visiting them in Southern California.

“For me it’s about a nice way for the community to get outside, participate in a craft activity, and share in fun,” she said. “It’s an inexpensive way to get outside in nature and connect with other Herndonites.”

No matter the age, Mika said, everyone and anyone is welcome to join, paint, discover and trade with Herndon Rocks.

“It’s hard to find 100 percent family-friendly things for all ages, but rock finding and painting is great for everyone,” she said.

Images via Herndon Rocks on Facebook

Dr. Tuliza Fleming, curator of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, will visit Reston this weekend for a discussion with artist Radcliffe Bailey.

Bailey is an Atlanta-based mixed media artist whose work is currently on view at both the museum and the Greater Reston Arts Center, where his exhibit “The Great Dismal Swamp” will be through Aug. 18. According to GRACE, Bailey’s work “layers imagery, culturally resonant materials and text to explore themes of ancestry, race and memory.”

The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened to the public last September and was visited by 1 million people within its first few months. It features exhibits about African-American struggles, triumphs, activism, entertainment and much more.

The free event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). The formal discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

RSVP is required and can be made by emailing William Parker at [email protected].

Image via Wikimedia user Fuzheado

Embrace your inner child this Saturday at one of Reston’s most mystical events: The Fairy Festival at Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive).

Sip fairy tea, hang out with the fairy queen, dress up like a fairy and admire fairy houses in the woods. People can submit homemade fairy houses to win either the best child’s fairy house or the best adult’s fairy house. There will also be a fairy costume contest as well. There is still room in the 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. slot; register here.

There are lots of fairy-free events going on around the area too. Here are some fun things that are happening around Reston this weekend:

• Reston Station’s “Summerbration” series continues tonight at 7 p.m. with a free concert by Oasis Island. Tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m., head to a free outdoor showing of “Pete’s Dragon” on the plaza. The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• Reston Town Center’s summer concert series continues Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. with The Adrian Duke Project (hits from the 1950s to today). The show will take place at the Town Center’s pavilion.
• Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) will have its official opening party Saturday at 5 p.m., with live music, giveaways, special drafts on tap and more. Events are also being held at Crafthouse’s Fairfax Corner and Ballston locations.
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through August.
• There’s a “French Classics” cooking class at Mon Ami Gabi on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn to make chilled gazpacho, BLT salad with jalapeño bacon, buttermilk blue cheese dressing and fried onions and berry-brioche bread pudding with raspberry-caramel sauce. The class is $55 per person and includes wines paired with the meal.
• This Saturday, join Berthold Academy for an Open LEARN session (an open house) at 10 a.m. The event will take approximately one hour and you will have the chance to learn all about this Reston school.
• On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, participate in untangling the Oriental Bittersweet, an invasive species growing rapidly throughout Reston. Meet across the street from 11300 Stones Throw Drive.
• The Family Fun Entertainment Series at Reston Town Center will continue this Saturday with classic comedy by Mark Lohr. The event will be a fast-paced, side-splitting family vaudeville show filled with audience participation and circus skills with a sprinkling of magic thrown in the mix.
• The Reston Community Center’s July exhibit, “Nature’s Allure,” will continue to be on display through the end of the month at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.).
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza N.) is hosting is “Reston Stories” exhibit through July. The Reston Historic Trust and Museum has been collecting residents’ stories and preserving them for future generations. The collection includes stories about volunteering in Reston, the Fountain at Lake Anne Plaza, the early history of Reston and the amazing connections we make in our community.
• Lake Anne is hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; CraftHouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• The Reston Community Center will host its Sunday Art in the Park series Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the Greater Reston Arts Center. This weekend’s theme is “Dip and Dye.” Learn how to use natural dye techniques to create your own piece of textile art. Design your own piece of small fabric to take home. Following that, from 7-8 p.m., there will be a concert featuring Great Britain’s Jonathan and Su Snowden.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight at 9:30 p.m. from Tommy & The Pickles. Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.

Image via Walker Nature Center on Twitter