This Sunday (Jan. 18), the Liner Notes will perform “Music of the Movement.”

In this performance, the group will explore musical themes and the history of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

The performance is set to take place at CenterStage at the Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road) from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and tickets cost $15 for Reston residents.

“Always striving to care for its audience, Liner Notes revisits this turbulent time in our history with authenticity, thoughtfulness and integrity, drawing connections and examining the intersections with the adversity still prevalent today,” according to the event page.

Tomorrow (Jan. 18)

• Book Launch Celebration for Laura Renauld (11 a.m. to noon) — Children’s book author Laura Renauld will be at Scrawl Books (11911 Freedom Drive) for a meet and greet along with a book signing to debut her new book “Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mr. Rogers.” This event is free and open to the public.
• Wine Tasting (2 to 5 p.m.) — Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market (1871 Fountain Drive) will host a wine tasting with various wines and food. There will be experts on-site to help answer questions and suggest pairings.

Sunday (Jan. 19)

• Adoption Fair at Just Cats in Reston (1 to 3 p.m.) — Anyone looking for a new furry friend can stop by the Just Cats Clinic (1601 Washington Plaza) to play with adoptable cats and see if they find a good match.
• Self Guided Painting (3 to 7 p.m.) — Guests will have the chance to work off temples to paint various items during this opportunity for independent creation at Pinot’s Palette (12976 Highland Crossing Drive). The cost for this event is $25.

Photo via Reston Community Center/Facebook

Author Jeffrey Stewart will discuss his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke” at Reston Community Center next month.

Stewart will sit down with Jane Censer, professor emeritus of history at George Mason University, to discuss the life of Locke, who is considered the father of the Harlem Renaissance.

The event, which is being held in partnership for the Fall for the Book Festival, is set for Sunday, September 15 at 7 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods.

Based in George Mason University, the Fall for the Book Festival is a non-profit literary arts organization that aims to promote reading. Its flagship Fall for the Book Festival is held annually in October.

Stewart is a Fulbright Professor of American Studies at the University of Rome, a W.E.B. Du Bois, a Charles Warren Fellow at Harvard University. He is also a professor at George Mason University and has written other books like “1001 Things Everyone Should Know About African American History” and “Paul Robeson: Artist and Citizen.”

Tickets are $15 for Reston residents and $20 for all others.

Photo via Oxford University Press

Tickets Open for 2019-2010 Professional Touring Artist Series — Members of the public can now purchase tickets for Reston Community Center’s professional touring artist series, which features best-selling authors, musicians, and other notable figures. [Reston Community Center]

A Recap of Totally Trucks — Reston Association crew members encouraged children and adults to climb their smaller and mostly off-road units at the 20th annual Totally Trucks event on August 1. [The Connection]

Public Interest Registry Has a New Chief Financial Officer — The Reston-based firm hired Laurie Tarpey as its CFO. She will expand the expertise of the company’s executive team and ensure the “the measured growth of the .org domain.” [Cision]

Photo by Dario Piparo/Flickr

Author Peter Kageyama dives into his love of Reston during a special event at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage in September.

Kageyama, the author of “For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Place,” will discuss how Reston exemplifies his ideal.

The event is set for Saturday, September 7 at 8 p.m.

Kayegama’s book explores the “mutual love affair between people and their places,” according to the book’s descriptions.

Here’s more about the book:

“The mutual love affair between people and their place is one of the most powerful influences in our lives, yet rarely thought of in terms of a relationship. As cities begin thinking of themselves as engaged in a relationship with their citizens, and citizens begin to consider their emotional connections with their places, we open up new possibilities in community, social and economic development by including the most powerful of motivators–the human heart–in our toolkit of city-making. The book explores what makes cities lovable, what motivates ordinary citizens to do extraordinary things for their places and how some cities, such as New Orleans, Detroit, and Cleveland are using that energy to fill in the gaps that “official” city makers have left as resources have disappeared. Meet those amazing people who are truly “in love” with their cities and learn how they are key to the future development of our communities.”

Tickets are $15 for Reston residents and $20 for all others. The box office is open from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, August 1 for residents and employees of business in Small District 5 to purchase tickets. Sales will open up to the public and online on Thursday, August 8 at 4 p.m.

Photo via Reston Community Center

Bakari Sellers, a political commentator and attorney who is the youngest African American elected official in the nation, will headline Reston Community Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. event next year. Seller’s keynote address is set for Monday, January 20 as part of RCC’s newly announced professional touring artist series for 2019-2020.

The season includes a mix of new and familiar artists to CenterStage. Reston residents and employees can purchase tickets beginning on August 1. Tickets will open up to the public on August 8.

“The Reston Community Center thrives at 40 because the arts have been at the center of building this special community,” said Paul Douglas Michnewicz, RCC’s Director of Arts and Events. “We know the season ahead will only deepen Reston’s love of the arts and the power they have to bring us together.”

RCC highlighted the following events:

• Peter Kageyama (Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.): “Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places and Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places, will bring his expertise to an exploration of how Reston exemplifies his ideals.”
• Jeffrey Stewart (Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.): “Author Jeffrey C. Stewart sits down with Dr. Jane Censer, Professor Emeritus of History at George Mason University, to discuss his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, a panoramic view of the personal trials and artistic triumphs of the father of the Harlem Renaissance.”
• Fran Lebowitz (Saturday, Sept. 21): “In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our funniest and most insightful social commentators. ”
• Dr. Azar Nafisi (Wednesday, Nov. 6): “The Iranian American best-selling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi has electrified readers with a compassionate and often harrowing portrait of the Islamic revolution in Iran and how it affected one university professor and her students.”
• Boys Don’t Cry (Tuesday, March 3): “Boys Don’t Cry is inspired by text from Chantal Thomas and is a funny and tender reflection on what it means to dance when you are a boy from North Africa and the Arab world.”
• Lulu Fall (Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m.): “A product of Senegalese and Cameroonian parentage, Fall creates music that reflects her global perspective by way of her American sensibilities.”
• The Phantom of the Vaudeville House (Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m.): “It’s magic, mayhem and laughter when Buddy “Mr. Vaudeville” Silver is faced with yet another hilarious dilemma. Is the CenterStage Motion Picture and Vaudeville House haunted?  Come cheer the good guys, boo the bad guys and keep the phantom from stealing the show!”

Box office business hours are from 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday. The office is also open two hours before the curtain time of each performance.

Photo by Frédérique Calloch, Red Molly, Kia LaBeija

The 11th annual Love Your Body Yoga Festival is set for Sunday, June 9 at Reston Town Center.

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — rain or shine. This year, organizers will celebrate all area non-profit organizations that use yoga as a tool to transform society.

Organizations will be featured on the main stage and will lead a group class. Attendees can enjoy talks, enjoy music, and take part in a mix of yoga classes.

The event launches the start of Virginia Yoga Week, during which studios and teachers will offer free classes throughout the state.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Southgate Community Center. The event is presented by Beloved Yoga.

More information is available online.

Tomorrow (June 8)

• Gardening Classes (9-10 a.m.) — Get your hands dirty and learn how to grow your own fruits and vegetables in this class. Students will meet with a Fairfax County Master Gardener to learn how to maintain a compost pile, plant seeds, and tend your garden to make it thrive. The class is $40 for Reston Association members and meets at the organization’s headquarters.
• Worldwide Knit in Public Day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) — Bring your favorite yarn and needles or use materials provided by Reston Regional Library to knit in public. The event is sponsored by Fairfax Library Foundation.
• Bookworms Club (11 a.m.) — Young readers will explore a new theme in this weekly session at Scrawl Books. Readers are welcome to join the club at any time.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch: Mark Jaster (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — The stilt walker and face painter performs at Reston Station Plaza in this free event.
• Young Actors Theatre (3 p.m.) — Young actors between ages 7 and 15 take to the stage at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage to present original musicals that are the result of 10 weeks of classes and rehearsals. The event is free and open to all, but attendees must request tickets by emailing [email protected]. Tickets are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Sunday (June 9)

• Digital Photography Essentials Workshop (1-6 p.m.) — Dive into an introductory class with Mary Louise Ravese on how to use a digital SLR or mirror-less camera. The class, which takes place at ArtsSpace Herndon, costs $125.

File photo

After a successful turnout at its inaugural event in a local church last year, the second annual Reston Pride Festival returns tomorrow (June 1) with a new location at Lake Anne Plaza.

The event, which aims to celebrate and support Reston’s LGBTQ community, is co-chaired by the Unitarian Universalist Church, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, and United Christian Parish.

Building on last year’s event, the festival will feature entertainment, music, food, education and celebration, according to event organizers.

“The Lake Anne Plaza venue offers not only more space but greater visibility and access — and brings the festival into the heart of Reston, which is fitting as Reston since its founding in the 1960s has been committed to the principles of equality and inclusion.”

The schedule for the event is below:

• 2 p.m.: Welcome note by Reston Pride co-chairs
• 2:05 p.m.: Remarks by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, Del. Ken Plum, and Sen. Janet Howell
• 2:30 p.m.: Performance by choir from sponsoring churches
• 2:40 p.m.: Vocal performance by Reston Community Players
• 3:15 p.m.: Remarks by faith leader speakers
• 3:35 p.m.: Drag show performance by Delta B. Knyght
• 4:05 p.m.: Vocal performance by Rev. Michelle Nickens
• 4:25 p.m.: Remarks by official speaker Danica Roem
• 4:40 p.m.: Vocal performance by Jeff Young
• 5:05 p.m.: Indian Bollywood dance performance
• 5:20 p.m.: United Christian Parish Total Praise ensemble
• 5:40 p.m.: Voices of Howard University
• 6:10: Vocal performance by Laura Tsaggaris
• 6:55 p.m.: Closing remarks

Tomorrow (June 1)

• Gardens of Note Tour (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)  — Take a self-guided tour of Reston’s gardens and pop-up musical entertainment. Registration is open online. A garden party at Hidden Lane Residential Landscapes will follow the tour.
• Wildlife Counts and Classes (6:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.) — Adult volunteers will explore Reston’s natural areas in this class, which meets at the Walker Nature Center.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — A stilt walker, juggler and face painter performs onstage at Reston Station Plaza atop Wiehle-Reston East Metro. The event is free and open to all. Parking is free in the Metro Parking garage.
• Summer Reading Kickoff (11 a.m.) — Young readers are invited to join authors Erica Perl and Laura Gehl to read some of their favorite titles at Scrawl Books.
• ArtSplash for Adults (2-4 p.m.) — Adults are invited to create their own masterpieces in this workshop led by artists from Abrakadoodle Northern Virginia.
• Lake House Open House (1-3 p.m.) — Enjoy light refreshments and mingle with neighbors during community-drop in time.

Sunday (June 2)

• Nova Tour de Cure (6 a.m. to 4 p.m.) — The event, which is the American Diabetes Association’s signature fundraiser, raises funds for research, advocacy, programs, and education. It will take place at Reston Town Center.
• Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — Hear the voice of the cello in favorites with assistant profess or cello Julian Schwarz and pianist Marika Bournaki at Reston Town Square Park. The event is free and open to all.

Photo by Debra Haffner

Ben Volta, the artist and educator selected by Public Art Reston to transform the Colts Neck Road Underpass into public art, will discuss the project on Monday (June 3) at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road).

Filmmaker Rebekah Wingert and Hunters Woods Elementary School art teacher Norma Morris will join Volta in the discussion, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

The underpass is identified in the Public Art Master Plan for Reston as a location for new artwork. Volta’s work will address the spirit of the Hunters Woods neighborhood, respond to the cultural diversity, and ensures the underpass is a civic facility in the fabric of the surrounding community.

Public Art Reston wrote the following about Volta:

A 2015 recipient of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts, Volta is known for his public artwork, (including intricate murals and sculptures), working within the fields of education, restorative justice and urban planning. He has a participatory approach to making art and has worked with numerous organizations and schools.

Volta is working directly with Reston community members on this project, which will beautify the underpass and promote its use. He has already done workshops with students at Dogwood Elementary School. In addition, he will give workshops at

Hunters Woods Fellowship House, Southgate Community Center and Hunters Woods Elementary School. He also will hold a community workshop, open to the public, in late June.

According to Volta, his practice “stands on the belief that art can be a catalyst for change, within individuals as well as the institutional structures that surround them.”

Volta–who as a young artist was a member of the groundbreaking art collective “Tim Rollins and K.O.S.” (Kids of Survival), in the south Bronx section of New York City–earned his certificate in sculpture from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2002 and his BFA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005.

After finishing his academic studies, Volta began working with teachers and students in Philadelphia public schools to create participatory art “rooted in an exploratory and educational process.” Over the past decade, and through hundreds of projects, he has developed his collaborative process in partnership with public schools, art organizations and communities. The

National Academy of Sciences also has recognized his work, which integrates art with math, science and reading.

Ann Delaney, Public Art Reston’s executive director, said Volta unanimously selected by the artist selection committee and Public Art Reston’s Public Art Committee.

“The project is an opportunity for infrastructure beautification, engagement, education, and inspiration,” Delaney wrote in a statement. “It will promote the active use of an underpass that helps link residential areas, Hunters Woods Village Center, two schools, two senior facilities and two community centers.”

The event is free and open o all.

The project is supported by Atlantic Realty Companies, ARTSFAIRFAX, Reston Community Center, JBG Smith, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Pat and Steve Macintyre, Lake Thoreau Entertainment Association and other individuals.

Photo by Ryan Collerd, Courtesy of the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage

Reston Association to Treat Algae in Lake Anne and Lake Thoreau — RA’s aquatic consultants will treat blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, with algaecide on Friday (May 24). There will be no restrictions on fishing or boating following the application. [Reston Association]

Deadline for Study on Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkways Extended — Residents now have until June 3 to submit comments about the long-range study, which provides recommendations for 2040 and beyond for the corridor. The plan also considers whether changes should be made to the county’s transportation plan. [Fairfax County Government]

A Review of ‘The Accidental Pundette’ — Nancy Giles, a commentator and comedian, offers an evening of tongue-in-cheek humor and insight on June 1 at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are $25 for Restonians and $35 for all others. [The Connection]

Photo via Reston Association

Film on Reston Takes CenterStage Tonight — Dive into the story of how Reston founder Robert Simon envisioned Reston and fought to keep his original principles strong during the film screening of “Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston VA” tonight at 7 p.m. at CenterStage. The event is free and open for all ages. [Reston Community Center]

High Honors for Herndon High School Freshman — The student, Claire, was recognized by the Town of Herndon as the Distinguished Teen Volunteer for 2019. She contributed more than 400 hours of service since 2017. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Reston Students Win Big at Virginia Odyssey of the Mind — Students from six Fairfax County schools, including several competitors from Reston, earned top honors at the state competition over the weekend. The contest encourages students to solve complex problems. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

A Recap of Founder’s Day — Reston Historic Trust & Museum organized the 2019 Founder’s Day Celebration over the weekend with a day-long event to mark the 55th anniversary of Reston’s founding. [The Connection]

File photo

The classic story of a young orphan girl in search of her parents in New York City who gets selected to stay at wealthy Daddy Warbucks’ residence is coming to Reston in two weeks.

The Reston Community Player’s production of the Broadway musical “Annie” will conclude the nonprofit theatre group’s 52nd season.

“How can you not love a spunky little girl who, against all odds, keeps hope alive and looks forward to a better tomorrow?” Director Sue Pinkman said in a press release. “Each year, another generation of little girls gets to know this classic character.”

The role of “Annie” will be shared by two actresses. The full cast is the following:

• Kylee Hope Geraci, Eva Jaber as Annie
• Doug Marcks as Daddy Warbucks
• Jennifer Redford as Miss Hannigan
• Claire Jeffrey as Grace Farrell
• Joshua Redford as Rooster Hannigan
• Emily Jennings as Lily St. Regis
• Richard Durkin as Franklin Delano Roosevelt
• Nathan Ramee as Bert Healy
• Jane Keifer as Molly (orphan)
• Della McCahill as Tessie (orphan)
• Elizabeth Cha as Kate (orphan)
• Madelyn Regan as July (orphan)
• Elenora Fiel as Duffy (orphan)
• Eliana Redford as Pepper (orphan)
• Whimsy as Sandy
• Ensemble: Marissa Dolcich, Richard Durkin, Andy Gable, Aidan Goggin, Earle S. Greene, Kate Keifer, Kirk Kaneer, Nathan Ramee, Katie Pond, Jennifer Stevens, Sara Watson

Performances will be held at the Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) at 8 p.m. on April 26-27, May 3-4, May 10-11 and May 17-18. Matinees will be held at 2 p.m on May 5, May 11-12 and May 18.

The production of the family-friendly musical is appropriate for all ages.

Photo courtesy Reston Community Players

Robert Simon founded Reston in 1964. For the last 54 years, the community has celebrated Founder’s Day in the spring, around the date of Simon’s birthday.

The Reston Historic Trust and Museum is hosting the 55th annual anniversary on Saturday (April 6) with festivities around Lake Anne Plaza.

Founder’s Day this year will include a moon bounce, children’s activities, face painting, a public art tour and exhibits at the Reston Historic Trust and Museum and RCC Lake Anne’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery.

Attendees can also share their Reston stories with recorded oral histories from 1-3 p.m. at RCC Lake Anne. Meanwhile, exhibit enthusiasts can find several around the area including “Fine Lines” at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, which features artists’ interpretations of lines.

Tomorrow (April 6)

• Run or walk (8 a.m.) — The Reston Runners will go for a 3-mile walk or 5-mile run starting at South Lakes High School.
• “You Gouda Brie Kidding!” (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) — Frying Pan Farm Park will celebrate National Grilled Cheese month with cooks frying up sandwiches and a variety of cheeses to sample. Attendees can also learn how to make fresh cheese at home and about cultural takes on different melted cheese treats. Tickets are $3.
• Kwame Alexander and Randy Preston (4-5:30 p.m.) — Newbery award-winning author Kwame Alexander and musician Randy Preston will team up for a performance at the Reston Regional Library. The free show will celebrate the paperback release of Alexander’s “Booked” and “The Crossover” in addition to the release of Alexander’s newest picture book called “The Undefeated.”

Sunday (April 7)

• Bird walk at Bright Pond (7:30-10:30 a.m.) — Bird enthusiasts can search for birds at a variety of sites around Reston.
• History of World War II (2-4 p.m.) — Harry Butowsky from George Mason University will present the fourth part of his six-part lecture series at the Reston Regional Library.
• “Liner Notes” (3 p.m.) — A show combining live music, poetry and a multimedia design will perform at CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods. Tickets are $15 for Restonians and $20 for non-Restonians.

Photo via Reston Historic Trust and Museum

Just a few days after Founder’s Day, CenterStage at Reston Community Center will have a free screening of a Reston filmmaker’s documentary on Bob Simon’s vision.

Director Rebekah Wingert’s 2015 documentary “Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA” chronicles Simon’s journey to creating his version of a suburban utopia.

Wingert grew up in Reston and returned to live there in the early 2000s.

The screening is set to start at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday (April 10).

“Another Way of Living” departs from Wingert’s other documentaries, which have focused on Palestinians.

Wingert’s latest production, “Naila and the Uprising,” tells the story of women fighting for freedom in Palestine. The documentary is part of the “Women, War and Peace II” series and is currently streaming on PBS.

Photo courtesy Reston Community Center 

Ahead of her tour stop at Reston Community Center, Grammy-nominated jazz singer and songwriter Jazzmeia Horn shared with Reston Now details on her upcoming album and when Restonians can expect to see her again.

Horn told Reston Now her 2017 album “A Social Call,” which earned her a Grammy nomination in 2018, was a bold, political statement. Her next album “Love and Liberation” will explore how the act of love is a liberating choice, adding that listeners can expect some love songs.

Horn’s own self-love story came from accepting her deeper voice. Now, she wants to encourage her daughters to embrace their individuality.

The album is set to debut this summer.

Horn is also working on plans for a world tour. While she said she doesn’t think she’ll back at RCC this year, Restonians might see her next year on the second half of her tour.

She is set to perform on CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) at 8 p.m. on Saturday (March 30). Tickets cost $20 for Restonians and $30 for everyone else.

“I want everyone to have a great experience — to have an openness and to enjoy the music and be free,” Horn said.

Photo by Jacob Blickenstaff