From the ground up — Ken Yarmosh was on the ground floor of app development when he founded Savvy Apps of Reston in 1999. Now he’s working with Fortune 500 companies and being recognized by Google and Apple for his contributions. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Local unemployment numbers — Northern Virginia’s unemployment rate fell from 2.7 percent to 2.4 percent in July. The statewide rate was 2.9 percent compared to the national rate of 4.1 percent. [Virginia Business]

Final Summerbration concert tonight — Join Chris Vadala with the Rick Whitehead Trio for a fresh mix of bebop jazz tonight at Reston Station Plaza. Parking is free from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Follow signs to ParkX. [Reston Community Center]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill 

Reston’s Diva Duo, Beverly Cosham and Menda Ahart, will perform at a benefit concert at the United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive) on September 14 (Friday).

All proceeds from the event, which will take place from 7:30-8:30 p.m., will support Reston and Herndon residents who are at risk of losing their homes, electricity or water.

Cosham is a Best of Reston honoree and has performed her cabaret act around the country. Ahart has been singing all of her life in church choirs. She is also a part of Mosaic Harmony, an interfaith, multicultural choir that draws on the rich heritage of African American inspiration music. 

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online. Misha Tumanov and musician Michael Girdy will also perform during the performance by Reston’s Divas.

Wrongful entry — A car crashed into a garage on the 11400 block of Summer House Court in Reston on Tuesday. The Car took out two columns. The driver was taken to the hospital for a check-up. No major injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Longtime CEO leaves Fairfax County Economic Development Authority — Gerald Gordon, president and CEO of the FCEDA, will retire at the end of the year. He led the organization since 1987 and has been known for his efforts to diversify and build the county’s business community and economy. [FCEDA, The Washington Business Journal]

Take a Break concert tonight at 7 p.m. — Enjoy New Orleans jazz by listening to the New Line Brass Band play at Lake Anne Plaza. The event is free and open for all ages. Today’s event is the last “Take a Break” concert of the summer. [Reston Community Center]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Word on the street — StreetShares, a financial technology startup, has moved to new headquarters in Reston. It offers a marketplace to provide financing for small business. [Technical.ly]

Calling all volunteers — Reston Association is looking for volunteers to help out with the multicultural festival at Lake Anne Plaza on September 22. To volunteer, contact [email protected]. [Reston Today]

The weekender — Looking for things to do in Fairfax County this weekend? Local officials offer the following roundup of events in the area. [Fairfax County Government]

Summerbration concert tonight — Enjoy a free concert as part at Reston Station Plaza from 7-9 p.m. This week’s event The Swingin’ Swamis. [Reston Community Center]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

A winner of NBC’s America’s Got Talent will perform at the last summer concert at the pavilion in Reston Town Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. was the season six winner of the talent show, winning the largest vote total in the show’s history. He went washing cards from a living and volunteering as a singer in the community to winning the top title of the show.

“I am excited about my performance and my fans will have a good time. Together we will create some fun memories,” Landau said.

His show on Saturday will offer a salute to Frank Sinatra and the magic of Motown. Murphy has performed around the world, sharing the stage with the Boston Pops, George Benson, Christopher Cross and others.

Since winning the show, he released three albums. His latest album, “Landau,” released in December 2016, features his take on new versions of classic R&B and new compositions. He also co-authored a book with Rick Robinson titled, “Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.: From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star.” The book debuted at #1 on Amazon’s jazz book chart.

The live concert is free and open to the public.

Photo via Shaili Priya

The “Summerbration” concert series at Reston Station Plaza will feature a new addition on Friday summer nights.

Professional dance instructors will offer lessons during select concert performances hosted by Reston Station. Lessons vary from swing dancing to African dance.

Reston Community Center’s executive director Leila Gordon said the center is “thrilled” to add professionals to the lineup. She said Reston Station Plaza is “becoming a destination experience for people.”

Dance instruction begins with Friday’s King Teddy Concert.  Each concert runs from 7-9 p.m. and parking is free from 6:30-9:30 p.m. during the concerts.

The complete lineup, which includes dancers and instructors, is below:

June 15
King Teddy
Swing dancers – dancing and instruction

June 22
Cedar Creek
Country line dance instruction

June 29
Elikeh
African dancers – dancing and instruction

July 6
Four Star Combo
Sock hop dancers – dancing and instruction

July 27
Alfredo Mojica & Friends
Latin dancers – dancing and instruction

August 10
Scott Kurt & Memphis 59
Country dancers – dancing and instruction

August 24
The Swingin’ Swamis
Swing dancers – dancing and instruction

Photo via Reston Community Center

The “Take a Break” summer concert series at Lake Anne plaza will feature shows every Thursday night through Aug. 30.

The concert series is presented by Reston Community Center in cooperated with MSE Productions, Inc. Four of the nights are designated as “dance nights” that will feature dance demonstrations and instruction to match the music.

The complete line-up is below. 

• June 7: Dance Night: Radio King Orchestra
• June 14: Mystic Warriors
• June 21: The Crawdaddies
• June 28: Dance Night – Cheick Hamala Diabate
• July 5: Squeeze Bayou
• July 12: Bad Influence
• July 19: Part Harmony
• July 26: Dance Night – Fresh Air
• August 2: IONA
• August 9: Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet
• August 16: Dance Night – Mambo Combo
• August 23: Texas Chainsaw Horns
• August 30: New Line Brass Band

Each concert is scheduled for 7-9 p.m.

Over the last several months, new eateries like Founding Farmers and Sweet Leaf Cafe have opened up shop in Reston Station Plaza.

Now, as summer approaches, the open-air plaza will be the home of “Summerbration,” a free summer concert and entertainment series. The event is intended to activate the space.

The first concert, featuring classic rock band Battery Lane, will take place today from 7-9 p.m. Complimentary parking is available from 6:30-9:30 p.m. for the concert series. Attendees should follow signs to ParkX.

The complete line-up is below:

• June 8: FarAway
• June 15: King Teddy
• June 22: Cedar Creek
• June 29: Elikeh
• July 7: Four Star Combo
• July 13: Oasis Island Sounds
• July 20: Jason Masi Band
• July 27: Alfredo Mojica & Friends
• August 3: Anthony Swamp Dog Clark
• August 10: Scott Kurt & Memphis 59
• August 17: Cristian Perez Band
• August 24: The Swingin’ Swamis
• August 31: Chris Vadala with the Rick Whitehead Trio

The event, which is free and open for all ages, is hosted by Reston Station and presented by Reston Community Center in cooperation with MSE Productions, Inc. 

File photo

Reston Concerts on the Town, a weekly free summer concerts series at Reston Center, is back for its 28th year. The event, which includes concerts from June 2 through August 25 on Saturdays from 7:30-10 p.m., features local and national acts.

Parking is free and the event is made possible by a grant from Reston Town Center Association and support from Boston Properties, RTC’s owner.

The 2018 lineup is available online.

A number of new performers include the Blues Beatles, a blues band based in Brazil; Good Shot Judy, a band that performs swing and jazz; the T Sisters, a trio of sisters from California who have formed an acoustic band; and the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters, the U.S. Navy’s official chorus.

Returning favorites, as described by organizers, include:

• Leonard, Coleman & Blunt—The former lead singers of The Temptations, The Platters & The Drifters and their big band will take you on a musical journey of your favorite Motown and doo-wop hits. They’ll kick off the series on June 2.
  

• Scythian – These raucous roots-rockers blend Celtic and klezmer for a high-energy, dynamic show. Come see these world-class fiddlers rock Reston on July 14.
  

• Local jazz favorite Chuck Redd returns on June 23 with very special guests: jazz harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Muerkens, renowned trumpeter/vocalist Byron Stripling (played Satchmo on national tour) and bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott
  

• Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band—This Louisiana-based Grammy-winning zydeco band will shake things up on August 4. 
• Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.–This 2011 winner of America’s Got Talent, went from car washer to jazz superstar. Back by popular demand, Landau and his big band close out the series on August 25.

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and picnics to the concerts. The event takes place in RTC’s pavilion (11900 Market Street).

Photos via Reston Concerts on the Town

Friday Night Live! (FNL!), Herndon’s free outdoor concert series, returns on Fridays now through August 24. Held on the town green next to the Herndon Municipal Center, the concert series features local bands from across the East Coast.

FNL! is produced by the Herndon Chamber of Commerce and presented by the lead sponsor, Volkswagen Group of America, along with other sponsors like United Bank and Budlight.

Domino’s Pizza and TurCuisine offer food at the event and Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern and Egg Karne provide food on rotating schedules. A featured beer is selected each month.

The schedule for the event, which runs from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., is below. FNL! will not take place on June 1 due to the Herndon Festival.

• May 11: Gonzo’s Nose (band reunion)
• May 18: LauraLea & Tripp Fabulous
• May 25: Here’s to the Night
• June 8: Love Seed Mama Jump
• June 15: GoodMan Fiske
• June 22: keeton
• June 29: Drop Dead Sexy
• July 6: Shane Gamble Band + Scott Kurt & Memphis 59
• July 13: Kristen and the Noise
• July 20: Herr Metal + Dr. FU
• July 27: JunkFood
• August 3: The Reflex
• August 10: Almost Journey + South Bay
• August 17: Screaming Monkeys
• August 24: Social Call

File photo by Laura B. Poindexter

PROJECT Trio is bringing its classical training blended with an eclectic music taste to the Reston Community Center on Sunday at 3 p.m.

The trio includes Greg Pattillo on the flute, Eric Stephenson on the cello and Peter Seymour on the double bass.

The group has been described by Gramophone Magazine as “an ensemble willing and able to touch on the gamut of musical bases ranging from Baroque to nu-Metal and taking in pretty much every stylism in between.”

On top of that, The New York Times has called beatboxing flutist Pattillo “the best in the world at what he does.”

Tickets for the show cost $15 for Reston Association members and costs $20 for non-members.

Photo via RCC

The Reston Community Players’ 2017-18 season opens tonight as the curtain rises on their presentation of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.” The show, winner of four Tony Awards, will be performed through Nov. 11 at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road).

This weekend, the show is being performed at 8 p.m. both tonight and Saturday night. Tickets are $27, with student/senior tickets available for $23.

For more information about the show or about other upcoming events from the Reston Community Players, call 703-476-4500, ext. 3.

There is plenty else scheduled to take place this weekend in the area as well. Take a look at our list 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.)

• A trail of illuminated hand-carved pumpkins is welcoming visitors to “THE GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience,” now through Oct. 29 at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive). Presented by Townsquare Live Events, the “enchanting Halloween wonderland” features a third-of-a-mile trail decorated with more than 5,000 pumpkins. Tickets, which are $16 for kids ages 3-12 and $22 for adults, are available online and must be purchased in advance.
• The South Lakes High School football team, 6-1 on the season and ranked No. 13 in the region by the Washington Post, return home tonight for a 7 p.m. game against McLean.
• “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Nov. 18.
• The Woodland Park Crossing HarvestFest will take place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday in the plaza, located at 12960 Highland Crossing Drive in Herndon. The event will feature strolling performers, tenant giveaways, face painting and entertainment, and participating restaurants will offer specials and samples.
• A digital scavenger hunt is planned in downtown Herndon from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Participants will explore various businesses and areas in downtown Herndon to find what they seek. Prizes will be given to winners who discover all the hidden treasures. The event is open to all ages, but parents must accompany any children who play.
• The bluegrass series at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (1090 Sterling Road, Herndon) will present a performance by The Blue Moon Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $15, with children 12 and under admitted free.
• At 11 a.m. Saturday, kids ages 6-12 are invited to take part in the “Halloween Science Spectacular” at the Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). Kids will explore fun Halloween science experiments that are “gooey and foggy.”
• During “Giraffe-toberfest,” celebrate fall with animals at Roer’s Zoofari (1228 Hunter Mill Road) on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can meet the zoo’s giraffe, “Waffles.” Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will support giraffe conservation.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Fashion illustrator Joanna Baker will be at Scout & Molly’s (11944 Market St.) from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Her prints will be available for purchase and she will be on hand to answer questions.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include 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; and Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) every Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Americana music and more will come to Café Montmarte (1625 Washington Plaza N.) next week as the Harried Americans Roadshow takes the stage.

According to the group’s website, Harried Americans roadshows are “smarty-pants, loosey-goosey, Americana FUN – with a D.C. twist.” The group boasts that it offers “topical original songs about politicians and social issues, 1960s sing-alongs, and new takes on old standards from the Great American Songbook.”

The show is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. In addition to the Harried Americans Band, the show is slated to feature Brazilian touring artist Rick Udler, comedian/actress Angela Moore, poetry by the Intellectual Bully and more.

Tickets for the show are $10 and are available online. For more information, call 888-268-8637.

Image via HarriedAmericans.com