ArtsFairfax has awarded grant funding to 40 nonprofit organizations in Fairfax County, the arts agency recently announced.

This year, ArtsFairfax received requests for over $937,000 in funding and allocated a total of $441,900.

The Operating Support Grant program is designed to assist local, nonprofit arts organizations with funding to support their basic operational needs.

In recognition of the challenges that the arts community has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtsFairfax says it increased the minimum grant amount to $1,000 and waived a requirement that recipients match the funds they receive.

ArtsFairfax President and CEO Linda S. Sullivan says the program was also modified to place more emphasis on equity and how organizations are considering issues of diversity, access, and inclusion in their operations, programs, and services.

“The past year has created an unprecedented hardship for arts organizations and artists,” Sullivan said. “The Operating Support Grant provides arts organizations with critically needed funding for basic operations — funding that helps keeps the doors open — as they develop artistic programming for audiences return.”

The Reston and Herndon organizations that received grants are:

• Arts Herndon
• Gin Dance Company
• NextStop Theater
• Public Art Reston
• Reston Chamber Orchestra Trust
• Reston Community Player
• The Reston Chorale
• Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art
• Virginia Chamber Orchestra

“Fairfax County residents benefit from a dynamic and diverse arts sector,” Sullivan said. “To sustain and grow our cultural capital over the long-term requires a consistent source of public and private funds. ArtsFairfax’s Operating Support Grants are a direct investment in our community ensuring that the arts remain centerpieces and economic engines in our community.”

Dozens of local artists and arts-oriented organizations got welcome news last week when ArtsFairfax announced the recipients of $567,138 in emergency relief and recovery grants on Jan. 15.

A nonprofit that serves as Fairfax County’s designated local arts agency, ArtsFairfax created an Emergency Relief and Recovery Grants program in order to provide quick funding to an industry that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program comes in lieu of the agency’s usual grant programs, which were suspended for fiscal year 2021.

“The impact of COVID-19 continues to have a devastating effect on the arts community, yet we have seen the arts continue to provide arts education, senior engagement, family entertainment and so much more,” ArtsFairfax president and CEO Linda S. Sullivan said.

Out of the $108,500 in funding requests that it received, ArtsFairfax has awarded $101,950 in emergency relief grants to 40 different Fairfax County arts organizations. It also raised private funds to support $28,300 in grants to 29 individual artists.

In addition, 39 arts organizations will receive operating support grants for FY 2021. These funds are awarded annually to nonprofit arts organizations in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church to support basic operations.

ArtsFairfax is awarding $436,888 in operating support grants for this fiscal year after receiving $913,933 in requests from 39 different organizations.

“The arts will be a vital part of our health and economic recovery,” Sullivan said. “We need to support the arts today, so they are here for us tomorrow.”

With in-person performances and exhibitions largely suspended for the past year, the pandemic has taken a significant toll on the American arts and culture industry.

The nonprofit Americans for the Arts estimates that, as of Jan. 11, arts and cultural organizations have lost $14.8 billion nationally as a result of COVID-19. 63% of workers in the arts sector have become unemployed, and 95% have reported a loss of income.

According to a dashboard from Americans for the Arts, nonprofit arts organizations in Fairfax County have reported a median financial loss of $30,000 for a total impact of $4.3 million, though that is based on a small sample size of 55 respondents.

Local recipients include Arts Herndon, the Reston Chorale, and Reston Community Orchestra. A full list of ArtsFairfax grant recipients can be found on the nonprofit’s website.

Photo via Reston Community Orchestra

The Reston Chorale is presenting a self-guided tour of private gardens on Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The third annual event, which is called Gardens of Note, will also feature pop-up performances by members and friends of The Reston Chorale and a Hidden Lane Garden Party at the end of the day.

Tickets, which are $22, can be purchased online in advance or in-person at the following locations:

• Mayflowers (11959 Market Street)
• Chesapeake Chocolates, Wine, Gifts & More (11426 Washington Plaza W)
• The Wine Cabinet (1416 North Point Village Center)
• Reston Farm Market (10800 Baron Cameron Avenue)

Prices rise to $25 on tour day. All proceeds benefit The Reston Chorale.

Visitors will pick their first stop after receiving a list of the gardens on this year’s tour. Tickets will then be exchanged for a program guide with a tour map and more information.

The event concludes with a Hidden Lane Garden Party at 4 p.m., which features light refreshments, guided tours of the property, and ensemble performances by The Reston Chorale. The party is hosted by Hidden Lane Residential Landscapes on their grounds.

This year’s gardens of note were selected by tour organizers and garden specialists:

• The Agnew garden in North Point
• The Over and Vongsavat gardens at Lake Anne
• The Horr garden and West Market
• Pond in Reston Town Center
• Fannie Mae gardens and ponds
• Reston Association Garden Plots in Hunters Woods

Attendees can also purchase the perennial of the year — wood betony — at the event.

Photo via Carol Nahorniak

Book lovers can get their hands on thousands of used books at the Friends of the Reston Regional Library’s semi-annual sale this weekend.

Although the spring sale started on Thursday for the public, the event continues today through 5 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive).

No children’s books will be offered at the sale. The next book sale is in mid-August right before the next school year begins.

Tomorrow (May 4)

• Reston Pet Fiesta (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) — Dogs and their owners can enjoy this outdoor festival at Reston Town Center. The free event brings together businesses, rescue groups and pet owners for activities, demonstrations and entertainment.
• Spring Festival (1-5 p.m.) — Enjoy entertainment, animals, craft making for kids, and displays from local environmental groups at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive). An animal show, interactive performance and puppet show are also planned.
• Tapestry of Peace and Justice (4-7:30 p.m.) — This “mixed-art” performance and exhibit combines music and images from artists of The Reston Art Gallery & Studios and League of Reston Artists, as well as poems from The Poetry Society of Virginia. Tickets are $25 for adults.
• Crescent Community Yard Sale (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) — If you missed Reston Association’s big community yard sale last weekend, now is your chance to comb through items at the Crescent Apartments’ sale (1572 Cameron Crescent Drive).

Sunday (May 5)

• Hopecam 19th Annual 5k Run/Walk (9:15 a.m.) — Hopecam’s annual event helps children with cancer. The race begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony and post-race celebration at 1890 Preston White Drive.
• Sunday Country Western Dance (5:30-8 p.m.) — Swing the night away to popular western tunes played by Reston Community Center’s DJ. The monthly event takes place at RCC Hunters Woods. Dancers must be 18 years or older.
• HGRTC Marketplace (noon to 5 p.m.) — Reston Town Center will host a home and garden marketplace for all plant lovers. The event is the first of its kind in the town center.

File photo

Music and a coat drive — The Reston Chorale will perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah tonight at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church. Locals are encouraged to bring new or gently used coats or new hats, gloves, scarves or socks, which will fill Cornerstone’s Coat Closet, to receive $5 off of the ticket. [Reston Chorale]

Holiday fire safety PSA — The county’s Fire and Rescue Department has safety tips for open-flame candles for Hanukkah celebrations. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Design Review Board meeting — The Reston Association’s Design Review Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. to review pending applications. [Reston Association]

 

Several holiday events are planned around Reston throughout December.

Every Saturday evening in December, from 4-9 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides will take visitors on a tour around the Reston Town Center. The carriage rides start in front of Talbots (11900 Market Street).

On Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m., train rides will be available for smaller children. Donations benefiting local charities are requested. The train departs in front of Clyde’s.

On Dec. 2 and 9, the Frying Pan Farm Park will also be hosting Christmas at the Farm. A variety of Christmas-themed activities, including cookie decorating and writing letters to Santa, will be held in sessions throughout the day at the park. Tickets are $10 per person, and children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

• Dec. 1: Gifts from the HeART Exhibit — Artists from Jo Ann Rose Gallery will display and sell original works of art.
• Dec. 1: The Wonder of the Season — The Reston Chorale presents sounds of the season with guest artists Tim King and the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet. Tickets are available through Reston Chorale.
• Dec. 1: Alternative Gift Market — The Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston will create a market with more than 30 local, national and international nonprofit organizations.  All of the proceeds will go to the participating groups.
• Dec. 1: Jingle on Lake Anne — An ornament and cookie decorating event on Lake Anne, with Santa and his elves arriving by boat and paddle board at noon.
• Dec. 2: Run with Santa 5k — A race around the Reston Town Center starting and ending on Market Street. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. and participants are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters or Christmas elf costumes.
• Dec. 4: Reston Sings: Handel’s Messiah! — The Reston Chorale will be performing George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” General admission tickets are $15, or $10 with the donation of a new or gently used coat or other winter apparel.
• Dec. 9: Chanukah on Ice & Outdoor Menorah Lighting — An ice skating party is planned to celebrate Chanukah at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. A lighting ceremony is open to all, with a $12 fee to skate. Latkes and donuts will be served.
• Dec. 15: Reston Town Center Winterfest — Treats and activities are planned for the festival running from 12-5 p.m., including a carousel at the ice skating rink.

Photo via Facebook

A new home — Global construction firm Bechtel Corp. will move its headquarters from San Francisco to Reston by the end of the year, bidding farewell to its base of operations for the first time in more than 100 years. [The Washington Post]

Fifth annual ‘Chalk on the Water’ festival is this weekend — “Public Art Reston, in collaboration with Friends of Lake Anne, will present Chalk on the Water at Lake Anne, the annual chalk festival at Lake Anne Plaza. Public Art Reston is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding.” [Reston Community Center]

Beauty for all the senses — Reston Chorale showcased five gardens of distinction in four local neighborhoods during the annual Gardens of Note event. [The Connection]

Fired up about fireworks — Lake Fairfax Park will host its annual fireworks show on June 30. As soon as the skies darken, fireworks will light up the sky. [Fairfax County Parks Authority]

PassionFish reopens — After temporarily closing for renovations, the restaurant in Reston Town Center is now open. [PassionFish]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

A handful of Reston’s private residential gardens will be on display for one day during the Reston Chorale’s second “Gardens of Note” tour on June 2.

Ticket-holders will be able to visit five gardens in Reston neighborhoods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A garden party will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. All proceeds benefit Reston Chorale.

“Early June is the perfect time of the year to enjoy beautiful gardens, and the tour is also an ideal opportunity to connect with our wonderful community,” says tour chair, Kathleen Driscoll. “We received so much positive feedback about the first Gardens of Note tour last year. Visitors were enthused by the landscapes, the music, and spending time with old and new friends while exploring Reston’s neighborhoods.”

As described by organizers, the tour includes the following gardens:

• The Guilfoyle garden in Uplands – Filled with the owner’s well-chosen plantings, seating, and art, the garden has been a magnet for friends, family, and neighbors over the years.
• The Bitzer garden in South Lakes – Designed by its owner to encircle the home with perennials, shrubs, and trees that enhance the enviable views beyond.
• The Gohn garden in Hunters Woods – Swaths of shrubs and perennials and new plantings of native varieties in an established, treed landscape.
• The Mansfield garden in Hunters Woods – A garden of new hardscapes and plantings installed in 2017, curving around the home and complementing a woodland backdrop.
• The Rhoads garden in North Point – Featuring a professionally installed sloping stream and pond, plus a new hardscape to address run-off, along with a multitude of spreading perennials.

Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 on tour day. They can be purchased online or in-person at Mayflowers in Reston Town Center, Long and Foster (2100 Reston Parkway) or Chesapeake Chocolates, Wines Gifts & More in Lake Anne Village Center.

Tours are self-guided and visitors can decide which tour to start with using a map provided by organizers. The garden party following tours will include ensemble performances by members of The Reston Chorale, guided tours of the property and remarks from landscape designers.

Organizers are seeking volunteers for two-hour shifts as garden greeters. Volunteers receive a free ticket for the tour and garden party. Those interested can email [email protected].

Photo via Reston Chorale

‘BrouHaHa’ Returns to Reston — For one night only, Happenstance Theater Company will bring the funny and poignant show “BrouHaha” back to CenterStage at the Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). RCC staff describe the show as “a funny and poetic escapade inspired by images of refugees fleeing on foot, Edwardian workers, cinematic treasures like ‘La Strada’ and ‘The Seventh Seal,’ and the existential comedy of Samuel Beckett.” The curtain rises at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. [Reston Community Center]

Police: Herndon Shoplifter Fights Officer — Police say a 48-year-old Fairfax County woman started a physical fight with the officer who tried to detain her when she was caught trying to steal merchandise from a Kohl’s department store in Herndon on Tuesday. The incident earned her a trip to jail, and charges of grand larceny and resisting arrest. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Reston Chorale Plans 50th-Anniversary Retrospective — In celebration of the group’s 50th anniversary, the Reston Chorale will present a special concert entitled “A Season to Remember” this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive). Musical numbers will include past favorites as well as works composed especially for The Reston Chorale. Alumni and friends of the group are invited to bring sheet music and join in for Handel’s “Messiah.” Adult tickets range from $20-$30. Youth under 17 and active military are free, but need to reserve tickets. [Reston Chorale]

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Some of Reston’s most beautiful private gardens will be on display for one day only when the Reston Chorale’s “Gardens of Note” tour kicks off on June 3.

The event benefits the Reston Chorale.

Five gardens spread out over three Reston neighborhoods will be part of the tour.

“Selected with the help of the Reston Garden Club, the five private gardens feature intriguing plantings, hardscapes, water features, and surprises.  All of these properties have successfully faced the challenges of gardening in Reston such as slopes, erosion, clay soil, shade and deer,” organizers said in a press release.

The gardens featured on the tour will include, as described by organizers:

• The O’Connor garden in the North Point neighborhood, a newly created design and installation completed in October 2016 by Hidden Lane Landscaping.
• The Haukness garden in North Point, ideally framing their waterfront location with a design created by Hidden Lane Landscaping in 2003.
• The Carson garden, established with the owner’s dedication, replete with plantings and features, in the Dogwood neighborhood.
• The Wulff garden, with unique structures and plantings on the front grade of their custom-built home near the lake in the South Lakes neighborhood.
• The Bond garden in the South Lakes neighborhood, a sanctuary created over time with the homeowners’ talented touch and gardening skills.  

Tours are self-conducted and can be taken at one’s own pace between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A map will be given at the visitor’s first stop, and visitors must transport themselves between the five stops. Those who purchase their tickets before June 2 can have a map mailed to them in advance of the event.

Following the tours, an open house will be conducted by Hidden Lane Landscaping in Herndon from 4 to 6 p.m., with light refreshments and music by the Reston Chorale.

Tickets are $20 and benefit the Reston Chorale.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here is a sampling of what’s available in Reston:

• The Virginia Polar Dip is Saturday at Lake Anne Plaza. Registration starts at noon, with the event itself scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine.
• Events at Reston Town Center this weekend include a handmade Valentine card workshop, a pre-Valentine cooking class at Il Fornaio, a wine tasting and more.
• A pub crawl is slated for 2-6 p.m. Saturday, beginning at World of Beer (1888 Explorer St.). The event is to support the Fairfax Boxing Club.
• An open house is scheduled for The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Ave.) from noon-2 p.m. Sunday.
• Reston Community Center Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road) has a Sunday Afternoon Dance and a Sunday Country Western Dance both slated for this weekend.
• Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) will offer a workshop, Career in the Arts: Opportunities for Visually Creative People, Saturday evening.
• The Reston Chorale will present Camerata: Inside Out at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road) on Sunday afternoon.
• Art exhibitions “CUT” and “Springtime in Winter” remain on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) and Reston Art Gallery & Studios (11400 Washington Plaza W.), respectively.
• Tom Saputo and Friends will play at Café Montmarte tonight.
• Kalypso’s will have musical guests New Dominion Band tonight and DJ Kram on Saturday.
• Wuayra Peruvian Silver Jewelry will have a pop-up shop in collaboration with Scrawl Books (11862 Market St.) this weekend.

Metro Aware of Track Problems Before Silver Line Derailment, NTSB Says — Metro was aware of track issues that could cause cause a derailment before a Silver Line train went off the tracks outside of the East Falls Church Metro station in July, according to the he National Transportation Safety Board. [Washington Post]

Reston Chorale and Symphonic Brass to Hold Holiday Concert This Weekend — The Washington Symphonic Brass is set once again to join the Reston Chorale for their annual holiday concert. The performance is scheduled for Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors 62 and older. Military personnel and children 17 years old and younger are free. [Reston Community Center]

South Lakes to Face Westfield in Finals Saturday — South Lakes High School’s varsity football team is set take on defending state champion Westfield High School tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Region 6A Finals. The winner of this game will go on to the state finals in Hampton. South Lakes is currently ranked No. 5, and Westfield is ranked No. 10. [Washington Post]

Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Begin This Weekend — Reston Town Center will start having horse-drawn carriage rides this Saturday. They generally will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Pickup is in front of Clyde’s on Market Street. A donation of $5 per person, to benefit local charities, is asked of any riders age 5 and older. [Reston Town Center]

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This is a letter to the editor from the Reston Chorale. Something on your mind? Send a letter or op-ed to [email protected].

To the Editor:

On the Friday before Independence Day, nine large boxes from The Reston Chorale reached a platoon of American soldiers stationed halfway around the world.

They contained a Fourth of July Party-in-a-Box, hand-made thank you cards, snacks and sports equipment, health and hygiene products, books, games, DVDs and more — even the fixings for s’mores.

All of these items were generously donated to The Reston Chorale’s Care Packages for the Troops Drive — part of our annual Star-Spangled Sing-Along at Reston Town Center on the Saturday before Memorial Day. Now in its second year, this drive has delivered 650 pounds of donated goods for American soldiers serving overseas. Read More

The Reston Chorale will be marking Memorial Day with a special Star-Spangled Sing-Along Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reston Town Center.

This free family event salutes the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The event will be held rain or shine.

The event will include patriotic music, activities for children and a care package drive for troops deployed overseas. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring items to donate for the care packages.

Suggested care package items:

• Single-serve, sealed powdered drink mixes and snack packs, such as flip-top canned fruit, jerky, tuna pouches, sunflower seeds, cookies, crackers, gum, individually wrapped hard candy, etc.
• Non-aerosol, unscented toiletries, including travel-size lip balm, lotion, antibacterial wipes, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, etc.)
• Comfort items (hand-held fans and misters with batteries, insect-repellent wipes with DEET, bandannas, etc.)
• Fun stuff (hand-held games and batteries, puzzle books, playing cards, foam balls, water pistols, flying rings/disks, etc.)