The 2017 Reston Multicultural Festival, presented by Reston Community Center and Reston Association, took place Saturday at Lake Anne Plaza.

The event, described as “a celebration that brings together the people of Reston to celebrate our rich medley of cultures,” featured arts and crafts, entertainment, art exhibits, food, and more activities. A naturalization ceremony was also part of the festival.

Photos courtesy Reston Community Center

Reston’s multicultural heritage will be celebrated this weekend at Lake Anne Plaza.

The community’s annual Multicultural Festival, sponsored by Reston Community Center and Reston Association, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. It will include “music, entertainment, dress, food, and cultural treasures from all over the world,” according to information provided by RCC.

The entertainment lineup includes more than a dozen performers on two stages — the World Stage and the Global Stage — as well as at RCC’s Lake Anne facility. The “Global Market” will feature jewelry, clothing and more from around the world.

For more information about the event, contact Kevin Danaher, RCC’s community events director, at 703-390-6166.

There is plenty else scheduled to take place this weekend in the area as well. Get out there and have some fun on this last full weekend of September!

(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.)

• Herndon High School (700 Bennett St.) will present its annual Showcase of Bands all day Saturday. South Lakes High School’s band will perform at 6:15 p.m., and Herndon’s band will play at 8:15.
• Café Montmarte (1625 Washington Plaza N.) will be the host of a comedy performance presented by Funny Friend Productions, beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday. Performers will include Robin Rex, Franqi French, Sumedha Ahuja Bahri, Kevin Skington, Wendy Wroblewski, Gil Segev, Leon Scott, Dan Kaufman and Steve Coltrain. Door charge will be $10.
• The grand-opening event for Reston Farm Market (10800 Baron Cameron Ave.) will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The fun will include train rides, moon bounces, the petting zoo, face painting and more.
• 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 DJ Barf Dog, Queens Over Kings and Sub-Radio. The free event is slated for 6-10 p.m. at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.).
• Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza W.) will host a performance by Grammy-nominated musician Cedric Watson from 3-5 p.m. Sunday.
• South Lakes High School’s undefeated varsity football team will play at home tonight at 7 p.m. against Centreville. A pre-game party at the stadium (11400 South Lakes Drive) is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m., featuring burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, ice cream and more.
• “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Nov. 18.
• 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 and Sunday at 7 p.m.; and at a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets range in price from $17.50 to $55.
• Pediatric Specialists of Virginia will have their Stride Forward 5K and Family Health Fair on Saturday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Reston Town Center.
• The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Sunday, from 1:30-5 p.m. at Reston Town Center.
• 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.
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Lawn Dart Incident tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits during those hours Saturday night.

File photo from 2015 Reston Multicultural Festival

Described as a “signature Reston event,” the annual Reston Multicultural Festival is coming up next Saturday at Lake Anne Plaza.

The celebration of cultures from around the world will include an international book fair, arts and crafts, entertainment, art exhibits, food, and more activities. A naturalization ceremony will also be part of the festival, as will National Heritage Award Fellows.

According to Reston Community Center:

The Reston Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. This annual event brings together the people of Reston to celebrate our rich medley of cultures. Family, friends and neighbors are treated to music, entertainment, dress, food and cultural treasures from all over the world that are all right here. This signature Reston event honors the diversity that is one of our greatest strengths. Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots and share the stories that we gather on the pathways of our lives.

The free event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. The entertainment lineup includes more than a dozen performers on two stages — the World Stage and the Global Stage — as well as at RCC’s Lake Anne facility. The “Global Market” will feature jewelry, clothing and more from around the world.

The Reston Multicultural Festival is presented by Reston Community Center and hosted by Lake Anne Plaza with co-sponsorship support from Reston Association. Partners include a variety of Reston-based organizations and businesses. Call Kevin Danaher, RCC’s community events director, at 703-390-6166 for more information.

File photos from previous years’ festivals courtesy Reston Community Center

Vendors Sought for Multicultural Festival — Reston Community Center is seeking arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and civic organizations of all cultures for the 17th annual Reston Multicultural Festival. The festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 23 at Lake Anne Plaza. Applications are being accepted through July 28. [Reston Community Center]

Covered Bridge Renovated — In its latest “Reston Today” video dispatch, Reston Association shows off the work that has been done on the covered bridge on the RA trail system near Lake Anne. [Reston Association/YouTube]

Metro Work This Weekend — The Silver Line will only run to Ballston this weekend. In addition, new Metro hours go into effect tonight. The system will close at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, but is only open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. [WTOP]

Toll Road Work Rescheduled — Due to poor weather, the detour diverting traffic heading to the Fairfax County Parkway from the eastbound Dulles Toll Road exit ramp through the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride north parking lot was canceled last night. It has been rescheduled for Sunday night, July 16. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]

Lake Anne Plaza is the place to be Saturday, Sept. 24 for the Reston Multicultural Festival.

The Reston Multicultural Festival, organized by Reston Community Center, is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit found in Reston. This annual event brings together the people of Reston to celebrate the rich medley of cultures through music, dance, food and more.

Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire representative of their cultural background.

The fun begins at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony for the area’s newest citizens. Students from South Lakes High School’s chorus will sing the Star-Spangled Banner and SLHS ROTC members will present the colors.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a traditional Chinese dragon dance will wind through the plaza, marking the opening of the entertainment stages.

Entertainment will be in three areas. Click on each below to see the full lineups, which include everything from Bolivian dance to Japanese drumming to Irish music with Billy McComiskey, National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow.

• World Stage
• Global Stage
• RCC Lake Anne

The day will also include:

Admission is free.

Photo: Dragon dance at Reston Multicultural Festival/Credit: Reston Community Center

More than 500 Reston residents and former residents paid their respects to Reston founder Bob Simon at a candlelight vigil at Lake Anne Plaza on Friday night. Simon died last week at age 101.

The Reston Chorale sang, several community members spoke about Simon or reflected on growing up in his “new town, and a guitarist played Amazing Grace as people lined the lake with candles.

The lights stretched from Heron House, where Simon spent his final 23 years, all away around and through the main part of the plaza.

“In my mind I see Bob Simon over 50 years ago, who set out to be different type of civil rights leader, who when it wasn’t yet illegal to practice housing discrimination, stretched out his hands of opportunity, developed a planned community full of rich green trees, that was the first racially integrated community in Virginia, welcoming to all people of color and economic backgrounds,” said former Reston Association board member Amanda Andere.

Simon’s absence was also noted at Saturday’s Reston Multicultural Festival.

“I don’t think I have ever been to an event in Reston and Bob was not here,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va 11th). “We have built a special community here in Reston due to Bob’s prodding.”

Twenty-six  people from 17 countries were sworn in at a naturalization ceremony on the plaza, which was followed by an afternoon of storytelling, music, dance and other cultural performances (and food and crafts) from around the world.

Saturday also was the official unveiling of We Make Reston, a photo exhibition that is part of the international Inside Out Project. Out of 300 entries, 169 portraits — including one of Simon — were selected for the exhibition.

The photos will be on display for the next four weeks at the Lake Anne Sea Wall,
Jo Ann Rose Gallery at RCC Lake Anne (Indoor exhibit, on display through October 2),  Reston Station and South Lakes High School.

For additional pictures, visit Modern Reston.

The Reston community will be able to get a taste of the world with the return of the annual Reston Multicultural Festival on Saturday.

The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lake Anne Plaza, rain or shine, and features live music, food and arts from different countries, including India, Ghana, Mexico and Bolivia.

“The Reston Multicultural Festival is an annual event that brings together the people of Reston to celebrate our rich medley of cultures,” the Reston Community Center said on the event page.

The event kicks off with the annual naturalization ceremony, where new United States citizens will take an Oath of Allegiance.

“It’s inspiring, emotional, and affirming of our country’s greatness. When you start your festival experience on such a grace note, the day is set for you for discovery and fun,” said Leila Gordon, executive director of the Reston Community Center.

There will be live music, dance performances and demonstrations throughout the festival. Hungry attendees will be able to fill up on food from multiple cultures, including Thai, Mexican, Peruvian, Indian and Vietnamese.

“Each year, new entertainers, crafts people, organizations and food vendors participate,” Gordon said. “The inclusion of National Heritage Fellows means there are master artists new to the festival each year in addition to local favorites. The Multicultural Book Fair that was begun two years ago is a new crowd favorite and involves new titles for 2015.”

This year the Multicultural Festival will also look at diversity in the Reston community through the new “We Make Reston” photo wall. The Reston Community Center is holding a discussion on diversity at the Jo Anne Rose Gallery, where part of the exhibit is held, on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

“This will give both participants and those interested in the exhibit an opportunity to talk about the public art project and our community’s diversity,” Gordon said.

Music, dance, food and other activities from around the world will return to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday at the Reston Multicultural Festival.

The Reston Multicultural Festival celebrates the diversity and community spirit of Reston, says Reston Community Center, which sponsors the annual event along with Reston Association and other local organizations and businesses.

The festival starts at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony of new United States citizens and a release of doves.

Live entertainment begins at 1 p.m. on two stages. Admission is free.

World Stage 

1 p.m.
Elaine Hoffman Watts, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, Klezmer Music

2 p.m.
Christylez Bacon-Washington Sound Museum with Wytold and Nitsha Raj, Cross-Cultural Collaborative Music Experience

2:55 p.m.
Angel Roman, Middle Eastern Dance

3:30 p.m.
Kalavaridhi Dance, Indian Classical Dance

4:10 p.m.
Khinezin Win, Burmese (Myanmar Dance)

5 p.m.
Elikeh, Afro-pop

Global Stage

12:15 p.m.
Tom Teasley,  UN Cultural Ambassador for Percussion

1:10 p.m.
Shaolin Temple, Chinese Martial Arts

1:45 p.m.
Jayamangala,  Indian Classical Dance

2:20 p.m.
Furia Flamenca, Flamenco Dance

3:00 p.m
Ta’Ta RoiRoi, Tahitian Dance and music

3:40 p.m
Born 2 Dance,  Capoeira, Bollywood, and Salsa

4:15 p.m
Nomad Dancers,  Dances from ancient Persia and Central Asia

5:15 p.m.
Ocho de Bastos,  Latin Pop Rock

Additionally, RCC’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery includes an indoor stage with storytelling, Irish music and dance, and Ukranian egg decorating, among other activities. Visit RCC’s website for the full schedule of events.

There will also be food and crafts from many cultures available for purchase. On the menu: Peruvian chicken, Thai food, tacos and more. See the list of arts and crafts vendors.

Photo: Reston Multicultural Festival/file photo

More than two dozen naturalized American citizens will take their Oath of Allegiance in front of an audience at Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday.

The swearing-in has been a tradition at the Reston Multicultural Festival the last 12 years as people from a variety of countries become the newest U.S. citizens in a ceremony capped by the release of doves.

The naturalization ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. with remarks by Sarah Taylor from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Taylor will also administer the oath of allegiance.

Musical performances will include the Star Spangled Banner by South Lakes High School Chorus members and God Bless America by Reston performer Beverly Cosham.

After the ceremony, Bolivian dancers will lead participants and visitors across the plaza for the rest of the day’s celebration.

From 1 to 6 p.m., the festival becomes a mix of world music, dance, crafts, stories and food on two outdoor stages and an indoor space (Jo Ann Rose Gallery). There will be Chinese martial arts, Flamenco dance, Ukranian egg decorating, Indian classical dance and a public art project made of origami cranes, among others.

Visit Reston Community Center’s website for the full slate of events. Admission is free.

Photo: New U.S. citizens at Reston Multicultural Festival naturalization ceremony, 2012/file photo

Music, dance, food and other cultural displays from around the world will return to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Reston Multicultural Festival.

The Reston Multicultural Festival celebrates the diversity and community spirit of Reston, says Reston Community Center, which sponsors the annual event along with Reston Association and other local organizations and businesses.

The fun starts at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony of brand new United State citizens and a release of doves.

Live entertainment begins at 1 p.m. on two stages. Admission is free.

World Stage 

1 p.m.
Elaine Hoffman Watts, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, Klezmer Music

2 p.m.
Christylez Bacon-Washington Sound Museum with Wytold and Nitsha Raj, Cross-Cultural Collaborative Music Experience

2:55 p.m.
Angel Roman, Middle Eastern Dance

3:30 p.m.
Kalavaridhi Dance, Indian Classical Dance

4:10 p.m.
Khinezin Win, Burmese (Myanmar Dance)

5 p.m.
Elikeh, Afro-pop

Global Stage

12:15 p.m.
Tom Teasley,  UN Cultural Ambassador for Percussion

1:10 p.m.
Shaolin Temple, Chinese Martial Arts Read More