Weekend Buzz: April 3, 2025
Falls Church Home & Garden Tour
Falls Church Home & Garden Tour Returns This Sunday, April 6, 1-5:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars! The highly anticipated Falls Church Home & Garden Tour is back for its ninth year, offering attendees an exclusive opportunity to explore some of the city’s most stunning homes and gardens — all while supporting a great cause.
This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 6, from 1-5:00 p.m.
The tour features 11 unique stops, including a historic home, contemporary architectural marvels, and even some of the Little City’s newest developments. Each location promises to inspire with its distinctive charm, design, and landscaping.
All proceeds from the Falls Church Home & Garden Tour benefit the Falls Church Education Foundation, which helps enhance educational opportunities for all students in Falls Church City Public Schools.
Event Details:
● Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
● Time: 1 - 5:00 p.m.
● Tickets: $30 in advance through Friday, April 4
● Age Restriction: Adults 18 and older only
Registered attendees will receive the specific locations of tour stops prior to the event. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, an avid gardener, or just someone looking for a delightful way to spend an afternoon, this tour offers something for everyone.
Tickets are $30 when purchased in advance, so don’t wait! Secure your spot by Friday, April 4, and join us in celebrating the beauty and creativity within Falls Church City. To purchase tickets, visit fcedf.org/garden.
To download the tour logo, visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/183QwNl8Q-3xtMqYESAapK9ZBQN_vidIt?usp=share_link
Media Contact:
Kari Forsee, at: kforsee@fcedf.org; (312) 399-1659.
Local Music
Keith Butler and Seysew at Little City Concerts
Rest/Imagine: Themes for a Bloodline
What: Jazz drummer/composer Keith Butler, Jr and his groundbreaking quintet Seysew perform Rest/Imagine: Themes for a Bloodline, the first Little City Concerts Commission.
We are very excited to work with drummer and composer Keith Butler, Jr., on our first Little City Concerts Commission, titled Rest/Imagine: Themes for a Bloodline. Written for his quintet Seysew (voice, flute, piano, bass, drums), this piece is a rumination on literacy, black imagination, and the often unspoken history of families. Little City Concerts raised the commissioning fee for this via donations from individuals and local businesses based in and around Falls Church City. For this performance, Keith will be joined by vocalist Jaquay Smith, flutist Alex Hamburger, pianist Drew Kid, and bassist Stephen Arnold. Members of Seysew are mainstays in the DMV jazz/experimental music scene, and have played at venues around the city like The Kennedy Center, the DC Jazz Festival, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Rhizome, the Strathmore Music Center, and Blues Alley.
When: Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Falls Church Episcopal; use 166 E. Broad St. to access the parking lot and closest entrance to the performance space.
How much: $25 general admission, FREE for students/youth, FREE for recently laid off federal workers (use code FED at checkout). Click here to purchase/register for free tickets.
Our nonprofit partner for this event will be DC-based Teaching for Change. Teaching for Change provides teachers and parents with the tools to create schools where students learn to read, write, and change the world. By drawing direct connections to real world issues, Teaching for Change encourages teachers and students to question and re-think the world inside and outside their classrooms; build a more equitable, multicultural society; and become active global citizens. Their professional development, publications, and parent organizing programs serve teachers, other school staff, and parents. 50% of ticket sales will be donated to Teaching for Change.
Crooked Sparrow
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave. Saturday, April 5, 2-3:30 p.m. Lower Level Conference Room.
Crooked Sparrow is the combination of award-winning singer songwriters Valeria Stewart and Kevin Dudley. They are joined by fiddler Jenny Smith. There's never a dull moment with the blend of Texas, Latin America, Folk and Americana roots in this trio’s music.
Valeria is originally from Argentina and grew up in the D.C. area. She's been performing in the DMV for many years, first with the Stewart Sisters, and later as half of the award-winning duo Luna. Valeria’s songs have a blend of latin, folk, jazz, and Americana roots. The Luna EP ‘The Alchemist’s Journey’, was released in 2020.
Kevin hails from Texas and is well-known in the D.C. area as an award-winning singer-songwriter and performer as well as a member of the band the Snake Farmers. Kevin recorded with Luna on their 2020 EP. His 2012 CD, Texarkana Diner, was produced by Kathy Fink. He brings his mix of western swing, blues, and a deep soul to Crooked Sparrow.
Jenny is a public-school teacher and has been playing her violin for over 20 years. She studied under the Russian violinist Dana Mazurkevich, and at age 13 toured Europe with her Boston youth orchestra. She's played with The Stewart Sisters and the Difficult Run band. She now adds beautiful depth and outstanding tonality to the instrumentals and original songs of Crooked Sparrow.
For registration info go here.
Draco Rosa
Latin Rock
Friday, April 4. The State Theatre, 6111 Arl. Blvd., Falls Church.
Doors open 7:00 p.m. Showtime: 8:00 p.m. Tickets: Early Bird $39 (Limited Quantity) General Admission Advance $49 Day of Show $59.
Robert Edward Rosa Suárez, mejor conocido en el medio artístico como Draco Rosa o Draco Cornelius, Robi Draco Rosa, Robi Rosa o simplemente Draco, es un músico, cantautor, compositor, multi-instrumentista, productor, poeta, y empresario estadounidense. Nació en Long Island, Nueva York, Estados Unidos, el 27 de junio del año 1969, de ascendencia puertorriqueña.
Debido a su gran talento artístico ha colaborado como compositor y productor para cantantes como Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias y Ednita Nazario, entre otros.
You must be 18 or over to enter unless accompanied by your parent. Valid ID required. Save some money! There's only a $1 fee when you buy your ticket in person at the box office.
For more info go here.
Girlfriend In A Coma:
A Tribute to Morrissey and The Smiths
Capital One Hall: The Vault. April 4. Doors open: 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $19.
Inspired by The Smiths and Morrissey's Music "Girlfriend In A Coma" is a celebration of the art created by Morrissey and The Smiths. Roughly three decades since The Smiths’ breakup, this band creates an authentic experience for the fans that once witnessed the brilliance of The Smiths and those that that have been denied that opportunity.
Fans of retro alternative music will embrace a classic playlist of The Smiths singalong songs like This Charming Man, How Soon Is Now, Panic, There Is A Light, Shoplifters Of The World Unite and of course, "Girlfriend In A Coma." The repertoire also draws from Morrissey's solo career featuring songs such as Suedehead, You're The One For Me Fatty, Hairdresser On Fire and more. The Smiths were founding fathers of modern alternative music that inspired Brit Pop artists like Oasis, The Stone Roses, Blur and Radiohead. The Smiths and Morrissey songs are still the foundation of SiriusXM's First Wave channel and alternative stations today.
Local Theater
Cirque Mechanics
Pedal Punk
George Mason University Center for the Arts. Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. (audio described), and 8:00 p.m.
Known for their modern circus incorporating mechanical marvels, Cirque Mechanics introduces the wildly astonishing Pedal Punk, set in a Steampunk-inspired world where cycling provides wondrous escape from pervasive obsession with technology. A 22-foot, pedal-powered performance platform (dubbed the Gantry bike) serves as the caravanning mobile centerpiece of this high-flying thrill ride, featuring spectacular storytelling and daredevil acrobatics. The awe-inspiring ensemble of aerialists, jugglers, and clowns — including a zany bike shop mechanic— interacts with the elaborate contraption as well as penny farthings, unicycles, and tandem cycles. The Spectacle magazine hailed the troupe as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil,” while the New York Times raved “exceptional, evocative, eye-catching, ear-catching and, to keep the list short, engrossingly entertaining.” This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Tickets: $55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12, Run Time: approximately 85 minutes, plus intermission.
Before the Performance
For the 2:00 p.m. show, a pre-performance discussion with Cirque Mechanics artists Rachel Rees and Blake Hicks, moderated by professional circus clown Matthew Pauli, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts, 45 minutes prior to curtain. Seating is limited. A livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby for additional viewing. For the 8:00 p.m. show, a pre-performance discussion with Cirque Mechanics artists Lindsey Covarrubias and Windu Sayles, moderated by professional circus clown Matthew Pauli, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts, 45 minutes prior to curtain. Seating is limited. A livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby for additional viewing.
For more info go here.
Bad Books
Just opened! ~ Roundhouse Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway Bethesda. April 2 - April 27.
By: Sharyn Rothstein
Directed by: Ryan Rilette
Featuring: Kate Eastwood Norris and Holly Twyford
A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere
When a troubled teen is given a controversial book, his mother visits the local library to discuss “appropriate” reading material with the librarian. However, their reasonable discussion quickly turns into a heated confrontation, sparking a dramatic chain reaction of unexpected consequences. With both heartbreak and humor, Sharyn Rothstein offers compassion and empathy as an antidote to the deep debates that divide us. Staged in the round, this brilliant world premiere challenges us to see past our political divisions and first impressions, and asks us what it truly means to care for our children. Part of the Bonnie Hammerschlag National Capital New Play Festival.
Bad Books is produced at Round House Theatre as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Other Partner Theaters are Florida Studio Theatre (Sarasota, Florida), Curious Theatre Company (Denver, Colorado), and Williamston Theatre (Williamston, Michigan). For more information, please visit nnpn.org.
For more info go here.
Sister Act
Ford's Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. Through May 17.
Sister Act is a riotous musical comedy based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! To escape the mob, a nightclub singer hides in a convent. While there, she helps her new sisters to discover their powerful voices while she finds her own. This uplifting, Tony-nominated musical features original music by Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors). It is directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun (Broadway: Newsies, Ford’s: Violet, The Civil War, Freedom’s Song, Shenandoah).
Approximately two hours, 30 minutes and with a 15-minute intermission. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Get Tickets.
Snow White/Blancanieve
March 21 - April 6, Creative Cauldron, 127 East Broad St., Falls Church
The Learning Theater takes an irreverent look at one of the most popular Grimm tales of all time. In this bilingual adaptation featuring the music of Conner and Smith, Snow White meets all of your favorite characters: the Magic Mirror, the Evil Queen, the little miners who come to her aid, and a few other zany members of the kingdom that will have you rolling in the aisles. Adults: $20. Students: $18.
For more info go here.
2 Across
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Through April 5. Providence Players of Fairfax, 2855 Annandale Rd., Fairfax.
Two strangers, a man and a woman, board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 a.m. They’re alone in the car, both are doing the New York Times crossword. She’s an organized, sensible psychologist. He’s a free-spirited, unemployed ad exec. She's a crossword pro. He always quits. When he tosses his puzzle away, she urges him not to give up, explaining, “Crosswords are a metaphor for life, those who finish, succeed, those who don’t, fail.” This starts an eighty-minute ride filled with hilarious, witty, and romantic banter. As the train ride ends, it’s obvious each has solved more than a crossword together.
By Jerry Mayer. Directed by Barbara Gertzog.
For more info go here.
In the Heights
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Through May 4.
The joyous Tony Award-winning triumph by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and Quiara Alegría Hudes (Daphne’s Dive).
Lights up on Washington Heights, NYC where the streets are full of music, and everybody’s got a dream. With the neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, the vibrant inhabitants share hope, loss and love as they plan their futures while cherishing their home.
Latin rhythms and hip-hop lyrics infuse “96,000,” “Paciencia y Fe,” “Carnaval del Barrio” and the title song as this breathtaking celebration of community and culture energetically bursts off the stage with Signature’s trademark immersive style.
“When this musical erupts in one of its expressions of collective joy, the energy it gives off could light up the George Washington Bridge for a year or two.” -- The New York Times
For more info go here.
A Room in the Castle
Through April 6. Folger Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St., SE, D.C.
How does a woman survive the court of Denmark? How does anyone? A Room in the Castle finds Ophelia, her handmaid, and Queen Gertrude on the other end of a wild prince’s antics and realizing just how dangerous life in this castle has become. A universal thriller that explores how we help one another through harrowing times, what mothering a potential madman means, and what responsibilities generations have to each other, A Room in the Castle rebrands the stories of the women of Shakespeare’s Hamlet into a hilarious and heart-rending drama with music and defiant hope for the future.
By Lauren M. Gunderson. Directed by Kaja Dunn. Co-produced with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Tickets: $20 - $84. Approximately 85 minutes with no intermission.
For more info go here.
Your Name Means Dream
Through April 6. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, D.C.
Internationally acclaimed playwright José Rivera directs his profoundly intimate tragicomedy that asks what it means to be human as we embrace the technology of our future – and it embraces us.
Aislin needs constant support in her later years, and her care is placed in the hands of an AI robot-caregiver – designed to look and sound human – named Stacy. The unexpected relationship that blossoms between them sparks questions of what it means to have a soul, what defines humanity – and what happens when those definitions begin to shift.
Blending magical realism with science fiction, Rivera’s Your Name Means Dream marries the tension of a thriller with the emotional rewards of a quest. Aislin’s body may be aging, but her mind cannot help but actively seek connection and grow an appetite for true friendship. Stacy’s body was designed to fulfill the role of a caregiver but fails to qualify as being alive. The relationship these women find in each other is both surprising and moving, taking us on a journey that challenges us to know the Other as we attempt to discover more about ourselves.
Starring Naomi Jacobson and Sara Koviak.
For more info go here.
#CHARLOTTESVILLE
World Premiere! Through April 13, Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St., NW, D.C.
An unflinching tour-de-force performance by Priyanka Shetty, #CHARLOTTESVILLE chronicles the tragic events of August 11th and 12th, 2017, when white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia for the “Unite the Right” rally on the pretext of expressing outrage against the removal of the Confederate monument of Robert E. Lee, leading to a violent clash with counter-protesters. Shetty’s #CHARLOTTESVILLE unpacks the complex issues surrounding race and identity in modern-day America from her own perspective as an immigrant from India, while drawing parallels to the rise of nationalism and racial division in other parts of the world. Constructed verbatim from interviews with over 100 local residents, court transcripts from the civil trial, and news reports in the style of Anna Deavere Smith and the Tectonic Theater Project, #CHARLOTTESVILLE is an urgent and personal exploration of how a town and the nation grapple with white supremacy.
Directed by Yury Urnov. Playwright and Performer: Priyanka Shetty.
For more info go here.
Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"
Through April 19. The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria
Written by William Shakespeare. Produced by Margaret Chapman and Christine Tankersly. Directed by Joey Pierce.
Set against the jazzy streets and festive vibes of modern-day New Orleans, William Shakespeare’s timeless Rom-Com comes to life. “There is a merry war” between the sharp-tongued Beatrice and Benedick, whose playful banter masks their growing affection for each other while their friends conspire to bring them together. Meanwhile, the earnest Claudio and Hero’s romance is put to the test by a series of deceptions. With vibrant characters, clever plot twists, and a delightful mix of love and laughter, this romantic comedy promises an exhilarating ride from start to finish. Get ready for a fantastical romp filled with clever quips, spirited antics, and a heartwarming finale!
Estimated time: two hours with an intermission. All ages. All must have a ticket to attend. Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m. (Please note our new matinee time.) Tickets: $26 Reserved Seating.
For ticket info go here.
Testosterone
Through April 6. Ages: 18+ (Adults only). Atlas Performing Arts, 1333 H St. NE, D.C.
Testosterone takes the Grimm Brothers' "The Story of a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn Fear" and turns it on its head with hilarious results. This sharp social satire explores the clash between two brothers: Ingo, the "good son" living a life of comfortable security, and Raul, the "bad son" embracing the chaotic "bad neighborhood." Their confrontation exposes the absurdities of toxic masculinity and the pitfalls of privileged do-gooding, shaking everyone's moral compass.
Ingo resides in a high-tech security fortress to protect his own family from the "bad neighborhood", a barbaric dog-eat-dog world that is rampant with crime, gang wars, and violence. It's the home of his fearless brother Raul and when their worlds collide, chaos erupts, turning everyone's lives upside down, shaking their concepts of love, courage, and justice to the core, and blowing up their moral categories. It's a "dark parable,” disguised as comedy with strong farcical elements—translation by Neil Blackadder and directed by Karin Rosnizeck.
Ages: 18+ (Adults Only). Content Warning: Regularly occurring use of swearing or coarse language, Regularly occurring sexual content, Regularly occurring use of prop weapons, and intense references/depictions of violence.
Run-Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Visual Arts
Be sure to visit Rare Bird Coffee Roasters in downtown Falls Church to see Pamela Huffman's solo exhibition: "In the Absence of Nurture… Nature,' now through June 15.
See our recent article about the show here:
Christopher Jones
Light & Dark: Contrast
Falls Church Arts, 700-B West Broad St., Falls Church
Photographers were invited to submit images that explore light and dark in contrast, whether in black and white or color photography. Exhibition: March 1 – April 6. Juror: Aimee George.
For our story about the People's Choice-winner at the show, see our article below:
Christopher Jones
A Brighter Light: An Alliance Member-Juried Show
Arlington Artists Alliance, 2700 Clarendon Blvd. Suite R330, Arlington, March 20 - May 4
Alliance Gallery is pleased to present A Brighter Light, an Arlington Artists Alliance member-juried show exploring themes of hope, clarity, renewal, and optimism. The exhibition seeks to present light in a new way through artists’ use of color, shadow, and texture to convey emotions of optimism during times of uncertainty or darkness. How can light change our perspective? A Brighter Light aims to celebrate resilience and beauty in everyday life.
For more info go here.
Arts & Crafts
Family Art Lab: Spring Wreaths
Spring is here! Let’s create a beautiful spring wreath to welcome the good weather. Join us on Saturday, April 5 at Arlington Mill Community Center from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Each person attending the program (including adults) needs to register, and all children must be supervised by a participating adult. Learn more and sign up here.
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion