Events & Happenings - April 28th - May 4th

Cooking and workout classes, museum reopening celebration, and more!

Author

Juliana Lewis
April 27, 2025

Events & Happenings

Hello and Happy Sunday!

Thanks for bearing with me as I took two weeks off from the newsletter. I’ve decided to switch back to sending newsletters out on Sundays rather than Monday. As a UConn alum and Arlington resident I have to share the exciting news of UConn women’s basketball team winning the NCAA title, with Azzi Fudd, an Arlington native, on the team!

There are many events this week including the Rosslyn Reads spring market! If you enjoy this newsletter or have feedback, please let me know! You can also follow Out & About in Arlington on Instagram at @OutandAboutArlingtonVA.

If you are looking for ways to get involved in Arlington government, consider checking out current engagement opportunities on Arlington County’s website or following a mutual aid organization, such as La Collectiva or Arlington for Palestine.

Monday, April 28th

Gentle Yoga in the Galleries (Virginia Square)

  • 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

  • Unwind and invite balance in this flowing, gentle yoga class. Our experienced instructors will guide you through a gentle practice suitable for all levels. On Monday nights in the beautiful Tiffany Gallery. Start your week on a positive note.

  • This is a donation-based class that supports the Museum's mission. We created tickets tiered at the levels of 10, 15, and 20. Opting for the higher level tickets makes way for those who can't afford as much.

Tuesday, April 29th

  • 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Central Library in the auditorium

  • Join Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola (SD-40), Delegate Adele McClure (HD-2), Delegate Alfonso Lopez (HD-3) and special guest Congressman Don Beyer (CD-8) for a legislative update and discussion of federal impacts. 

  • 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Columbia Pike Library

  • Looking to spark creativity and build community through writing? Join our writers group for adults ages 21 to 39! Whether you love writing poetry, short stories, or anything in between, we gather to write in short, energizing 11-minute bursts inspired by prompts—perfect for warming up your imagination or diving into a new idea.

  • Each session, we’ll work from a group prompt, and you’re welcome (and encouraged!) to bring your own prompts to share. No pressure to share your work—just come ready to write, connect, and enjoy the process.

  • RSVP for free here.

  • 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Three Whistles

    • 7:00 - 8:00 pm: Bachata Dance Lesson

    • 8:00 pm -10:00 pm: Social Dancing

  • No partner or dance experience is needed to come out and enjoy! We start with a beginner-friendly lesson and open the floor to fun social dancing.

  • Proceeds from these dance events go to non-profit Inspira Dance, helping to fund high-quality dance programs in Title 1 public schools. For more info on Inspira Dance, visit their Facebook page here 

  • Tickets are $12 ahead of time or $15 the day of.

Wednesday, April 30th

  • 8:00 am - 9:00 am at Metropolitan Park

  • Join DC Fray + National Landing on Wednesdays from 8-9 a.m. for free, instructor-led classes that are sure to help you break a sweat. No experience required! Simply select the class you’re interested in from our lineup below, grab your gear and get ready to work.

  • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at The Commentary (one hour slots)

  • Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience as Executive Chef Francecil Ponte and our Sicilian kitchen supervisor, Rita Massa, the beloved "Pizza Queen" from Napoli, take you on a journey into the art of crafting crowd-pleasing pies.

  • During this interactive class, Chef Fran and Rita will share their secrets, tips, and tricks for crafting authentic Italian pizzas. While your creations bake to perfection, step over to our Craft Cocktail station and immerse yourself in a mixology class led by our in-house experts.

  • Tickets are $81.88 including fees. Purchase tickets here.

Keifer Thompson (Penrose)

  • 7:00 pm at Arlington Drafthouse (doors open at 6:00 pm)

  • Keifer Thompson is an award-winning country music artist, songwriter, and comedian. He is co-founder of the Grammy=nominated duo Thompson Square and he has accumulated multiplatinum hits as well as ACM, CMA and CMT awards. In 2018, after leaving his record label, he was looking for another creative outlet. Standup comedy is something Keifer has always been obsessed with and now the timing was perfect to embark on this new journey. He started writing and touring and is currently recording his first comedy record that will be out later this year. Keifer’s style of comedy combines his honed craft as a hit songwriter and everyday observations to make something unique and very funny.

  • Tickets are $29.50 each.

Noise Awareness 2025 (Virginia Square)

  • 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm at Mason Exhibitions Arlington

  • Noise Awareness taps into and exposes the unconventional and vibrant side of our student community.  Noise Awareness this year will be in conversation with the current art exhibition on view, Nothing Personal: A Collaboration in Black and White.

  • AVT 374  (Dr. Thomas Stanley) instructs students in the multiple contexts in which sound art can be presented, including live performance. The gallery welcomes Music Research Strategist Marshall Trammell in workshop-performance process involving first training the attendees in improvised performance and the interpretation of graphical scores. Then students from AVT 374 will use Trammell’s pre-prepared 2’ x 2’ foam-core boards to conduct a blended ensemble featuring Trammell, Dr. Stanley and students (a vocalist and electronic musicians).

  • RSVP for the event here.

Thursday, May 1st

Community Bike Ride & Happy Hour (National Landing/Crystal City)

  • 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Kaldi Crystal City

  • Kick off Bike Month 2025 with a Community Bike Ride and Happy Hour in National Landing! Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a casual, social ride and connect with the National Landing community.

  • Meet at 4:30pm in front of Kaldi’s Social House in National Landing. Onsite bike mechanics can perform safety checks and ensure your bike is ready to ride. After a 30-minute bike ride throughout the Potomac Yard neighborhood, join us back at Kaldi’s for a happy hour, featuring complimentary food and beverages. Free onsite Bike Valet parking services are provided.

  • 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Mason Exhibitions Arlington

  • Current Arlington County Poet Laureate Courtney LeBlanc and Poets Laureate Emeritae Katherine E. Young and Holly Karapetkova read their work and discuss the role of the Poet Laureate in building community through the literary arts. This reading will be hosted within the exhibition, Nothing Personal: A Collaboration in Black and White, on view until May 3, 2025.

  • RSVP for the event here.

Friday, May 2nd

  • 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Life Time Clarendon

  • Join our amazing Life Cafe crew and throw some dough! You will add your favorite toppings to be fired in our Brick Pizza Oven. Eat your pizza here or take it home and enjoy. We have allergy friendly options for all.

  • Tickest are $35 each. Reserve your spot here.

  • 6:30 pm - 9:00pm at UPSIDE on Moore

  • Come join us for a night of hilarious improv comedy at UPSIDE on Moore! This in-person event promises to keep you laughing all night long. Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy a fun-filled evening with friends and family, so mark your calendars for a night of non-stop laughter!

  • This is a free event but reservations are recommended to ensure capacity.

Saturday, May 3rd

  • 8:00 am - 1:00 pm in Bluemont

  • The Bluemont Civic Association is excited to host its first Spring Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free event is open to all Bluemont residents and visitors, offering an opportunity to connect with neighbors, declutter, and shop locally. No registration is required to participate. Sellers will set up shop in their own yards or driveways, or bring items to a shared community sale location at “The Rocks,” located just off the Bluemont Junction Trail near the entrance to Mary Carlin Woods.

  • 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Central Place Plaza

  • Browse through thousands of low-priced books across all genres while enjoying local vendors offering unique finds. Plus, teachers and students receive BOGO books* all day! Bring your friends and family for a fun-filled day of shopping and soaking in the springtime atmosphere.

  • The Rosslyn BID will also be collecting used books for Turning the Page and gently used children's clothing for Clothesline Arlington, so clean out your bookshelf or your closet for a good cause and stop by the information tent for drop-off.

  • 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Arlington Historical Museum

  • After closing last summer for preservation and renovation work, we reopen on May 3 at 10:00 AM with the debut of all-new exhibits. You’ll also have an opportunity at 1:00 PM to hear from local author Barbara Noe Kennedy, author of “100 Things to Do in Arlington Before You Die.” (You can leave with just 99 left!) The book is for sale in our updated and expanded museum shop and she looks forward to signing your book. The exhibits tell new stories uncovered about Arlington’s past and build on much of the history we have always shared. You’ll see Arlington history from the time of Native peoples through the thriving multicultural community it is today. One new exhibit AHS is proud to introduce is its “Memorializing the Enslaved” exhibit highlighting the special research project that has shed light on the lives of enslaved individuals who lived and labored in Arlington, honoring their contributions and resilience. Through historical records, artifacts, and personal stories, the project and the exhibit seek to ensure that their voices are acknowledged and remembered as part of Arlington’s complex history.

  • Visit us at the Arlington Historical Museum for the big reveal! The museum is in the oldest existing schoolhouse at 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Road. It’s free and parking is free.

  • 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

  • Join us for a vibrant and fun-filled afternoon at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington as we celebrate spring. Pick up a gift for your mom before Mother's Day!

  • No tickets required!

  • 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Columbia Pike Library

  • Join us for an enchanting evening of traditional dance performances celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Islands and South Asia. Experience the vibrant and mesmerizing movements of the Halau O 'Aulani dancers who will showcase the beauty of Pacific Islander dance, alongside captivating performances by a talented South Asian artist.e.

  • This event is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the diverse traditions and rhythms that define these two distinct cultures. From the graceful hula to the dynamic beats of South Asian dance, you'll be transported to different parts of the world through the universal language of dance. Don't miss this chance to celebrate AAPI Month with us and enjoy afternoon of culture.

  • 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Westover Taco

  • All levels welcome! Beginners encouraged! Join us for a creative and social experience! Whether you're coming solo or with friends, you'll craft your own ceramic piece from start to finish. Learn the basics of handbuilding and underglazing (using a monoprint technique) in a fun, welcoming environment. Your piece will be professionally kiln-fired and clear-glazed, ready for pickup or delivery once finished. Community is so important, come and be a part of ours! Food and drinks available for purchase - check out the full menu at www.westovertaco.com

  • Tickets are $92.55 (including fees). Purcase tickets here.

Prisoner Express (Courthouse)

  • 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Courthouse Library

  • Join us for an afternoon with Prisoner Express. Prisoner Express creates an opportunity for incarcerated men and women to get information, education and a public forum for creative self-expression. Read and respond to journals, art, poetry, and essays that the prisoners have submitted. Led by an experienced volunteer. 

  • 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm at Bayou Bakery

  • Transporting the juiciest, plumpest 'mudbugs' from the wild waterways of Louisiana to the DMV, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery will be boiling up Crawfish in true N’awlins fashion, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. With the ease of pre-purchasing your order of Crawfish, a table is secured for you between 3:00PM-4:30PM. New Orleans native Chef David Guas will be kicking off his 15th Annual Crawfish Boil series set to soulful tunes from a local live band, conveying the spirit of New Orleans through music.

  • General Admission Ticket Choice One [$50+ per person,] includes: 2-pounds of Crawfish, Potatoes, Cornbread, Coleslaw, and Muff-a-lotta! General Admission Ticket Choice Two [$88+ per person,] includes: 2-pounds of Crawfish, Potatoes, Cornbread, Coleslaw, and Muff-a-lotta. It also includes the choice of One Cocktail or Frozen Daiquiri Pitcher [serves five, see flavor selections below]. Additional pounds of Crawfish are available for purchase while dining. Purchase tickets here.

  • 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at UPSIDE on Moore

  • Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of chocolate artistry and sampling. Designed for chocolate enthusiasts of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned hobbyists, this personalized experience covers everything from melting and molding to decorating and packaging your creations. You'll sample five different types of chocolate, explore some of our signature products, and experiment with flavor combinations for your unique creation. Book your spot today and indulge in the sweet satisfaction of making your very own chocolate bars!

  • Tickest are $50 and can be purchased here.

Sunday, May 4th

  • 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Olive Lebanese Eatery Express

  • Join Chef Farah on a nostalgic culinary journey to master the art of making Knafeh, inspired by her childhood visits to the famed Habiba shop in Amman, Jordan, where each bite transported her to their ancestral home of Nablus. In this class, we’ll explore the traditional techniques and authentic ingredients that make Nabulsi Knafeh so special, passed down through generations and cherished as a symbol of Palestinian heritage.

  • In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn to create the beloved Palestinian dessert, Knafeh, using traditional techniques and authentic ingredients. We’ll begin by preparing the kataifi dough, shredding it by hand into short strands and mixing it with ghee, butter, and optional orange food coloring to achieve the perfect texture and color. You’ll then press the dough into a pan, ensuring it forms a firm base, before layering it with a blend of akawi and mozzarella cheeses. After topping with the remaining dough, we’ll cook the Knafeh on the stove, continuously rotating the pan for even heat distribution until the cheese melts and bubbles. Finally, you’ll drizzle the Knafeh with fragrant orange blossom-infused syrup and garnish it with crushed pistachios, creating a dessert that is as beautiful as it is delicious.

  • Tickets are $65 each. Join the waitlist here.