Page, 6 Ever y Chocolate Lover’s Dream-Come-True News, Page 3 Teen Job Fairs for 2020 News, Page 5 For One Show, It’s All about the Dancers Entertainment, Page 9 Dancers at the end of the “Montage Four” number in The Fairfax Academy’s production of “A Chorus Line.” online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 23-29, 2020 Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection Postal Customer ECR WSS Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 1-24-20 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Easton, MD permit #322 Opinion, Page 4 v Entertainment, Page 8 v Classifieds, Page 10
Transcript
Page, 6
Every Chocolate Lover’s Dream-Come-TrueNews, Page 3
Teen Job Fairs for 2020News, Page 5
For One Show, It’s All about the Dancers
Entertainment, Page 9
Dancers at the end of the “Montage Four” number in The Fairfax Academy’s production of “A Chorus Line.”
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 23-29, 2020
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2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA
FOR YOUR TOYOTA
WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE
SPECIAL SAVINGS
1/31/20.
11/30/19.
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
It’s pretty hard to find someone whodoesn’t like chocolate. So it’s no won-der that everyone attending FairfaxCity’s Chocolate Lovers Festival will
be in foodie paradise. And this year’s event,the 28th annual, should be no exception.
Slated for Friday, Jan. 31, from 6-8 p.m.;Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; andSunday, Feb. 2, from noon-4 p.m., it offerseverything from cupcakes to candy, fudge,cakes, cookies, ice cream and even a choco-late fountain.
“The Chocolate Lover’s Festival is one ofthe City’s signature events and is enor-mously popular across our region,” saidFairfax Mayor David Meyer. “Many volun-teers have worked countless hours overmany months to prepare for this uniqueevent.
We are so appreciative of the hard workand dedication of the planning committee,our vendors and our loyal attendees fortheir support. And all proceeds are donatedto worthwhile charitable programs in ourcommunity. No pun intended, but howsweet is that?”
The signature event is the Taste of Choco-late, where attendees purchase samples ofdelicious chocolate treats from two floorsof vendors in Old Town Hall. There’s noChocolate Challenge this year, but there’llstill be a silent auction featuring a widevariety of items donated by local businesses.It’s set for Sunday, Feb. 2, from noon-4 p.m.In addition, the LOVE sign will be in OldTown Square, all weekend, and the Wash-ington Nationals’ racing presidents will visitSaturday, Feb. 1, from noon-2 p.m.
Overall, the festival offers many fun-filledactivities for children and adults alike.Scheduled are magic, juggling, musical per-formances, face-painting, fairytales, a cakewalk, fire-safety puppet show, ChocolateCaper mock trial, cupcake-decorating andopen houses in historic buildings. All ven-ues are handicap-accessible, but only certi-fied service animals are allowed inside anyevent site.
Liquid Chocolate,Barbecue Lunch
The Jan. 31, Liquid Chocolate event goesfrom 6-8 p.m. and features an intriguingassortment of chocolate libations. It’ll beheld inside a heated tent on Old TownSquare’s upper parking lot, 3999 Univer-sity Drive. And because it’s so much fun,it’ll return Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1-6 p.m.There’ll be chocolate beverages for all ages,including:
Milky Way chocolate-infused milk stout,
ing offered.They purchase them with pogs and may
buy as many pogs as they want from roam-ing volunteers in red aprons.
Heaven for chocolate lovers, the varietyof goodies includes chocolate candies, bars,brownies, cakes and fudge, chocolate-cov-ered strawberries and ice cream. And oneof the biggest hits each year are the choco-late fountains into which customers may dipfruit, cream-filled doughnut holes or marsh-mallows.
The vendors will include: Cameron’s Cof-fee & Chocolates, The Capital Candy Jar,Capitol Chocolate Fountains,Chocotenango, Confection Connection,Dave’s Candy Kitchen, El Ceibo/Diestro, TheDough Jar, Le Papiyon Chocolatier, Mike’sFudge, Pacari Chocolate, River-Sea Choco-late, Sugar Mama’s Ice Cream, The SweetLife Cakery and Veritas Artizen Chocolate.
Cake Walksand Cookbooks
Cake walks will be held Saturday, Feb.1, from noon-4 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2,from 1-4 p.m., in Old Town Square, but maybe moved indoors if there’s inclementweather. Participants will have the chanceto win cakes.
Chocolate Lovers Festival Cookbooks($10) may be purchased at both the Kiwanisbarbecue lunch and the Taste of Chocolate.Or get them at the Fairfax Museum and Visi-tor Center, 10209 Main St. (703-385-8414).Commemorative T-shirts will also be soldat the festival.
GoldenTicket Contest
The City of Fairfax Office of EconomicDevelopment and the Central Fairfax Cham-ber of Commerce are sponsoring the GoldenTicket Contest.
Inspired by the book and movie, “Charlieand the Chocolate Factory,” three goldentickets will be hidden within 1,200 choco-late bars made by local chocolatier,Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates. Some 22Old Town businesses (see list at https://fairfaxcityconnected.com/2019/12/16/goldenticket2020/ will sell the chocolatebars for $3 each, beginning Jan. 31. Luckyfinders of the golden ticket will be rewardedwith a Chocolate Lovers Gift Basket and atour of the Cameron’s facility.
Grant RecipientsEach year, the Chocolate Lovers Festival
Committee chooses a nonprofit, charitableorganization to receive part of the festivalproceeds.
The honorees are entities that contributeto the common good and the community atlarge. This year, three recipients were se-lected: Fairfax Court Appointed SpecialAdvocates (CASA), Gracing Spaces andFood for Others.
Every Chocolate Lover’s Dream-Come-TrueFairfax’s 28th
annual festivalis Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
Map of Chocolate Festival event sites.
served by Ornery Beer Co.; chocolate sodaand milk, Twins Ace Hardware; chocolate-covered strawberry liquor, MurLarkey Dis-tilled Spirits; dessert-wine pairing, TheWine House; chocolate stout, Chubby Squir-rel Brewing Co.; chocolate milkshakes,Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers;chocolate-hazelnut milk stout, CabooseBrewing Co.; chocolate tea and cacao(chocolate) juice, River-Sea Chocolates;plus chocolate coffee and hot chocolate.Also that Saturday, the Kiwanis Club ofFairfax will offer barbecue lunches andcrafts vendors, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at FireStation 3, at 4081 University Drive.
Taste of ChocolateThe festival’s highlight, the Taste of
Chocolate, will be held Feb. 1, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Feb. 2, from noon-4 p.m., inOld Town Hall, 3999 University Drive (cor-ner of Main Street and University Drive).Strollers may be left on the front porch; a
fully accessible entrance is at the door onMain Street.
Admission is free; visitors buy pogs for$1 each and then browse vendors’ tables tosee the wide array of chocolate treats be-
Kyra Coronado-Wager enjoys SugarMama’s chocolate chip-raspberryice cream at a previous Taste ofChocolate
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4 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Sen. Scott Surovell
The second week of theGeneral Assembly Ses-sion put us at the cen-ter of American his-
tory. We moved several long-de-layed, legislative priorities.
On Wednesday, both the Senateand the House passed resolutionsto ratify the Equal Rights Amend-ment to make Virginia the 38th and final stateto ratify the Constitutional amendment. TheSenate has passed the resolution at least sixtimes in past years, but the House of Delegateshas never approved it. Ratification will hope-fully bring equal rights to 160 million womenin America and attention will now shift to theU. S. Congress.
Congress can abolish or extend the 1982 rati-fication deadline they previously set. I wasproud to carry this legislation every year since2012 and even during years when few peoplewere paying attention. Virginia is finally on theright side of history for the first time in about150 years.
On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Commit-tee, on which I serve, had its first meeting andwe immediately addressed firearm violenceprevention. We considered, modified andpassed four bills, three of which the full Sen-ate passed later in the week and one of whichwas continued for final vote this Tuesday.
The Senate passed legislation reinstatingVirginia’s one handgun per month law. Thisbecame law in 1993 and Virginia became theprimary source for most guns confiscated from
criminal activity in New York City.The legislature repealed it in 2012after a sustained campaign by theNational Rifle Association. Underthe current bill, people who pos-sess Virginia concealed weaponspermits would be exempt from thelaw.
We also passed legislation re-quiring the seller of all firearmsto undergo a criminal backgroundcheck. Today, people making all
purchases from federally-licensed firearm deal-ers must undergo these checks, but individu-als who are unable to purchase or possess fire-arms, such as felons or people convicted ofdomestic assault can illegally purchase firearmsby purchasing them from private individuals.The original legislation also applied to firearmstransfers with some exceptions, but severalmembers of our caucus were concerned wewould unintentionally criminalize some hunt-ing activities so we removed that provision.
The Senate also approved my bill to give lo-cal governments more authority over firearmsand combined it with four other bills. The fi-nal bill would allow local governments to pro-hibit firearms in public buildings, public parksand at locally-permitted events if restrictionsare properly posted. This was a major priorityfor me after the violent events in Charlottesvilleand men carrying AR-15 rifles at the Alexan-dria Farmers Market “to educate the publicabout their Second Amendment rights.” Vir-ginia already authorizes localities to regulatefirearms in some circumstances, so I did notsee this as a major extension of existing law.
The Judiciary Committee passed so-called“red flag” legislation. The bill that the Senatewill vote on on Thursday will allow a magis-trate to enter an order requiring people to sur-render their guns if it is shown that they area threat to themselves or other persons be-cause of their firearms. No order can be is-sued without a law enforcement investigationand individuals must be given a chance tovoluntarily surrender their weapons beforelaw enforcement can involuntarily seize them.The law also provides for a second hearingfor the person to contest the allegation afterfull discovery. I expect the Senate to pass thisbill soon.
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Com-mittee passed my legislation prohibiting duckhunting blinds on Little Hunting Creek, GreatHunting Creek and Dogue Creek.
My bill to create a Public Defender’s Officein Prince William County passed out of com-mittee unanimously.
The Senate Health and Education Commit-tee approved my bill to prohibit providing “con-version therapy” to minors, along with my billto eliminate the terms “husband” and “wife”from our divorce law to be replaced with theword “spouse.”
I have posted my 2020 Constituent Surveyonline at http://scottsurovell.org/2020-con-stituent-survey/. Please complete it so I canhear from you about important issues this ses-sion, my legislation or anything else you wouldlike to communicate.
You can also reach me [email protected]. It is an honor to serveas your state senator.
Virginia Legislature Moves Quickly onEqual Rights, Gun Violence Prevention
Eyesores ThatCheapen AreaAppearanceTo the Editor:
In addition to overdevelopment,helicopter noise, and traffic vol-ume that is too great for the cur-rent road network, the Burke areasuffers from eyesores, such as thenew sign at Burke Lake Road andBraddock Road, garbage throwninto easements along roadways,and obscured traffic and streetsigns.
The new sign may be entirelylegal, but aesthetically it cheapensthat area’s appearance. Given treesability to sequester carbon, itwould have made more sense toplant several more trees there.
Roadside garbage is now visibleto those using the sidewalks be-cause leaves are falling, so the ac-cumulated detritus is no longerhidden from view. Vermin breed inthese areas, especially rats. Tospare your sensibilities, I have not
included animal carcass photos,but roadkill collects in easements,too.
Finally, the Civilian Action Corpsstill works to clear overgrowth
from signs. The Boothe Avenuesign took a while, as it was entirelycovered over. VDOT doesn’t do allthe work that is needed.
Our community requires constant
vigilance, if it is to avoid the corro-sive effects of excessive growth.
Jim SandersBurke
Letters to the Editor
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
@FfxConnection
An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.
Published byLocal Media Connection LLC
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Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See Teen Job Fair, Page 11
News
Supervisor PatHerrity (R-Springfield) has
issued the following an-nouncement: “My officeand Connection Newspa-pers, along with a vari-ety of Supervisors’ of-fices, businesses, andcommunity organiza-tions, have hosted verysuccessful teen job fairsand career-buildingworkshops for the past few years.These events focused on studentsand younger job seekers lookingfor a variety of employment oppor-tunities; full time, after-school,seasonal positions, internship op-portunities, and volunteer posi-tions. The fairs have providedthousands of teenagers the oppor-tunity to get in front of employersand for employers to find talentedFairfax County students to fill theirpositions.This year I am onceagain teaming up with Connection
Newspapers, FairfaxCounty Government,Fairfax County PublicSchools, ChairmanMcKay, and SupervisorsPalchik, Smith, Storck,Lusk, and Walkinshawto bring our communityfive Fairfax County TeenJob Fairs and Career-Building Workshops.They will be open to allteens in Fairfax County
looking for employment, or tips oncareer-building skills like network-ing, building a resume or LinkedInprofile, and interviewing. Freebooth space will be provided toany business or organization toadvertise their available positions.Both teenagers and businesses ororganizations may register to at-tend by visiting the following link:https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/teenjobfairs First jobsare important, and these events
Teen Job Fairs for 2020Five Fairfax County teen job fairsand career-building workshops to beheld in March.
SupervisorPat Herrity(R-Spring-field).
6 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP
bbTo Advertise Your
Community of Worship,Call 703-778-9418
Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM
Home Life Groups, College/Young AdultMinistries, and Living Free Support Groups
Visit our Website: jccag.org
4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170
“Loving People to Life”
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
In an age when paying one’s mortgage canbe done from a smartphone, money smartsis an important part of navigating life.From saving to buy the latest video game
to learning how to budget an allowance, finan-cial literacy is one of the most important lessonsfor children, say financial experts.
“It’s very important to teach tweens and teensabout money,” said said Steve Pilloff, Ph.D., As-sociate Professor in the School of Business atGeorge Mason University. “For many kids, thisis the first time they are making independentfinancial decisions, such as whether to save a birth-day gift or spend it on a video game. “
In fact, Patti Senft, Manager of Program Engage-ment at Junior Achievement of Greater Washingtonin Fairfax, Virginia says that one of her organization’sgoals is to teach financial literacy to children. “Jun-ior Achievement has determined that teaching theconcepts of savings, income, budgeting, investing andthe pros and cons of debit and credit should beginwith middle school students in 7th and 8th grade,”she said.
“The knowledge that the students learn throughthe Junior Achievement gives students the skills theyneed to manage their expenses and budget wiselyfor a successful future,” she said.
Helping children set financial goals, delay gratifi-cation, earn money and save it toward achievingthose goals is one of the first steps that parents cantake to teach smart money practices, said Pilloff. “Thehabits, and even more critically, the decision-mak-ing process children develop early on will influencethe way they approach financial matters throughouttheir lives,” he said.
Students should be taught to make choices with theamount of money they have, suggests Senft. “It’s im-portant to teach children to distinguish between whatyou need versus what you want,” she said. “It’s impor-tant to teach children of all ages about money. It’s nevertoo soon to talk about the importance of savings.”
“It’s important because in any modern society, the
Teaching children howto budget, save andmanage finances.
The ABCs of Kids and Money
Photo courtesy of Junior Achievement
The Junior Achievement students at CarlSandburg Middle School in Mount Vernon arelearning the concepts of savings, income,budgeting, investing and the pros and cons ofdebit and credit.
one thing that people do almost every day is makemoney decisions, so knowing how to do it well issomething that is going to be useful to every singleone of us,” added Laura Levine, president and CEOof the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Lit-eracy. “Knowing how to manage money is somethingthat all consumers need to do so it’s important thatwe teach that to our kids.”
In fact, learning to manage a budget is one of thebasic skills that Levine encourages parents to teach.
“Years ago, finance was basic, but today there areso many options and financial decisions that have tobe made,” she said. “Money is more self-directed thanever before. Finances are more complicated than everbefore, so we need skills to manage it.”
When it comes to managing money, one of the bestways to teach is leading by example, says Levine.“Like with anything else, kids learn by what they seeat home,” she said. “Even parents who haven’t madethe best financial decisions in the past can resolve todo it now in the New Year.”
While some parents might find starting a dialogdaunting, it’s vital that parents have those conversa-tions with their children, said Levine.
“Talk to your kids about money,” she said. “It’simportant to distinguish between talk and teach. Par-ents who don’t know about money can freak outwhen they’re asked to teach their children aboutmoney. Instead, talk to them and say, ‘Let’s learnabout this together.’”
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Bulova, PetersenTown Hall Meeting
Del. David Bulova (D-37) and State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) willhold a joint town hall meeting Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9-11 a.m. It’s atthe Fairfax City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. in Fairfax. They’ll providean overview of the current Virginia General Assembly session and an-swer constituents’ questions.
ChiCeLaCu! Opens in FairfaxA ribbon-cutting celebration of the new, Fairfax City location of the
Children’s Center for Language and Culture (ChiCeLaCu!) is set forSaturday, Jan. 25, at noon, at 10201 Main St., No. 230 (the World Gymbuilding). The Children’s Center for Language and Culture (ChiCeLaCu)is a licensed educational center offering Spanish-immersion classes forchildren, 3-12.
Week in Fairfax
Lunch with PrincipalFairfax High Principal Erin Lenart, has a friendly chatwith students eating lunch at the new tables in theschool’s commons area.
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8 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Calendar
By David Siegel
The Connection
“Once in a lifetimeopportunity tosee one of the
most creative minds developand work in a premiere righthere in Northern Virginia awaitsaudiences,” said AdrienneBryant Godwin, Director of Pro-gramming, Center for the Arts.She was speaking about re-nowned choreographer Bill T.Jones, a major influencer in theperforming arts for decades.
With the inaugural MasonArtists-in-Residence program,“we are trying something verynew. With ‘What Problem?’ au-diences will be able to see some-thing no one has seen before,right on the Center for the Artsstage,” added Bryant Godwin. Itis the world premiere of Bill T.Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s“What Problem?”
Jones has been and continuesas a powerful innovator of expres-sive dance exploring socialissues.ºAs a groundbreakingleader in modern dance fordecades,ºBill T. Jonesºis the recipi-ent of prestigious awards includ-ing the National Medal of Arts,MacArthur Genius Award, TheKennedy Center Honors Award,and multiple Tony Awards.
“What Problem?” will be “be-yond modern dance,” notedBryant Godwin. It is set to spo-ken word and original live mu-sic by Nick Hallett and sung bythe Mason University Singers.The dance performance aims tospotlight identity; what it meansto belong to a community yet
have feelings of isolation espe-cially during divisive times.
“What Problem?” has threesections: there is Jones in soloperformance; Jones alongsidemembers of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company; and thenin a unique concluding segment,Jones and the company onstagewith 30 participants from theNorthern Virginia community.The community members willrepresent the diversity that isthe region. The content for thecommunity members’ sectionwill be developed specificallyfor Northern Virginia.
Bill T. Jones described “WhatProblem?” as an “experimentalwork that is asking questions.”It is a work of “healing; to findcultural unity…while seekingtruth.” The dance will also ask,
World premiere Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s “WhatProblem?” at Center for the Arts
Singular OpportunityAwaits
Maria Baranova Photography/Courtesy Center for the Arts
The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s “What Prob-lem?” official world premiere at the Center for theArts, Feb. 1, 2020.
Where and WhenCenter for the Arts at George Ma-
son University presents the worldpremiere of Bill T. Jones/Arnie ZaneCompany’s “What Problem?” atConcert Hall, 4111 University Drive,Fairfax. Performance on Feb. 1,2020 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $29, $41and $48. There are special discountsfor youth tickets available throughgrade 12. Call 703-993-2787 or visitwww.cfa.gmu.edu Note: A pre-per-formance discussion begins 45minutes prior to the performance.“What Problem?” is co-commis-sioned by the Center for the Arts,George Mason University. Supportfor the creation of “What Problem?”provided by the Mason Artist-in-Residence program, which isfunded, in part, by the George Ma-son University Office of Research,Innovation and Economic Impactand ARTSFAIRFAX.
Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. The deadline isnoon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGFunday Monday. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays now thru
March. At Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax.Play, paint, sing and dance at Funday Monday in the City ofFairfax. This season they are bringing back My Gym to helpeveryone move and play together, Oh Susannah! with herguitar to sing some old songs and have just as much funwith new ones, and Good Gollie it’s Mollie will be coming‘round with more games and playtime fun. They would liketo welcome some new friends as well like Drew Blue Shoes,a magician whose magic will leave you mystified and akids’ nature puppet show will come to teach us about thejungle in our backyard. This season they have the localanimal shelter and local Spanish emersion group Mi ChuChu Train coming with specially made programs. Visit thewebsite: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/cultural-arts
All You Need is Love. Now thru Feb. 16. At TorpedoFactory Artists @ Mosaic, 2905 District Ave., #105, Fairfax.In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Torpedo Factory artistsare tackling one of society’s most complex human emotions— Love. In its newest exhibit titled All You Need is &e, thegallery is presenting a selection of original paintings,photographs, jewelry, scarves, ceramics and more, thatreflect its artists’ interpretations of love. Open Wednesdaythru Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
St. James Intramural High School Basketball League.Now thru March 10. At the St. James Sports, Wellness andEntertainment Complex, 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield.The St. James invites you to participate in its Middle SchoolBasketball League for Boys & Girls (8th to 12th grade), Jan.10- March 10, in the new 33,000 square foot BasketballCourthouse on four high school regulation sized courts.The TSJ Intramural High School Basketball Leagueregistration fee is $250 per player and $600 per team. Allgames are officiated and statistics provided. The TSJIntramural High School Basketball league also includes aPlayoff round where top teams in the league will meet.Visit https://www.thestjames.com/sports/basketball/sessions/8/courses/tsj-basketball-winter-team or contactAlpha or Pele with any questions at 703-239-6841.
THURSDAY/JAN. 23ESL Registration. 7-8 p.m. At Lord of Life Lutheran Church’s
two locations: 5114 Twinbrook Rd, Fairfax, and 13421Twinlakes Dr., Clifton. Register for ESL classes in Fairfax orClifton/Centreville on Jan. 23. Classes meet Tuesdays andThursdays, 7-9 p.m.,January 28-April 2. Cost is $40 forstudent text book. Visit the website: www.lordoflifeva.org
JAN. 24-25Children’s Concert. Friday at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 12 p.m.
At Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke LakeRoad, Burke. Annual Children’s Concert presented by theLake Braddock Choral department. A magical show full ofwell-known songs performed by your favorite characters.Children attending are encouraged to dress in costumes ifthey choose. Concessions will be available for purchase.Autographs and photos with characters following theperformances. Cost: $5 suggested donation or a new toy forInova Children’s Hospital. Visit the website: lbchorus.org
JAN. 24 AND FEB. 2DanceFest 2020. At George Mason University, Harris
Theatre, Fairfax. The DanceFest 2020 Gala is a celebrationof dance in Northern Virginia, with companies from theVirginia Dance Coalition (VADC). A fascinating collection ofdifferent genres ranging from ballet to classical Indian, tocontemporary are being performed. Featured professionalcompanies include Kista Tucker Dance, DanceArtTheaterand Dancin Unlimited, along with the Fairfax Ballet and theBallet Arts Ensemble.The event kicks off with a GalaPerformance of member companies on Friday, Jan. 24 atGMU Harris Theatre, and continues on Sunday, Feb. 2 withan all-day workshop of master classes and a Festivalperformance.
SCHEDULE:Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 – 7:30 pm/ Gala Performance* of
member companies - Tickets: $25;Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020 – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm/ Full-day
Workshop with Master; Classes in Modern, Jazz, IndianDance and Step. Workshop held at the GMU DeLaskiPerforming Arts Building;
SATURDAY/JAN. 25Polar Plunge Festival. 1 p.m. At Mosaic District, 2910
District Ave., Fairfax. Join in the Polar Plunge Festival atthe Mosaic District in Fairfax, where you can show yourbest cannonball into an icy pool for a great cause. Bringyour friends and family out for live music and chance toclaim the title as the best-dressed plunger. It’s $100 to takethe Plunge, but the more you raise, the cooler the prizes.Visit https://polarplunge.com/mosaic-district/
Alonzo King LINES Ballet. 8 p.m. At GMU Center for theArts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Since 1982,visionary choreographer Alonzo King has been redefiningcontemporary ballet by creating daring new works thatmarry the science of artistic movement with the beauty ofother art forms. In his latest collaboration, Figures ofSpeech, King addresses the fact that languages of the worldare vanishing at an alarming rate, and draws on theresearch of poet and activist Bob Holman, pioneer in theslam poetry movement and co-founder of the EndangeredLanguage Alliance. His expressive choreography takesinspiration from a soundtrack of poetry recited by nativespeakers of languages nearing extinction and music playedon traditional instruments. Cost is $48, $41, $29. Visit thewebsite: https://cfa.gmu.edu/
SUNDAY/JAN. 26Game Day Activities. 1-4 p.m. At Fairfax Station Railroad
Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.There will be train-related games for all ages and you canwin a prize if you play. Admission: Museum members andages 4 and under, free; ages 5-12, $3; ages 13 and older,$5; seniors 65 and older and active or retired Military, $4.Visit the website: www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
Steam Day. 3-5 p.m. At Gesher Jewish Day School, 4800Mattie Moore Court, Fairfax. Tinker, experiment, create,and explore with Gesher JDS and PJ Library. Join in a freeafternoon of around-the-world family fun. Your child’scuriosity will take them to new and far-away places whenthey experience science, technology, engineering, art, mathwith hands-on projects for kids aged 3-8 and their parents.Free. RSVP at: https://www.gesher-jds.org/steam-day/
BHS General Meeting. 3:30-5 p.m. At Pohick RegionalLibrary, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. View a film onthe history of Burke’s Lee Chapel, with some accompanyingremarks by Rev. Katie Carson Phillips and Burke HistoricalSociety President Jon Vrana. Free. Visit the website:www.burkehistoricalsociety.org.
Keyboard Conversations withJeffrey SiegelKeyboard Conversations with JeffreySiegel will be presented Jan. 26 at GMUCenter for the Arts.
SUNDAY/JAN. 26Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel. 7 p.m. At
GMU Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax.Virtuoso pianist and storyteller extraordinaire Jeffrey Siegelis popular with classical music lovers and newcomers alikewith his unique “concerts with commentary” format. Hearsome of the most famous works by these two popularcomposers who have recently had anniversary celebrationsin the musical world: the 100th anniversary of the death ofDebussy and the 75th of Rachmaninoff. In this program,Siegel plays Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Rachmaninoff’sPrelude in C-sharp minor as well as colorful Preludes byboth composers. Cost is $44, $37, $26. Family Friendly.Visit the website: https://cfa.gmu.edu/
See Calendar, Page 9
See World Premiere,
Page 9
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 8
Calendar
Keyboard Conversations withJeffrey Siegel. 7 p.m. At GMUCenter for the Arts, 4373 MasonPond Drive, Fairfax. Virtuoso pianistand storyteller extraordinaire JeffreySiegel is popular with classical musiclovers and newcomers alike with hisunique “concerts with commentary”format. Hear some of the mostfamous works by these two popularcomposers who have recently hadanniversary celebrations in themusical world: the 100th anniversaryof the death of Debussy and the 75th
of Rachmaninoff. In this program,Siegel plays Debussy’s Clair de Luneand Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp minor as well as colorfulPreludes by both composers. Cost is$44, $37, $26. Family Friendly. Visitthe website: https://cfa.gmu.edu/
WEDNESDAY/JAN. 29Troop Open House. 7-8:30 p.m. At
Wood Community Center, 10100Wards Grove Circle, Burke. ScoutsBSA Troop 1345G will host an OpenHouse for young women (ages 11-17) interested in learning more aboutScouting and its focus on outdooradventure, leadership development,and citizenship skills. Free. Visit thewebsite: http://www.troop1345.org
Beau Soir Ensemble Performs. 7p.m. At Fairfax City Regional Library,10360 North Street, Fairfax. TheBeau Soir Ensemble is a flute, viola,and harp trio dedicated to theperformance of standard andcontemporary repertoire spanning avariety of genres. Free. Call 703-293-6227.
THURSDAY/JAN. 30New Year Reception. 5-7 p.m. At
Fairfax County Government CenterForum, 12000 Government CenterParkway, Fairfax. Everyone is invitedto attend Chairman Jeff McKay’s NewYear Reception. Please bring cannedfood to donate to Stuff the Bus or petsupplies for the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. For details, [email protected].
“Is there a we?” in divisivetimes.
The performance is one of“a beautiful design; for theeyes, the heart and the mind,”added Jones. During its devel-opment and rehearsal, “WhatProblem?” aims for the “com-munity to discover who arethey and what they mightthink while in a pleasurableexperience.”
The Company’s weeklongresidency goes-beyond on-stage performance. There willbe rehearsals with the com-munity members and theMason University Singers; aswell as teachingmasterclasses with the MasonSchool of Dance and withFairfax County PublicSchools’ Fairfax Academydance students.
WorldPremiereFrom Page 8
By Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
Featuring a cast andcrew of 65, plus a 10-piece orchestra, The
Fairfax Academy presentsthe musical, “A ChorusLine.” Set in 1970s NewYork City, it’s about dancersauditioning for a musical-theater production, from be-ginning to casting.
“It’s a very funny show,and you get to know eachperson’s life,” said WoodsonHigh senior Hannah Black.“It sheds light on what thedancers go through to getwhere they are, because it’sharder and more stressfulthan most people realize. Ittakes people behind thescenes – which is cool, sinceI’m pursuing a dance career, myself.”
The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, Jan. 31and Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 2, at3:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m.; andSaturday, Feb. 8, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Ticketsare $15, adults; and $10, students, viaetix.com. This show is for mature audiencesonly; students under age 13 must be accom-panied by an adult.
Black portrays dancer Kristine Urich. “She’sbubbly and kind of an airhead, but sweet,and everybody loves her,” said Black. “She’smarried to Al, who’s auditioning for the sameshow, and they’re madly in love. She’s a phe-nomenal dancer but can’t sing to save herlife, so her song is hilarious. She’s a hoot-and-a-half to play because she’s so energetic,nice and kind to everyone.”
Black’s favorite song is the opening num-ber, “I Hope I Get It.” Before any cuts aremade, each group of dancers auditions dur-ing this song, and they’re each thinking, “Ihope I get this job.” Calling it “super-fun,”Black said, “There are so many peopleonstage that you can really feel their energy.”
She said the audience will appreciate “thecommitment the actors have to their charac-ters. And the whole thing is hilarious, sopeople will enjoy the comedy. There’s nevera dull moment; Mr. Replogle has done a fan-tastic job directing this show. Working withhim is such an honor, and I feel so lucky tohave done that before he retires [in June].”
Director Mike Replogle is also pleased withhow this production’s turning out. “I thinkwe’re going to have a hell of a show,” he said.“The kids really get its spirit, and no othershow is about auditioning. It tells it from theview of the people who give up everythingto be in the chorus.”
THE SHOW happens in real time and theaudience becomes part of the audition. “Andas exhausting as it is for the dancers, theyoften go through this, two or three times aday,” said Replogle. “And this is as close asthe audience may get to auditioning, them-selves. I love this show because it focuses
who left him. I like playingsomeone who’s both goodand bad, and I take whatI’ve seen from other direc-tors and incorporate it intomy character.”
He especially likes the fi-nale number, “One,” be-cause “When everyone’s allsinging and dancing to-gether, every single time, itgives me chills. It’s reallygreat and, at this point, itisn’t even the final product.”
Krikorian said attendeeswill love this show’s danc-ing, singing, choreographyand acting and all the effortthat went into it. As they’releaving, he said, “They’ll bethinking, ‘Wow, this wasamazing to watch.’”
PLAYING CASSIE, Zach’sformer love interest is senior Vivian Lemons.“She’s an ambitious, talented, hardworkingdancer,” said Lemons. “She tried making itas an actor in California, but it didn’t workout. She realizes she needs to be dancing,and ‘A Chorus Line” is her last chance to makeit as a dancer.”
Lemons can connect with Cassie’s drive andpassion for performing. And, she said, “I lovethat she knows how good of a dancer she is.Zach knows it, as well, and she uses it to heradvantage.” Her favorite song is “Music inthe Mirror,” which she sings. “She realizesthe way to convince Zach to cast her in thischorus is by showing him what she can do,”said Lemons. “So at the height of her plead-ing, she begins to dance for him.”
She said this show has something for ev-eryone, including “a sense of humanitythroughout the entire plot. And the charac-ters are so real that everyone can connectwith them, even if they, themselves, haven’tauditioned for a show.”
Fairfax High senior Angelina Cate portraysDiana Morales. “She’s a Puerto Rican char-acter and a strong dancer,” said Cate. “Butwhen competing against others, she becomesinsecure. She’s passionate about what shedoes and is extremely focused on her endgoal. And she relies on her inner strength toget through whatever she’s facing.”
When this show came out in the mid-’70s,said Cate, “No one had seen anything like itor asked the dancers what they were goingthrough. It shows how tough it is to be aperformer and that, despite it all, we’re herebecause we love it.”
She especially likes the song, “Mother,” adance number telling the audience abouteach of the dancers. “They reflect on whattheir parents told them, growing up,” saidCate. “And the harmonies are moving andtell the story in a beautiful way.”
She said the audience will enjoy this show’s“intricate dance numbers, high energy andhow human and personal it is. You may notbe a performer, but you can relate to the char-acters and their life experiences.”
‘For One Show, It’s All about the Dancers’
solely on the dancers. For one show, the cho-rus line gets to be in front – and it’s all aboutthem.”
Academy Administrator Andrea Cook cho-reographed nine of the dances. “Our firstdance rehearsal was in October, so the kidshave been learning the steps since then,” shesaid. “The toughest part was finding a bal-ance between telling the story, making sureall the students have opportunities to beonstage and working to their own abilities.And regardless of what you give them, mak-ing sure they look strong and professionalonstage.”
Being in an administrative role, Cookmisses interacting with the students. So, shesaid, “Being in this show with them andwatching them grow in their confidence,storytelling, artistic ability and maturity – ina short period of time – is the most excitingand fulfilling part for me.
“For those who’ve seen the original pro-duction or its revival, there are little hints ofchoreographer Michael Bennett,” she contin-ued. “For those new to this show, it’s an inti-mate look at what many of our students arechoosing for their profession. And there’ssomething special watching the kids explorethe stories of their idols, because this is basedon true stories.”
Furthermore, she and Replogle always tryto put their own unique spin on their shows,such as adding extra dancers to a number orportraying it in a fresh way. And, added Cook,“Since we’re doing the adult version of thisshow, we get to perform the full-length, mu-sical numbers.”
Senior Raffi Krikorian portrays Zach, thedirector of “A Chorus Line” – the play for whichthe dancers are auditioning. “He’s a shadowof his former self,” said Krikorian. “He usedto be a very good dancer, but not as good asothers. So when his dancing days were be-hind him, he became a director. But he missesthat time of his life when he was a dancer.”
“Zach is serious and mainly business,” con-tinued Krikorian. “And he’s hurt because oneof the auditioning dancers is a former lover
Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection
As Richie, Nicholas Barrett (center) tells the story of how hebecame a dancer.
The Fairfax Academy presents ‘A Chorus Line.’
10 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
I’m sure you regular readers are waiting with -
ed health status. Unfortunately, for the moment anyway, we’ll all have to wait a bit longer. Though
was made, or whether it’s been thyroid cancer that I’ve been living with all these years, instead of non small cell lung cancer, stage 4 or not.
arrive in the morning and leave that afternoon -
If I am indeed home that same evening, I’ve been told by my endocrinologist that the recovery
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tumors in my lungs are thyroid or lung cancer.In the interim, I am to continue with my
my oncologist said about my lung cancer tumors
as if they weren’t non small cell lung cancer at -
tumors are more treatable, with more choices and
lung cancer? If so, where’s the future in that? Is it
only to die of lung cancer? Moreover, am I now going to get treated twice, in two medical suites,
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according to my oncologist. Now, a year later, the
manifesting/metastasizing or did its non-diagnosis
-ven’t succumbed to my original disease, it doesn’t
and why.
Treat One,Get Two.
Teen Job FairsFrom Page 5
help connect teens with employersface to face and prepare our youthfor the workforce. Please view theFairfax County Teen Job Fair sched-ule below:Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. to12 p.m. at Woodson HighSchoolSponsored by Supervisors Pat Herrity, Dalia
Palchik, James Walkinshaw, WoodsonHigh School, Central Fairfax Chamber ofCommerce and Connection Newspapers.
Saturday, March 7, 2 to 4 p.m.at South County High SchoolSponsored by Supervisors Pat Herrity,
Rodney Lusk, Dan Storck, Chairman JeffMcKay, Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber ofCommerce, Connection Newspapers,Mount Vernon Gazette and MountVernon High School
Saturday, March 14, 2 p.m. to4 p.m. at Chantilly HighSchoolSponsored by Supervisors Pat Herrity, Kathy
Smith, Chantilly HS STEM Academy,Connection Newspapers, and the DullesRegional Chamber of Commerce
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
THURSDAY/JAN. 30Chairman McKay’s Reception. 5-7 p.m. At the
Fairfax County Government Center, 12000Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Join thenew Chairman of the Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors, Jeff McKay, for the annual NewYear Reception. Bring food donations for Stuffthe Bus and pet supplies for the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter.
SUNDAY/FEB. 23Town Hall Meeting. 1 p.m. At 8390 Laurel Crest
Drive, Lorton. Sen. Scott Surovell and fellowlegislators will host town halls throughout the36th District in January and February. Thelegislators will discuss their legislative agendasand take questions from the audience. Sometopics will include: Transportation, EducationFunding and Reform, The State Budget and TaxReform, Redistricting, Medicaid Expansion,Marriage Equality and LGBTQ Rights, FirearmViolence Prevention, Civil/Criminal JusticeReforms, Consumer Protection/PredatoryLending, Investing in Green Energy,Reproductive Choice Issues, ProtectingEnvironmental Interests.
NOVEC SCHOLARSHIPSNorthern Virginia Electric Cooperative and the
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association ofElectric Cooperatives are offering higher-education scholarships to public, private, andhome-schooled high school seniors whosefamilies receive electricity from electriccooperatives. Online applications at novec.comfor NOVEC’s scholarships are due Sunday,March 15, 2020. VMDAEC applications are dueFriday, Feb. 28, 2020. Students may apply toboth organizations. The NOVEC ScholarshipProgram will award $1,500 college scholarshipsto 11 qualified graduating public high schoolstudents in NOVEC’s service territory in Fairfax,Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Staffordcounties, and the City of Manassas Park. Inaddition, the overall outstanding student willreceive the $1,500 J. Manley GarberScholarship, for a total of $3,000 in collegeassistance. For more information about theNOVEC Scholarship Program, contact AshleyArnold at [email protected].
Bulletin
12 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 23-29, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
