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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Stefanie Gans and Jennifer Zeleski
5,000 Candles in the Wind
If the bold text above this sentence didn’t make you automatically start singing, “Bye, bye Lil Sebastian,” then, chances are, you are not a Parks and Recreation fan. Personally, it’s one of my favorite sitcoms. Once in college for a “you are what you Netflix”-themed frat party, I dressed up as Lil Sebastian (literally with a horse tail and ears made out of string and construction paper) and only about two people understood the reference. Yes, I’m still bitter about it. Anyway, I’ll be testing my knowledge of the show tonight (June 24), at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub. The restaurant/bar is hosting Parks and Rec-themed trivia, and I am fully prepared to win all of the bacon and eggs they have. –HG // O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub: 3207 Washington Blvd., Arlington; free
Time to LOVE Virginia (and being young) even more
There’s a lot to do when trying to keep up with millennials, especially when you are one. What is it that we’re supposed to collectively like again? Wait, that new study says what? Despite it all, yes, I do occasionally hoard avocados and spend a few hours a week on Instagram. But what if I want to get out of my apartment and do both, while I’m drinking a local beer no less? I head to Caboose Commons and peruse the menu for a new favorite snack (ahem, avocado toast) and one of its fruitier brews, and bask in the current glory days of being young. (That’s what I’m supposed to be doing, right?) Plus, an iconic Virginia LOVE sign will be there for a limited time, celebrating 50 years of spreading good vibes, and making for the perfect photo op. -JZ // Caboose Commons: 2918 Eskridge Road, Fairfax; Summer LOVE tour at Caboose Commons: June 25-July 1
Sun’s out, mugs out
Fredericksburg hosts its first FXBG Red, White & Boozed Bar Crawl—with stops at Grapevipe, Colonial Tavern and Happy Endings, to name a few—and the organizers must be expecting some shenanigans. Though this bar-hoping event has never happened, there are already warnings in place: “Ladies: bikini tops are OK, but please bring a cover-up; guys, a shirt will be required to get into bars so have one for when going inside.” Tickets include a souvenir mug, swag and drink specials. -SG // Meet at Grapevine Cafe: 622 Kenmore Ave, Fredericksburg; June 29, 2 to 7 p.m.; $15
For the love of music
One of my favorite parts of college was when I would come home every night to my six roommates in our strange, but comfortable abode. The music on our speaker was always on, playing different tunes than we typically heard out at bars. From the acoustic tunes of First Aid Kit to the unimaginable vocal range of Florence and the Machine, my roommates and I loved to end the night with sing-a-longs. This weekend, I’ll be embracing music’s power to connect cultures and communities across the world, thanks to this year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival. And while my girls can’t be there with me, they’ll be forced to watch the endless stream of videos I send of me dancing and singing along to the banjos all weekend long. –JF // June 29-30, times vary; National Mall, Washington, DC; free
Feeling “Blue”
I am old enough to remember when LeAnn Rimes first came on the scene all the way back in 1996 with that grown-up-sounding voice in a teenage package. Her song “Blue” took the charts by storm. She’s been in the music world for years now, but those pipes haven’t changed. This Sunday (June 30), she makes a stop at The Birchmere as part of her acoustic tour. We spoke to her in advance of the tour and she told Northern Virginia Magazine, “(Acoustic tours) let you create a connection with the audience that can sometimes be hard to do with a full band. It allows me to get a bit more personal, and we like to create an atmosphere as if I am singing in my living room.” See the full interview and more ideas for what to do in NoVA this month here. –KB // The Birchmere: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, $69.50
