By Eliza Berkon, Winn Duvall, Stefanie Gans, Beth Kellmurray and Lynn Norusis
In the week ahead, Northern Virginia Magazine‘s editors are looking forward to line and hula dancing in Alexandria and Arlington, learning about solar energy in Fairfax and celebrating Record Store Day.
Record Store Day
April 22
This Saturday is Record Store Day, a little holiday initiated in 2007 to bolster support for local record shops by corralling labels and artists to issue special releases on the same day in April. I will head to my local store, Crooked Beat in Alexandria, in hopes of snagging a few of the releases from this year’s list. (Please leave me a copy of Big Star’s Complete Third and Elton John’s 17-11-70, universe.) I will not, however, be waiting in the notorious lines that often wrap the block in the wee hours of the morning before stores open. Find a participating store near you here, and check out the full list of releases here. –BK
Going solar
For the past few years my husband and I have been thinking about renovations to our circa 1977 home, and we want to make sure we do it right. We are lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with mature trees that buffer the surrounding asphalt maze that is Fairfax County, yet we still have a ton of sun that streams in through our windows. On April 20 I’ll be attending an information session at the Fairfax County Government Center to see if we can harness those rays in the form of energy at the Solarize Fairfax County event. If you’re interested but can’t make the April 20 Fairfax event, there are more events scheduled throughout the county. –LN
Grapevining with greatness
A good friend of mine is hitting the big 3-5 this weekend, and to celebrate, we’re going to do what anybody else would: line dance. There’s no place like Nick’s in Alexandria to step beyond the Electric Slide and into some serious choreography. I plan to practice during all my work breaks. –EB
Hula Girl, every Wednesday and Sunday
Ever since I got back from Hawaii a few weeks ago, I’ve been meaning to relive a little bit of the islands. Every Wednesday and Sunday Shirlington’s Hula Girl features the ukulele-playing Ramon Camarillo along with hula dancing. There’s also poke, of course. –SG // 4044 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Powering through some new novels
The library is obviously a great resource, but surely I’m not the only one who gets stressed when several books I’ve placed on hold come in at once? Waiting for me at Arlington’s Central Library are Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and Two Days Gone by Randall Silvis, so this week, I’ll be firmly planted on my couch during my free moments. –WD
Find out more of what’s going on in NoVA this week at our things to do page.
