By Eliza Berkon, Winn Duvall, Stefanie Gans, Beth Kellmurray and Lynn Norusis
This week, Northern Virginia Magazine‘s editors are looking forward to a party at Del Ray’s Junction Bakery and GRACE’s Radcliffe Bailey exhibit, plus what we’re watching, listening to and reading right now.
Listening to From A Room: Volume 1
May 5
I feel like I’m always talking about Chris Stapleton: his voice, his songwriting, his beard. Thankfully this Friday I’ll have new music from one of my favorite country artists to accompany my commute (this song, which he debuted at the ACM Awards April 2, was on repeat last month) when he releases his second solo album, From A Room: Volume 1. Yep, volume one—plans are in place for the second volume to come out this year as well. To top it all off, he’ll be at Jiffy Lube Live in July, so I probably won’t stop talking about him anytime soon. –WD
Junction’s Parkin’ Lot Party
May 7
The Del Ray bakery is hosting a family- and dog-friendly party with brats, beer (Port City) and ice cream sandwiches, plus games and live music. –SG // 1508 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Radcliffe Bailey exhibit GRACE
Through July 8
After reading culture and lifestyle writer Eliza Berkon’s story on Radcliffe Bailey’s exhibit that’s currently showing at Greater Reston Arts Center, I immediately wanted to see the artist’s mixed-media pieces exploring his familial history in Virginia, race and slavery. –BK // 12001 Market St., Suite 103, Reston
The thing that I hope is on everyone’s minds until all 10 episodes have aired
New episodes stream Wednesdays
I could mention that this week I’m excited to move from Alexandria to Arlington, but who is actually excited to move? It’s a total pain. Instead, I’d like to use this space to gush about how unbelievably phenomenal Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale miniseries is. I read the Atwood book many moons ago and barely remembered it other than knowing it was one of the best books ever written. Now I can relive all the magic—and the horror—that is that masterpiece. Plus, it has Elisabeth Moss, who can do no wrong. First thing I need to do once I’m in the new house: set up my Roku. –EB
Inside look at Gifford’s Ice Cream’s dysfunctional empire
Out today is a tell-all book from Andrew Gifford, the heir to D.C.’s famed ice cream shop in the mid-century, about the “byzantine betrayals” of the family business. I have a feeling this story, We All Scream: The Fall of the Gifford’s Ice Cream Empire, will only get me through tonight. –LN
