By Eliza Berkon, Winn Duvall, Stefanie Gans, Beth Kellmurray and Lynn Norusis
This week, Northern Virginia Magazine editors are looking forward to finding our center during a Kitten Yoga class, sipping Stone Tower Winery’s selection, snagging discounted kitchen gear at La Cuisine and hitting up concerts at Wolf Trap and the Hamilton.
Okkervil River at the Hamilton
July 25
This Tuesday, I’m going to see alt-rock outfit Okkervil River perform at the Hamilton in D.C. This marks my fourth time seeing the band live, and frontman Will Sheff and his rotating cast of bandmates never disappoint, but I’m particularly excited for this gig, which will see Sheff performing with a smaller, stripped-down lineup of three, playing cuts that don’t show up in their sets often and taking requests from the audience. I already submitted my long list of cherished favorites months ago. –BK // The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Yoga with a purpose
July 28, 7-8 p.m.
I live a stress-ridden life like most Northern Virginians, so I’m trying to be better about finding activities to alleviate it. I love yoga, but my varied schedule and my frugality just create more stress trying to find a class that I can commit to. (I end up taking an online class whenever I can fit it in.) But I LOVE animals. (I currently have four—two dogs and two cats—all under the age of 3.) So Beth Wolf’s Kitten Yoga class at the Animal Welfare League this Friday (entrance is $20), where adoptable kittens roam the mats as you do sun salutations, is a win-win for me. I might walk home with another feline friend. –LN // Animal Welfare League of Arlington: 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington
At work I just take time, and all through my coffee break time, I think about this concert
July 29
At some point in my adolescence, my mom bought I Never Loved a Man the Way That I Love You by Aretha Franklin and played it nonstop in our Toyota Camry. Though I was then too naive to appreciate its messages of female strength, gender equality and sexuality, I couldn’t get enough of that voice, equal parts tough and tender. This Saturday, my mom and I will see the Queen of Soul perform at Wolf Trap, and I relish the chance to finally hear that voice live. –EB // Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
La Cuisine summer sale
Through Aug. 31
I spent maybe two hours walking around La Cuisine for a story in an upcoming issue of the magazine, silently categorizing everything I wanted to buy inside the gourmet kitchen store. And right before I almost bought Rubbermaid commercial-grade spatulas, the owner told me about the pending sale. From now until the end of August, customers get 20 percent off their entire purchase. The trick is, every customer can only take advantage of the sale once, either in person or online (code: SUMMER2017). In person, a coupon is attached to an email address in the system, so either sign up for the newsletter now or wait to be added at the time of purchase. But really, this isn’t complicated. Just be sure to plot out kitchen needs: Maybe it’s time to invest in copper pots, a kangaroo cookie mold, German knives and a cushy mat to finally make time at the sink a little less painful. –SG // La Cuisine: 323 Cameron St., Alexandria
Enjoying some Virginia wine
So after living in Northern Virginia for a couple of years and regularly hearing about the many award-winning wineries in Loudoun County and beyond, I’ll finally be venturing out this weekend to a tasting at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg. I’ve heard great things about the Best of NoVA winner—I’m looking forward to the rustic barn and sweeping pastoral views, plus a range of wines I know nothing about. –WD // Stone Tower Winery: 19925 Hogback Mountain Road, Leesburg
