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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Michele Kettner and Jennifer Zeleski
Couples counseling
As someone in her mid-20s, I’ve had my ups and downs in the realm of dating, and although I’m currently in a great relationship, I still remember how it feels to go on awkward, bad first dates. For me, I always try to find the humor in weird situations, so whenever a bad date would happen, I’d always think to myself, “Well, at least this’ll be a good story for the group chat!” Comedian Rahmein Mostafavi also finds humor in love, and is bringing his comedy show, Couples Therapy, to Jammin Java this week. He’ll tell stories and crack jokes about dating, being single, married life and more. My boyfriend and I will be in the audience thanking God we don’t have to go out on first dates anymore. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.; $15
For the love of books
Despite my profession within the publishing industry, I am not a big reader. It’s embarrassing to admit to fellow writers, but I deeply struggle to dive into a fiction novel, no matter how well-written the story is. Recently though, I’ve started to ease my way into reading again through nonfiction content. This includes my favorite glossy magazine Vanity Fair, and its editor’s recent collection of former essays on women, by women that I can’t put down, as well as Unbelievable, which was turned into a Netflix miniseries in September. This weekend, I am going to attend the NoVa TEEN Book Festival to converse with and better understand the minds of brilliant writers throughout the U.S. According to local librarian and volunteer of the festival Krissy Ronan, meeting a writer helps the reader enjoy a story that much more. I’m looking forward to putting that theory to the test. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant // Marshall High School: 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; free
Turtle time
Despite having grown up in Arlington, somehow I’ve only recently discovered the wonder that is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens as a parent. We love the holiday lights there in winter, the gorgeous blooms in the spring and, this Saturday, we’re going to head over for a nature lesson. S’more About Nature – The Eastern Box Turtle is an hour of fun where my kiddos get to see a turtle up close and roast some s’mores. Tasty treats and fun with turtles? Just two more reasons for my family to love Meadowlark. -Katie Bianco, Editor // Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna; Saturday, March 14, 2-3 p.m.; $4 per person (children under 2 free)
Born to hand jive
I’m a movie-musical junkie. From Moulin Rouge! and The Rocky Horror Picture Show to The Sound of Music and Disney’s classic High School Musical, you name it, I’ve probably seen it. While my love for musicals probably started unconsciously as a baby when the Spice Girls movie, Spice World, was on a constant loop thanks to my sister, Grease has always held a special place in my heart. To this day, whenever I see it’s on, I grab a bag of popcorn, a blanket and pop on the couch and sing along from start to finish. I’m hopelessly devoted to this story and these characters, so I’ll be catching a final performance of Grease at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts as I hand jive and sing out of tune with the rest of the T-Birds and Pink Ladies. -Michele Kettner, Editorial Assistant // Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg; through Sunday, March 15, times vary; $78.80
Cycling to serenity
I recently returned from a weeklong vacation, my first in three years. After months of saving, getting our first passports and researching new restaurants, my boyfriend and I jet-setted out of the country as everyone else was discussing Super Tuesday results around office water coolers. Vancouver welcomed us with open arms, and we spent much of our waking hours eating at local restaurants and biking around Stanley Park. Those few days were filled with peace and quiet, and we feel like reminiscing already. That’s why we will bike the Mount Vernon Trail this weekend as a reminder of our relaxing getaway. We’ll catch the monuments across the water and, hopefully, plan our next sooner-rather-than-later vacation. –Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant // Mount Vernon Trail: 1198 George Washington Memorial Parkway, Alexandria; free
For more events, read this month’s “NoVA in 19,” listing out 19 things to do throughout March.
