Providence Players’ ‘Steel Magnolias’ Opens This Friday
The new theatre at the James Lee Community Center on Annandale Road between Rt. 29 and Rt. 50, just beyond the Falls Church City limits, will again be the venue for a lively production by the Providence Players theatre troupe. This time, Robert Harling’s rousing play, “Steel Magnolias,” will be the production, running from this Friday, May 2, through Saturday, May 17. The performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with two Sunday matinees, May 4 and 11, at 2 p.m. For tickets and info, check www.providenceplayers.org, contact providenceplayers@cox.net, or call (703) 425-6782. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and adults over 62.
11th District Congressional Hopefuls Assemble Sunday
All four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the 11th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Davis are expected to assemble at a non-contentious brunch hosted by the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Club this Sunday, May 4, at 11 a.m. in Annandale. Former U.S. Rep. Leslie Byrne, Fairfax County Board Chair Gerry Connolly, Lori Alexander and Iraq War Veteran Doug Denneny will all be present to make brief remarks and talk with constituents. The public is invited to attend the event, a fundraiser for the club’s political action committee, with a minimum suggested contribution of $25. The PAC intends to donate the money raised to the winner of the June 10 Democratic primary. The event will be held at the home of Terry Mansberger, 7800 Antiopi St., Annandale near Gallows Road and I-495. RSVPs are encouraged to terrymansberger@cox.net. The 11th District is ranked by pundits the “third most likely congressional district in the U.S. to switch from Republican to Democratic representation in 2008. In related developments, Connolly announced he’s been endorsed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, one of the area’s largest and most active unions. Denneny announced he’s been endorsed by the Council for a Livable World’s Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy. Byrne will seek the endorsement of the Progressive Democrats of America this Saturday.
Cystic Fibrosis Walk Kick-Off Event This Sunday
The eighth annual Cystic Fibrosis Walk in Falls Church kicks off with a party this Sunday, May 4, at the American Legion Hall, 400 N. Oak, from 3:30 to 6 p.m., featuring music by the acclaimed George Mason High School band, Basmati, and their guest band, High Minded. Door prizes will be given and the public is invited. On Friday, May 16, a tongue-in-cheeck Mr. and Mrs. Mason pageant will be held at GMHS, and the walk will occur Saturday, May 17, at the F.C. Community Center starting at 9 a.m. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. and 70,000 worldwide. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have enhanced life for children and adults with the disease, who can now be expected to living into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Local Actor Competes in D.C. 48-Hour Film Project
This weekend, the annual Washington, D.C., Regional 48-Hour Film Project will be held, with over 100 teams of filmmakers starting Friday night with 48 hours to develop a script, determine a setting, film a story and edit for a final seven-minute film product due Sunday night. Falls Church actor Miles Butler, a sophomore at George Mason High School, will compete with a team including actors from the Synetic Theatre’s production of “Macbeth,” which won numerous Helen Hayes Awards, including for Outstanding Resident Play, at ceremonies in D.C. Monday. Butler had a significant role in that play. The completed films will be shown, and winners announced, at the American Film Institute in Silver Spring on Thursday, May 8.
Only 1,000 of 5,000 F.C. School Census Forms Returned
The Falls Church City Schools reported that only 1,000 of 5,000 “census of children” forms mailed to City residents have been returned to date. Officials noted these forms are vital to receive the City’s fair share of state sales tax revenues. All families with children up to age 19 are urged to respond, whether their children are in public or private schools, are home schooled, or away in the military or college.
Attic Treasures Sale Supports VPIS This Saturday
The annual fundraiser for the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) is this Saturday, May 3, at the F.C. Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donated items from local residents, no junk, will be for sale, along with food and free live music by Andrew Acosta. Proceeds will go to planting trees and gardens in Falls Church.
Photo Exhibit of F.C. Locations Friday
The color and black-and-white film photographs of local photographer Dede Haas will be on display at First Friday of Falls Church this Friday, May 2, at 111 Park Avenue, during a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Haas uses film, not digital, cameras only and does no computer touch-ups on her works. She specializes in scenes of Falls Church which she considers a way to preserve the “current history” of the City.
