Meridian High’s Musical Showcase in the Big Apple

The Meridian High School Instrumental Music Department showcased its talents at prestigious New York City venues including Carnegie Hall, the School of Rock, and Edward Murrow High School during the students’ three-day trip from April 1 to April 3.

At Carnegie Hall, the MHS wind ensemble performed with distinguished ensembles from across the country The ensemble presented three selections: “Abram’s Pursuit,” “Khan,” and “A Mother Of A Revolution.” The culmination of their performance was met with a standing ovation.

The Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Guitar Ensemble from Meridian High also presented an exchange concert and enjoyed lunch with musicians from Edward Murrow High School in Brooklyn, NY. The MHS and EMHS symphonic bands collaborated on a performance of “Into the New Light” and “Knights of Dunvegan” as well as performances from the both schools wind and guitar ensembles
At the School of Rock, the Contemporary Rock Bands featured dynamic performances of Led Zeppelin’s “The Oceans” and The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

F.C.’s Painter Reprises Region’s Development History

On Thursday, April 4, at George Mason University’s Ballston campus, local Falls Church zoning attorney and Chamber of Commerce Legislative Chair Andrew Painter presented a three-hour talk, “Rise of a Region,” which provided a survey of the region’s major settlements, roads, and land developments over time.

The event, which attracted more than 200 attendees, was co-sponsored by GMU’s Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Virginia Housing, a not-for-profit organization created by the Commonwealth of Virginia to help Virginians attain quality affordable housing.

Among other things, Painter covered Falls Church’s initial colonial-era settlement, the opening of Arlington Boulevard to Hillwood Avenue in the 1950s (which resulted in substantial suburban growth), the battle over extending Interstate 66 inside the Beltway in the 1970s, and the City’s W. Broad streetscape project in the late 1980s. He also discussed more recent mixed-use projects, including the redevelopment of the high school and West Falls Church Metro Rail site.

“We should all recognize the tremendous success of our region and our place within it,” Painter said. “Truthfully, it was fun and challenging coming up with a chronological narrative that blends the land development and transportation history of the region into a coherent story. I have had the good fortune of giving the lecture several times over the past five years, and it continues to evolve as people give me suggestions, corrections, and their own memories and experiences.”

Creative Cauldron Seeks ‘Bold New Voices’ Submissions

Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron theatre troupe announced that it is now accepting submissions for its “Bold New Voices” initiative. “Bold New Voices” was established in 2019 with a goal of providing a platform for women and women-identifying playwrights and composers to present their works. Through this initiative, Creative Cauldron supports the development of new plays or musicals written by women, especially women of color, who are often underrepresented in the industry.

Creative Cauldron has produced four original premieres. “Chicks in Heaven” by Carol Campbell which is premiering this month, “Girls of Madison Street” and “Diagnosed” which were written by Helen Hayes Award winner Iyona Blake, and “Audrey: The New Musical” written by Danielle Moore along with one regional premiere: “Monarch, A Mexican American Musical,” written by Mayu Molina Lehmann and Alfonso Molina. Three of these productions were Helen Hayes recommended and the fourth, “Audrey,” was the top grossing show in Creative Cauldron history.

For the 2024-25 season, the initiative will be focused on works written by Latiné artists. Works should reflect first or second generation Latiné immigrant stories. Submissions will be accepted through May 5, 2024

A committee composed of a diverse group of women, headed by Artistic Associate Lenny Mendez includes Fabiolla Da Silva, Gabby Wolfe, Luz Nicolas, Carol Campbell, Danielle Moore, Laura Connors Hull, Elena Velasco, and Mayu Molina Lehmann. The committee will have annual meetings to review submitted pieces and choose new works for the 2024-25 season and beyond.