Hey gang, Matt here!

It’s hard to believe it’s already back to school for Fairfax County Public Schools is Monday. Summer vacation may be over, but summer surely isn’t — we have a jam-packed slate of fun events around the region this weekend.

If you’re heading Out & About, bring your appetite — it’s a busy weekend (well, the next two weekends 😉) for the foodies among us.

Let’s dive in! ⬇️

In this week’s newsletter:

• Dueling pianos, trains & toys, kayak tours and more

• Food festivals and “Port to Port Beer Festival,” + Restaurant Week preview

• “Double Duran” at Capital One Hall, Mosaic Live! season finale

• Campfire Fridays & Saturdays in Reston, Fairfax Station, & Springfield

• Rivalry weekend as Nats host Phillies for four-game set

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Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

Dueling pianos, double the expos, and so much more! 🚗

• Dueling Pianos at Tysons Corner Center

  • The Dueling Pianos series continues at Tysons Corner Center on Friday, August 15. Enjoy a live, interactive performance featuring the hits of yesterday and today. The show runs 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• The International Gem & Jewelry Show

  • Hundreds of exhibitors from around the world will fill the Dulles Expo Center’s South Hall in Chantilly from Friday, August 15-Sunday, August 17, for the International Gem & Jewelry Show. Diamonds, gold, fine jewelry, and costume jewelry will be on hand. Tickets: $6 online and $8 cash at the door.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Model Railroading & Toy Show at Dulles Expo Center

  • Greenberg’s Train and Toy Show pulls into the Dulles Expo Center for a two-day event from Saturday, August 16-Sunday, August 17. Check out model train sets and collectibles, shop merchants, enjoy workshops and demonstrations, and more. The show runs from 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. both days.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• “Chillin on Church” Returns in Vienna

  • Billed as “the hottest block party around,” the latest edition of “Chillin’ on Church” in Vienna is set for Friday, August 15 from 6:30p.m.-9:30p.m. Enjoy food trucks, sweet treats, drinks, live entertainment, and much more on the Vienna Town Green.

    • 144 Maple Ave. E., Vienna

• Find A Farmers Market Near You!

  • If you’re looking for fresh produce, local meats and eggs, artisan vendors, and more, check out our Farmers Market Guide! We have details for nearly 20 markets across Fairfax County, from Great Falls to Lorton, Chantilly to Falls Church, and much more.

• Kayak Tours — Wildlife of the Potomac

  • Hit the waters of the Potomac River and learn about the wildlife in the waters and along the banks on this guided kayak tour starting at Riverbend Park in Great Falls on Friday, August 15. The fun runs from 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. Ages 14+, no paddling experience is necessary. Tickets: $43 per person.

    • 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls

• “Last Call at The Block”

  • As first reported last month by Annandale Today, the popular Annandale food hall and bar “The Block” is set to close at the end of August. They are hosting one of their final events, featuring Arylia, DJ Knom, and DJ Adobo, on Saturday, August 16 from 10:00p.m.-2:00a.m.

    • 4221 John Marr Dr., Annandale

Food & Drink

Foodies can feast this weekend! 🦀🍻🥓

• Aslin Beer Co.’s “Crab Feast” in Herndon & Alexandria

  • All-you-can-eat crab and corn comes to a table near you at Aslin’s two local brewpubs (Alexandria on Saturday, August 16 and Herndon on Sunday, August 17 — both events run 1:00-4:00p.m.). Tickets: $74.

    • Alexandria: 847 S. Pickett St., Alexandria

    • Herndon: 767 Elden St., Herndon

• Port to Port Beer Festival in Alexandria

  • Port City Brewing Company’s 2nd Annual “Port to Port Beer Festival” is back this weekend, set for Saturday, August 16 from 12:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Breweries from across the country will be pouring, plus enjoy games, music, and more. General admission tickets: $60.

    • 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria

• Last Splash Party at Taco Rock in Lorton

  • Enjoy an outdoor taco fest at Taco Rock’s Lorton location on Saturday, August 16 from 2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Includes an outdoor bar and grill, kids activities, and more. Admission is free but RSVPs are encouraged.

    • 9021 White Spruce Way, Lorton

• Honey, Beer, and Bacon Festival in Falls Church

  • Settle Down Easy Brewing is hosting its Honey, Beer, and Bacon Festival, with special beer and bacon flights available for purchase, on Sunday, August 17 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Tickets: $7 in advance, $10 at the door.

    • 2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church

• Sip & Stretch Morning Yoga at The Winery at Bull Run

  • Take a yoga class at The Winery at Bull Run on Sunday, August 17 at 10:30a.m. Tickets are $35 and include the class and a glass of wine after class. Ages 21+.

    • 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville

• Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week starts Monday

  • More than 50 restaurants across Fairfax County, Falls Church, Alexandria, and more set to participate Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week, which starts Monday and runs throughout next week. Features vary between restaurants, but may include special brunch, lunch, and dinner options. Check out the link above for each restaurant’s unique offers.

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

The classics comes alive, and the sweet sounds of summer continue across the area! 🎶

• “Double Duran” at Capital One Hall

  • The ultimate Duran Duran experiences comes to Capital One Hall on Friday, August 15 for one show only. Showtime: 8:00p.m. Tickets: $38.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• Mary Chapin Carpenter, ABBA Tribute Headline Wolf Trap

  • A full lineup is set this weekend at Wolf Trap with the following performances:

    • Friday, August 15 — Wolf Trap Opera performs “Carmen”

    • Saturday, August 16 — Mary Chapin Carpenter w/Brandy Clark

    • Sunday, August 17 — “The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA”

      • 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna

• Jazz Jam at Vanguard Arts Center

  • The sweet sounds of jazz fill the air at Chantilly’s Vanguard Arts Center on Friday, August 15 at 7:00p.m. This free concert also allows musicians to take part in the fun. Jazz Jam runs every third Thursday of the month.

    • 14155-J Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly

• “Social Call” Headlines Herndon Rocks

  • The Eastern Pennsylvania rock cover band headlines this week’s Herndon Rocks on Friday, August 15. Showtime is 6:30p.m. for this free show on the Herndon Town Green.

    • 777 Lynn St., Herndon

• QuinTango, Dave Kline Headline Summer Passport Music Festival

  • Creative Cauldron’s popular summer music series continues with shows this weekend by tango group QuinTango on Friday, August 15, and hitmaker Dave Kline on Saturday, August 16. Both shows start at 7:30p.m.

    • 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church

• Mosaic Live! Season Finale Set for Saturday 

  • Izis de La Enfermera de la Salsa takes the stage for the final scheduled Mosaic Live performance of the season in Fairfax’s Mosaic District. Showtime for this free outdoor concert is Saturday, August 16 at 6:00p.m.

    • 2910 District Ave., Fairfax

Families & Kids

One last weekend of summer vacation before school starts on Monday (for FCPS) — let’s make the most of it! ⬇️

• Kids Back to School Book Sale in Reston

  • A four-day book sale at the Reston Regional Library is here to help kids go back to school. The sale runs Thursday, August 14-Sunday, August 17 (times vary).

    • 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston

• Movie Night on Window Plaza at Reston Town Center

  • Enjoy a free screening of Toy Story at Window Plaza in Reston Town Center on Saturday, August 16 at 8:15p.m. Tickets are not required. Arrive early and enjoy face painting and other activities.

    • 1950 Opportunity Way, Reston

• Campfire Saturdays — Stargazing in Reston and Fairfax Station

  • This family-friendly night in the outdoors gives parents and kids a chance to use telescopes to check out stars and much more. End the night with a campfire and s’mores. The event will be held at two locations this weekend on Saturday, August 16 at 8:00p.m. Cost: $12 per person.

    • Burke Lake Park — 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

    • Lake Fairfax Park — 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston

      • MORE: Just want a campfire night without stargazing? Check out Campfire Fridays in Springfield on August 15!

• Kidz Corner in City of Fairfax

  • The latest “Kidz Corner” brings a bubble party to Old Town Square fit for preschool-to-elementary age children. This free event runs Saturday, August 16 from 10:30a.m.-11:15a.m.

    • 10415 North St., Fairfax

Sports & Recreation

Each weekend, we run down the schedule, news, and notes of our favorite local teams!

News & Notes

• ⛳️ Golfers — The Club Championship (Jefferson Cup Tournament Series) is Saturday, August 16 at Jefferson Golf Course in Falls Church. Registration fee is $55 per player. Start time: 8:00a.m.

  • 7900 Lee Highway, Falls Church

• ⚽️ D.C. United is at Montreal on Saturday.

Home Games

• ⚾️ MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals

  • Thursday, August 14 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals

  • Friday, August 15 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ NWSL: Racing Louisville FC at Washington Spirit

  • Friday, August 15 at 8:00p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals

  • Saturday, August 16 at 4:05p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals

  • Sunday, August 17 at 11:35a.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics

  • Sunday, August 17 at 3:00p.m., CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏈 NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders

  • Monday, August 18 at 8:00p.m., Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The population of Tysons, Virginia doubled between the 1990 and 2020 U.S. Census, from 13,124 to 26,374 — and growing.

Before We Go, Some Good News…

We’ve all seen the late night comics or a local television reporter hit the streets to ask someone for their thoughts on a popular topic.

This week, that was Kossy, a “student and reporter” who interviewed teachers at Fairfax County Public Schools ahead of the upcoming school year. Check out the video below!

Know about some good news in the community? We want to hear about it!

We Want to Hear from You!

Want to get your neighbors Out & About?

If you have an event you would like to feature in the newsletter, or if you’re a business looking to advertise with us, send us an email! —> [email protected].

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P.S.: If you’re heading Out & About nearby in Arlington, consider checking out the Arlington Buzz newsletter. They feature events and things to do across the Arlington area and could be a good resource for our neighbors in Tysons, McLean, Falls Church, and more!

Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax