
‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’
“Hairspray” takes the stage at Robinson Secondary.
Robinson Secondary’s Cappies production is “Hairspray,” and Director Chip Rome is more excited about this show than he’s been about any show in “quite some time.”

‘A Fantastic Piece of Escapism’
Woodson High presents Tolkien’s classic, “The Hobbit.”
Welcome to Middle Earth, as envisioned by J.R.R. Tolkien in Woodson High’s production of “The Hobbit.” It’s the adventure of a peaceful homebody persuaded by a wizard to help a group of militant dwarves reclaim their treasure from a marauding dragon. “One of our biggest challenges was building a huge, dragon puppet,” said Director Terri Hobson. “There’ll be lots of caves, rocky hills and earth tones. And we actually have five girls who are being trees.”

Woodson Graduate Directs Award-winning Film
Nicole Rosen’s 16-minute “Toy Soldier” will show at the GI Film Festival in May.
When Nicole Rosen sets out to make a film, she doesn’t shy away from sensitive subject matter—she pursues it. One of her first projects in high school was called “Life Chronicles.” “Basically I shot people who were dying, suffering from terminal diseases,” Rosen said. “They wanted to film their lives for their families. I think it really hit something—my first really intense experience in filmmaking.”
The W Salon Revamps, Attracts Celebrities
Three-year-old salon reveals new look, hosts 300 at posh party.
The night that the W Salon unveiled its 3,000-square-foot space with champagne for toasting, lime green attire for guests and hosts alike (in honor of their signature color), live jazz, a photobooth, food and celebrity guests, they welcomed 300 partygoers--and some follow-up business too.

‘Christ Alone’ in Fairfax
Jubilee Christian Center puts on an original drama with adapted music.
“Musically, the people in this church are really talented. I’ve been blown away by that.” —Producer-director Tim Buck of Burke

Virginia Garden Week to Feature NoVa Gardens
80th Historic Garden Week, April 20-27, 2013
Historic Garden Week 2013 will feature approximately 200 private homes and gardens open on 32 separate tours throughout the state of Virginia over eight consecutive days. It is the largest ongoing volunteer effort in Virginia and represents the coordinated efforts of 3,400 club members. One hundred percent of tour proceeds are used to enhance Virginia’s landscape. For 80 years, the grounds of the commonwealth’s most cherished historic landmarks have been restored or preserved with help from proceeds from Historic Garden Week including Mount Vernon, Monticello and the grounds of the Executive Mansion in Richmond.

Over 300 Attend ‘Dancing With the Greenspring Stars’
The event serves as a fundraiser for the community’s Benevolent Care Fund.
On Tuesday, March 5, Greenspring hosted a “Dancing With the Greenspring Stars” event to benefit the Benevolent Care Fund at the community. Throughout the year, various events are held at Greenspring to raise funds to provide support to residents who, despite careful planning, outlive their financial resources.
A Guide to Fun
Three area mothers publish guide to kid-friendly activities in Northern Virginia.
Rather than brood about the lack of cultural resources for new mothers living in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, three local writers took it upon themselves to fill the information void. Bloggers Claudine Kurp, Amy Suski and Micaela Williamson have recently self-published “Kid Trips Northern Virginia Edition,” a 220-page toddler-to-teen tome providing hundreds of honest reviews, insider tips and top picks from all manner of child-friendly culture in the area.
Time to Pass Go for a Good Cause
Sixth annual Monopoly Tournament benefits Lorton Food Pantry, offers volunteer opportunities.
You may not get a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, or prime boardwalk property, but Realtors Ron Kowalski and Susan Borrelli, founders of Lorton’s annual Monopoly Tournament, said players of all ages will have a blast competing in the sixth annual game tournament at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 23.
Area Roundups
Chantilly High, Fairfax High, Falls Church High, Oakton High, Robinson Secondary, Woodson High, Franklin Middle, Frost Middle, Jackson Middle, Lanier Middle and Rocky Run Middle are all schools involved in the boundary study to relieve overcrowding at Fairfax High and Lanier Middle School.
Where Do You Go, What Do You Do for Fun?
What do you high school students do for fun?

Arts Blossom in Former Prison
Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton continues tradition of transformation.
Prisoners—drunks, petty thieves, assaulters, even suffragettes—quite literally laid the foundation for the Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton.

Sharing People’s Stories Is Filmmaker’s Passion
Local grad Monica Zinn working on second movie.
Monica Zinn is an independent documentary filmmaker. This Burke resident already has one successful film under her belt and is hard at work on another. She graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in 2011, but attended the Fairfax Academy from 2009-11, and that’s where her talent began to blossom.
Little Mermaid Comes to Springfield
Performances begin Friday; portion of proceeds benefits Hurricane Sandy victims.
In a magical kingdom under the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Will Ariel get her wish and find true love?
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Names President/CEO
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Board of Directors appointed Debra Harrison as its president/CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2013. Her appointment comes following the unanimous recommendation of the search committee chaired by board member John Lockhart following a four-month national search.