BUZZWORTHY/Rockin' Thru the Heat This Summer

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks/Local Kicks The 80's Band the Reflex at Pentagon Row

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - John Mellencamp sang about R-O-C-K in the USA, but its here in our own little neck of the woods in Northern Virginia where we have especially wonderful summer concerts and wonderful concert series -- many of them free to boot.  
I have been a big fan of these free concerts for years.  This month I had the good fortune of attending my first concert of the summer at Pentagon Row’s eighth annual “Rock at the Row.”  
 

Chaka Khan heats up National Harbor this Friday, July 9.

A large group of girlfriends, with our children in tow, boogied down last week to the 80's band The Reflex.  
 
Let me tell you what...we had a ball!  
 
I felt I just had to share with my readers all of the information that I could get my hands on in regards to the excellent series of free concerts.  These show are all held in our area so you too can put on your dancing shoes - or better yet - since it's summer - go barefoot in the park and boogie down with your friends, kids, or sweetheart.  
 
The Fairfax County Parks Authority, in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and with generous contributions from local businesses and corporations are presenting a summer-long calendar of shows, concerts and movies for you and your family.
 
Grab your picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs and head out to enjoy the best local and regional entertainers in great performances ranging from children's puppet shows to big band, jazz, bluegrass, rock, classical and world music.
 
This year, you can also take a nostalgic return to the good old days and drive in to see classic movies on a large, outdoor screen from the comfort of your car.  
 
Details can be found at http://208.43.47.109/cgi-bin/db.cgi?db=concertsdb&uid=default&ma=0&mh=20&sb=0&GENRE=*&view_records=Search&nh=4
 

Courtesy Photo Liza Adamski, Elizabeth Fawn Slack Pignatello, Cheryl Romero, Allison Priebe Brooks, Tina Cruikshank, Tara Bewak-Egresits, Laura Quirk Niswander and the minis at Pentagon Row for The Reflex.

Weekly concerts are being held at Pentagon Row from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. every Thursday. The series wraps up on August 26th.  Bands include local favorites like Gonzo’s Nose, King Cadillac and Brother Shamus.  Pentagon Row isn't Arlington's only locale for free concerts - Rosslyn also has an outdoor summer concert series.
 
Across the Potomac you can enjoy free shows as part of "Live on THE PLATEAU" over at National Harbor.  Including the incomparable Chaka Khan this Friday - July 9th.  Other concerts include Latin Music Festival featuring Trono – Saturday, July 10th Gospel Concert featuring BeBe & CeCe Winans – Saturday, July 24th Caribbean Music Festival – Saturday, July 31st Bolivian Festival – Sunday, August 1st.  

For details visit http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/entertainment.htm#summerconcerts
 
Do you enjoy the sultry sounds of jazz, the rhythm of rock, or the fun of folk? If so, you'll find something for everyone at the free Fort Hunt Concert Series!  The concerts, free and open to the public, are generally held on Sundays during summer months at Fort Hunt Park in Virginia.  

July 11th,   Kings Park Brass
July 18th,    Harmony Heritage Singers
July 25th,    Main Street Community Band
August 1st,  Potomac Harmony Singers
August 8th, Mystic Warriors
August 15th, Mount Vernon Concert band
August 22nd, Alta Kameraden
August 29th, Kings Park Concert Band

For further details check out http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/fort-hunt.htm
 

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks/Local Kicks McClain Brooks and Josie Niswander dance the night away at Pentagon Row's "Rocking the Row" to the sounds of The Reflex.

Now while the concerts at Wolf Trap are not free, they are generally well priced and many really are just fabulous.  In our house the summer is not complete without a trip to Wolf Trap.  People can sit in house or out on the lawn for less of a cost.  Really.. don't forget to check out all the wonderful events at Wolf Trap this summer at http://www.wolf-trap.org/
 
In the words one of this Queen's favorite fresh prince, Will Smith: " Its summer, summer, summertime.  Time to sit back and unwind,"  and in this Queen's opinion it's time to boogie too!  
 
Buzz Buzz

Courtesy Photo Tara S. Bewak-Egresits, Elizabeth Fawn Slack Pignatello, Laura Quirk Niswander, Tina Cruikshank, and Allison Priebe Brooks with the minis at The Reflex