Synetic Theater Stages “Hamlet”
Synetic Theater is remounting Shakespeare’s “Hamlet … the rest is silence,” the abstract and wordless show that struck gold for them in 2002 when it debuted in Washington. This silent rendering stars Alex Mills, 24, as Prince Hamlet, Irina Tsikurishvili as Gertrude, Iraakli Kavsadze as Claudius and Irina Kavsadze as Ophelia. To help celebrate the Bard’s 450th birthday this year, Synetic took an abstract approach to the tragedy set in Denmark by using sparse sets, minimal props (originally by Georgi Alexi-Meskhishvili), dramatic lighting design (by Brittany Diliberto), minimal black-and-white costumes (Claire Cantwell) and intense sound design (Irakli Kavsadze). Synetic is best known for fusing the classical elements of drama, movement, mime, dance and music. The storyline of “Hamlet” centers on the revenge the grief-stricken Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering Hamlet’s father, Claudius’s brother. He succeeds to the throne and takes his wife Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. The play explores everything from incest to revenge to madness and corruption.
The Annual Shamrock Crawl
Clarendon Boulevard was filled with participants on the annual Shamrock Crawl on Saturday. March 15.
United Way Awards $259,862 to Nonprofits
United Way of the National Capital Area recently awarded 20 grants totaling $259,862 to member organizations serving Arlington. The funds came through designations to the Arlington Community Impact Fund in United Way NCA's annual workplace giving campaign. Each of the grants addresses programs that fall within United Way NCA's focus areas of education, financial stability and health.In total, $1.7 million was raised through Community Impact Funds in United Way NCA's eight regions thanks to the support of employees from more than 800 workplaces with more than 3,000 locations throughout the Washington, D.C. region.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s Contributions to Arlington Free Clinic Top $1 Million
March 05, 2014 - Baltimore — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) plans to contribute another $110,000 to Arlington Free Clinic to help the Northern Virginia health clinic better coordinate care during the next year for more than 500 uninsured patients – many of who have chronic diseases that require increased monitoring and adherence to strict medication schedules. Arlington Free Clinic intends to use CareFirst’s latest funding to strengthen its relationship with its network of community medical partners, equip diabetic patients with more resources and education to help them control their disease, and increase its patients’ compliance with recommended immunization schedules.
Eleanor Bune Celebrates Her 96th
Sharp as a tack and mentally “with it” as a younger person, Eleanor Bune, an Arlington resident, is not missing a beat. On March 14, she turned 96-years-old. With a full head of her own hair that often draws compliments from strangers, she had her hair done on her birthday and wanted to look her best for a night out on the town. Her birthday was celebrated at Essy’s Carriage House in Arlington with her daughter, Karen L. Bune, and friends.
Northern Virginia's Growing Debt Burden
Local governments use debt as a tool to build for the future.
Back in the 1920s, Harry Byrd became governor of Virginia on what he called a "pay-as-you-go" platform.
Mr. Horejsi Goes to Richmond
In the fight for social justice with patience and persistence.
Every year, dozens of high-priced lobbyists descend on Virginia’s state capitol.
County Recognizes 2013 DESIGNArlington Winners
The Arlington County Board honored the winners of the county’s DESIGNArlington awards on Feb. 25
State Budget Still Unfinished
Why the General Assembly’s 60-day legislative session adjourned on Saturday without a completed budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1.
Arlington Schools Scramble to Fund Enrollment in Challenging Budget Environment
$439.4 million budget represents a 3.1 percent increase over last year.
Arlington Superintendent Patrick Murphy's proposed budget for the coming school year would scale back a program aimed at helping students older than age 22, add trailers to deal with the crush of new students as well as add four new bus drivers and create a new coordinator for transporting special-equation students.
Spring Fling at Swanson Middle School
The PTA at Swanson Middle School held its 2nd annual Spring Fling on Saturday, March 15, in the school gym. The juried arts and crafts show and sale featured jewelry, paintings, quilts, knitted items, birdhouses made from gourds, hand-painted glassware, vintage cards and more.
Signature Stages ‘Beaches’
Signature Theatre is presenting the musical “Beaches” about a 40-year friendship based on the 1988 movie starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, now through March 30.
Virginia Laws Help Local Governments Conceal 911 Calls from Public
Police agencies refuse to release audio from 911 calls, prompting questions about transparency.
When city officials in Alexandria released the audio of a 911 call in a high-profile murder case, many people interpreted the move as a step forward for transparency in a commonwealth known for opaque government.
Looking for Homes
Dogs and cats, rabbits and birds are just a few of the animals that may be adopted at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
Synetic Theater Offers Street Theater Camp
Synetic Theater and dog & pony dc are teaming up to offer a week-long intensive course in street theater for high school and college students at Synetic's new studio space in Crystal City. It runs March 10-15 and costs $350. Classes will culminate on Saturday, March 15 with public performances that take students from Crystal City to Freedom Plaza in the District. “This year, we are very excited to be working with dog & pony theater,” said Camp Director Elena Velasco. “They use social media and are very focused on audience reaction and audience relationships.” She added, “With dog & pony, it will be how we can invite the audience into the action ... How do we incorporate that into social media — Twitter, texting — how can we expand that performance circle.” Under the guidance of senior Synetic teachers and artists from dog & pony dc, students will study the disciplines of collaborative creation. Street theater offers a means of honing one's skills as an actor, and performers use their craft to empower their community and transform public spaces into arenas of artistic exchange.