Schools Present Choral Concert
Centreville High and Liberty Middle schools will unite in song to present a Spring Choral Concert, next Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. The free concert will be held in the Centreville High auditorium. Afterward, the audience is invited to join the performers for a reception in the lobby.“It’s some of the most beautiful music they’ve studied all year,” said Centreville Choral Director Lynne Babcock. “It really shows off their musical skill and talents.”Liberty’s 90-person choir, under the direction of Nancy Hayes, will be singing first. The students will perform “The Bells,” “S’Vivon” and “Kyrie.”“I’m so happy that our students can share a concert together,” said Hayes. “This way, the middle-school students are hearing the high-school choirs at their very best. And hopefully, it will inspire them to continue singing in choir when they get to Centreville High.”Centreville will showcase 125 singers in six choirs, each performing separately.
‘Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again’
Chantilly’s Emily Price has come a long way. In 2006, at age 14, she played Dorothy in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Now 22, she’s performing in the Broadway national tour of “Mamma Mia!” The hit musical is at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., March 4-9. In the story, a young woman named Sophie is getting married in Greece. She wants to learn who her father is, so she invites three former suitors of her mother’s to the wedding. “I play Ali, one of Sophie’s best friends, who’s come to the Greek island as a bridesmaid,” said Price. “Ali’s quirky, funny and excited to be reunited with Sophie. I love it; I get to jump around and have a blast every night with wonderful performers. The audience loves the show — we always get a great reaction.”
Centreview Calendar for 3/5/14
Centreville calendar for 3/5/14
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
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.
Chantilly One-Act Heads to States
The cast and crew of Chantilly High’s production of “Vocal Work” will compete Saturday, March 8, at the VHSL State One-Act Play Competition in Charlottesville. Written and directed by Chantilly Theater Director Ed Monk, it’s a comedy set in a sound studio. The audience sees a hectic day in the life of Amanda, working at her sound studio which specializes in creating radio spots. According to the show’s publicity blurb, “The schedule is screwed up, the mattress girls have yet to be cast, the car girl doesn't know how to sound sexy, the diarrhea ad isn't finished, and time is running out.” Chantilly won the Concorde Conference Championship with “Vocal Work” on Jan. 30. In the Northern Region competition on Feb. 8, Chantilly came in second behind West Springfield High. Both schools then advanced to the state finals, where they’ll compete against additional high schools.
‘Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again’
Chantilly’s Emily Price has come a long way. In 2006, at age 14, she played Dorothy in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Now 22, she’s performing in the Broadway national tour of “Mamma Mia!” The hit musical will be at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., March 4-9. In the story, a young woman named Sophie is getting married in Greece. She wants to learn who her father is, so she invites three former suitors of her mother’s to the wedding. “I play Ali, one of Sophie’s best friends, who’s come to the Greek island as a bridesmaid,” said Price. “Ali’s quirky, funny and excited to be reunited with Sophie. I love it; I get to jump around and have a blast every night with wonderful performers. The audience loves the show — we always get a great reaction.” Price was drawn to acting as a child. “I was shy, so this was a great outlet for me,” she said. “I also fell in love with the idea of diving into someone else’s shoes and getting into their feelings and lives on stage.” Her first show was Alliance’s “Oliver” in 2003, followed by “The Music Man” in 2004. “I grew up with [Alliance founder] Elaine Wilson as my director,” said Price. “She allowed the ensemble members to work together to create something artistic. I remember having a lot of fun — it was like theater camp for me. I was also a counselor during their summer production of ‘Willy Wonka.’”
"Penelope's Pesky Pen," performance at the Athenaeum
Dancers from the Jane Franklin's Dance company performed on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Athenaeum in "Penelope's Pesky Pen." They will be performing there again in a children’s show on March 16, at 4:30 p.m.
Westfield High To Present One-Act Play Festival.
Postponed because of snow, Westfield High’s Winter One-Act Play Festival has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 9 in the school theater. On the bill are comedy, drama and even a full-length musical. Here’s what’s on tap:
Theater Workshops Offered from the Professionals
Broadway comes to Fairfax with the arrival of actress Candi Boyd, currently appearing on Broadway in the play, “Jersey Boys.” On Sunday, March 9, she’ll present a musical-theater workshop, “Broadway: Behind the Curtain,” at Fairfax High – and it’s open to all area high-school students. It’ll run from noon-4:30 p.m. in the auditorium, with a limited number of spots available. Tickets range from $10-$40, depending on level of participation. The event’s a fundraiser for Fairfax High’s theater program, and school Theater Director Erich DiCenzo hopes to make it an annual tradition. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to have exposure to professional and talented artists,” he said. “Anyone with any interest in this field is welcome. Attendees don’t have to be theater students.”
Vandalism Suspects Arrested
Police have arrested three adults and obtained petitions charging two juveniles in connection with the recent series of vehicle vandalisms in Centreville. The apprehensions came about after a resident called police Friday, Feb. 21, around 4 a.m., to report a loud noise and a suspicious vehicle in the area of Bull Run Post Office Road. Responding officers from the Sully District Station found the vehicle and stopped it on Bull Run Post Office Road near Sudley Road. Several smashed mailboxes were also discovered in the area. Further investigation led officers to identify five people they believe were responsible for the Centreville vehicle vandalisms.
Mountain View Students Receive Scholarships
Graduating seniors received scholarships Feb. 5 during Mountain View High’s winter awards ceremony.
Money on the Shelves: Jurisdictions Take Variety of Approaches to Funding Libraries
Some have recovered from the recession, others are still struggling.
What is the future of the neighborhood library?
Roundups
House Fire: $100,000 Damage A house fire over the weekend caused an estimated $100,000 damage to a single-family home in Centreville. Fire investigators say the blaze was accidental. They blamed it on an electrical anomaly in the air-conditioning wall unit in the garage that had been converted into a daycare center. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded Sunday, Feb. 16, around 2:15 p.m. to 7105 Ordway Road. First-arriving firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the garage. They brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. Working smoke alarms provided early warning and allowed the home’s occupants to escape unharmed before the firefighters arrived. No one was injured, but the fire displaced four adults and three children.
‘To Be Graceful and Fast’
Westfield High freshman Nicole Bachman isn’t an Olympian, but she is an accomplished ice skater. And on Feb. 27, she and Team Ashburn will compete in the Synchronized Skating National Competition in Colorado Springs. A resident of Centreville’s Virginia Run community, Bachman’s among five girls from Fairfax County on the 15-member team. They skate at the Intermediate Level — the U.S. Figure Skating Assciation’s most competitive level. And this is the first time an Intermediate team from the Washington Metropolitan area has made Nationals.