From Northern Virginia Community College:

The NOVA Players of Northern Virginia Community College’s Woodbridge Campus will host the theatrical production of “An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe,” at the NOVA-Woodbridge Black Box Theatre, 2645 College Drive. Show dates are Oct. 26-28 and Nov. 2-5 at 7 p.m., with matinees Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. and Nov. 5 at 3 p.m.

“An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe” by Robert Mason & “Poe Connectives” is based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe with additional material included by David Tyson, assistant professor of communication studies and theatre arts at NOVA-Woodbridge.

“Edgar Allen Poe is the master of the macabre, but he’s also the father of the detective story genre, and an accomplished poet,” said Tyson. “Poe’s genius lies in his ability to capture the pain, despair, loneliness and transform it into a thrilling journey of self-discovery. This production looks at a number of his short stories and poems and dramatizes them for the stage, as we seek to discover the author and our darker selves.” (more…)

From a press release:

In 1991, Dr. Gail Kettlewell, Provost of Northern Virginia Community College, had a vision for a new orchestra in Manassas and Prince William County. This orchestra, originally called the NOVA-Manassas Community Orchestra, began performing at Grace United Methodist Church in 1992. Over the years the orchestra has grown in both size and stature. In 2010, the ensemble moved into its new home in the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and was renamed the Manassas Symphony Orchestra in 2011.

In 2015, the MSO, under the direction of Music Director James Villani, was recognized as the winner of The American Prize for Orchestra Performance, Community Orchestra Division, and is now recognized as among the best volunteer orchestras in the country. To celebrate its 25 years of service to the community, the 2017-2018 Subscription Concert Season will feature some of the favorite pieces and soloists from past concerts, as well as pieces that they have not played before.

The MSO kicks off its Silver Anniversary Season on Saturday, October 28, 2017, 7:30PM with Silver Celebration featuring the return of fellow American Prize-winning piano soloist Anthony Michael Cornet performing American composer Edward MacDowell’s distinctive Piano Concerto No. 2. Mr. Cornet last performed with the MSO in 2015. The concert concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven’s blissful Symphony No. 7 which was previously performed by the MSO way back in 2003. (more…)

From a press release:

The Fall Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show will be held rain or shine on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Historic Occoquan. A 48-year tradition, this award-winning outdoor street festival features more than 300 artisans and crafters, fun interactive activities for the kids, live entertainment and great food! Be sure to stop by Mamie Davis Park to listen to live music.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 23, 2017

All Day: DJ John Coulter Mamie Davis Park
10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Manassas Ballet Theatre Mamie Davis Park
12 p.m.-1 p.m.: The Amazing Kevin (Kids’ Magic Show) Mamie Davis Park
2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Most Savage Gentlemen (Rock/Pop) Mamie Davis Park
All Day: Fairy Jennabelle Face Painting Mill House Museum
All Day: Law Enforcement United Dunk Tank Mill House Museum
All Day: Touch-a-Truck Mill House Museum (more…)

From Prince William County:

City of Manassas, VA  Today through Aug. 31, Christine Grubbs, a local photographer, is displaying her art in The Hall at City Hall. The exhibit is open to the public Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free.

“History is the driving force behind much of my work,” said Grubbs. “It is important for me to know the background of a scene or object in order to tell the story of the image I am creating and make it come alive.”

Christine Grubbs’ photos range from city scenes, to mountain ranges and beautiful still life displayed in frames and on canvas.

Exhibits in The Hall at City Hall rotate on a monthly basis and include different forms of visual art. For more information about art in the City of Manassas, visit www.manassascity.org/art.

From a public relations firm hired to represent Potomac Mills mall: 

The first-ever Italian Water Circus in the US is coming to Virginia this week when Potomac Mills hosts “Cirque Italia” from July 28 to the 31.

Featuring a stage holding 35,000 gallons that can make water fall like rain, guests will see highwire feats, flying aerial dances, jetski stunts, twin juggling maniacs, acrobatic balancing acts, explosions, elegant chiffons, and even a large [artificial] dinosaur invading the show.

Taking place under a twisting Italian white and blue big top tent near Marshalls at Potomac Mills, this show features performers from around the world and is completely animal-free. Performances begin this week with shows Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm and over the weekend at 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 8:30pm.

Tickets [range between $10 and $50 and] can be purchased on the Cirque Italian website (cirqueitalia.com/tickets) or by phone and text: (941) 704-8572.

Submitted by Dumfries Artist Alexis Gomez: 

Hello Potomac Local, I am an artist based out of Dumfries with a new project discussing the recent homicides in Prince William County. The Gravestone Project addresses the outbreak of homicides that have been occuring in Prince William County this year (2016).

For each of the eleven homicides that have occurred, a gravestone has been placed throughout the city. While each stone references a real event, the graves are unidentified, and only suggest a possible fatality if the pattern continues.

The name and birthdates on the stones are left blank, leaving space for the viewer to apply their own narrative and fully understand the gravity of the recent losses that our community has endured. The idea of the project is to raise awareness, make people re-think the situations they get themselves into, and stop the violence.

For more information, including photos and a video, follow the link below.

http://www.alexisgomezart.com/save-pwc/

There have been 11 murders this year in Prince William County. We detail them in this post.

From an email: 

Name Change: Gainesville Ballet School has been under the leadership of Elysabeth Muscat Hegab and Rafik Hegab since March of 2013. 

The nonprofit professional company, Gainesville Ballet Company, debuted in 2014 with Carmina Burana.  The professional company is changing its name to “Virginia State Ballet.”  Gainesville Ballet School will keep its name for the time being. 

Why the name change? 

People frequently confuse Gainesville Ballet with two other Gainesville Ballets, one in Georgia and one in Florida. 

Additionally, while the company is proudly located in Gainesville, Virginia, the reach of the company is much further than the immediate geographical area, and the Artistic Director and Company Dancers are an international group, coming from the Middle East, Central America, South America, and the Far East, in addition to the American Managing Director and American dancers. 

The new name will eliminate any possible false association with the other Gainesville Ballets, and reflect the larger scope of the company.  New websites and email addresses will be made available during the season. 

For the time being, the same website will be used: http://gainesvilleballetcompany.org .