Giving Tuesday: MPA

As McLean Project for the Arts enters its seventh decade as a primary destination for creative expression, innovation, and education, it continues to grow to meet the interests and demands of the region. We are continually reminded of the central role that art serves in our community, and the importance of the work we do to provide equal opportunity for all residents of our diverse area. We need to think local, act local and give local. With your support, MPA can continue to provide art outreach programs that educate and inspire, uniting our community around cultural exchange, self-expression and a sense of the possible. 

Looking ahead to 2024, we are inspired to do even more—and we need your generous support. 

A GivingTuesday gift at any level will allow us to continue adapting and connecting art and community. And this year, thanks to the generous support of the Young family, we are able to match all donations up to $10,000. This means your Giving Tuesday donation will go TWICE as far! What can you do to help us meet our goal?

  • $25: Keep the lights on!
    Every dollar truly makes a difference – thank you for supporting the operations of McLean Project for the Arts.
  • $75: Support FCPS Student Pyramid Art Shows
    A gift at this level supports our annual Youth Art Show, which provides an opportunity for local students to display their art in a real art gallery.
  • $150: Art Supplies for MPA ArtReach
    A gift at this level provides supplies for MPA’s signature outreach program, MPA ArtReach, bringing FCPS Title I elementary students, seniors and individuals with disabilities into the gallery.
  • $250: Summer Camp Scholarship
    Your donation provides 1 scholarship to a financially disadvantaged local student to attend an MPA summer art camp.
  • $350: Best Buddies Programs
    A donation at this level provides the supplies and instruction for our new partnerships with the Langley and McLean High Schools’ Best Buddies programs. Help us expand to other Fairfax County schools!
  • $500: Live Music
    Support live music at an in-gallery or virtual MPA art event this year.
  • $1,000: FCPS ArtReach
    A gift at this level funds the buses to bring students from an FCPS Title 1 school into our gallery for our ArtReach program.
  • $2,500: Artist Support
    Support Mid-Atlantic artists featured in MPA’s 2024 Spring Solo Exhibitions.

GIVE NOW

McLean Project for the Arts is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, with the tax identification number of EIN #52-1374407.
Your donation is considered a charitable contribution under the U.S. Tax Laws. Consult your tax advisor to determine the extent of the applicable tax deduction.

Dress Collection: Donations needed



Becca’s Closet Collection: December 16 and 17 at the Mclean Community Center

Potomac School students are collecting gently used prom and homecoming dresses (and shoes and other accessories), as a new chapter of Becca’s Closet , a nonprofit organization that gives donated dresses to girls who may not otherwise be able to participate in these school events. If you have any donations for this great cause, please drop them off at MCC during the weekend of December 16-17. All donations are greatly appreciated! The first dress distribution event will be in the spring for Prom 2024, and the students hope to collect a lot of dresses before then to help as many teens as possible. Thank you for giving your dresses a new life and helping local teens celebrate high school events!

FIND OUT MORE

Talk: Sebastian Grand

In this week’s TALK series, McLean Today sits down with Sebastian Grand,  conductor of the McLean Symphony joined by Mary Brambley, Board Chair and viola player of the McLean Symphony. The all volunteer symphony — except for the conductor and the historian — meets for rehearsals weekly about nine months a year at the McLean Baptist Church and performs four or five concerts a year. Their next performance is Holiday Traditions, Saturday December 9, at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Vienna [to purchase tickets: https://mclean-symphony.square.site/].


 

Q. How did you get involved with the McLean Symphony?

Mary: I was tricked. I grew up in the area and then I left for about a decade. And when I came back, [Brambley’s day job is as the development officer for Historic Alexandria] my friend who I was band partners with in high school, was like, ‘”Hey, why don’t we hang out now that you’re back in the area?” I said, Absolutely. So we went to a baseball game together. She got us tickets. We’re having a great time. And then out of nowhere, she goes, “Oh, by the way, I play in the McLean Symphony and they need more violas. Do you think you could join?” She had no idea if I was still playing. She didn’t know anything. She just randomly asked me, and I was like, Did you ask me to this baseball game so you could try to get me to play in the symphony? And she was like, “Yeah.” So that’s how I got back into it. So I started in September of 2015.

Sebastian: I really love working with community orchestras because they’re very unique to the places where they are and the communities that they’re kind of integral to and a part of. I got the sense pretty much immediately that it was a very kind of close-knit special group of people that had a really good track record of over 50 years of performing and had the potential to really continue to grow and serve the community musically. And then personally, for me, it was also about expanding my conducting career. I already have four orchestras that I work with [Grand is the Music Director of the Delaware County Symphony, PA, and holds Assistant Conductor positions with the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey and the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, and conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia in an annual series] but the opportunity to regularly work with another group every week and build that relationship is always a really special opportunity. It’s proven to be, in just our first concert I already feel really welcomed and accepted and a part of the part of the community, which is great.

Q. How did you get to this point in your musical careers?

Sebastian: I started off, I’m a pianist and a cellist, and I still play the piano quite a bit but the last two or three years it really has shifted so that it’s much more conducting now than anything else. So really when I was in college, that’s maybe 15 years ago now, I conducted in my music program and then from that ran my own orchestra for about eight years. So through the process of doing those two things I was like, This is going to be an important part of my music making for sure. And then when I really started getting roles with previously established organizations, other community orchestras, some professional orchestras, some youth orchestras, and really the opportunity to work with people and to make music. I view conducting as really a very collaborative process. It’s not dictatorial at all, it’s about just trying to get the best out of people and developing relationships with people that allow them to play well.

Mary [pictured below]: I joined the Symphony in 2015 and then almost immediately went on the board. I play viola and then I’m also the board chair. I also happen to run the email. I was doing that before I was board chair. Nobody wants to take over it because they’re fearful that that’s the board chair’s job. I’m like, No, no, no. I just never stopped playing, since I was nine. It’s been 29 years. I was a music major for a little bit, but I realized that that’s not what I wanted to do. So I didn’t graduate with it. I’d done a lot. I went pretty far with it, but I didn’t never finish. I knew I was never going to be a musician. So I think I just played because I enjoyed playing.  

Sebastian Grand, the McLean Symphony’s new conductor —  only it’s second in it’s 53-year history. That role and the Symphony’s librarian are the only paid positions of the active roster of the about 75 volunteer musicians who over the years have ranged from high schoolers to 80somethings.


Q. Sebastian, you’re from Guernsey, UK, in terms of your work, in terms of music, what surprised you most when you began conducting here?

Sebastian: I was really surprised, in a good way for the most part, particularly with regard to how much is going on. America doesn’t necessarily project the most culturally interesting and diverse image when you’re outside of the big cities. But I think what I was really pleased about was, Okay, so you don’t have to be in New York or Philadelphia or the center of DC to find like really enriching culture. For me career wise, that was just wonderful to find out about and and also life lifestyle wise to know that you can live in the suburbs and still still have a huge amount going on.

Q. What are some of the goals now for the McLean Symphony as it’s first new director in 53 years? 

Sebastion: There’s a lot of networking to be done, a lot of possible collaborations to be done. Personally, I would love to do something with a chorale or a choir in the area. That would be a wonderful opportunity. There’s things you can do with ballet companies and other art forms. There’s certain music where you can collaborate with the visual arts —  you can have pictures or paintings that represent music. And then there’s a lot of collaboration you can do on the education side, building outreach projects and trying to get younger people more involved in the orchestra too.

[In terms of music] I think you’re really trying to find music and repertoire that suits the audience. McLean Symphony has always had a tradition of doing some repertoire that is unusual. Trying to find the right balance between continuing to explore things that have been unnecessarily neglected, but also to do some real popular works that you just guarantee that everyone’s going to enjoy. Basically to continue to try and build the standard of the orchestra. We’re always interested to hear from new players, particularly in the string sections, if they’ve had orchestral experience or playing experience in the past, and to try and be the kind of hub where if you are a musician and you’re in the area, this is the orchestra that you should come to if you want to be challenged and play really good quality orchestral music.

Mary: We are a non-profit, so fundraising is very key to what we do. It’s how we stay alive. A former player left us a very generous bequest about a decade ago and we are coming to the end of that bequest. We need to really ramp up what we’re doing because we count on ticket sales, we count on sponsorships, we have a program book and people can buy ads in it. It’s counting on the generosity of people and now we’re trying to expand it because I think we came out of COVID, we had an amazing 50th anniversary and now we’re ready to move on to the next thing and be even bigger than where we were. More people know about us because of the 50th anniversary so we’re just trying to like hit on that while we’re still a little bit hot. Last year was kind of a shock year that we thankfully got through and now we have Sebastian. So now it’s like, Okay, let’s, let’s pick back up running.

Q. Your next concert is your holiday show, December 9, tell me about it and what are some of your favorite holiday pieces?

Sebastian: Wth this concert, we’ve got a really nice kind of mixture because we’ve got a bit of a Nutcracker in there, which obviously people have holiday traditions of going to see. We’ve got some Strauss Waltzes which are always associated with the New Year and we’ve got some really fun stuff like Jingle Bells, Frosty, Rudolph. It’s something for everyone and it’s on the lighter side which is I think why it appeals. I grew up with Christmas and holiday concerts every year growing up. I love the big carols, get the organ going, that atmosphere. That concert’s gonna be really special. 

Q. What should people, perhaps you haven’t yet experienced the McLean Symphony know about?

Sebastian: There’s two key takeaways for me. The first one is that we’re there to play music right in this community that people would enjoy coming to. It’s accessible, it’s interesting, you’re up close and personal, you’re right there, super close to the orchestra, which you don’t always get in these big concert halls. And, there’s a concert for everyone. Even if you’re, Okay, I don’t wanna go see a big symphony, come to the Christmas concert, or come to the Capital One Hall in June where it’s small selections of different pieces. So there’s a real concept for everyone. And then the second one is just the link to the players — if there are players interested that want to come and try us out, then we are an outlet for their musicality. We’re doing really well in terms of numbers, but it’s always good for people to be aware that we’re here because so much talent just gets like put into the closet.

.

Q. Do you have a favorite McLean restaurant spot you all go to together?

Mary: The Italian Oven is a great supporter of ours. That’s been there forever. We love working with Sal, and they’re located just right near where we rehearse.

Gayle Jo Carter is the editor of McLean Today.

Do you know someone in McLean who would make an interesting interview for TALK? Tap us at contact@mcleantoday.org.

Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packing Event

Join the McLean community in the Rise Against Hunger Event

On November 4th, from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM more than 1000 Volunteers will gather at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for the annual meal-packaging event for Rise Against Hunger. The goal is to package 200,000 meals but we still need to raise $13,000 to meet the $76,000 to pay for the meals.  Donations can be made at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/McLeanCommunity .

Fairfax County opens Early Voting

Early Voting Information: Early voting for the November 7 General Election will continue through Saturday, November 4, for the following local and state offices:Board of Supervisors (Chairman and all districts)School Board (At Large and all districts)Commonwealth’s AttorneySheriffVirginia House of Delegates and Senate (All districts)Clerk of the CourtTowns of Clifton and Vienna (Mayor and Town Council )Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
There is also a $435 million public school bond on the ballot. If approved, the public schools’ plans include using this money to plan and design, renovate and build schools.
As a result of redistricting, which is a legally required process to adjust election districts every 10 years, voters may find that some districts have changed. Before going to vote, double check your district by looking up your voter information on the Virginia Department of Elections online portal.
Before going to vote, please double check the hours early voting sites are open because times vary by location. Starting September 22nd, three locations will be open for early voting on weekdays:
Friday, September 22 – Saturday, November 4 Fairfax County Government CenterConference Rooms 2/312000 Government Center Parkway, FairfaxWeekdays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Saturdays, September 23, October 28 & November 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, October 29: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.**********************************************************Mount Vernon Governmental Center2511 Parks Lane, Alexandria&North County Governmental Center1801 Cameron Glen Drive, RestonWeekdays: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.Saturdays, September 23, October 28 & November 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, October 29: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
These locations will be the only places available for early voting until October 26, when an additional 13 sites (4 in Dranesville) will open. Any registered voter can cast their ballot at any early voting site. The last day to vote early is Saturday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m.
Vote By MailFor voters who already requested them, their absentee ballots will begin to arrive in the mail after September 22. To vote by mail, you must apply by October 27 at 5 p.m., and any registered voter can absentee vote by mail without needing a reason or excuse.
The fastest and most secure way to apply is online on the Virginia Department of Elections website. You’ll also be able to track the status of your application, as well as when your ballot is mailed to you. Your Virginia driver’s license number is needed to apply online, along with the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you don’t want to mail back your cast ballot, you can return it at a drop-off box at any early voting site during the hours they’re open. There also is a 24-hour secure, drop-off box available outside the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Pkwy).
As a result of a new state law, you must now include the last four digits of your social security number and year of birth when filling out your return envelope for your mail-in ballot. This information will be behind a mailing flap so it won’t be publicly visible. Don’t forget to sign the envelope too.
For more information about early voting, voting by mail, and required identification, read the Early Voting Begins Sept. 22 for Nov. 7 General Election article, or visit the Office of Elections website.

Clemyjontri Parking Lot Resurfacing: Temporary Closure of Parking Lot for Maintenance Work

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin resurfacing and painting the Clemyjontri Park parking lot at 6317 Georgetown Pike in McLean. The parking lot will be closed during the resurfacing and painting, but the park will remain open. Work will begin starting Tuesday, October 24, and is expected to conclude on Thursday, October 26, as the weather permits.
The work has been specifically targeted during the middle of the week to minimize the inconvenience to park patrons. Clemyjontri Park, one of the most popular parks in Fairfax County, regularly receives high numbers of visitor traffic during the weekends. While the parking lot is closed, visitors are encouraged to use the new Park Amenity Locator websiteto help identify alternate recreation options if needed.

Hot Wheels parks at Tysons Corner Center with brand-new ‘experience’

Prepare for competing “interactive experiences” at Tysons Corner Center this winter, when the year of Mattel will continue with the worldwide debut of its Hot Wheels Champion Experience.

After making its mark on the summer box office with Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” the toy company will venture into immersive entertainment with a 16,000-square-foot exhibit and play area based on its 55-year-old model cars and race tracks.

The experience will open on Dec. 8, around the same time that the retailer Camp will unveil a new, permanent store and temporary “Encanto”-themed display at the mall.

Hot Wheels tickets are set to go on sale at noon this Thursday (Oct. 5), but those who sign up for a priority list can get access to presale tickets and pricing a day early.

Here’s more from the press release on what to expect from the Hot Wheels Champion Experience:

Hot Wheels fans of all ages will ignite their challenger spirit in this immersive experience that combines exhilarating physical and virtual interactions. Visitors will imagine, create, and experience Hot Wheels like never before and without headsets, goggles, or other equipment. Using the latest 3D multimedia projection technology, guests at Hot Wheels Champion Experience can accept the challenge and become:

  • Hot Wheels Designers: Use creativity to design their own digital Hot Wheels car, watching it come to life on an interactive screen
  • Tracker Builders: Build a custom Hot Wheels City inside an interactive Augmented Reality room
  • Ultimate Heroes: Defeat monsters and creatures taking over Hot Wheels City
  • Speed Machines: Race against the competition using physical body movements to digitally drive Hot Wheels cars
  • Smash Champs: Stunt and compete as Monster Trucks on a monster-sized projection, dodging any hazards that come their way
  • Virtual Drivers: An Augmented Reality experience, allowing guests to see themselves driving a Hot Wheels car
  • Epic Winners: Pose on the winner’s podium, celebrating your accomplishments to become a Hot Wheels Champion
  • Hot Wheels Central will also allow guests to track performance and collect digital memorabilia, videos, and tokens gathered during the experience, extending the fun past the event!

The attraction will be on the mall’s second floor next to Barnes & Nobles, a space previously filled by this summer’s Dr. Seuss Experience. It will stay at Tysons Corner Center for a limited time before moving to other locations.

Stuff the Cruiser

Wednesdays through October 25, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Benefitting Share of McLean; Food for Others and Second Story

Tysons Boro

1640 Boro Place

McLean

Parking Lot in front of mural

Fairfax Country Police Department in partnership with Tysons Interfaith and Tysons Community Alliance

Youth Auditions for “The Many Disguises of Robin Hood”

Calling all Volunteers! Fairfax Fiesta is shaping up to be a vibrant event, where The PARC at Tysons will be filled with performances, activities, booths, and more. To support this event, we’re looking for a big volunteer team! Sign up to be an event volunteer —  youth 15 years and older are welcome to participate! Volunteer opportunities include set-up team, welcoming attendees, managing games and activities, interpreting and language assistance, and clean-up.  Celebrate Fairfax is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, so if you are looking for a fun opportunity to connect with your neighbors, meet new friends and support your community this is the opportunity for you. You can even  fill school or work community service hours!

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 23 & 24
Call Backs (by appointment only): Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.

In merry ol’ England, the townspeople are overtaxed and unfulfilled. Lucky for them, the mysterious outlaw, Robin Hood, is outsmarting the rich with clever disguises and returning their funds to the poor. Frustrated by these tricks, the sheriff, his daughter and the prince scheme to capture Robin Hood and maintain control of the taxes. Are Robin Hood and the band of outlaws ready for their riskiest deceit yet?
The spring show is The Alden’s only self-produced production of the year. Director, designers and production staff are all local, theatrical professionals.
Actors must be residents of the MCC tax district between the ages of 10-16 at their audition. There is no charge to audition, but participation in the production is $150 for each actor who is cast.
Previous theatrical experience is preferred, but not required. Actors should feel confident projecting their voice, articulating and speaking clearly. This script is fast paced, will require costume changes and most roles are not gender specific. Some roles require actors to sing basic tunes or use simple puppets.
Pre-registering and scheduling your audition time is strongly recommended. Walk-in auditions will be accommodated as time permits. When registering for auditions, actors will list any theatre experience, will provide all conflicts with the provided rehearsal schedule and select their preferred audition time slot, to be confirmed by email.
Auditions will be approximately 15 minutes in a small group. Actors will be asked to read from the script and perform improv games. Sample scripts will be available 20 minutes prior to the audition time and cannot be emailed in advance.Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 23 & 24
Call Backs (by appointment only): Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.

In merry ol’ England, the townspeople are overtaxed and unfulfilled. Lucky for them, the mysterious outlaw, Robin Hood, is outsmarting the rich with clever disguises and returning their funds to the poor. Frustrated by these tricks, the sheriff, his daughter and the prince scheme to capture Robin Hood and maintain control of the taxes. Are Robin Hood and the band of outlaws ready for their riskiest deceit yet?
The spring show is The Alden’s only self-produced production of the year. Director, designers and production staff are all local, theatrical professionals.
Actors must be residents of the MCC tax district between the ages of 10-16 at their audition. There is no charge to audition, but participation in the production is $150 for each actor who is cast.
Previous theatrical experience is preferred, but not required. Actors should feel confident projecting their voice, articulating and speaking clearly. This script is fast paced, will require costume changes and most roles are not gender specific. Some roles require actors to sing basic tunes or use simple puppets.
Pre-registering and scheduling your audition time is strongly recommended. Walk-in auditions will be accommodated as time permits. When registering for auditions, actors will list any theatre experience, will provide all conflicts with the provided rehearsal schedule and select their preferred audition time slot, to be confirmed by email.
Auditions will be approximately 15 minutes in a small group. Actors will be asked to read from the script and perform improv games. Sample scripts will be available 20 minutes prior to the audition time and cannot be emailed in advance.