Get Out Loudoun is distributed monthly to entertainment, tourism, & hospitality venues throughout Loudoun County. For the latest news on the music & arts scene and other community events, go to getoutloudoun.com.
CONTRIBUTORS
Katiana Dawn
Hanna Pampaloni
Douglas Rogers
Norman K. Styer
ON THE COVER
Get up close with Loudoun’s agriculture community May 17-18 during the Spring Farm Tour.
TO ADVERTISE
Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com
getoutloudoun.com
ART SCENE
Nicka Pretorius helps to create shared moments one brushstroke at a time.
WINE
Vineyard Vibes’ Stacey Brooks puts creativity into the winery experience.
TUNES
A cornerstone of Loudoun’s music scene for five decades, Gary Smallwood rock star journey continues.
HAPPENINGS
From history programs to spring festivals, May offers a host of popular community events.
As the 50th Anniversary of WorldPride kicks off in Washington, DC, this month, up to 25 Loudoun wineries will host their own celebrations when the third annual Pride in the Vines festival gets underway May 17. Established in 2023, the usually month-long event is expanded to six weeks to coincide with WorldPride DC.
“It’s always my favorite time of the year,” said Bridgette Smith, general manager of Williams Gap Vineyard and one of the founders of Pride in the Vines along with Two Twisted Posts Winery and Forever Farm. “Our goals are to demonstrate Loudoun has these incredible inclusive
wineries and to show off our beautiful open spaces for people in DC to come out and enjoy Pride in a different way.”
Unlike previous events, this year’s festival starts with a gala opening. Proudly Poured: The Pride in the Vines Kickoff Celebration! will take place at Mt Defiance Cidery & Distillery in Middleburg on May 17. All participating wineries will be there to pour tastings and sell wines, and there will also be food trucks, live music and tastings of Mt Defiance’s acclaimed cider.
Of course, on top of promoting inclusivity, Pride in the Vines promotes a good time. Visitors to participating wineries get a passport that allows them to collect stamps to win prizes. Collect stamps from 10 wineries over the six weeks and you have a chance to win prizes ranging from free tastings and wine flights to bottles and discounted merch.
ART SCENE FROM PAGE 6
strange period of adjustment.
Pretorius joined her high school’s arts honors society and rose to become president. This led to her first big and lasting art project.
“It was a brand new high school, and I was like these walls are so ugly. So, I planned a whole mural, I partnered with We’re All Human Club and I did a suicide prevention mural with their club and planned and curated it.”
This success inspired her to pursue art in higher education.
“I was so nervous because my parents came here with absolutely nothing. They sacrificed everything, struggled for a very long time, and I was pursuing art. I felt like I wasn’t doing them justice. I just felt called to be creative and I couldn’t picture myself being happy in literally any other career,” she said.
In art school, Pretorius was intrigued by surrealism—making realistic things with a really odd “freaky twists.” She had self-portraits with her “head exploding with different ideas and things.” There was a lot of trying to figure herself out along with who she was as an artist.
What’s
Noting the influence that Pretorius’ art teachers
ART SCENE FROM PAGE 8
with them where people experience what I have to give, but also what they have to give,” she said. “Which is really a beautiful symbiotic relationship.”
“I love that I can combine the making of art at these beautiful venues so that people feel like it’s an experience. I’m starting to build a community of people doing what they love and then in-
viting people to come into that. It is a safe place for them to create something and spend time in nature. In everyone—and I really believe this, people will argue and I will argue with people— there truly is an artist in anyone—in everyone.”
Find upcoming programs at brushstrokeartevents. com. Learn more about Nicka Pretorius’ own works at nicka-pretorius.format.com.
ON EXHIBIT
ART IN THE BURG RETURNS MAY 10
On Saturday, May 10, the Middleburg Arts Council and the Town of Middleburg will host its annual arts celebration, Art in the Burg.
The event will feature artwork from local and regional artists, activities for kids, and a wine garden, on South Madison Street and Federal Street, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with more than 40 artists and discuss their creative processes. During this event, Bharatanatyam Dance, Jubilee Performing Arts, Loudoun Jazz Society, and Loudoun Poetry will perform on the main stage. One juried artist will be awarded the People’s Choice Award.
Attendees are encouraged to bring unopened cans of food to help construct the Art CAN Help sculpture. Artists will design a temporary sculpture using the donations. Cash donations also will be accepted. The contributions will be given to the Seven Loaves Food Bank in Middleburg.
Art in the Burg also kicks off the final weekend to view the 2025 Foxes on the Fence display around
the town. The fundraiser is auctioning off more than 40 hand-painted decorative foxes, hounds, and hares. The online auction ends on May 10. Go to middleburgva.gov/355/Foxes-on-the-Fence for more information.
Learn more at artintheburgva.com.
THE HAPPINESS OF COLOR AT BYRNE GALLERY
The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg will feature The Happiness of Color II as its May exhibition.
Five artists are presenting their interpretation of color and the hope that spring brings each year. These abstracts explore the energy and vibrancy of the season of renewal when joyful color bursts forth once again.
Participating artists are Richard Binder, Joe LaMattina, Sharon Pierce McCullough, Carolyn Marshall Wright and Susan Yennerell.
The exhibit will be on display through June 1 and is open to the public. An artists reception will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Byrne Gallery is located at 7 W. Washington St. in Middleburg. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
WINE
Vineyard Vibes with Stacy Brooks
BY KATIANA DAWN GetOutLoudoun.com
For 15 years, Stacy Brooks’ blog “Virginia Wine” has been sharing expert opinions on the flavors of our wine country. As a Loudoun resident who has generational history in the area, Brooks has built a community that supports and honors those working in the vineyards.
The journey began when she was helping to plan the Virginia Wine Festival in Norfolk, an event she was part of for three years and which first introduced her to Virginia wines. It was not the wine itself that intrigued her at this point, but the industry.
“I really became fascinated with the industry then I visited a few vineyards and was like, this is beautiful, why am I not out here every single weekend of my life?”
The blog began in 2010 when Brooks moved back to the Herndon area. Her work as a lawyer did not lend itself to the creative outlet of journalism that she had majored in. She continued to want to write and decided the blog was a good outlet for that passion. Not only does Brooks write about these adventures, but as social media has grown, she has been active on Instagram sharing her insights and expert opinion. One can say expert opinion because Brooks has studied wine and has a WSET (Wine Spirit & Trust) level one certificate as well as a wine certification from the International Wine Guild.
Early last year, Brooks began experiencing tinnitus, a ringing of the ear, which was a new health concern for her. “I just had to start dealing with it because there’s really no treatment for it,” Brooks said. One
of the doctor’s suggestions for Brooks was to pursue activities like yoga and mindfulness to distract from the constant ringing. Luckily at the “same time someone gifted me a coloring book.”
“So I got some colored pencils and I started coloring and it was just like ‘oh my gosh’ this is working. Especially if I would do it 30 minutes or an hour before bed–just coloring. I’m just so focused on that. I wasn’t paying attention. I wasn’t hearing the ringing in my ear. And it was allowing me to relax and distress from the day and distress from the anxiety of this ringing in my ear. And it would help me go to sleep and so I started falling in love with coloring.”
As she began to buy coloring books, she also had the idea to use the pictures of her travels around Virginia wineries to create a coloring book of her own. From that moment Brooks worked to bring her vision into a reality.
“I started pulling together some images that we could be inspired by, and I worked with a designer to come up with those images. I also thought it’d be really cool to share tidbits of information about Virginia wines in the book, as well. That’s how it came together. The book features illustrations inspired by the vineyards, the tasting rooms, the wine making process in addition to these little fun facts, such as ‘what is Virginia’s most notable grape?’
1 Stonehouse Meadery 36580 Shoemaker School Rd., Purcellville stonehousemeadery.com
Gary Smallwood: Beyond the Road to Rock Stardom
Gary Smallwood’s journey to become a cornerstone of Loudoun’s music scene started when he, as a 15-year-old, saw the 1973 rockumentary “A Film About Jimi Hendrix.”
It was his “I want to do that” moment. He has been doing it ever since.
Smallwood grew up in Middleburg, the son of a town cop father and banker mother. His introduction to music, like most kids, came in the fourth grade when it was time to pick an instrument to play in the school band. With no room for another
BY NORMAN K. STYER GetOutLoudoun.com
On Stage
NOVA MUSICFEST: ONE DAY – 10 BANDS
The NoVA Music fest marks its fifth year May 25 with a 10-band lineup featuring some of the region’s most popular musicians.
The event at 868 Estate Vineyards is a fundraiser for Cancer Can Rock, a nonprofit that supports musicians with cancer by recording their work. Over the years the organization has provided recording sessions to 61 artists and two more are scheduled this summer. The work is led by Jim Ebert, a multi-platinum record producer who survived his own bout with brain cancer.
Performing at the festival for the first time will be Deanna Bogart. She will share a backing band with Eric Scott and Maryann Redmond, who each will be performing sets in the afternoon. Also on the bill are The Greek and the Freak, Matt and Ky Davis, The Cahoots, Justin Trawick and the Common Good, The 19th Street Band, Laura Cashman, and Todd Brooks and Pour Decisions.
With veteran players from around the region, it’s a lineup that hold some 50 Wammie music awards among them.
The festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hillsboro-area vineyard. In addition to the music, there will be award-winning wines, Lost Rhino beer, local food, and craft vendors. Advance tickets are $25.
Learn more at cancercanrock.org.
TARARA CONCERT SERIES OPENS MAY 24
The 1980s sound of The Reflex will kick off the 2025 Tarara Concert Series May 24. This year’s lineup features 19 shows on Saturday nights through Sept. 27.
Promoter Rusty Foster has lined up nine new bands for this year’s schedule. That includes adding a new genre with the Sept. 13 show featuring The Warped Tour Band, All The Blink Things and Dookie.
This year’s series closes out Sept. 27 with another new band—the classic ’70s rock of Super Trans AM.
Along with annual favorites including The Legwarmers (June 28), Gonzo’s Nose (July 19), So Fetch! (Aug. 9) and White Ford Bronco (Sept. 20) there will be tributes to Elton John (Greggie and the Jets on June 7), Tom Petty (Fallin’ Free on June 14), Billy Joel (Turnstiles on July 12), Aerosmith (Last Child on Aug. 2) and Fleetwood Mac (The Seven Wonders on Aug. 23.).
Get season passes and see the full schedule atbtararaconcerts.com.
lh
loudoun happenings 05.2025 Get
05.17~18
SPRING FARM TOUR: EXPLORE LOUDOUN’S AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE
Experience Loudoun County’s agricultural scene during the Spring Farm Tour, taking place May 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The annual event offers visitors the opportunity to explore 36 diverse farm stops, enjoy handson activities, and connect with the farmers
VIRGINIA TOUCH-A-TRUCK PLANNED
MAY 10
Children of all ages will enjoy the opportunity to explore vehicles of various types during the Virginia Touch-a-Truck program May 10 at StoneSpings Hospital Center.
Participants will be about to get behind the wheel, touch, explore a variety of vehicles used for public service, fire and safety, farming, utilities, landscaping, transportation and deliveries. Notable will be one of the iconic Oscar Mayer Weinermobiles and the VA250 Mobile Museum making its first stop in Loudoun County.
The event, sponsored by the nonprofit Joshua’s
Farm tour visitors get an up-close experience at Brookfield Dairy Farm.
who provide fresh, local food to our community.
This year’s tour features an exciting lineup of bee farms, a lavender farm, flower farms, and specialty produce farms growing garlic, mushrooms, and tea.
Animal lovers will have the chance to meet cute and cuddly farm animals, while food enthusiasts can sample and purchase locally grown goods.
This year, farm tour visitors may vote for their favorite farm stop for a chance to win a Western Loudoun VIP package, featuring meals, tours, and beverage tastings from some of Loudoun’s most beloved businesses.
For more details, including an interactive map to help plan your visit, go to LoudounFarmTour.com.
Hands, takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. StoneSprings Hospital Center is located at 24440 Stone Springs Boulevard near Arcola.
Learn more at joshuashands.org.
Photo by Douglas Graham
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $20.
Learn more at facebook.com LeesburgDaybreakRotary.
HOPS FOR HEROES CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
Honor Brewing is joining in the 2025 Hops for Heroes campaign organized by Soldiers’ Angels, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting service members, veterans, and their families.
From Memorial Day through Veterans Day breweries of all sizes are encouraged to brew a Homefront beer to raise money for programs providing critical support to our nation’s heroes. The
LINCOLN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS MAY 17-18
The Lincoln Strawberry Festival is returning this month for its second year, hosted by Wegmeyer Farms and the strawberry fields are looking fine, according to Event Organizer Harriet Wegmeyer.
The May 17-18 weekend event is filled with opportunities for the community to enjoy the farm’s locally grown berries in a variety of ways and the event’s first year saw 1,500 people attend.
“Everybody that came out [last year], they had just the best time,” Wegmeyer said. “It exceeded our expectations for how people felt. I guess they just really enjoyed it. It’s a small town, hometown type of festival, and just a really warm, great time for people of all ages.”
The spring celebration technically kicks off the evening of Friday, May 16 at the farm with the strawberry-centric Berry Important Person Denim Gala and Dinner, catered by Magnolia’s at the Mill. The menu includes salad with Wegmeyer strawberries, strawberry risotto and a strawberry glaze topping the filet mignon.
“It was just spectacular, so I didn’t change the menu
program is open to only 50 breweries nationwide.
“Every year, Hops for Heroes brings breweries together to support Service Members and Veterans in a meaningful way,” said Soldiers’ Angels President and CEO Amy Palmer. “Our 2025 campaign is already generating excitement among breweries nationwide, and we’re eager to see what this year’s participants will create.”
Soldiers’ Angels supported over 1.7 million veterans, service members, and families in 2024, providing food assistance, hygiene kits, and care packages, among other resources.
Learn more at SoldiersAngels.org/HopsForHeroes.
at all,” she said.
The festivities will continue Saturday and Sunday mornings with a strawberry pancake breakfast and be followed by days full of fun including live entertainment, activities, local vendors, and contests such as ice cream eating, pie eating and a dance off competition with the farm’s mascot, Berry D. Licious.
“We’ve got some great, local, mostly kid musicians that are that are lined up,” Wegmeyer said.
New this year will be the strawberry shortcake plates offered in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.
But the event also serves as a fundraiser for area nonprofits in coordination with the Wegmeyer Farms Foundation. Last year, Wegmeyer said they raised approximately $25,000. They also provide scholarships for students and hold a contest each spring to see which student can create the best design for the festival.
This year’s winner is Harmony Middle School seventh-grader Cullen Parks who will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the foundation on Saturday.
“He beat out all the high schoolers and it’s kind of cool for people to see that,” Wegmeyer said.
Parks came back after competing in last year’s competition and making it as a finalist but not taking the top prize.
“He really thought about it, and was like, ‘what content should be in my art design, to really appeal to and represent the Lincoln Strawberry Festival?’”
Wegmeyer said. “… I could sit in a locked room for a week and couldn’t even come up with it. He’s just so talented and I’m just so proud of him.”
For more information and tickets, go to lincolnstrawberryfestival.com.
—Hanna Pampaloni
05.11
KANIN
WREN’S TAYLOR SWIFT EXPERIENCE
Sunday, May 11, 7 p.m.
Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com
Expect another sold-out show as Kanin Wren returns to Leesburg with her popular tribute to Taylor Swift. Tickets are $20.
THE REFLEX
Saturday, May 24, 6-10 p.m.
Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com
The summer-long Tarara Concert Series kicks off with longtime favorite The Reflex performing new wave to pop, rock to synth-heavy anthems. Tickets are $20.
NOVA MUSICFEST
Sunday, May 25, 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 868 Estate Vineyards cancercanrock.org
The fifth annual fundraiser for nonprofit Cancer Can Rock features performances by 10 bands throughout the day, including the 19th Street Band, Maryann Redmond Band and the Deanna Bogart Band. Tickets are $25.
DAVID NAIL
Monday, May 26, 7 p.m.
Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com
The Grammy-nominated country music artist is best known for his chart-topping hits “Let It Rain” and “Whatever She’s Got.” Tickets are $40.
A FEST LESS ORDINARY
Saturday, May 31, 3-9 p.m.
A Farm Less Ordinary afarmlessordinary.org
A benefit concert for this community nonprofit features Justin Trawick and the Common Good, Griefcat, Jacob Ritter Trio, ilyAimy, Gabrielle Zwi and Personal Moose. Tickets are $40.
