Get Out Loudoun for June 2021

JUNE 2021

Loudoun Now Your guide to Loudoun’s Entertainment Scene

cheers

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Come drink in the beauty of country!

{reservations required} June is here and our open doors and outdoor spaces are calling. We invite you to come and drink in all the beauty. Claim an Adirondack chair or settle in the Gazebo. Guests with munchkins (under 21) and pooches are welcome in the picnic table area.

Our pavilion is all-weather. Visit our website for musical performances on our event calendar.

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visit every friday night for bistro with live music and food. reserve today,

www.doukeniewinery.com

hours: Thursday 12 - 5 p.m.

Friday 12 - 5 p.m.

Saturday + Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mon. - Wed. 12 - 5 p.m. Curbside Pick-up Food by Roots 657

For reservations go to: www.doukeniewinery.com Younger than 21 + pets in picnic table area only Outside food not allowed

14727 Mountain Road Purcellville, VA (540) 668-6464

www.doukeniewinery.com

Inside: GET OUT LOUDOUN Get Out Loudoun is a 10,000 circulation monthly distributed to entertainment, tourism and hospitality venues throughout Loudoun County. For the latest news on the music scene and other community events, go to getoutloudoun.com.

CONTRIBUTORS Renss Greene Jan Mercker Norman K. Styer ON THE COVER Photo by Renss Greene Discovery, OV-103, NASA’s third space shuttle orbiter, is on at display the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

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After a pandemic time-out, Loudoun’s outdoor concerts return this summer—bigger than ever.

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NIGHTLIFE

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WINE

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Ashburn’s Saigon Outcast blends Vietnamese specialties with a helping of live music to create the county’s newest hot spot.

A family of entrepreneurs is branching out into wine country with the opening of Firefly Cellars.

DESTINATIONS

The Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum’s Udvar Hazy Center is celebrating its post-pandemic reopening with some well-received new exhibits.

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HAPPENINGS

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BEST BETS

TO ADVERTISE Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com

LIVE

The NoVA Music Fest won’t just be a day of great performances. It also will provide musicians with lasting legacies.

Get Out Loudoun’s top recommendations for June.

getoutloudoun.com JUNE 2021

GET OUT LOUDOUN

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Rucks, mauls, hookers, tight heads, up-and-unders…

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

If it sounds like there’s a new language being spoken in Loudoun this summer, well, there is.

This year, Major League Rugby pro team Old Glory DC has made the 5,000-capacity Segra Field stadium in Leesburg its home ground, enthralling local fans with the kind of aggressive, fast-paced play that has turned rugby into one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. The regular MLR season runs through July.

If rugby is not your game, the local soccer stars from Loudoun United, feeder team to Major League’s DC United, will be playing through mid-July at Segra Field. Don’t miss dazzling Venezuelan mid-fielder Jovanny Bolívar, currently on loan from DC United. There is also the DC area’s female pro soccer team, Washington Spirit, in which ice hockey legend Alex Ovechkin is an investor. The Spirit play some home games at Segra Field, including a big game against the Chicago Red Stars on July 2 and Gotham FC on July 18.

Of course, it’s not just sports that will keep you entertained this summer.

Beer fans will love Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery’s Land Beer Fest on June 12, a celebration of the farm to fermentation methods of the innovative brewery near Waterford, while the following day, June 13, 868 Estate Vineyards hosts musical acts to benefit Cancer Can Rock.

Enjoy 868’s superb vintages to summer sounds from Jason Masi, Juliana MacDowell and others.

For more summertime sounds, the Tarara Summer Concert Series will return starting in July.

On Saturday, June 19, participate in the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration at Ida Lee Park, a daylong event commemorating the end of slavery and featuring music from the legendary Chuck Brown Band. Staying in Leesburg, the Artmobile, a mobile interactive gallery aboard a nearly 100-foot-long bus, brings landscape paintings from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) to Virginia Village over July 4 weekend. July 10, meanwhile, sees the start of the fourth season 4

Photo by Renss Greene

Old Glory center and co-captain Thretton Palamo charges up the pitch during the team’s March 27 debut at Segra Field, a victory over Rugby ATL

of Polo in the Park at Morven Park International Equestrian Center – horsey fun for all the family on summer Saturdays.

We have whiskey lovers covered, too. The annual Virginia Craft Spirits Roadshow takes place at Oatlands Historic House & Gardens on Aug. 14.

Sample artisan craft spirits and signature cocktails from up to 10 Virginia distilleries including our very own Catoctin Creek Distilling Company.

Venture to Middleburg Aug. 19 to 22 for “The Family Reunion” at Salamander Resort & Spa: a multiday celebration of diversity in the hospitality industry, featuring chefs such as Kwame Onwuachi and Nina Compton.

Finally, for one of the most unusual events of this summer, check out the 2021 World Heritage Festival and Festival of Kites on the grounds of Ida Lee Park on Aug. 21. The event features ethnic food stands, folk art and folk-dance performances as well as a spectacular kite flying display.

Happy summer!

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For more information, visit visitloudoun.org/getout

JUNE 2021

LIVE

Photo by Norman K. Styer

Born Cross Eyed brings Grateful Dead vibes back to Hillsboro’s Gap Stage, where they performed during a Woodstock anniversary celebration in 2019.

Summer Concerts Are Back: LoCo Style

BY JAN MERCKER

Loudouners are ready to let loose and have fun this summer, but safety is still front and center for many folks. The good news is that many of the county’s favorite outdoor summer concert series are back, offering stages for local and regional musicians while providing plenty of space for music lovers to spread out and kick back.

it’s spread, people are ready to get out and start living normally again. I think the outdoor concert is the perfect place—it’s like the best of both worlds. You’re outdoors, you can social distance, but still do something fun that we’ve done in the past,” said Linda Fountain, events coordinator for Leesburg’s Parks and Recreation department.

ACOUSTIC ON THE GREEN

Fountain works with outreach program coordinator Tony Conway to book bands in a range of genres that will keep audiences engaged.

The Town of Leesburg’s beloved Acoustic on The Green series kicks off Saturday, June 5 after a COVID hiatus last summer and runs Saturdays through Aug. 28.

“I think we’re going to have a good mix,” Fountain said. She and her team work to spotlight Loudoun-based bands, but also cast their net regionally to get a range of styles.

“Now with more people being vaccinated, and we know more about the virus and how

AOG’s 2021 lineup brings back longtime series

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GET OUT LOUDOUN

SUMMER CONCERTS

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JUNE 2021

Photo by Norman K. Styer

Local favorites, from left, Gary Smallwood, Todd Wright and Cal Everett regroup as Calgary for a couple of shows this summer on Hillboro’s Gap Stage and at 868 Estate Winery.

SUMMER CONCERTS FROM PAGE 7

favorites like Todd Wright, Cal Everett and Gary Smallwood but also features numerous acts new to the series. Leesburg native Justin Trawick, who performs with his band The Common Good at AOG on June 19, returns to his hometown after getting national and regional attention for his quarantine livestreams and socially distant backyard concerts. Trawick’s innovative quarantine shows were featured in Parade magazine and The Washington Post. New AOG acts also include jazz saxophonist Lisa Fiorilli, soul and rock from Torrey B and Americana/rock from Julia Kasdorf.

“The performers I spoke to were just so thrilled to be back on a stage playing for real people,” Fountain said.

The concerts are held at the Leesburg Town Green on Market Street.

For a schedule and information about Acoustic on the Green, go to leesburgva.gov.

MUSIC IN THE GAP In tight-knit Hillsboro, leaders are bringing music back to the Old Stone School, while creating opportunities to showcase the town’s new look after an extensive streetscape renovation project. Hillsboro’s Music Under The Stars In The Gap outdoor concert series returns to the JUNE 2021

Old Stone School Friday nights from July 2 through Aug. 27.

“I think everybody is really excited—we’ve got a lot of pent up energy. People miss live music and being out and being with friends and neighbors,” said Mayor Roger Vance. “We’re getting really excited about bringing it back and having a great time.”

The series kicks off with the Grateful Dead tribute band Born Cross-Eyed, a nod to the tiny town’s robust Grateful Dead fan base, which includes the mayor. Performances include bluegrass from Shannon Bielski and Moonlight Drive, blues from Hard Swimmin’ Fish and classic Rock from Calgary, the Loudoun-based supergroup of Cal Everett, Gary Smallwood and Todd Wright, along with other local and regional favorites.

“We have a nice mix of bluegrass, rock, pop and jazz,” said Vice Mayor Amy Marasco, who adds that she’s looking forward to the Mostly Fab Beatles tribute scheduled for Aug. 20.

The series also gives Hillsboro a chance to spotlight its new pedestrian-friendly vibe.

“We’re excited for people to come and see the town and walk the sidewalks,” Marasco said.

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SUMMER CONCERTS

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SUMMER CONCERTS FROM PAGE 8

The series will feature locally made Moo Thru ice cream, food trucks and Loudoun wine and beer for sale.

And while tickets aren’t required for lawn space, this year the town will be selling reserved tickets for premium table seating on the verandah at the Old Stone School.

“We have plenty of space to spread out. We’re really happy to support the musicians. I know it’s been hard on them,” Vance said.

To learn more about Hillsboro’s Music Under The Stars In The Gap, go to oldstoneschool.org.

TARARA’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Loudoun’s wineries and breweries are also once again getting into the concert series act, going beyond the typical afternoon acoustic shows with full-blown festivals and big-name ticked shows.

Tarara’s Summer Concert Series has posted its lineup of ticketed concerts for 2021. The series is slated to kick off Saturday, July 3 with popular ’80s tribute band The Reflex and runs Saturdays through Sept. 25, with a focus on tributes. Music lovers can choose from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s over the summer season or enjoy Beach Boys and Billy Joel tributes to let loose and rock out.

“The concert series that everyone looks forward to each year with great anticipation, the awesome lineup of bands, food trucks, wines, dancing, family and friends, laughs, all the things, are back. We’ve missed everyone and are ready to Rock the Vineyard,” said Rusty Foster, the president of Bow Tie Strategies, which has produced and managed the concert series since 2017.

For tickets and a complete schedule for Tarara’s summer concert series, go to tararaconcerts.com.

OTHER DON’T MISS SHOWS 868 Estate Vineyards’ monthly Music Under the Stars series features classic rock from Special Delivery June 19, jazz with Emma Rowley July 17, Buffett-style fun with Tropical Attitudes Aug. 14, and wraps up with the beloved LoCo 8

Photo by Norman K. Styer

Torrey B is among the performers on the roster for this year’s Acoustic on the Green concert series.

Musicians Festival Sunday, Sept. 5, a starstudded fundraiser for local musicians.

And B Chord Brewing continues its impressive lineup of ticked shows for national and regional acts throughout the summer. The (mostly sold out) DelFest Lite festival draws fans from around the country over Memorial Day weekend. Singer/songwriter Juliana MacDowell brings her Julesapalooza one-day mini-festival to B Chord Saturday, June 12, featuring performances by MacDowell, The Darby Brothers, the Bumper Jacksons and other favorites. The farm brewery has also announced shows by Yonder Mountain String Band and Leftover Salmon in July. The big shows generally sell out in advance, so start making plans and grabbing tickets as we move into the summer of fun.

For details on 868 Estate Vineyards’ Music Under the Stars series and benefit concerts, go to 868estatevineyards.com.

For tickets and a schedule for summer shows at B Chord, go to bchordbrewing.com.

GET OUT LOUDOUN

JUNE 2021

19 W Market St, Leesburg, VA (703) 777-1665

Tickets Available at:

WWW.TALLYHOTHEATER.COM

Coming to Town this June!

2 NIGHTS OF CARBON LEAF!

6/3 CARBON LEAF & 6/4 7:00PM

6/5

80’S NIGHT WITH THE REAGAN YEARS

7:00PM

2 NIGHTS OF COMEDY!

COMEDY NIGHT FEATURING

6/18 HOT 99.5’S INTERN JOHN & 6/19 7:00PM

JUNE 2021

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GET OUT LOUDOUN

PAT MCGEE BAND 7:00PM

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NIGHTLIFE

Photo by Patrick Szabo

Hoa Lai, the GenX son of Northern Virginia Vietnamese cuisine legends, opened Saigon Outcast last September in Ashburn’s University Commerce Center.

Hoa Lai Shakes Things Up at Saigon Outcast

BY JAN MERCKER

As the GenX son of Northern Virginia Vietnamese cuisine legends, Hoa Lai wanted to do things a little differently. Lai combines his family’s iconic recipes with his own contemporary sensibility in his latest venture, Saigon Outcast, which opened in Ashburn last fall.

The result is a hip Vietnamese beer hall that Lai describes as a “mashup of our Vietnamese heritage and our American upbringing,” with fresh fusion cuisine and 35 self-serve beers on tap.

“We wanted to separate ourselves a little bit,” Lai said. “Something more modern, something more fun.”

The restaurant opened last September in the University Commerce Center near George Washington University’s Ashburn campus, after Lai and his business partners pushed back a 10

planned March 2020 opening. The restaurant is building a following for great food and beer and a fun vibe.

“In Loudoun County, the food’s always going to sell itself if it’s great. But I think in this area, people want something a little different where they don’t have to commute to DC and Arlington,” Lai said. “They want somewhere where they can hang out and feel like themselves. I know in a pandemic, it’s hard to feel like that. It’s a sense of—just for a few seconds—feeling normal.”

Lai and business partner Anthony Catselides did much of the interior work on the space themselves, creating an airy, modern vibe with fun decorations including a vintage motorcycle, stoplight and gas pump and a rickshaw on the patio.

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SAIGON OUTCAST

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JUNE 2021

SAIGON OUTCAST FROM PAGE 10

And while Lai’s aesthetic and food sensibilities are decidedly his own, he owes his culinary training to his family, who are known as DMV restaurant royalty. Lai’s parents Thanh and Kim Lai opened Four Sisters in Falls Church’s iconic Eden Center in 1993 and moved to the trendy Mosaic District near Tysons a decade ago.

Lai’s mother Thanh Lai is the creative genius behind Four Sisters’ legendary dishes and was Lai’s main teacher when it came to all things culinary.

“I kind of fell into it. All we’ve known growing up was restaurants in a sense,” Lai said. “As I got older, I realized that there are certain ways I’d like to do my own style.”

Lai branched out with the fast casual Four Sisters Grill in Arlington and wanted to build on that concept with a bigger space, bumped up beverage program and trendy ambiance in Loudoun.

At Saigon Outcast, Lai combines beloved family recipes like super crispy spring rolls, green papaya salad and banh mi sandwiches with his own takes on fusion cuisine, with dishes like the popular Tornado Potato—a fun take on fries served with Sriracha sauce— fried brussels sprouts and crispy wings with Korean style sauce.

“I try to stay true to what the core is,” Lai said.

JUNE 2021

“But I’m not scared to broaden the horizon with different types of ethnic food. I kind of blend the two” Lai and his partners are hoping to share what many foodies have long understood: Vietnamese cuisine is a perfect match for wine and beer pairings.

“It’s not too heavy. It’s not too light. It has that sweet/salty/savory taste,” Lai said.

Lai and his partners are also taking advantage of the restaurant’s spacious interior and walls of windows to establish a new destination live music venue in Ashburn.

“It’s going great and we’re starting to make a name for ourselves,” Lai said. “People know that every Friday and Saturday we have musicians.”

He also launched trivia nights at the restaurant and is planning to add comedy nights, too.

“I do feel optimistic. I think our concept is so unique in this area. When people come in, they’re blown away,” Lai said. “We try to think outside the box” Saigon Outcast is located at 44921 George Washington Blvd. in Ashburn. For more information, go to saigonoutcastva.com.

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WINERIES 1 50 West Vineyards 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg 50westvineyards.com 2 8 Chains North Winery 38593 Daymont Ln., Waterford, VA 8chainsnorth.com 3 868 Estate Vineyards 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville 868estatevineyards.com 4 The Barns at Hamilton Station 16804 Hamilton Station Rd., Hamilton thebarnsathamiltonstation.com 5 Bleu Frog Vineyards 16413 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg bleufrogvineyards.com 6 Bluemont Vineyard 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont bluemontvineyard.com 7 Bogati Winery 35246 Harry Byrd Hwy., Round Hill bogatiwinery.com 8 Boxwood Estate Winery 2042 Burrland Rd., Middleburg boxwoodwinery.com

9 Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln., Hillsboro breauxvineyards.com 10 Bozzo Family Vineyards 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro bozwines.com 11 Cana Vineyards of Middleburg 38600 John Mosby Hwy., Middleburg canavineyards.com 12 Casanel Vineyards 17952 Canby Rd., Leesburg casanelvineyards.com 13 Chrysalis Vineyards 39025 John Mosby Hwy., Aldie chrysaliswine.com 14 Corcoran Vineyards & Cider 14635 Corkys Farm Ln., Waterford corcoranvineyards.com 15 Creek’s Edge Winery 41255 Annas Ln., Lovettsville creeksedgewinery.com 16 Crushed Cellars 37938 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville crushedcellars.com

17 Doukenie Winery 14727 Mountain Rd., Hillsboro doukeniewinery.com 18 Dry Mill Vineyards & Winery 18195 Dry Mill Rd., Leesburg drymillwine.com 19 Eagletree Farm & Vineyards 15100 Harrison Hill Lane, Leesburg eagletreevineyards.com 20 Fabbioli Cellars 15669 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg fabbioliwines.com 21 Firefly Cellars 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton fireflycellars.com 22 Fleetwood Farm Winery 23075 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg fleetwoodfarmwinery.com 23 Forever Farm & Vineyards 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville foreverfarmandvineyard.com 24 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards 23595 Winery Ln., Middleburg greenhillvineyards.com

25 Hidden Brook Winery 43301 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg hiddenbrookwinery.com 26 Hiddencroft Vineyards 12202 Axline Rd., Lovettsville hiddencroftvineyards.com 27 Lost Creek Winery 43285 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg lostcreekwinery.com 28 Maggie Malick Wine Caves 12138 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro maggiemalickwinecaves.com 29 Otium Cellars 18050 Tranquility Rd., Purcellville otiumcellars.com 30 Stone Tower Winery 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., L’burg stonetowerwinery.com

31 Stonehouse Meadery 36580 Shoemaker School Rd., Purcellville stonehousemeadery.com 32 Sunset Hills Vineyard 38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville sunsethillsvineyard.com 33 Tarara Winery 13648 Tarara Ln, Leesburg tarara.com 34 Terra Nebulo 39892 Old Wheatland Rd., Waterford terranebulo.com 35 Two Twisted Posts Winery 12944 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro twotwistedposts.com 36 Village Winery 40405 Browns Lane, Waterford villagewineryandvineyards.com

37 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards 38906 Mount Gilead Rd., Leesburg willowcroftwine.com 38 The Wine Reserve at Waterford 38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford waterfordwinereserve.com 39 Walsh Family Wine 16031 Hillsboro Rd., Purcellville northgatevineyard.com 40 Williams Gap Vineyards 35785 Sexton Farm Lane, Round Hill williamsgavineyard.com 41 Winery 32 15066 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg winery32.com 42 Zephaniah Farm Vineyard 19381 Dunlop Mill Rd., Leesburg zephwine.com

BREWERIES 1 Adroit Theory Brewing 404 Browning Ct., Purcellville adroit-theory.com 2 B Chord Brewing Company 34266 Williams Gap Rd., Round Hill bchordbrewing.com 3 Barnhouse Brewery 43271 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg barnhousebrewery.com 4 Bear Chase Brewing 33665 Bear Chase Ln., Bluemont bearchasebrew.com 5 Belly Love Brewing Company 725 E. Main St., Purcellville bellylovebrewing.com 6 Beltway Brewing Company 22620 Davis Dr. Ste 110, Sterling beltwaybrewco.com 7 Black Hoof Brewing Company 11 South King St., Leesburg blackhoofbrewing.com 8 Black Walnut Brewery 210 S. King St., Leesburg blackwalnutbrewery.com 9 Crooked Run Brewing Central 22455 Davis Dr., Sterling crookedrunbrewing.com 10 Crooked Run Brewing Market Station, Leesburg crookedrunbrewing.com

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11 Dirt Farm Brewing 18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont dirtfarmbrewing.com Dynasty Brewing Company 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn 101 Loudoun St, SE, Leesburg dynastybrewing.com Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com Harper’s Ferry Brewing 37412 Adventure Ctr. Lane, Hillsboro harpersferrybrewing.com Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro facebook.com/HarvestGap House 6 Brewing 4427 Atwater Dr., Ashburn house6brewing.com Lost Barrel Brewing 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg lostbarrel.com Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Rd. #142, Ashburn lostrhino.com Loudoun Brewing Company 310 E. Market St., Leesburg loudounbrewing.com Ocelot Brewing Company 23600 Overland Dr., #180, Dulles ocelotbrewing.com

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21 Old 690 Brewing Company 15670 Ashbury Church Rd., Hillsboro old690.com Old Ox Brewery 44652 Guilford Dr., Ste 114, Ashburn oldoxbrewery.com Old Ox Brewery Middleburg 14 S Madison St, Middleburg, VA Phase 2 Brewing 19382 Diamond Lake Dr, Lansdowne Phase2Brewing.com Rocket Frog Brewing Company 22560 Glenn Dr. #103, Sterling rocketfrogbeer.com Solace Brewing Company 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling solacebrewing.com Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com The Craft of Brewing 21140 Ashburn Crossing Dr., Ashburn thecraftob.com Twinpanzee Brewing Co. 101 Executive Dr., Sterling twinpanzee.com Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Ln., Lucketts vanishbeer.com Wheatland Springs Farm 38454 John Wolford Rd., Waterford

BREWERIES & WINERIES 1 Hillsborough Brewery & Vineyards 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro hillsboroughwine.com

2 Notaviva Craft Fermentations 13274 Sagle Rd., Hillsboro notavivavineyards.com

3 Quattro Goomba’s Brewery & Winery 22860 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie goombawine.com

WINE

Firefly Cellars offers 11 wines in its newly renovated tasting room.

Photo By Norman K. Styer

Firefly Cellars, A Family Affair

BY NORMAN K. STYER

Along with the Brood X cicadas, a Hamilton-area winery has reemerged this summer and its owners know a thing or two about insects.

Firefly Cellars made its debut during the Memorial Day weekend after months of renovations guided

by Patty Pierleonardi and her daughter Andrea Zaidi.

It’s an extension of the family’s mutigenerational entrepreneurship that built one of the region’s largest pest control companies, PMSI, over the past three decades.

The family purchased the former Hunters Run Wine Barn last fall as the previous owners, who ran a part-time Irish-themed winery, planned their move south.

“This was kind of on a whim, honestly,” Pierleonardi said. “We came out to this property when it was for sale and looked around, and the moment that we saw it we said, “’OK, we have to get this.’”

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“We had this whole vision instantly, both of us,” Zaidi said.

The weeks that followed involved a reconstruction of the tasting room, building a new deck and the conversion of a garage into a unique wine cellar for VIP events.

We’ve always talked about doing something like this. It’s a dream you think you’ll never get to do,” Pierleonardi said.

“A passion project,” Zaidi added.

And it is a new business to be handed down to the new generation, just as the pest control company has been since it was founded by Pierleonardi’s father-in-law.

There’s a lot happening at the property’s 3.6 acres.

In addition to a small but expanding vineyard and tasting rooms, the family runs an events center in the main residence and an AirBnB that has been booked for months in advance.

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FIREFLY

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every piece of this property.”

FIREFLY FROM PAGE 14

And they bring an extensive list of contacts, with a pest company customer list that includes the some of the region’s largest companies and close ties to the area’s professional sports teams—including the Washington Football Team, the Capitals, Wizards and Mystics. During an invite-only preview event in June, Gary Clark and Ravin Caldwell from the WFT’s two Super Bowl championship teams were among the guests.

“The support from all of our partners and the people we know, it’s crazy. Everyone’s excited about it, which makes me even more excited about it,” Zaidi said.

They also are employing other lessons learned from the pest control business—including standing out from among your industry peers.

“The wine is amazing. We’re very lucky,” Pierleonardi said.

“I don’t want to do what everybody else does.

I love the wine business. I love going to other wineries, but I don’t want to be like them. I want to be like us,” Pierleonardi said. “We’re about the intimate experiences here. We’re never going to be a large winery like Stone Tower, it’s not even in the cards. We’re going to do what we do best and make sure the people who come here love it and want to come back.”

While they enjoyed the move to a new industry and building a wine business from scratch, Pierleonardi and Zaidi still have those “are we really doing this” moments.

Firefly Cellars is located at 40325 Charles Town Pike near Hamilton and will be open Thursday through Sunday offering a schedule of live music and food trucks.

“Holy cow, we’re actually going to have a winery with our wine and our label,” Pierleonardi said.

“It’s a little bit overwhelming, because I love

Learn more at fireflycellars.com.

They also inherited Hunter Run’s relationship with winemaker Randy Phillips of Cave Ridge Vineyard. They purchase 11 varieties of grapes from his Mt. Jackson vineyard.

Photo By Norman K. Styer

The tasting room yard at Firefly Cellars includes a large fire pit as well as chair swings.

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DESTINATIONS Photo by Renss Greene

The SR-71 Blackbird greeting visitors to the Steven F. UdvarHazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Air and Space Museum Reopens with Mercury Capsule, Blue Angel, X-Wing

BY RENSS GREENE

The Smithsonian has reopened the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to the public marking one more sign of post pandemic normalcy. The doors reopened on the 60th anniversary of the first American spaceflight, commemorated with the display of the Mercury mission’s Freedom 7 capsule that carried Alan Shepard into space is on display for the first time.

But if the historic Freedom 7 space capsule isn’t enough, visitors also for the first time will get to see to a Blue Angels F/A-18C on display, which the museum acquired in November after it flew into Dulles Airport.

The Hornet, as it is known, has been a longlived show aircraft for the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels, serving for 34 of the team’s 75 years of existence— more than twice as long as any other aircraft type.

This specific Hornet at the Air and Space Museum was delivered to the Navy in 1987 and flew in Operation Desert Storm, the First Gulf War in 1991 and helped enforce the no-fly zone over southern Iraq in 1994. The airplane saw service in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Mediterranean and Red seas before being turned over to the Blue Angels in 2015.

It was active with the team until the end of the 16

2020 season, when the Blue Angels switched to the Super Hornet.

And for visitors who like both the Mercury capsule’s spacefaring capabilities and the Hornet’s fighter capabilities, the Air and Space Museum is renovating an X-Wing Starfighter.

The full-sized vehicle, with a wingspan of 37 feet, appeared onscreen in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and is on long-term loan from Lucasfilm. It is undergoing conservation in the Restoration Hangar, work that is visible to the public, before it goes on display in late 2022 outside the Albert Einstein Planetarium.

“Despite taking place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars introduced generations of fans here on Earth to outer space as a setting for adventure and exploration,” stated Margaret Weitekamp, space history chair at the museum.

“All air and space milestones begin with inspiration, and science fiction so often provides that spark—the iconic X-wing displayed amid our other spacecraft celebrates the journey from imagination to achievement.”

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week, and is operating with health and safety measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors will need free, timed-entry passes to get in.

Learn more at: airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center.

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HAPPENINGS

NoVA Music Fest: Rocking with Purpose An all-star lineup of favorite Loudoun musicians will gather at 868 Estate Winery on June 13 for an afternoon of live music—all for a good cause.

The NoVA Music Fest won’t just be a great day of music from some of the region’s favorite performers, but also a fundraiser for special charity.

The lineup includes Jason Masi, Honey Larks, Dusty Rose and Jack Bond, Justin Trawick, Corey Campbell, Lauren Calve, Brennan Loveless, Michael Shepherd, Julianna McDowell and Mike Ault, and Calgary (Todd, Cal and Gary Smallwood).

Cancer Can Rock will use money raised during the event to invite musicians facing aggressive cancer into a studio with professionals to 18

produce a song to serve as a tangible reminder of their recording experience.

Jim Ebert, a multi-platinum record producer, founded CCR following his cancer diagnosis in 200. Over the past two decades he has worked create recordings that provide pride for those who have survived cancer and solace for those who lost loved ones.

In addition to music, the event includes a full day of food, wine, craft vendors and more.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.

Children 12 and under are free. This event is dog-friendly, family friendly. Pop up tents are welcome. Outside alcohol is prohibited. The rain date is June 20.

Learn more at cancercanrock.org.

GET OUT LOUDOUN

JUNE 2021

BEST BETS

6.12.21

6.17.21

JULESAPALOOZA

THE NIELSEN TRUST

June 12, 2 p.m.

June 17, 8 p.m.

B Chord Brewing Company

Tally Ho Theater

facebook.com/bchordbrewing

tallyhotheater.com

Loudoun favorite Juliana MacDowell brings a roster of her musician friends—including Bobby Thompson, Ron Holloway and the Darby Brothers Band—to the lawn at B Chord Brewing for a full day of music.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rick Nielsen joins Rock n Roll Hall of Fame band, Cheap Trick.

His son Daxx plays drums for Cheap Trick too.

Another one of his sons, Miles, has his own successful project, Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts. Miles’ wife, Kelly Steward, has her career as a singer and songwriter. with his sons Daxx and Miles for a night rock and roll

6.19.21 CHUCK BROWN BAND June 19, noon-6 p.m.

Ida Lee Park thebfrc.com The Burg Family Reunion Club celebrates BEST BETS 22

20

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JUNE 2021

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Loudoun’s Dining 

FORDS FISH SHACK Consistently voted Loudoun residents’ favorite place for seafood, Ford’s offers fresh seafood in a family-dining atmosphere at three locations, as well as a catering arm and a food truck operation.

Ashburn-44260 Ice Rink Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147 (571) 918-4092 • fordsfishshack.com Lansdowne-19308 Promenade Dr., Leesburg, VA 20176 (571) 333-1301 • fordsfishshack.com South Riding 25031 Riding Plaza, Chantilly, VA 20152 (703) 542-7520 • fordsfishshack.com

SPANKY’S SHENANIGANS Known as one of the Loudoun’s favorite bars, Spanky’s Shenanigans is a popular destination from its morning breakfast menu to its ample roster of live music performers.

538 E Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176 (703) 777-2454 • spankyspub.com

LIGHTFOOT RESTAURANT Inside an historic bank building in downtown Leesburg, the Zagat-rated Lightfoot provides both a fine-dining experience and a gathering place for locals. Executive Chef Ingrid Gustavson serves up American cuisine with southern and ethnic accents.

11 North King Street Leesburg, VA 20176 703-771-2233 • lightfootrestaurant.com

TUSCARORA MILL Known by locals as Tuskies, the restaurant is located inside a restored 19th century grain mill in Leesburg’s historic district. Offering everything from locally sourced fine dining to a casual bar experience, it’s been a dining destination for more than three decades.

203 Harrison St SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 (703) 771-9300 • tuskies.com

JUNE 2021

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BEST BETS FROM PAGE 20

Juneteenth with the band that performed behind the Godfather of Go Go for more than 40 years and continues to keep his legacy alive following his death in 2012.

6.26.21

PAT MCGEE BAND June 26, 2021 Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com Fresh off the release of their first full length record, “Suger Packet,” featuring all the original members in 20 years, the popular rockers return to the Tally Ho.

Stay up to date on upcoming events in Loudoun County getoutloudoun.com/calendar/ 22

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Loudoun’s Attractions 

LOUDOUN HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM Travel through time to meet the 10 generations of Loudoun County residents who built this county and left their mark on the land. Exhibits include a schoolhouse, general store, Native American artifact display and the American Workhorse Museum Collection.

21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, VA 20164 (571) 258-3800 • heritagefarmmuseum.org

LOUDOUN MUSEUM With a collection of more than 8,000 artifacts, the museum tells Loudoun’s story over its 260-year history, with an ever-changing selection of special exhibits on Native American settlements, World War II memorabilia, the county’s role in the Civil Wars, along with displays of antique clothing and furniture.

16 Loudoun Street SW Leesburg, Virginia 20175 (703) 777-7427 • loudounmuseum.org

MORVEN PARK Morven Park is a 1,000-acre historic estate on the edge of Leesburg that was home to Virginia governor and agricultural pioneer Westmoreland Davis. Tours of the Greek Revival mansion include 16th century Belgian tapestries, Spanish cassones, hundreds of silver pieces, Hudson River Valley paintings, and Asian treasures. The estate also features the Winmill Carriage Museum, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting of North America, formal boxwood gardens, miles of hiking and riding trails, and athletic fields.

17195 Southern Planter Lane Leesburg, VA 20176 703-777-2414 • morvenpark.org

OATLANDS HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDENS The 415-acre Oatlands estate, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, offers tours of the historic mansion, extensive gardens and outbuildings that include the oldest standing greenhouse in the South. Exhibits focus on the lives of the Carter and Eustis families who building the estate, as well as the lives of enslaved people who lived and worked there.

20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA 20175 703.777.3174 • oatlands.org

* During the COVID-19 pandemic, many venues have limited hours of operations and special requirements such as advance reservations. It is best to call ahead before making your visit.

The Town of Leesburg’s Award Winning Free Summer Concert Series

2021

Saturdays • 7:00 - 8:30 pm Town Hall Green 25 West Market Street “One of the Summer’s best concert lineups.”

-The Washington Post Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Bet for Summer Concerts.

Official Radio & Social Media Partner

June 5 - Chris Bowen June 12 - Robert Mabe June 19 - Justin Trawick and the Common Good June 26 - Lisa Fiorilli July 10 - Cal Everett

Official Media Partner

July 17 - Liz Springer Duo July 24 - Roam Like Ghosts July 31 - Torrey B August 7 - Gary Smallwood August 21 - Julia Kasdorf August 28 - Todd Wright

Lawn chairs and blankets are advised.

No smoking, alcoholic beverages, or pets allowed.

For more information, visit www.idalee.org