Get Out Loudoun for November2021

NOV. 2021

Celebrating the Best of Wines See Page 7

Loudoun Now Your guide to Loudoun’s Entertainment Scene

nothing

says

slow down like a

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©Krysta Norman Photography

... warm fire, a glass of wine, and a S’more.

{ReseRvations RequiRed–always fRee} Slow down with friends. Enjoy a bottle of wine and a savory Grazing Box, and finish with S’mores. Grazing Boxes available Saturday and Sunday for $35 and S’mores for two, $16. We are now offering exclusive Elevated Tastings, book your reservation on www.exploretock.com/ doukeniewinery.

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visit our website for musical performances on our event calendar along with scheduled food vendors.

Please check us on-line for current COVID guidelines.

houRs: Tuesday – Friday 12 - 5 p.m.

Saturday + Sunday 11 - 6 p.m.

Monday – Closed Food by Roots 657

foR ReseRvations go to: www.doukeniewineRy.com Younger than 21 + pets in “green space” area only Outside food not allowed

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

©Krysta Norman Photography

www.doukeniewinery.com ©Krysta Norman Photography

A day for family, feasting and football for most, many Loudouners celebrate Thanksgiving on the run.

There are numerous turkey trot-type events this month for those seeking to burn off some pre-dinner calories or to contribute to charitable efforts.

These events kick off Saturday, Nov. 20 with the Freeze Your Gizzard 5K and 1 Mile Run at Leesburg’s Ida Lee Park. In its 19th year, the event draws thousands of runners and raises donations of cash and food for Loudoun Hunger Relief, the county’s largest food pantry. Learn more and register at idalee.org.

third year, the brewery is offering a Pre-Turkey Hill Climb. Starting at 9 a.m. patrons may park at the tasting room, walk down the driveway and hike back up—as many times as they wish before 11 a.m. The hike is free.

At the top of the ridge, beer-mosas and apple cider donuts await. Learn more at dirtfarmbrwing.com.

Dirt Farm Brewing is well-known for its stunning views of the Loudoun valleys from the tasting room’s perch high on the Blue Ridge. The brewery’s steep driveway can be a bit of a challenge for many vehicles, but on the day before Thanksgiving visitors are invited to make it a hike. For the

The granddaddy of Loudoun’s turkey trot events is the Ashburn Farm 5K/10K/Fun Run. For nearly three decades, thousands of runners have gotten up early Thanksgiving morning to follow 10K, 5K or one-mile fun run routes through the neighborhood streets. The event is organized by Crossroads Methodist Church. Funds raised support the church’s mission outreach providing education to children in Uganda. The race starts 8:15 a.m. sharp—leaving plenty of time to get home in time for turkey dinner. Learn more at crossroadsnova. org/10K.

NOVEMBER 2021

GET OUT LOUDOUN

Happenings

Thanksgiving on the Run

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A display of fire glazed works by potter Amy Mason.

Photo by Amy Berringer

Bring Loudoun to your Thanksgiving Table We’re blessed in Loudoun to be surrounded by superb wineries and breweries, a bounty of fresh farm produce and a subculture of creative artisans designing everything from ceramic wine cups to floral centerpieces. There’s no better time to take advantage of this epicurean abundance and crafting talent than when planning your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner feast.

Start with the fundamentals: table décor. Pre-order a gorgeous Thanksgiving flower arrangement of roses, berries, mums, foraged materials and other blooms from Holly Chapple’s wonderful Hope Flower Farm in Waterford. She also offers garlands and wreaths for mantles and doors.

Loudoun produce always tastes good, but it’s more complete when served on locally made dinnerware. At the Clay & Metal Loft, Leesburg, potter Amy Mason fire glazes bowls, plates and decorative wine cups that look gorgeous on a dinner table while at Gateway Gallery, Round Hill you can pick up glass artist Liz Cresap’s exquisite kiln blown vases, dishes, cups and cheese plates.

Let’s talk turkey. The unquestionable star of Thanksgiving is the big bird and multiple farms in Loudoun raise and sell them. Where to try? Day Spring Farm in Middleburg sells pasture-raised, organically fed birds while North Fork Fields in Hillsboro raises delicious heritage-breed White Holland turkeys. Nearby Dawson Gap Farm sells Broad Breasted turkeys raised without artificial additives, chemicals or GMOs. 4

While shopping for dinner, be sure to pick up fresh sides, too. Farmer John’s Market on Rt. 15 north of Leesburg is the go-to market of many local chefs, perfect for procuring the freshest potatoes, green beans, cranberries and mushrooms for your stuffing. While out, pick up some goat cheese for that charcuterie plate from Georges Mill Farm, and apple, peach or pecan pies from Paige’s Pit Stop or Mom’s Apple Pie. And finally: wine and beer. Impress your guests by featuring an award-winning wine from the Loudoun Wine Awards, which took place at Lansdowne Resort last month. Maggie Malick Wine Caves took home no less than eight golds (we love the 2019 Fortissimo) while Willowcroft Farm Vineyard’s 2020 Traminette is sublime. As for the beer lovers at the table, Leesburg’s Black Hoof Brewing Company specializes in authentic European ales and lagers that pair perfectly with turkey. Try the Full Quiver Märzen.

And finally, the cherry on top: music. For the perfect Thanksgiving ambience, tune in to the Songs of Loudoun Playlist (find it at: getoutloudoun.com/songsofloudoun) on Spotify: songs by 25 Loudoun artists curated by local music impresario Todd Wright.

Ready? Now let’s give thanks.

GET OUT LOUDOUN

NOVEMBER 2021

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

Tickets Available at:

WWW.TALLYHOTHEATER.COM

Coming to Town this November!

SOHPIE B. HAWKINS

11/05 7:00PM

11/13

10,000 MANIACS W/ TODD WRIGHT

7:00PM

11/09

11/19

CARL PALMER’S EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER LEGACY TOUR

7:00PM

KIX WITH ANY GIVEN SIN

7:00PM

VINES

Celebrating Loudoun Wines and Wine Crafters In decades past, Loudoun’s countryside was known for its dairy farms and apple orchards.

Today, the wine industry is king, with nearly 50 wineries and tasting rooms—more than any other Virginia county.

The Loudoun Winery Association celebrated the industry’s top performers, as well as its strong sense of community, during the fifth annual awards gala last month at Lansdowne Resort.

The wineries are a foundation of the county’s $2 billion tourism sector and instrumental in the growth of Virginia’s wine industry. During fiscal year 2021, the sale of Virginia wines increased by 7.4% and the commonwealth’s 330 wineries created 8,200 jobs.

with all Virginia grapes and with at least 75% grown in the county.

While the awards celebrate the wines that rank at the top of the scale for quality, the event also highlights the spirit of comradery that has helped the industry reach new heights.

“We help each other because we realize that when we improve individually, we help improve as a group and the whole become greater than the sum of the parts. We grow as an industry,” said Maggie Malick, who landed eight gold medals and was named winemaker of the year.

“We are Loudoun, we are DC’s wine country, and we rock.”

This year’s Loudoun Wine Awards competition featured a record-setting 110 entries—made

See all of this year’s medal winners at loudounwineawards.com.

discover his passion for grapes.

Ben Seldins remembers the early days of Loudoun’s wine industry.

Photo by Norman K. Styer

Ben Seldins inspects some late harvest vines at Walsh Family Wines.

Winegrower of the Year: Ben Seldins

The Loudoun Wine Association’s Winegrower of the Year went halfway around the world to 6

“I’m a local kid who grew up playing in the fields next to the tasting rooms at Wllowcroft and Naked Mountain as while we waited for our parents to finish a tasting, using empty bottles as goalposts for our soccer games. I remember riding past Wyndham Winery on the school bus when they planted their first grapes and before they became Doukénie. I’ve watched the open pastures of hayfields of Loudoun slowly change, some of which was lost to homes and others that were planted in vines. We have come a long way and we have a lot to be proud of,” Sedlins wrote in his awards acceptance speech.

After college, he joined his younger brother on a trip to New Zealand where they worked with World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which provides volunteer workers with room and board.

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GROWER OF THE YEAR

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NOVEMBER 2021

He challenged industry leaders to keep pushing for improvements.

GROWER OF THE YEAR

“We traveled all across the country and did some vineyard work there. That’s how it started,” Sedlins recalled.

He returned to Loudoun and started working parttime at Sunset Hills Vineyard. It didn’t take him long to give up his other job working for a D.C. nonprofit and work in the vineyard full time. His first harvest was 2010.

Today, he manages seven vineyards on more than 50 acres for Nate and Sarah Walsh at Walsh Family Wines.

In his acceptance speech for the Winegrower of the Year award, Seldins noted the industry had reached a point of maturity and he challenged his colleagues to push for more.

“I believe that with maturity comes a certain amount of responsibility. We are no longer a boutique industry, no longer trying to figure it out. Our reputation is less and less ‘look at these crazy people who think they can grow quality wine on the East Coast’ and more and more ‘look at these beautiful wines crafted with intention and sense of place,’” he said.

“They say that there are three pillars that uphold sustainability—economic, environmental and social. We have proven that vineyards and wineries can be economically viable in Virginia.

There is still a lot of work to do to prove to ourselves and to the world that we can farm in an environmentally sustainable way and that our businesses care for our workers and our communities in a socially responsible way,” Sedlin said.

“I would hope that our industry might find strength and even bravery in our maturity.

Plant more hybrids. Explore non-traditional fermentation programs. I would see us not shy away from the challenges of farming less input intensively, paying agricultural workers a living wage, of discussing candidly the challenges of wine growing in the face of climate change.

These are big truthy issues to face, perhaps not ones that a nascent industry still trying to establish itself can handle. But I feel, and I think many of you feel, that Virginia is ready for that challenge. And I stand ready to do my part.”

What’s Happening at StageCoach Theatre Murder at the Harper Valley PTA Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre � Oct 9 - Nov 13 Dead Man’s Cell Phone Dark Comedy � Oct 16 - Nov 7 Twas the Night Before Murder Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre � Dec 3 - 19 Babes in Toyland Family Musical � Dec 11 - 23 Jack and Jill and the Witching Well Family Musical � Jan 22 - Feb 5 Monthly Magic, Improv, and Comedy Shows After School Theatre Classes and Camps Team Building and Private Shows 20937 Ashburn Road Suites 115 and 120 Ashburn, VA 20147

www.StageCoachTC.com

571-477-9444

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WINERIES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

50 West Vineyards 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg 50westvineyards.com 8 Chains North Winery 38593 Daymont Ln., Waterford, VA 8chainsnorth.com 868 Estate Vineyards 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville 868estatevineyards.com The Barns at Hamilton Station 16804 Hamilton Station Rd., Hamilton thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Bleu Frog Vineyards 16413 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg bleufrogvineyards.com Bluemont Vineyard 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont bluemontvineyard.com Bogati Winery 35246 Harry Byrd Hwy., Round Hill bogatiwinery.com Boxwood Estate Winery 2042 Burrland Rd., Middleburg boxwoodwinery.com Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln., Hillsboro breauxvineyards.com Bozzo Family Vineyards 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro bozwines.com

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235 oldf Oti 180 otiu Sto 199 ston Sto 365 ston Sun 382 sun Tar 136 tara

Cana Vineyards of Middleburg 38600 John Mosby Hwy., Middleburg canavineyards.com Carriage House Wineworks 40817 Brown Lane, Waterford chwwinery.com Casanel Vineyards 17952 Canby Rd., Leesburg casanelvineyards.com Chrysalis Vineyards 39025 John Mosby Hwy., Aldie chrysaliswine.com Corcoran Vineyards & Cider 14635 Corkys Farm Ln., Waterford corcoranvineyards.com Creek’s Edge Winery 41255 Annas Ln., Lovettsville creeksedgewinery.com Crushed Cellars 37938 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville crushedcellars.com Doukenie Winery 14727 Mountain Rd., Hillsboro doukeniewinery.com Dry Mill Vineyards & Winery 18195 Dry Mill Rd., Leesburg drymillwine.com Eagletree Farm & Vineyards 15100 Harrison Hill Lane, Leesburg eagletreevineyards.com

342 bch

3 Bar

432 barn

4 Bea 21 Endhardt Vineyards 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

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19600 Lincoln Road, Purcellville endhardtvineyards.com Fabbioli Cellars 15669 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg fabbioliwines.com Firefly Cellars 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton fireflycellars.com Fleetwood Farm Winery 23075 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg fleetwoodfarmwinery.com Forever Farm & Vineyards 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville foreverfarmandvineyard.com Greenhill Winery & Vineyards 23595 Winery Ln., Middleburg greenhillvineyards.com Hidden Brook Winery 43301 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg hiddenbrookwinery.com Hiddencroft Vineyards 12202 Axline Rd., Lovettsville hiddencroftvineyards.com Lost Creek Winery 43285 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg lostcreekwinery.com Maggie Malick Wine Caves 12138 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro maggiemalickwinecaves.com

336 bear

5 Bel

725 bell

6 Bel

226 belt

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23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie oldfarmwineryhartland.com Otium Cellars 18050 Tranquility Rd., Purcellville otiumcellars.com Stone Tower Winery 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., L’burg stonetowerwinery.com Stonehouse Meadery 36580 Shoemaker School Rd., Purcellville stonehousemeadery.com Sunset Hills Vineyard 38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville sunsethillsvineyard.com Tarara Winery 13648 Tarara Ln, Leesburg tarara.com

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39892 Old Wheatland Rd., Waterford terranebulo.com Three Creeks Winery 18548 Harmony Church Road, Hamilton 3creekswinery.com Two Twisted Posts Winery 12944 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro twotwistedposts.com Village Winery 40405 Browns Lane, Waterford villagewineryandvineyards.com Willowcroft Farm Vineyards 38906 Mount Gilead Rd., Leesburg willowcroftwine.com The Wine Reserve at Waterford 38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford waterfordwinereserve.com

43 Walsh Family Wine

16031 Hillsboro Rd., Purcellville northgatevineyard.com 44 Williams Gap Vineyards 35785 Sexton Farm Lane, Round Hill williamsgavineyard.com 45 Winery 32 15066 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg winery32.com 46 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

11 Dirt Farm Brewing 18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont dirtfarmbrewing.com

12 Dynasty Brewing Company 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn 101 Loudoun St, SE, Leesburg dynastybrewing.com

13 Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com

14 Harper’s Ferry Brewing 37412 Adventure Ctr. Lane, Hillsboro harpersferrybrewing.com 15 Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro facebook.com/HarvestGap

16 House 6 Brewing 4427 Atwater Dr., Ashburn house6brewing.com

17 Lost Barrel Brewing 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg lostbarrel.com

18 Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Rd. #142, Ashburn lostrhino.com

19 Loudoun Brewing Company 310 E. Market St., Leesburg loudounbrewing.com

20 Ocelot Brewing Company 23600 Overland Dr., #180, Dulles ocelotbrewing.com

21 Old 690 Brewing Company 15670 Ashbury Church Rd., Hillsboro old690.com

22 Old Ox Brewery 44652 Guilford Dr., Ste 114, Ashburn oldoxbrewery.com

23 Old Ox Brewery Middleburg 14 S Madison St, Middleburg, VA

24 Phase 2 Brewing 19382 Diamond Lake Dr, Lansdowne Phase2Brewing.com

25 Rocket Frog Brewing Company 22560 Glenn Dr. #103, Sterling rocketfrogbeer.com

26 Solace Brewing Company 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling solacebrewing.com

27 Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com

28 The Craft of Brewing 21140 Ashburn Crossing Dr., Ashburn thecraftob.com

29 Twinpanzee Brewing Co. 101 Executive Dr., Sterling twinpanzee.com

30 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Ln., Lucketts vanishbeer.com

31 Wheatland Springs Farm 38454 John Wolford Rd., Waterford

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

2 Notaviva Brewery and Winery 13274 Sagle Rd., Hillsboro notavivavineyards.com

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

Winemaker of the Year:

Maggie Malick

After winning eight of the 27 gold medals awarded by judges, Maggie Malick took Winemaker of the Year honors.

The aerospace engineer began making wine as a hobby in her garage. She and her husband Mark opened Maggie Malick’s Wine Caves in the Between the Hills area of northern Loudoun with five acres of viognier vines a decade ago.

Today, their vineyard covers 30 acres with 15 varieties of grapes and Mark was a finalist for the Grower of the Year award.

During this year’s Wine Awards, she won gold medals for her 2020 Albariño 2020 Rose Wine, 2020 Albariño Reserva, 2020 Viognier, 2019 Mag’s Leap, 2019 Fortissimo, 2019 T-n-T, and 2020 Chardonnay. The Albariño and Mag’s Leap won best-in-class honors. In last year’s competition, her 2019 Petit Manseng won the best-in-show Grand Champion award.

Photo by Norman K. Styer

Maggie Malick is Loudoun County’s Winemaker of the Year.

Malick is inspired by the work of South American winemakers who enjoy more freedom than their European counterparts to explore blends and experiment with techniques. The couple has made several trips to Uruguay, with two of their most popular wines directly inspired by what they learned there.

Maggie Malick’s Wine Caves is located on a 215-acre property along Harpers Ferry Road north of Hillsboro.

Learn more at maggiemalickwinecaves.com.

The Top Bottle: O1V’s 2020 Viognier This year’s Loudoun Wine awards garnered a record number of entries. In the end, one wine stood out above the rest.

October One Vineyards’ 2020 Viognier took the top prize, winning the Chairman’s Grand Award.

Competition director and chief judge Neal Wavra said the wine rated a full point above all others.

The best-in-show winner was described as offering “full of intense tropical aromas with a soft yet lively pallet, great acidity with an outstanding finish and hints of floral round out this wine beautifully.”

Finding a bottle for yourself isn’t as easy as some of your other favorites.

Bob and Loree Rupy established October 1 with a wines-without-walls concept. Their 30-acre 10

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

October One Vineyards owners Loree and Bob Rupy celebrate with Loudoun Wine Association President and County Chair Phyllis Randall after their 2020 Viognier won the 2021 Chairman’s Grand Award.

vineyard on the slope of the Blue Ridge near Bluemont doesn’t have a tasting room. Instead, you’ll find the Rupys at area farmers markets and special events, and O1V wines on the lists at local restaurants.

Wines—including the 2020 Viognier—may be ordered online for pick up or delivery.

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Learn more at octoberonevineyard.com.

NOVEMBER 2021

The Best in Class Need a list of don’t-miss wines to take along for your next winery tour? Here are the winners of the Best in Class awards for 2021: Best Albariño – 2020 Albariño, Maggie Malick Wine Caves Best Chardonnay – 2019 “Steel Magnolia” Chardonnay, The Wine Reserve at Waterford Best Hybrid White – 2020 Traminette, Willowcroft Farm Vineyard Best Petit Manseng – 2019 “First Harvest” Petit Manseng, The Wine Reserve at Waterford Best Sauvignon Blanc – 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Doukénie Winery Best Viognier – 2020 Viognier, October One Vineyard Best Rosé – 2020 Rosé, Boxwood Winery Best Hybrid Red – 2017 Three Captain’s Red Blend, Zephaniah Farm Vineyard Best Cabernet Franc – 2019 “Tish” Cabernet Franc, Bozzo Family Vineyards Best Bordeaux Blend – 2019 Trinity & 2019 Genesis, The Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek and 2019 Mosaic, Sunset Hills Vineyard Best Vinifera Red – 2019 Mag’s Leap, Maggie Malick Wine Caves and 2019 Onyx, Hillsborough Vineyards Best Sweet Wine – 2019 Winterfest, Carriage House Wineworks GET OUT LOUDOUN Get Out Loudoun is distributed monthly 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 ON THE COVER Ben Seldins, Loudoun’s Wine Grower of the year. Photo by Norman K. Styer TO ADVERTISE Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com NOVEMBER 2021

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ON STAGE

‘The Nutcracker’ Returns to Loudoun Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company will bring a holiday tradition back to the stage with performances of the “The Nutcracker.”

Photo by Chas Sumser Photography

Loudun Ballet Performing Arts Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with fairy folklore and was performed in October.

BY JAN MERCKER

For the past 18 months, Lindsay Yee and her fellow dancers at Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company have been putting in countless hours of training with few opportunities for public performance.

“We’re all so thankful that we’ve been safe and healthy throughout the pandemic. Our studio has worked so hard this whole time, and it’s really made us stronger,” Yee said. “We love performing so much, and when we don’t have live performances and live audiences, you don’t get the whole experience.”

Yee, a senior at Heritage High School and the Academies of Loudoun, starred in LBPAC’s fall show—the company’s first live performance since the COVID pandemic hit. “Deep in the Forest” was an original ballet written and directed by LBPAC’s artistic director Maureen Miller and based on her childhood fascination 12

LBPAC is bringing back a live “Nutcracker” this year after releasing a modified film version last year because of COVID restrictions. The fulllength “Nutcracker” is scheduled for Dec. 3-5 at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville.

LBPAC returning to its pre-COVID practice of hiring professional male dancers to partner with the company’s dancers in key roles including the Cavalier, Nutcracker and Arabian Prince.

LBPAC executive producer and founder Cherie Maroni said dance has been a lifeline for many of her young performers during the pandemic.

And now it’s time to get them back on stage connecting with audiences.

“They were so stoic through COVID. Dance is their life. It’s sort of one of the only things that they continued to have that was normal through COVID,” she said. “They pushed through and

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ON STAGE

13

NOVEMBER 2021

ON STAGE

they persevered and they kept working really hard, but it’s a little but lackluster when you don’t have an audience because the kids really thrive on that. The dancers are really rejuvenated and looking forward to being in front of a live audience” Yee, who has also been cast as the Arabian Princess is looking forward to working with professionals in one of her final performances with the company. She is one of a group of high school seniors in the company who has been involved with the Loudoun School of Ballet since preschool.

“They’ve all been dancing with us since they were 2 or 3 years old. They’ve grown up with us,” Maroni said. “Their home is here with us, and we’re glad they can have a live performance for their senior year.”

“I always get this feeling of adrenaline when I think about performing on stage,” Yee said.

“It’s something we’ve been working so hard on for the last few months, and now we get to showcase it for a live audience.”

The company’s production of “The Nutcracker” is scheduled for Friday. Dec. 3 at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville.

All attendees age 2 and older are required to wear a mask when inside LCPS buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

For tickets and information, go to lbpac.org.

NOVEMBER 2021

‘The Theaters Are Alive’ Loudoun’s Community Companies Go Big for Fall

BY JAN MERCKER

This spring, Loudoun theater companies dipped their toes back into the water with socially distanced productions, small casts and lots of COVID-related adaptations on stage. For fall, local directors are jumping back in with both feet.

While safety precautions remain in place, this season’s shows are bigger and bolder. And with favorite local actors ready to get back onstage, directors are taking advantage of a bonanza of returning talent for their shows. Here’s a look at what’s coming up on Loudoun stages.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” at StageCoach Theatre Company

with his mistress.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” tells the story of solitary, quiet Jean who answers a dead man’s cell phone in a cafe. Her decision sends her on a date with the dead man’s brother, a drinking binge with his wife and a mysterious rendezvous

StageCoach Theatre Company’s “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” runs Nov. 6 and 7 at StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn. Tickets are $25. Masks are required for audience members while inside the building.

The Pickwick Players ‘Sound of Music’ The Pickwick Players production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic “The Sound of Music” was cast and ready to roll in in the spring of 2020. But the pandemic stopped the community theater company in its tracks. Now the production is back with a cast of 40, including most of the actors originally cast in the show who are, delighted to finally jump into their roles.

The Pickwick Players presents “The Sound of Music” Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 1113 at Capital Community Church in Ashburn. Tickets are $21 for adults, $15 for children and seniors. Masks are required for audience members.

For tickets and information, go to thepickwickplayers.com.

‘Catch Me If You Can’ from Sterling Playmakers The production is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a highflying conman who poses as a pilot, doctor and lawyer, living the high life with FBI agent Carl Hanratty in hot pursuit.

Sterling Playmakers presents “Catch Me If You Can” Nov. 12-14 and Nov. 19-21 at Seneca Ridge Middle School. Tickets are $15. For more information, go to sterlingplaymakers.org. Masks are required for audience members.

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Terry Adams and The New Rhythm and Blues Quartet

BEST BETS

11.06

11.17

ANDY FALCO

NRBQ

Saturday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m.

B Chord Brewing Company bchordbrewing.com The Infamous Stringdusters guitarist brings his The Will of The Way Tour to the B Chord stage.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com Founding member Terry Adams brings the New Rhythm and Blues Quartet to Leesburg.

11.09 CARL PALMER Tuesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com Drummer Carl Palmer pays tribute to the 50-year anniversary of Emerson, Lake & Palmer during a tour that features his first live performances since 2019.

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11.21 CRUZ & MOLLY CONTRERAS Sunday, Nov. 21, 4 p.m.

B Chord Brewing Company Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Cruz Contreras was the frontman, founder, and driving force behind The Black Lillies’ raw and rootsy sound.

11.26 LAST HAM STANDING COMEDY IMPROV Friday, Nov. 26, 8 p.m.

Franklin Park Performing Arts Center franklinparkartscenter.org A group of talented performers take suggestions from the audience to create funny improv games.

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NOVEMBER 2021

Check out

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

NOVEMBER 2021

GET OUT LOUDOUN

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GET OUT LOUDOUN

NOVEMBER 2021