The sweet sounds of vibrating strings floated through the hall and over a full house, as the Mandoleers enchanted our community with a free evening concert at the Lyon Park Community Center on Tuesday December 2. The Mandoleers, a mandolin and guitar orchestra based in Arlington, was founded in 1923 in Takoma, Maryland, and is the longest continuously operating mandolin orchestra in the United States. Their holiday concert included classical and semi-classical works, folk, contemporary pieces, and festive sing-alongs that had the audience joyfully joining in. And if the music weren’t sweet enough, the dessert table, dressed with a wide selection of delectables brought by audience members, put the evening far over the top! Nothing could better convey how much people enjoyed the concert than the thunderous applause after the encore. We are grateful for the Mandoleiers donating their time and talent to perform for us! For more information about the Mandoleers visit their website at http://www.mandoleers.org.
If you are part of a music group that might be interested in performing gratis for our community at the Community Center, please send an email to David Newman at LPCCGovernors@gmail.com.
Lyon Park Community Center Board of Governors Chair David Newman and his wife, Sara, hosted the Community Center’s first community Thanksgiving potluck dinner, inviting our neighbors in Lyon Park and Ashton Heights. Two dozen celebrants came together, decorating the space, bringing their favorite dishes, and filling the room with warmth, laughter, and generosity. The group included all ages, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The hosts provided turkey, stuffing, gravy, and drinks, while guests brought a delicious array of family favorites, including some Ukrainian dishes! With seating arranged around a large rectangle of joined tables, everyone was together.
A highlight of the evening was a lively “Would You Rather” icebreaker, with guests drawing cards featuring questions ranging from lighthearted to reflective. Bursts of laughter filled the room as people shared their questions and answers, while deeper prompts—like choosing whether they’d rather meet their great-great-grandparents/grandchildren—sparked meaningful conversations. The evening concluded with a plentiful dessert bar and live music performed by two guitarists and a mandolin player, adding the perfect finishing touch to a night of connection and community spirit.
I’m very excited to let neighbors know about an opportunity I’ve been given by Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MOCA)—our museum neighbor—to present an artform not commonly found in an art museum: original songs! I, along with three other local Northern Virginia songwriters, will be presenting our songs in a uniquely vulnerable and intimate format called “in-the-round.”
If you are a folk-music fan, or a Nashville music scene aficionado, you may already be familiar with this type of songwriter concert. (It’s a common format at the famous Bluebird Cafe, for instance!) A songwriters “in-the-round” concert usually consists of 2-4 songwriters. The performers share the stage, and take turns singing their songs. As one musician sings, the others on the stage listen. Often, one performer’s song inspires the next performer to choose a song that complements or contrasts to the previous song.
Most audiences are familiar with the more typical concert “line-up,” for which professional musicians and songwriters craft their song list ahead of time. The “line-up” style concert is such that when one musician plays through their list of songs, they then leave the stage and the next performer follows. The “In-the-round” format is more dynamic and collaborative. All performers are on stage together, the whole time, and their song choices are not set. This allows more exciting, unscripted human interactions on the stage!
Beyond the pleasure of beautiful voices and poignant songs and stories presented in a music “performance,” the ‘in-the-round” experience is a peek behind the curtain. It’s a glimpse into the world of musicians and songwriters. As a participant in these types of shows, I can tell you my “guard” goes down. There’s a sense of collective creation with my fellow songwriters.
Before I started performing in this way, myself, I had the pleasure of attending “in-the-round” concerts at events such as Rocky Mountain Folk Fest and the renowned Newport Folk Festival. These “in-the-round” shows at these big music festivals were always on a ‘side-stage,’ maybe in a tent far from the center of it all, with lesser known artists featured. They were always my favorite concerts to attend!
Rather than craning my neck in a crowd trying to get a glimpse of more famous musicians on a far-off festival stage, these “close-up” performances offered instant connection to inspiring artistry, soul-melting voices, and humorous or tear-jerking songs. Even though I had rarely heard of the artists beforehand, I was often an instant fan. And, it felt like I was making a new friend.
If, in the cold and quiet of January, you are looking for hope, inspiration, and some in-person human connection (set to music), close to home, then please come find a seat in the beautiful Tiffany Gallery and have a listen.
Nashville-Style Songwriters in the Round will be on Friday, January 23rd from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at MOCA, (3550 Wilson Boulevard), across from the VA Square Metro.
The event is FREE and open to the public. However, if you have the means, and want to support the museum or express interest in seeing more of this type of programming in the future. Donations to MOCA are welcomed!
Friends took us to Screwtop Wine Bar when my husband and I were considering moving into the neighborhood and I’m not joking when I say that it was one of the selling points that convinced us that Clarendon was going to be a good fit for us. It wasn’t necessarily the food—which was great—or the wine selection—even greater! It was just the feel of the place. We really felt like this was the kind of upscale neighborhood place – with cozy indoor tables and a welcoming outside patio, that we wanted to have nearby.
One year later, now fully settled in the neighborhood, a friend and I dropped in for lunch at this neighborhood staple, whose website describes it as, “a cozy wine bar and full-service restaurant, serving lunch, dinner, and plenty of good vibes seven days a week.” And other patrons agree—Screwtop is going to be recognized as a 2026 Top Vote Getter for Best Restaurant in Arlington AND Best Neighborhood Bar by Arlington Magazine’s readers’ survey.
Screwtop has been part of the community for sixteen years, since 2009, and has staff members who have been working there for upwards of ten years. Some wine club members have been part of the scene for the same amount of time. Linda, the owner I spoke to on my most recent visit, told me that people appreciate that this is more than a restaurant or wine store, but a place to have fun and meet people. Screwtop hosts weekly and monthly events, including tastings and classes, and is available for a variety of private parties. Linda mentioned that some patrons came to Screwtop on a first date and return to celebrate their engagement and/or anniversary.
The menu features six pages of beverages, including hundreds of wines, cocktails, and terrific mocktails (in a menu section called, “Shaken Not Slurred”). Curious No. 3 – the Juniper Cucumber Collins is a favorite of mine. Wine selections rotate regularly, and seasonal wine flights are added to the menu, like the Fizz the Season, Jingle Blends, and Rosé Bells are Ringing.
The food is fantastic. For full transparency, I have loved the more stable menu items more than I love some of the recent additions. The grilled cheese sliders, a signature dish, paired with tomato bisque is a hit any time of year, and the Butternut Squash Salad (with added shrimp) is a standout. The new acorn squash stuffed with turkey and quinoa tasted “healthy,” according to my friend who ordered it, and the newly added Zucchini Lasagna, which I ordered, was good, but spicier than I’d anticipated. On the brunch menu (served Saturday and Sundays), the Nutella & Banana French Toast, and Avocado Toast are crowd pleasers. And the cheesemonger plate rivals those at the fanciest of restaurants. Little embellishments—like a serving of truffle popcorn when you sit down, soft napkins (my friend asked me to add that!) and Hershey’s kisses with your check—enhance the overall experience.
While reservations generally aren’t needed for lunch, it’s recommended that you book ahead for dinner and on weekends. Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3:00-6:00 p.m., and other specials are on offer during the week, like half off all wine bottles on the menu under $100 Sundays from 4:00-9:00 p.m.
There is so much going on at Screwtop, it’s hard to capture it all! But, more than anything, it’s a warm, welcoming spot where your meal is going to be delicious and your drinks are going to be special. If you haven’t been in awhile —or at all—it’s definitely worth a return visit to this sweet Clarendon spot.
Screwtop (1025 N Fillmore Street): Hours of operation are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Phone number is 703-888-0845. Visit the website: screwtopwinebar.com for more information..
The snow and ice were no match for Team Showalter. The sidewalks were clear and dry by the time the guests arrived.
The Lyon Park Community Center’s Winter Wonderland was designed by Darcy Rosenbaum. Darcy and her team of elves (John and Benton) worked tirelessly to create a magical experience for everyone.
The craft tables were a big hit with both children and adults. Options included making a keychain and a set of earrings, pinecone decorating, writing notes to Santa, and much more. So many fun activities to choose from. Gallons of hot chocolate were mixed, mini marshmallows were dunked, and hundreds of candy canes consumed. Cookies and more cookies were eaten by the handfuls – thanks to those who donated cookies.
The gingerbread cookie decorating station was packed with kids of all ages. Marjorie Phillips went above and beyond baking hundreds of gingerbread cookies. She then staffed the decorating table the entire time. Thank you for your incredible contribution.
A new addition this year was a face painting station. Layla Moustafa and Sophie Enkhbat, neighborhood entrepreneurs, had a continuous line of kids waiting for their turn and their painted faces were adorable. Layla and Sophie will make a great addition to any birthday party you are planning.
And what would a holiday party be without Santa. Our loveable neighborhood Santa brought his sleigh to life and put a smile on all the kids’ faces. Many happy memories were made.
Thank you to the army of volunteers who stepped up to help staff the party. Without volunteers and donations, events like this cannot happen.
lyonpark.org 