Remembering Little Saigon

Sat, May 3 | Clarendon Metro Station | Clarendon

After the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the Clarendon neighborhood witnessed a large influx of Vietnamese refugees who settled there. The neighborhood, known as Little Saigon, became a vibrant hub of Vietnamese commerce and social activity and reached its peak during the late 1970s to mid-1980s. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, come learn about the history of Little Saigon and hear the stories of those whose lives were shaped by it. Join local writer Kim O'Connell for Little Saigon Walking Tours at 10am and 12pm (registration required), and at 11am for a short program led by Historic Preservation, with an introduction to the upcoming marker to commemorate Little Saigon, and brief remarks by local community members to share their experiences.

Community partners will be tabling for the duration of the event, including the Arlington Public Library, Charlie Clark Center for Local History, Arlington County Historic Preservation, Northern Virginia Community College, and our very own Arlington Art Truck! More

LAC Studios Spring Show and Sale

Sat, May 3 | 10a-4p | LAC Studios | Leeway Overlee

Looking for something truly unique? Shop Local!

The LAC studios are not usually open to the public, so this is a rare opportunity to see our studios and meet the artists. Our members will have ceramics, pottery and hand-pulled prints for sale. Shop small, support local artists, and purchase unique gifts for Mothers Day. More

^{Moths by Janet Gohres}

The Nature of Poetry

Sat, May 3 | Bon Air Rose Garden | 

Join Courtney LeBlanc, Arlington’s Poet Laureate, for a short walk through the Bon Air Rose Garden. The walk will include several stops to read and discuss poems with nature themes, and conclude with the group writing their own nature-inspired poem. More

Poet Laureate Open Call

Apply by June 2

The Open Call for the 2025 Poet Laureate is now active! Arlington County’s Poet Laureate serves as an advocate for poetry and the literary arts and works to advance Arlingtonians’ consciousness and appreciation of poetry in its written and spoken forms. The Poet Laureate represents Arlington’s commitment to fostering a creative environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and community participation. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, must reside in Arlington during the time of application and for the duration of the appointment, and must demonstrate a track record of experience publishing and/or presenting original poetry. More

Three Arlington Poets Laureate: Celebrating Community Through Poetry

Thurs, May 1 | 6-8 p | Mason Exhibitions Arlington | Virginia Square

Current Arlington County Poet Laureate Courtney LeBlanc and Poets Laureate Emeritae Katherine E. Young and Holly Karapetkova read their work and discuss the role of the Poet Laureate in building community through the literary arts. Moderated by Cultural Affairs Literary Program Specialist Dan Brady. More

Flourish: A Spring Market

Sat, May 3 | 12-3p | MoCA Arlington | Virginia Square

Join for a vibrant and fun-filled afternoon at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington to celebrate spring. Enjoy the day and pick up a gift for your mom before Mother’s Day!

Including:

• “Made in Arlington” Market: 15+ vendors selling local handmade goods!
• Food and drink: King of Pops, Rossana Mobile Espresso Experience
• Live music from Emily Hall
• Art making fun: DIY Pinwheels and Spring Postcards
• 12:30pm – Tour of MoCA Arlington’s current exhibitions with Curator Blair Murphy

Arlington Children's Chorus 2025 Spring Concert
Voices of Becoming: Songs of Change, Courage & Joy

Sun, May 4 | 3p | Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington | Barcroft

Join for a joyful celebration of identity, growth, and community through music. Featuring over 70 young singers from Arlington and the greater Northern Virginia area, this concert uplifts the voices of youth as they share their journey of becoming - through powerful songs of resilience, joy, and connection. More

Hamlet, as conceived by Kathleen Akerley

May 1- 24 | Gunston Theatre 2 | Long Branch Creek

Avant Bard Theatre is thrilled to close its 35th season with a bold new interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by the visionary Kathleen Akerley, an Avant Bard artistic associate. Known for her cerebral and innovative approach to classical texts, Akerley reimagines the iconic tragedy by delving deep into Hamlet’s grief-fueled disorientation, and examines every character not in the context of how they fail the titular hero but are failed by him. More

Spring 2025 Open Studios Event

Apr 26-27 | Columbia Pike Artist Studios | Arlington Heights

Columbia Pike Artist Studios, the longstanding cooperative in Arlington, Virginia, will host a public event to showcase the work of 20 of its members. Artists working in a variety of media—painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media—will open their studio doors and will be on hand to discuss their art. A group exhibition, installed in the member’s gallery, will be installed for the event. More

Artist Talk & Workshop: Am I Welcome Here?

Sat, Apr 26 | 2-4p | Central Library | Virginia Square

The group show Am I Welcome Here? invites viewers to reflect on what diversity, inclusion, and belonging mean in the United States. The exhibition centers on six artists’ experiences as international students from Japan, Kuwait/Palestine, Korea, Puerto Rico, and China, navigating cultures, politics, and everything in between during some of the most difficult times to be in this country. Following the artist talk and Q&A, there will be an an art-making session to reflect on the theme of belonging through visual expression and writing. Ages 14+. This event is offered in a hybrid format in person and online via Zoom. More