Events

In May, the Mason District Arts Council sponsored two art shows, two music performances, and some much-needed social time with our local arts community, all of which you can read about below. In June, we’re presenting multiple events for the United States Semiquincentennial as part of our Mason Arts 250 program.

You can also discover more arts, community events, and classes in the Mason District and elsewhere nearby in Fairfax County on our Community page.

June 7, ‘America Celebrates 250’ concert

As part our Mason Arts 250 programming, NoVA Lights Chorale celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a free concert featuring songs focused on the country’s history, beauty, and pursuit of freedom to an audience of more than 150 attendees at at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bailey’s Crossroads. A reception with light food and beverages followed.

The performance of 14 songs conducted by artistic director Stanley Livengood and featuring accompanist Anna Eun Joung Ko included “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Words of Lincoln,” “Workin’ for the Dawn of Peace,” “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and “The Star Spangled Banner” with historical narration by Chorale member Beatrice Squire.

Photos by Jay Townsend

Some audience members waved flags and clapped along during rousing songs.

NoVA Lights Chorale artistic director Stanley Livengood leads the singers during the patriotic celebration.

May 21, Mason District Arts Council Meeting

At our May Arts Council meeting, attendees learned about current and upcoming community mural projects, concerts, community theater performances (along with ticket discounts for Mason District Arts Council members), the final plans for our Mason Arts 250 activities, our initial plans for our October 17 Mason Art Festival, and other events being considered for the coming year.

Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 16, 2026 at the Mason District Governmental Center and all are welcome to attend.

Garden Social outdoor seating near the old bus.

May 14, Mason Arts Happy Hour

Friends, members of the local arts community, and friends of friends joined us at the bright Garden Social beer garden at 4363 John Marr Drive. Celebration is an essential part of our culture, and we enjoyed celebrating with you.

Photos by Jay Townsend

Friends, family, supporters, and Mason District Arts Council members enjoy food and beverages at our May social gathering on May 14, 2026.

May 11, Art Exhibition Reception

ArtsFairfax and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) hosted an art opening at the Lincolnia Senior Center. This is the third show in the revamped Senior Center gallery space with more shows to follow in the near future. Speakers included Fairfax County Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services Director Lloyd Tucker, and ArtsFairfax President and CEO Stuart Holt. Artists in the exhibition included Jan Barrett, Chica Brunsvold, Mason District Arts Council member David B. Goldstein, and J. Larry Golfer.

Photos by Jay Townsend

Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services Director Lloyd Tucker welcomes attendees to the Lincolnia Senior Center art exhibit celebration and reception on May 11, 2026.

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services Director Lloyd Tucker makes remarks.

Fairfax County Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez welcomes attendees to the reception.

(L-R) Chica Brunsvold, David Goldstein, and Jan Barrett with their paintings at the Lincolnia Senior Center.

May 9, Arts in Daily Spaces Exhibit Opening and Concert

Storytelling through visual art and music at John Calvin Presbyterian Church at 6531 Columbia Pike. The evening began with a curated exhibit and brief talks from three featured artists and concluded with a concert from Ali and the Wild Geese. The event was free, fun, and open to the public.

Photos by Jay Townsend

Arts in Daily Spaces exhibit opening and concert in cooperation with the Mason District Arts Council on May 9, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church included opportunities for attendees to fill out Wishing Tree tags.

Arts in Daily Spaces exhibit opening in cooperation with the Mason District Arts Council included opportunities for attendees to fill out a Wishing Tree tag.

Mason District Arts Council member, Reverend Casey Wait, welcomes attendees to the Arts in Daily Spaces exhibit opening and concert.

Concert by Ali and the Wild Geese in cooperation with CAFE and the Mason District Arts Council on May 9, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church at 6531 Columbia Pike, in Annandale, VA.

Performance by Ali and the Wild Geese.

Sopranessence

May 9, Concert

Sopranessence, our local resident ensemble of musical divas (including Mason District Arts Council member Bharati Soman), performed a benefit concert at the United Baptist Church at 7100 Columbia Pike. Proceeds from the concert support the ACCA Child Development Center in downtown Annandale. They hope to “awaken your inner child and help you see the world through their eyes.”

Photo by James Albright

March 21, Nowruz celebration

Members of local and international arts communities came together with friends and family to celebrate Nowruz at an event hosted by Mason District Arts Council member Reverend Casey Wait at John Calvin Presbyterian Church on Columbia Pike and led by Omaid Sharifi, who co-founded the art collective ArtLords in Afghanistan in 2014 as a grassroots movement of artists and volunteers, driven by the desire to harness the transformative power of art and which has since expanded worldwide.

Nowruz, meaning “new day” in Persian, is the ancient Iranian New Year’s festival that marks the arrival of spring on the vernal equinox. Celebrated for over 3,000 years by more than 300 million people worldwide, it symbolizes renewal, the rebirth of nature, and the triumph of light over darkness. It is also regarded as the start of the new year in Afghanistan.

The celebration featured traditional Afghan music, food, calligraphy, community mural painting, children’s crafts, and included an art exhibition featuring works by members of ArtLords, miniature paintings rescued from Afghanistan, paintings by Reverend Casey Wait, and by James Albright, chair of the Mason District Arts Council.

Photos by Jay Townsend

Miniature paintings rescued from Afghanistan were displayed during the Nowruz celebration on March 21, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA.

Miniature paintings rescued from Afghanistan on display at the event.

Sulieman Hedayat writes the names of attendees as part of a calligraphy demonstration during the Nowruz celebration on March 21, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA.

Sulieman Hedayat writes the names of attendees during a calligraphy demonstration.

Attendees enjoy short concert by Afghan musicians.

Musicians perform several works of classical Afghan music for the attendees during a Nowruz celebration on March 21, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA.

Musicians performed several works of classical Afghan music.

Attendees working on a group mural project during the Nowruz celebration on March 21, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA.

Attendees of all ages work on the mural during the celebration.

Rev. Casey Wait with Omaid Sharifi, who co-founded the art collective Art Lords, pose with the community mural painted during the Nowruz celebration on March 21, 2026 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA.

Reverend Casey Wait and Omaid Sharifi, who co-founded the art collective ArtLords, with the completed community mural painted during the event.