Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an evening of free salsa lessons, DJ music, sangria and food tastings from COPA Kitchen & Bar, Bartaco, Ted’s Bulletin and Ice Cream Jubilee. Tickets $20 (free for members of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and/or NOVA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce). Looking for more local events honoring Latinx heritage and culture? Look here. // Sept. 29, 5-7 p.m., Outdoor plaza at Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Langston Boulevard Renaming Celebration and Woodstock Park Fall Fest
Lee Highway is now Langston Boulevard, after the Arlington County board voted unanimously in July to rename the longstanding corridor after Black abolitionist, attorney, educator and politician John M. Langston. The official renaming festivities include a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting for a new mural by KaliQ Crosby (Sport Fair, 5010 Langston Blvd.) on Oct. 1, followed by drinks, appetizers, a gallery walk featuring Black history exhibits, contemporary art by Arlington Artist Alliance members, and ZINE stories about the corridor’s adjacent neighborhoods (Dominion Lighting, 5053 Langston Blvd.). Return the next morning for a 10 a.m. walking tour of the historic Halls Hill neighborhood led by author and John M. Langston Civic Association president Wilma Jones, plus food, drinks and family-friendly fun at the Woodstock Park Fall Fest (2049 N. Woodstock St.) // Oct. 1, 5-7 p.m. and Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., multiple locations
Capitol One Hall Grand Opening Weekend
Tysons’ sparkling new performing arts center opens this weekend with performances by Grammy-, Tony- and Emmy-award-winning singer/songwriter Josh Groban and the Grammy (not to mention American Music Awards and Country Music Awards) winning foursome Little Big Town. Anchoring Capital One Center, a new 24.5-acre urban development in Tysons East, Capitol One Hall includes a 1,600-seat performance hall, an intimate 225-seat Black Box theater and a rooftop green space with an outdoor stage. // Oct. 1-3, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Water: A Solo Show by Barry Barnett Keith
Alexandria native Barry Barnett Keith explores the symbolism of H2O in a series of large-scale acrylics. “Water is a symbol for me of striving for constant production and creativity,” says the artist, “of living and breathing art for as long as possible. Producing art allows an artist to exist in a world away from the mundane, away from hatred and bigotry.” Catch his solo show at Gallery Underground’s Focus Gallery, now through the end of October. Meet the artist during a First Friday opening reception on Oct. 1 from 5-7 p.m. // Oct. 1-29, 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Bring the dog, the kids and your appetite. This seasonal celebration includes a Barktoberfest dog run, live music, games and rides, and food and drink vendors, including seasonal brews from New District Brewing. Admission is free; drink tickets benefit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. All attendees must pre-register and show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 48 hours of the event. Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals and children under 12. Find more area Oktoberfest events here. // Oct. 2, noon- 4 p.m., Lidl parking lot at Crystal Drive and 33rd St. S., Arlington (National Landing)
More than 40 fine artists will have works on display at this juried fine art show and sale in McLean Central Park, including paintings, prints, jewelry, glass art, sculpture, woodworking and more. Organized by the McLean Project for the Arts, the colorful outdoor festival also features live musical performances curated by WERA 96.7 FM radio host Ken Avis, plus food vendors and a host of fun kids’ activities. // Oct. 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., McLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean