July comes in with a boom and we know just where you can catch the area’s best fireworks, but there’s more to the month than Independence Day. Savor the first full month of summer with military performances, a baking demo and rooftop sweat fests.
Mmm…Doughnut Decorating
July 4 and 5, 11 a.m.
Head to Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington to decorate six mini cake doughnuts with a variety of themed toppings. Each kit is $15. Prefer to let the pros do the decorating? Watch as the restaurant’s robot prepares nine varieties of doughnuts to order. Once the sugar hits, burn some energy in the game room, which is stocked with Skee-Ball, Ms. Pac-Man and a 10-foot-tall version of Space Invaders. // 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Break Bread at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
July 5-7
Learn to bake bread the 18th-century way at sessions with Justin Cherry, resident baker at the first president’s home and owner of Half Crown Bakehouse. Loaves of the bread—Carolina rice—will be available for purchase for $14 each. Add on clothbound cheddar cheese, smoked trout or salt pork butter for additional fees. The experience is included with regular admission ($26 per person ages 12 and up or $13 per child ages 6-11). // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Tune Up Your Trivia Skills with the Comedy Karaoke Trivia Funtime Show
July 13, 7:30 p.m.
Happening at National Landing’s Highline RxR bar, this event involves three rounds of trivia, followed by a stand-up comedy routine by local funny man Dee Ahmed. After that, the top three trivia teams will do a karaoke battle in which the audience determines the winner. Stick around for open karaoke afterward. Tickets are $15 each or $10 per person for groups of six to eight. // 2010 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Appreciate Art at Falls Church Arts’ All Member Show
Admire the works of the organization’s member artists, who use a range of media, including watercolor and oil paints, fused glass, photography, and sculpture. Artists with last names starting with A-L will be on exhibit through July 14. The second half of the alphabet goes up July 20-Aug. 18. The event is free and open to the public. // 700 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Make the Hills Come Alive with The Sound of Music
Fridays, July 19-28
Encore Stage & Studio, which focuses on theater by kids, for kids, will put on several performances of the classic tale about a governess who cares for the seven children of the Von Trapp family in Austria. Set to the music and lyrics of Rodgers and Hammerstein, this 2.5-hour play will undoubtedly have you singing along. Tickets are $22 per adult and $18 per child. Before the show on July 20, add on the Blooms & Ballads pre-show make-your-own-bouquet experience, or ahead of the July 27 performance, test your knowledge of the play with Do-Re-Mi Trivia & Tea. Both add-ons cost $8 per person and start an hour before showtime. // Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
Watch Heathers: The Musical
Weekends, July 19-28
Liked Mean Girls? This play based on the cult classic 1988 movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater takes the cruelty of cliques up a notch, as a group of girls known as “The Heathers” bully their way to popularity. Note that the show involves explicit language and triggering themes. Tickets cost $30 or $25 for students, McLean Community Center district residents and groups of 10 or more. // The Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Pound the Pavement with We Gotta Run
July 20, 8:30-11 a.m.
We Gotta Run is an initiative that encourages emergency medical responders, firefighters and community members to exercise by running or jogging. Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death among active-duty firefighters, so this event aims to raise awareness about healthy lifestyle choices. Hosted by Road Runner Sports, it’s free and open to the public to participate. // 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Salute the U.S. Army’s Twilight Tattoo
Wednesdays through July 27, 7 p.m.
This action-packed military pageant features soldiers from units including the U.S. Army Military District of Washington’s ceremonial units, the Third U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band. There will also be performances by the U.S. Army Blues, Drill Team and Band Downrange. Arrive as early as 5 p.m. The pre-show starts at 6:30. Find the full schedule here. // Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Second St., S, Fort Myer
Bounce in the Park
Wednesdays and Fridays through Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Kiddos ages 3-9 can bop around bounce houses at select Arlington parks this summer. (The park system is one of the top five in the country, after all.) Check the website for the full list of dates and locations and note that caregivers must be at least 16 and must remain onsite with young jumpers. It’s worth a peek at the parks’ websites, too, because you can make a day of it depending on the location’s facilities. For instance, Shirlington’s Jennie Dean Park (3630 27th St., S., Arlington) has a playground, baseball/softball fields and a lighted tennis court.
Elevate Your Workout with the Lululemon Rooftop Sweat Series
The luxury athleisure-wear brand is hosting free workouts on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. on top of the Market Garage at Mosaic District. Each week is a different theme led by a different instructor. On July 3, pre-game your Independence Day with Happy Hour Athletics founder Tran Truong, who will take you through a full-body workout designed for all levels. Come back July 10 for high-intensity interval training with VIDA Fitness Ballston’s studio program manager, Gwen Broerman. See the full schedule here. When you’re done, refuel at one of these great eateries. Find more free outdoor workouts at locations around the Arlington area here. // 8295 Glass Alley, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Catch a Flick at LOOK Dine-in Cinemas
The new 14-screen movie theater at The Boro in Tysons Corner opened June 21 with blockbuster films and dining options. Settle into your reclining seat, tap or scan the QR code on your table to find the menu, place your order and wait for it to arrive. The extensive menu includes mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese bites, pizza, burgers, and milkshakes—with or without booze. And speaking of, try craft cocktails such as the Blue Island Chiller (Malibu rum, Midori liqueur, Blue Curacao liqueur, vodka, gin and house-made sweet-and-sour syrup). // 1667 Silver Hill Drive, McLean