June 8: Crystal Rocks featuring Everclear

Big free concert coming up, this year's edition of Crystal Rocks:

Date: Sunday, June 8, 2008

Location: 2200 Crystal Drive between 23rd & 20th Street

Hours: 2-6PM

Description: Join us for a rockin' time in the heart of Crystal City! Crystal City will be rocking on Sunday, June 8 with the 4th Annual Crystal Rocks Concert. This year's event features ultimate rock band Everclear. Join Everclear at the MIX 107.3 tent after the concert for a brief session of public autograph signings.

Post Concert Event: Also, join Everclear for an after-party to help raise funds for Snowball Express, a non profit-organization who provides hope and new memories for the children and familes of fallen military heros who have died since September 11, 2001, while serving in all branches of the United States military.

Rain or shine, this outdoor concert is FREE to the public. Take Metro Bus/Metro Rail to Crystal City. Free garage parking on weekends. Bring your friends, a blanket and your rhythm! See below for concert rules.

Eric checked out Crystal Rocks a couple of years ago and was thoroughly impressed.

Quick note if you were confused like me -- Crystal Rocks is different than Crystal Block or Crystal Rolls, Crystal City late-summer events.

Why I Don't Want You to Know About Shirlington Oktoberfest & Vintage Crystal

One of the things I most enjoy about this blog is that I get to tell you about cool things I've gotten to check out. The downside is that you might actually come and make the beer lines longer.

Arguably the coolest event I went to in all of 2006 was the Shirlington Oktoberfest. For just $20 you got unlimited refills of an 8-ounce tasting glass. I had my first taste of Shenandoah Brewing's Mountain Beast Ale and Old Rag Mountain Ale, now two of my favorites. And the food was both tasty and reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?

So I was very excited to see the announcement of this year's event:

Oktoberfest
October 6th (12pm - 7pm) The Village at Shirlington

Capitol City Brewing Co. presents the 8th annual Oktoberfest. The outdoor
festival will combine craft beers, a variety of foods, fun exhibits and lively
German entertainment. For more information, please call 301-998-8395.

Unfortunately the website has no information about this year's admission price. My advice -- get there early to beat the lines and make sure you can taste lots of beers before they start running out.

Thanks to reader James for alerting me to the next event:

Vintage Crystal
Sunday, September 30, 2007, 2:00-6:00PM
2121 Crystal Drive (between 20th & 23rd Street)
$10 - Includes wine sips, food tastes, music & commemorative wine glass
Rain or Shine!

If wine is your livelihood or just a hobby, Crystal City is the place to be on Sunday, September 30. Come spend a Sunday afternoon in Crystal City tasting some of the world's finest wines. Sample pleasurable eats from noteworthy restaurants and gourmet eateries. The afternoon will feature talented jazz artists from the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.

All tickets are purchased at the event gate on event day
Designated drivers and kids are FREE

If you go, email us and let us know how it was!

Saturday: Crystal City Block & Rolls

Crystal City is hosting a big double event this Saturday! There's the CrystalRolls rollerblading event, followed by the CrystalBlock street festival. Here are details on both:

CrystalRolls - Rollerblade on Crystal Drive
Saturday, August 25, 2007, 8AM-12PM

Crystal Drive between 12th & 23rd Street

The focus of this summer event is to create a “Beach Drive” experience in the heart of Crystal City. Visitors can rollerblade along the long stretches of Crystal Drive. Bring your blades and come down to Crystal Drive and enjoy an exciting street rollerblading experience. Free and open to all ages.


CrystalBlock - An Outdoor Block Party!
Saturday, August 25, 2007, 1PM-6PM

W. 23rd Street between Fern and S. Eads Street

Come out for CrystalBlock, an outdoor block party on 23rd street between S. Eads and Fern. This free event celebrates historic “Restaurant Row,” and will be filled with live music and fun. The block party will take place from approximately 1:00pm and 6:00pm on Saturday, August 25, 2007 and will include a wide array of live musical entertainment and family friendly activities.

The events will result in some traffic changes in Crystal City and parking will be restricted, so if you're going, it's a good idea to take Metro:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Street Closures in Crystal City for Two Special Events
ARLINGTON, VA – The Arlington County Police Department will close two streets in Crystal City on Saturday, August 25, 2007, for the “CrystalRolls” and “CrystalBlock” events. Listed below are the streets that will be affected.

From 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.:
• Crystal Drive from 15th Street to 23rd Street.

From 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
• S. 23rd Street from Eads Street to Fern Street.

In addition, street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-228-4252. For more information about both events, please visit the Crystal City Business Improvement District’s website at http://www.crystalcity.org/.