The Intersections Arts Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the Washington Post, offered many fun artistic events and performances in February and March. This annual event included more than 800 local artists, with a blending of free events and performances.

The Intersections Art Festival was inspired by three themes: “Discover the New America,” which is a deeper look at contemporary culture; “Travel New Artistic Avenues,” which includes performance of artists pushing the limits of what can be possible done on stage; and “Create Cultural Connections,” which calls for cultural expression and art that crosses the cultural boundaries.

There were many different forms of artistic expression, from interpretive dance to poetry and song. There were even some highly traditional cultural works from the artists involved in the festival.

I decided to see what all of the buzz was about with the Intersections Arts Festival, attending an interpretive dance performance titled, “Jane Franklin: Dance Double Take.”

This performance was a culmination of two choreographed dance pieces, choreographed by Jane Franklin, entitled “Cute Animals and Happy Endings” and “Double Take.” Each of the two pieces was a symbiotic blend of audio visual work and artistic dancing, to send a greater message about themes in modern culture like animal euthanasia, the stress and pressures of work, relationships in school and even how Bank of America tried to charge five dollars a month to use debit cards.

The piece was first done on stage before Franklin invited the attendees to view an on-site performance, which brought the dancers, Adam Buss, Amy Scaringe, Katie Tuebner, Emily Crews, Wayle Haynes, Brianne Barrow Little and Andrea Ligon, to each of the locations within the Atlas Performing Arts Center where the dances were choreographed, helping viewers to better understand the context and special confines that were involved in the creation of the dance.

For more information about the Intersection Arts Festival or other performances that will take place at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, visit atlasarts.org.

One of the first things that many people notice about the Northern Virginia Community College community is the variety of different talents that the students possess. This is why it’s no surprise that students in Professor Chris Stallings’ PHT 130 (Video Production I) class on the Woodbridge campus would come together with other students to help create the first music video for the band WorstKase Scenario, fronted by former student Dave Bausch.

The band, which was recently signed to an independent label, needed to create a new music video to promote their song, “Dangerous Girl.” Bausch, a NOVA tutor, reached out to Stallings, who felt that it would be a perfect project for his students in his PHT 130 course. In addition to his students, Stallings worked with 522 Productions, based out of the Alexandria campus, and obtained an Educational Foundation grant to provide “an at-cost service favor for the students.”

The band was previously known as Worst Case Scenario but changed their name after being signed.

Using a short film script that Stallings had on hand, the students in the course worked to fit the script to the song, “Dangerous Girl,” which is a story on how beauty is from within, not what’s on the outside. In the video, a “dangerous girl,” uses her sex appeal in a position of a flower vendor on a boardwalk to get the attention of male passersby, taking away the attention that the beautiful and personable female fish vendor would be receiving. This video theme syncs up well with the meaning of the song, which speaks to the power women possess with their sex appeal, and how this can be dangerous.

The cast for the music video, along with Bausch and guitarist Ian Spencer, included both professionals and college students. Shea Davies, an actress based out of New York City, played the role of the fish vendor with a “heart of gold.” Kim Irwin, a NOVA student, played the role of the dangerous flower vendor girl, and was made up by Tiffany Roop of TDR Artistry, the on-set makeup expert. In supporting roles, America Twiggs, the daughter of NOVA student Kellee Twiggs, and Jack Mourand, a local boy who auditioned for the PHT 130 class, came together to form a symbiotic cast that worked well on set. In addition to these main characters, there were other students who played the role of extras on set, helping to complete the video, shot at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse.

With a great deal of patience and some much needed sunblock to battle the balmy and sunny spring day, the cast and crew completed the video shoot in one day. Stallings made sure to involve all of his film students in the various processes of planning and post-production editing.

Looking back on the experience Stallings commented, “The most memorable moment for me is not wanting to eat seafood for weeks after the shoot, after watching poor Shea gut a fish over and over again as the insides rotted away in the warm sun.” Another funny takeaway from the shoot involved Stallings’ students in the planning phase. “The first prop we secured months ago were numerous buckets that were meant to be used as trash cans for the fish residue. The buckets were kept in a student’s vehicle for months, and every time we secured another prop, we always joked, at least we have the buckets too. Well come time for the production day and every student that was responsible for bringing something fulfilled their task, except for the student with the buckets actually forgot to bring those darn buckets, and we had to improvise,” Stallings commented.

For all those interested in viewing the music video for WorstKase Scenario, the video, “Dangerous Girl,” will be premiering on the Woodbridge campus on Wednesday, April 25 at 3 p.m., at the Spring Fling event. There were will be a crab pickin’ hosted by Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse, and the band will play a live show.

Stephanie Tipple and Dave Bausch both work as tutors at NOVA’s Woodbridge campus.

NOVA students take free swing dance lessons in the Alexandria campus cafeteria, taught by Professor Omar Saab and his assistant Nura Dean. Foreground: Serge and Linda Akwei, Background: Julia Solis and Ryan Mesch. Photo by Kama Storie

Photo by Kama Storie

During free swing dance lessons in the Alexandria campus cafeteria, Professor Omar Saab and his assistant Nura Dean demonstrate a dance move. Students in the background: Serge and Linda Akwei, Julia Solis, and Ryan Mesch. Photo by Kama Storie

The Washington Monument is framed by this year's Cherry Blossoms. Photo by Arch Scurlock

Virginia Ham and Oysters Vol au Vent, prepared by Chef Walter Staib. Photo by: KJ Mushung

Just How Did They Cook for So Many in George Washington’s Day?
Mount Vernon Shows You
By: KJ Mushung

Historic Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is celebrating the birthday of the nation’s first president by focusing on the foods he ate and how they were prepared, 18th century style.

Ever wonder how households with many visitors, most unexpected due to lack of advanced communication, cooked for more people than one typically sees at Thanksgiving dinner without a refrigerator, microwave or running water? Mount Vernon’s new exhibit, “Hoecakes and Hospitality,” will show you. But there will be so much more than just displays of centuries-old cooking utensils, although there will be plenty of those as well.

On Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon, there will be a hoecake cook-off over an open fire with four award-winning chefs. The chefs are Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve, David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Christophe Poteaux of Bastille Restaurant and Robert Wiedemaier of BRABO.

A hoecake is like a pancake made with cornmeal that could, if need be, be cooked on the surface of a gardening hoe out in the field over a fire. It’s known as Washington’s favorite breakfast. He may have preferred hoecakes because it was a soft food that he, a man with numerous dental problems, could eat, curator Susan P. Schoelwer postulated.

Samples of hoecakes “swimming in butter and honey,” as Washington preferred them, will be prepared for visitors until noon or while they last on both Saturday and Sunday. Recipe cards featuring modern versions of some dishes and beverages consumed by the Washingtons will be available for visitors to take home and try.

A celebration of the first president’s birthday, complete with a fully-dressed re-enactor, candles and gifts, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Mount Vernon will open an hour early on Monday, Feb. 20 to accommodate the 10,000 visitors expected that day. The hours are 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., and admission is free. A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Washington’s tomb followed by patriotic music. Visitors may tour the grounds and exhibits.

“Unlike the anonymous pots and pans found in most historic houses, this exhibit offers a rare, intimate look at a specific 18th-century kitchen,” said Schoelwer. Many original artifacts had been saved by Martha Washington’s descendants.

Chef Walter Staib, the Emmy award-winning host of PBS’s “A Taste of History” and chef of City Tavern in Philadelphia, will sign books and DVDs in the gift shop throughout the three-day weekend. His restaurant, City Tavern, offers diners an 18th century lunch and dinner menu along with ales and beers brewed from centuries-old recipes.

Visitors to Mount Vernon can also watch a video in which Chef Staib prepares a sturgeon, stuffed with crabmeat, covered in a citrus vinaigrette and served over root vegetables in Mount Vernon’s own kitchen. Washington’s love of eating fish from the Potomac River is well-documented. The recipe card for this dish is available, as well.

“Hoecakes & Hospitality: Cooking with Martha Washington” is included with general admission, which costs $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 6 to 11. Children younger than 5 years old are admitted free. Admission to all events is free on Monday, Feb. 21, in honor of George Washington’s birthday.

Pots and pans from Martha Washington's kitchen. Photo by: KJ Mushung

Vegetables at Mount Vernon await preparation. Photo by: KJ Mushung

Shutterstock image

Stephanie Tipple
Fashion Columnist

It’s February, and love is in the air. With Valentine’s Day almost upon us, you’re likely to have a slew of dates on your schedule. That being said, what is the most important part of getting ready for any date? It’s picking out what to wear, of course. The way you look and the first impression you give off when you meet up with your date can have a true lasting impact. So if you want to send out the right signals and start off right, then you need to figure out what to wear.
But even if you’re a fashion maven, picking out exactly what to wear for a first date, or even a fifth date, can be stressful.

So what can you do to make sure you look great on every date? The first thing you need to assess is the person you’re actually going to be with that evening. While you should never dress a certain way just because someone else wants you to, there is something to be said about looking compatible with your clothing when you’re out on a date.

The next question is, where are you going on your date? This is one of the biggest factors into what you should be wearing on the first, second, eighth or even twentieth date. If you are going to the ice rink, don’t wear stilettos, and if you’re going to be indoors all night, don’t expect to wear your winter coat the entire time.

When you are on a date, you want your personality to shine through and not be overpowered by your clothing. The outfit you select should allow your personality to show and should play up all of your best attributes. Fit is key here. You want your clothing to fit but not to look baggy or skin tight. Chances are this can make you appear sloppy to your date or, depending on circumstances, downright scary. Go with something simple, and you’ll thank yourself for it later. While you may be into the latest fashion trends and enjoy dressing up like a Lady Gaga impersonator, it isn’t the best way to start off a date if that person can’t see you beneath the lace, sequins and hair bows.

And when in doubt, go for comfort. Sure, you may look super cute in those new heels you bought at Forever 21, but why spend your night grimacing from the blisters, when you can throw on a cute pair of flats? This will allow you to focus on your date and your conversation, not on avoiding wardrobe malfunctions.

No matter what the weather, you also need to try to wear layers, in case you get too warm or too cold. A pit stain from sweating isn’t something you want to deal with on a date and neither is shivering the entire night.
One more tip: accept a compliment! You’re going to look beautiful when you’re on your date, and you need to allow your date to compliment you with grace. Check your insecurities at the door and just have a good time.

The NOVA Police Basketball Community College Tournament will be held Feb. 10. Interested in participating on the student team in the second annual NOVA Community College Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament? Contact Officer Tony Ong (tong@nvcc.edu) or register with Annandale Student Activities Coordinator Calvin Haney (chaney@nvcc.edu).

Photo by: KJ Mushung

A lit tunnel at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Photo illustration by: KJ Mushung

The Dominion GardenFest of Lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a spectacular and beautiful sight. But it only runs through Monday, Jan. 9. So if you want to go, make the time now.

The lights are on from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly, rain or shine. Each year there is a different theme. This year’s theme is “Nature’s DeLIGHTS.”

Admission costs $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under age 3 are admitted free.

The garden is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond.

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Music and gaming are quite possibly two of the most popular pastimes for college students. So it’s no surprise that MAGFest, a music and gaming festival that was held very close to Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus last year, completely sold out. People had to be turned away at the door. That’s why the event has been moved to National Harbor, so it can accommodate more bands, games and people.

This year’s MAGFest will take place Thursday, Jan. 5 through Sunday, Jan. 8.

If you haven’t experienced it, MAGFest is an annual event in the D.C. area dedicated to the celebration of video games and video game music. The event offers 24-hour console, arcade and PC game rooms, usually 12 live video game cover bands, a vendors’ area, along with guest speakers from the video game industry. The festival also features a jam space available to all attendees for impromptu music performances.

In addition to providing bands that play the gamut from rage to melodic and tons of games — from brand new to antique arcade — MAGFest will also hold its second annual charity auction benefiting Child’s Play.

According to MAGFest’s public relations rep, Nick Marinelli, Child’s Play was created by the web comic Penny-Arcade in 2003 in order to raise money for toys and games for children in hospitals. Donations are used to purchase new consoles, peripherals and games for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends and family, and provide vital distraction from an otherwise unpleasant experience.

Last year’s charity auction raised over $5,500.

Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise have already been donated from bands, video game developers, electronics manufacturers and more. The auction will be held the last day of the festival.

For more details about MAGFest, visit magfest.org.

Photo by: KJ Mushung

Photo courtesy of MAGFest

Trumpet player Chris Gallo, guitarist Ian Spencer and vocalist Dave Bausch of the band Dave Bausch and the Worst Case Scenario take a break from practicing. Photo by: Stephanie Tipple.

Dave Bausch and the Worst Case Scenario decided to make it a best case scenario on Thursday, Dec. 1, when they held a charity concert at the Woodbridge campus. The event, hosted by the Tutoring Club, was an effort to raise money for the local ACTS food bank by selling refreshments during the concert. (ACTS stands for Action in Community Through Service.)

The band, based out of the Stafford area, is an organic combination of ska, rock and R&B musical stylings, with a theatrical stage presence that leaves a distinct impression. They are led by lead singer and producer Dave Bausch.

Dave Bausch and the Worst Case Scenario originally started as a solo act, leading to production of a CD that is available for purchase on iTunes. Over the past several months, this party of one expanded to include Ian Spencer on guitar and Chris Gallo playing trumpet.

This event was a chance for the band to get their name out in the local music scene.

The crowd was energetic and vibrant, enthused to hear songs like “Not You” and “Our Alibi,” which could be part of the CD that the band hopes to record in the near future. The songs’ lyrics are based on real-life situations that many college students can probably relate to.

Bausch’s main passion in life is his music, and he hopes that the band will be able to “make it” with their unique approach to music and their personal fashion, which included a trench coat, a zoot suit and a Hawaiian-patterned shirt.

When speaking about concertgoers’ experience when attending one of their shows, Bausch said, “If you enjoy dance music that makes you want to sit down, then come see our shows.”

Almost $300 was raised for the ACTS food bank in Dumfries.

* The band was previously known as Worst Case Scenario but have since changed their name to WorstKase Scenario (with the first two words written together on purpose).