Fairfax County supervisors were all singing from the same songbook yesterday (Tuesday), unanimously declaring the county to be the “Music Capital of Virginia.”
Others across the commonwealth might disagree, but Fairfax leaders said the sheer breadth of musical performances throughout the year, but particularly in summer, made the county deserving of the title.
“We are in tune with our audience,” said Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck. It was one of a litany of dad-joke one-liners with a musical theme that he rattled off during the discussion.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, keeping up with the tenor of the moment, argued the resolution was not one-upmanship against Virginia’s 132 other cities and counties. It was, he said, a way to remind Fairfax residents about the array of music and related entertainment available across the community — much of it through the Fairfax County Park Authority’s free summer concert series.
“I don’t think your average Fairfax resident understands how many opportunities there are,” McKay said.
“There are performances across the county,” added Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who praised her own constituents earlier in the discussion.
“We’ve got rhythm” in Providence District, she said.
In the fall, organizers behind the summer entertainment series will be invited to a Board of Supervisors meeting to be honored for their contributions.
The July 15 discussion was kicked off by Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, who introduced a resolution calling for his district to be declared the “musical capital” of Fairfax County.
The musical offerings across the Dranesville are “beyond compare,” Bierman said, pointing to various musical offerings in Herndon, McLean, Great Falls and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.
Bierman acknowledged that half of Wolf Trap — the indoor venue known as The Barns at Wolf Trap — is located in the Hunter Mill District, represented by Supervisor Walter Alcorn. But the Filene Center, which hosts most of the national park’s summer concerts, is in Dranesville.
Bierman said his initial resolution wasn’t designed to hit the wrong notes with his colleagues, but was an effort “letting us have a little bit of fun before the summer recess.”
The mood remained playfully competitive.
“We’re having fun,” acknowledged his colleague, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity.
Storck, still on a roll with his music jokes, agreed that there was no need for the supervisors to battle each other.
“Let’s not keep score,” he said.
McKay offered a friendly amendment to broaden the resolution, suggesting that, rather than battling each other, Fairfax should take a united stand against the rest of the commonwealth.
Bierman accepted the suggestion, leading to the unanimous vote.
Noting that he alone among the supervisors represents all Fairfax residents, McKay said he would have supported Bierman’s motion saluting the musical talents and offerings in Dranesville District.
“It would have failed by a 2-to-8 vote, but I would have voted for it,” McKay said.
Among the Park Authority’s summer concert series, local residents can enjoy Braddock Nights, Evenings on the Ellipse, Franconia District Nights, Hunter Mill Melodies, Mount Vernon Nights, Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park, Providence Presents, Spotlight by Starlight and Springfield Nights.
Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith lamented that her district doesn’t have a musical series. McKay was quick to note that Sully was home to Starlight Cinema Drive-In Movies, and a key element of movies, after all, is usually music.
While musical performances take place throughout the year, the Park Authority’s summer program runs through Aug. 30 before wrapping up for the season.
Image via Fairfax County Park Authority
