The McLean Community Center (MCC) offers the following activities in February. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, many Center programs and events have been adjusted to virtual (online) or in-person, socially distanced formats. Please check the Center’s website, www.mcleancenter.org, for up-to-date information. Residents of the Center’s tax district, Small District 1A-Dranesville, are eligible for discounts on fees. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.
MCC Governing Board Elections
Nominating Petitions Available
The McLean Community Center is looking for district residents to serve on its Governing Board. The Board, which is composed of volunteers elected by the community, sets policy, approves budgets and provides general oversight for Center programs and facilities. Residents of Small District 1A-Dranesville who would like to run for a seat on the board, must obtain 10 signatures of endorsement from district residents. Nominating petitions are available at the Center.
“Traveling While Black” VR Experience
On exhibit through Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022
Wednesday-Saturday, Noon–8 p.m. and Sunday, Noon–6 p.m.
Free admission; registration required.
In “Traveling While Black VR,” the immersion of 360° footage draws viewers into living history lessons told around a booth in Ben’s Chili Bowl. The Washington, D.C. restaurant has been a mainstay of the African American community since 1958, bearing witness to significant Civil Rights milestones that are woven into the film in powerful snippets of footage. The Traveling While Black VR experience/film was directed by Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams. The experience was funded with support from the Québec Government Offices in New York and Washington, the Embassy of Canada to the United States, Fairfax County Neighborhood Community Services and the Fairfax County Public Library.
Sponsored by The Alden
Foreign Language Movie
Black History Month Selection
Thursday, Feb. 3, 1 p.m.
Free; registration is required. Register here.
View the Trailer
By popular demand, our foreign language movie series is back! Curated by Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern Treff, with more than a little help from our audience, the series will pick up where we were so rudely interrupted in 2020, with a few surprises thrown in. All screenings are free, but advance registration is required. Schedule subject to change.
The Old Firehouse Family Event
Family Trivia Night (Virtual)
Friday, Feb. 4, 7–9 p.m.
$5 per family of 4. Preregisration is recommended.
Activity No. 4708.322
Gather the family and test your trivia knowledge virtually with the Old Firehouse. Participants will have the chance to win delicious prizes.
“Talk Back, Look Forward” Panel Discussion
Friday, Feb. 4, 7:30-9 p.m.
Free admission; registration is required.
Register for panel and meal
Register for panel only
Celebrate Black History Month with us! MCC is bringing together some of the civil rights leaders featured in the “Traveling While Black” Virtual Reality Experience for a panel discussion on Friday, Feb. 4.
The “Talk Back, Look Forward” Panel Discussion will feature Ben’s Chili Bowl Founder and Owner Virginia Ali, D.C. Civil Right Veteran Courtland Cox, DC Legendary Musicians Chair Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams and Tamir Rice Foundation Founder and CEO Samaria Rice, who is interviewed in the film. Williams and Rice will be participating remotely. Media Strategist Joshua Henry Jenkins will moderate the discussion, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. A catered, boxed meal from Ben’s Chili Bowl will be available to participants starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free; however, registration is required.
For more information and to register for the “Traveling While Black VR Experience,” click here.
Terry McMillan (Virtual)
Presented in Partnership with the Fairfax County Public Library
Sunday, Feb. 6, 2:30 p.m.
Free; preregistration is required through the FCPL website.
One of America’s most beloved and critically acclaimed authors, Terry McMillan became the empowering voice of a generation of women with her New York Times #1 bestsellers “Waiting for Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Her novels are rich in fearless wisdom, heart-touching characters and unforgettable stories of friendships, healing, intergenerational bonds and women saving their own lives.
The Old Firehouse Family Event
Old Firehouse Family Fun Bingo (In-Person)
Friday, Feb. 11, 7–9:30 p.m.
$15/$10 MCC district residents. Preregistration is recommended.
Activity No. 4709.322
For all ages. Join us for an evening of fun and prizes! Enjoy free popcorn and winners will take their pick of prizes! Preregistration is recommended.
Location The Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd.
The Alden Chamber Music Series
Beau Soir Ensemble
Chamber Music Series
Sunday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m.
$10/$5 MCC district residents
Purchase tickets
The Beau Soir Ensemble is a flute, viola and harp trio dedicated to the performance of standard and contemporary repertoire spanning a variety of genres. Founded by harpist Michelle Lundy in 2007, the group regularly performs at venues and acclaimed concert series in the Mid-Atlantic region, including the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Strathmore Mansion, The Alden and Harman Center for the Arts. The trio won the 2014 Montpelier Arts Recital Competition and frequently offers performances featuring world and local premiers by various exciting composers.
Presented by The Alden
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.
$40/$30 MCC district residents
Purchase tickets
Couldn’t you use a good laugh? “The Trocks” recreate the glories of the Royal Imperial ballet in the biggest pointe shoes you’ll ever see.
“The all-male dance parody troupe is still the funniest and most sophisticated act around.” — San Francisco Chronicle
The Old Firehouse Family Events
Old Firehouse Snack & Paint Night
Friday, Feb. 18, 7–9 p.m.
$5 per person. Preregistration is recommended.
Activity No. 4710.322
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, love snacks or want to get your hands dirty with some paint, come on down to the Old Firehouse for our Snack and Paint Night. Led by a professional art teacher, you will be able to create your own masterpiece with your family while having tons of fun doing so. All materials and snacks are included in the fee. Preregistration is recommended.
Location 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101
Closing Notice
George Washington Day
Monday, Feb. 21
McLean Community Center and its divisions, the Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Center, will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21, for the George Washington Day holiday.
MCC Governing Board
Old Firehouse Center Strategic Planning Listening Session (In-Person)
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 5-6:30 p.m.
Registration required.
McLean Community Center is seeking residents of Dranesville Small District 1A to participate in upcoming Community Listening Sessions hosted by consultant AMS Planning & Research. These sessions will inform the center as it works to improve the programs and services it provides to district residents.
MCC Governing Board
MCC – McLean Project for the Arts Joint Meeting + Regular Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Tax district residents (Small District 1A-Dranesville) who wish to speak during the “Citizen Comment” portion of the meeting are asked to call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, to be placed on the agenda.
Sponsored by The Alden
Performing Arts Documentaries
Thursday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.
Free admission. Registration is required. Register here.
Watch the Trailer
Learn a little about the performing arts through these one-hour (or so) documentaries. Safety permitting, join Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern Treff for a discussion after.
MCC Governing Board
MCC Strategic Planning Winter Listening Session (In-Person)
Thursday, Feb. 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
Registration required.
McLean Community Center is seeking residents of Dranesville Small District 1A to participate in upcoming Community Listening Sessions hosted by consultant AMS Planning & Research. These sessions will inform the center as it works to improve the programs and services it provides to district residents.
MCC Governing Board
MCC Strategic Planning Winter Listening Session (Virtual)
Thursday, Feb. 24, 7:30-9 p.m.
Registration required.
McLean Community Center is seeking residents of Dranesville Small District 1A to participate in upcoming Community Listening Sessions hosted by consultant AMS Planni
Youth Activities
Sweetheart Parent & Child Dance
Friday, Feb. 25, 7–9 p.m.
$25/$20 MCC district residents. Each participant must register separately.
Activity No. 4501.322
Daryl Davis is a boogie-woogie pianist who has played with the likes of B. B. King, Chuck Berry and
For all ages. Children can come to MCC for a fancy “date” with their parents or guardians. Create lasting memories by joining us at the MCC’s Sweetheart dance.
Featuring:
- Light refreshments
- Dance lesson
- DJ
- Photo booth
- Crafts
Space is limited so register early! Each participant must register separately.
For more information, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit the website, www.mcleancenter.org. For Old Firehouse activities, call 703-448-8336. For The Alden Box Office, call 571-296-8385.
About McLean Community Center
McLean Community Center offers a continuing program of activities for adults and children, including a wide range of classes, lectures, study tours, camps, art exhibits, theatre performances, and specialty shows. The Center also sponsors major community activities such as McLean Day at Lewinsville Park in May and the 4th of July Fireworks at Langley High School.
The McLean Community Center, an agency of Fairfax County Government, is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all programs, services and activities. We will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request special accommodations, call the Center 14 working days in advance of the event.
To request this information in an alternate format, call 711.
