Arts & Cultural District to Launch During First Friday

The town will celebrate the launch of its new Arts & Cultural District on Friday, March 2, in conjunction with .

To celebrate, the “Best of Loudoun Performing Arts” showcase, , will feature performances by the Nova Guitar Quartet, the Loudoun Lyric Opera, the Loudoun Quartet, members of the Loudoun Symphony and the Master Singers of Virginia. 

The “Loudoun Artists at Work” showcase, located at 2B Loudoun Street SW, will feature local visual artists including Kevin Bednarz, J Douglas, Anne Geiger, Connie Lickey, Jennifer Roddewig, Betty Wiley, and Dana Thompson.

This unique opportunity will allow visitors to see local artisans at work and to learn more about their craft. Both presentations will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

“There is nothing better than the buzz of energy that flows from performing artists,” said Leesburg’s Economic Develeopment Manager Marantha Edwards.  “Downtown Leesburg is a natural starting point for the new Arts & Cultural District and its activities.”

According to Edwards and Business Retention Coordinator Debi Parry, the Leesburg Arts & Cultural District, adopted by the Town Council on May 8, 2011, was proposed by a joint task force of Leesburg’s Economic Development and Public Art Commissions. 

The district became official on July 1, 2011, Parry said. At that time, businesses were able to begin applying for inclusion in the district, which encompasses the commercial heart of the Town’s Old & Historic District and a large portion of the Leesburg Crescent District. 

Parry said this month’s First Friday event will be the first official event for the district aimed at increasing awareness.

“It ties back to creating a destination for arts, entertainment and dining downtown,” Edwards added. The goal of the Arts & Cultural District is to build upon Leesburg’s historic foundation as a cultural hub by incentivizing art and entertainment related businesses within the district to create a vibrant destination for arts, entertainment and dining. 

“Because the downtown is such a special place it creates more activities, vibrancy and excitement." 

“We are thrilled to see the arts play a vibrant role in the revitalization of downtown Leesburg and the adjacent Crescent District,” said Arts & Cultural District Task Force Co-Chair Pamela Butler, in a press release. “The Arts & Cultural District will offer many exciting opportunities to bring new visitors into Leesburg.”

For more information regarding the Leesburg Arts & Cultural District call 703-737-7019. For more information on Leesburg’s First Friday, the monthly celebration of the arts in downtown, visit www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.