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Get Out Loudoun July 2026

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Loudoun Now

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Loudoun Now

GET OUT LOUDOUN

Get Out Loudoun is distributed monthly to entertainment, tourism, & hospitality venues throughout Loudoun County. For the latest news on the music & arts scene and other community events, go to getoutloudoun.com.

CONTRIBUTORS

Douglas Rogers

Inside:

COCKTAILS

Distilling industry pioneers Becky and Scott Harris are hoping a new state law will make Catoctin Creek’s tasting room even more of a destination.

HISTORY

Learn more about life in colonial Leesburg during the American Revolution with a offering on the town’s walking tour app.

TASTES

An Italian culture focus on food and friends is the inspiration behind downtown Leesburg’s newest nighttime meeting spot.

ADVERTISE

Norman K. Styer TO

Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or sales@loudounnow.com getoutloudoun.com

TUNES

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lol Tolhurst of The Cure will be among the headliners for the upcoming Crossroads Music Festival.

BEST BETS

Get Out Loudoun’s top picks for July.

Treating Your World Cup

FEVER

Visit Loudoun

July is a big party month.

America’s 250th Anniversary celebrations peak with parades and fireworks on July 4, and by then we are halfway through what is, at least globally, an even bigger party: the 26th FIFA World Cup, the spectacular global soccer showcase that takes place every four years.

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport and the US – along with Canada and Mexico –has been hosting the 48-nation event since early June. July, however, is also packed with key games including the quarterfinals,

the semis and the final – the most watched sporting event on Earth – taking place at New York’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19.

Philly is the closest city to Loudoun to host actual games, but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch all the action here at home – be it at a restaurant, bar or brewery.

Shutters on King has dubbed itself “Leesburg’s home for the World Cup” and a giant 85-inch screen has been installed on the sun-filled back deck.

“All bar TVs will be tuned to soccer as well,” said General Manager Garland Dillard.

“During US games, selected draft beers are $3 for 5 minutes after they score and there are $6 specials on draft throughout all televised games.”

Add in margarita specials made with FIFA-approved 1942 Tequila and you can’t go wrong.

The USA – won Group D, which included Paraguay, Australia and Turkey – and progress to the Round of 32 and, hopefully, beyond. Honor Brewing will continue its Team USA World Cup Watch Party series where you can enjoy a glass of “Tough Hombre” Mexican-style lager and hopefully, a goal or two from star striker Christian Pulisic.

Iconic Anchor Bar in the Village at Leesburg is a famous hub for NFL games (the original in Buffalo, NY, created the Buffalo wing), but it also has a close association with Loudoun Soccer, Northern Virginia’s largest youth and

adult community soccer program. Located just minutes from the Loudoun Soccer Park, Anchor Bar has big screens, family-friendly food and drink specials and will host frequent watch parties during the World Cup.

Talking local soccer, Segra Field, adjacent to Loudoun Soccer Park, is home ground of local USL Championship pro-team Loudoun United FC. Join Loudoun United for the ultimate FIFA World Cup Final Watch Party at Segra Field on July 19. Experience live bands, DJs, a foam party, inflatables and food trucks. Hang out on the field and witness history. Tickets are free, but will be required.

Here’s to a goal-soaked July!

www.visitloudoun.org

‘One

of One’ Exhibit by Troy Wingard

The Loudoun County Art Advisory Committee and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services are presenting “One of One,” a solo exhibition by artist and educator Troy Wingard this month at the County Government Center.

Originally from South Carolina, Wingard earned a bachelor’s degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After working as a graphic designer, he returned to school and earned a master’s degree painting and drawing from the University of Georgia, where he began experimenting with pastel and gold leaf and embarked on a career in academia. Over the next decade, he taught at several institutions, including the University of Georgia, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the Art Institute of Washington-Dulles.

During a two-year stay in Israel beginning in 2015, Wingard launched “The Glory Series,” an ongoing collection of pastel portraits celebrating the creativity and uniqueness of his sitters, all of whom are visual, performing, or literary artists. For each work, Wingard poses and photographs his subject in either his studio or an outdoor setting, then uses the resulting image as a point of departure for capturing that person’s likeness and creative energy. Often, Wingard imbues the pictures with spiritual overtones, an indication of the deep respect he feels for fellow artists.

The One of One exhibit features 10 portraits from “The Glory Series.” The subjects include Wingard’s wife, several former students and models, a colleague at Bram-

Wake Up Singing by Troy Wingard

BUFORD’S BISCUITS | CASA DE AVILA TACOS

COWBELL KITCHEN | ECHELON URBAN WINE BAR

FIRE WORKS PIZZA | GVINO WINE BAR

LEESBURG DINER | LIGHTFOOT | THE HUNTON KING STREET OYSTER BAR | PIAZZA DI GOGO’S

SHOE’S CUP AND CORK | TARBENDER’S LOUNGE

TUSCARORA MILL | THE WINE KITCHEN

ON STAGE

From Castle to Courage Returns to Middleburg

After a standout debut last summer, “From Castle to Courage” is returning to The Hill School on July 10-11.

Led by Middleburg native and Hill School graduate Ross MacKenzie, the production once transforms The Hill School stage into a striking blend of Japanese samurai storytelling and modern theatrical form.

“From Castle to Courage”—or “Shiro kara Yuuki”—follows Princess Narissa as she steps beyond the safety of her castle walls and into a moment that changes everything. What unfolds is not just a story of conflict, but one of identity, loss, and inner strength.

The original international cast returns, featuring Yasuko Kuramitsu (Alice in Borderland), Hiro Matsunaga, and Candice Mari Sakamoto (Grey’s Anatomy, The Rookie).

Blending traditional Japanese themes with contemporary storytelling, the production offers something rarely seen in this area—an immersive cultural experience delivered with precision, restraint, and emotional weight.

MacKenzie calls the opportunity to return for his childhood school surreal.

He began his acting journey at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, before moving to New York City in 1968, where he studied with Sonia Moore. Two years later, he relocated to London to continue his training at the Guildhall School of Drama and the Actor’s Forum. After three years in the U.K., he returned to the United States, spending time in Los Angeles studying under legendary acting coach Nina Foch. Back in New York, he taught voice and diction at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater while building a career that spanned nearly a decade of Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions.

In the late 1980s, he moved to Kyoto, Japan without knowing the language or a single person. There, he immersed himself in an ashram, teaching Kundalini Yoga while stepping away from acting entirely. After being invited to

LAWN, GAP BAR & FRUIT OF THE GAP MARKET OPEN AT 6 PM FOOD TRUCKS, LOCAL BEERS & WINES, MOO THRU ICE CREAM ON THE GAP STAGE JULY 10-SEPT. 11

FRIDAY NIGHTS JULY 10 - SEPT. 11

JULY 10 DANGER ZONE JULY 17 THE PLATE SCRAPERS

JULY 24 TEXAS CHAINSAW HORNS JULY 31 DARBY BROTHERS

AUG.7 RICK REAVES JAZZ AUG. 14 DON’T LOOK UP

AUG. 21 22 LATE AUG. 28 US ARMY SWAMP ROMP

SEPT. 4 MOSTLY FAB SEPT. 11 FRANKLIN PARK JAZZ BAND

Hillsboro’s Historic Old Stone School 37098 Charles Town Pike

COCKTAILS

Catoctin Creek Distillery owners Scott and Becky Harris expect to serve up more

tasting room after a change in state law.

MORE POURS:

their

NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Catoctin Creek Distillery this month celebrated a grand reopening of its tasting room on Purcellville’s Main Street where visitors will find a new experience—thanks to a change in state law.

Owners Scott and Becky Harris have been at the forefront of the craft distilling industry since they began creating spirits 17 years

ago and were the first to open a distillery in Loudoun County, once a hotbed for the Prohibition movement.

They continue to be advocates for the industry and are celebrating a recent win.

Unlike breweries, wineries and cideries in Virginia, distilleries had been limited on how much of their products they could serve to customers in a tasting room. The previous limit was 3

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
cocktails at
Purcellville

COCKTAILS FROM PAGE 10 ounces, roughly equal to two shot glasses of liquor. A bill sponsored by Sen. Russet Perry (D-31), of Leesburg, doubled that limit.

Becky Harris, who serves as president of the Virginia Distillers Association, said that change will make a big difference for their company and for distilleries across the commonwealth.

“It gives people a chance to try more than just a few things. You know, one of the things that we do is we are constantly coming up with new products, things that people are going to enjoy for different occasions,” she said. “This gives people a chance to maybe revisit one of their favorites and also try some of the new products.”

The change also will allow Catoctin Creek’s tasting room, located in Purcellville’s downtown historic district, to play a greater role in the hospitality scene there.

Scott Harris said the tasting room draws patrons from around the region, even from around the globe.

“We have a sizable Northern Virginia contingent, obviously lots of people from Ashburn and South Riding. Alexandria is a big area for us. But I would say that maybe a third or a half or more are coming in from much farther away,” he said. “We get a bunch of people, especially on the weekends, coming in from DC, but also Philadelphia. We get people coming in from all over Maryland. … We’ve had people here from China, from Japan, from Germany who are touring or visiting Washington, DC, and then they come in and visit with us.

One of the cool things I think about being located where we are is there is a sizable amount of transient traffic, [including] people from the military and State Department,” he said. “I’ll go on a trip to Taiwan, for instance,

and then the people who work for the State Department over in Taiwan will come up to me and go, ‘Hey, you know, we have a house in McLean and we love your stuff. I can’t believe you’re here. Things like that are really cool and exciting.”

The Harris’ want to be a destination for local folks, too.

“I think what we’re excited about with this change in the law is that we’re going to see more of our local traffic. It’ll be less like a tasting flight destination and more like a place people can come in on their way to dinner at Magnolias or Bia [Kitchen] or any of those places,” Becky Harris said. “One of the things we hear a lot from Purcellvillians is, ‘oh, I’ve never been in there.’ We want to be more help to make downtown, the old-town part of Purcellville, a little more lively.”

Becky Harris also has led distilling industry advocacy organizations on the national level. She said the change in Virginia’s law, while only incremental, is important to help small businesses.

“I just feel that advocacy for small businesses is so important, and it’s especially important in an industry which has been dominated by the largest multinational corporation since Prohibition. Up until about 20 years ago, there was essentially no craft spirits in the United States—there were only a handful of producers, literally,” she said.

“We came in at the beginning of that; there were 200 distilleries when we started, and now there are over 2,200. The growth in those 17 years has just been crazy, but the laws have not changed, and so there really needs to be, much like there was in craft brewing and in independent wineries, laws to help grow small businesses and not increase

HISTORY

Explore the Revolution in Colonial Leesburg with New Walking Tour

In advance of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Leesburg has launched a self-guided walking tour highlighting the people, places, and events that shaped the town during the American Revolution.

Available through the free TourLeesburg app, the tour invites visitors to discover how one of Virginia’s fastest-growing colonial towns became intertwined with the struggle for independence. Through 11 stops in Leesburg’s historic district, users will explore the experiences of the ordinary people who lived through an extraordinary period in American history.

Historic maps, images, and interpretive content help bring these stories to life, while the app’s GeoAlerts feature allows users to receive notifications as they approach each stop.

ed in communities like Leesburg,” stated Laura Christiansen, Director of Thomas Balch Library. “This tour is unique because it examines the American Revolution through the lens of local people and places, showing how national events shaped the town we know today. As we mark the Semiquincentennial, we hope this experience inspires residents and visitors to explore Leesburg’s connections to the nation’s founding, and perhaps even discover their own connections to that history.”

The Revolutionary War tour is part of Leesburg’s ongoing commemoration of the Semiquincentennial and joins a growing collection of self-guided experiences available through the TourLeesburg app, including tours focused on African American history, the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit, war memorials, and public art.

“America’s 250th anniversary offers an opportunity not only to celebrate independence, but also to understand how the Revolution unfold-

TourLeesburg is free and available for download from the App Store and Google Play or online at townleesburg.stqry.app.

Balch Exhibit Explores 250 Years of Independence Day Celebrations in Leesburg

The public is invited to view “Celebrating 1776: A Look Back at Historic Commemorations of American Independence,” an exhibit at the Thomas Balch Library highlighting 250 years of local Independence Day traditions.

Beginning with the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Loudoun County Courthouse in August 1776, the exhibit traces how Leesburg residents have commemorated America’s founding across generations. Visitors will explore major anniversary celebrations in 1826, 1876, 1926, and 1976, while also discovering lesser-known stories from Fourth of July festivities throughout the town’s history.

Drawing on materials from the Thomas Balch Library’s collections, the exhibit showcases the evolution of beloved traditions, such as fireworks and parades, and uncovers accounts of past celebrations that continue to shape the

community’s sense of shared history.

Visitors can also explore the sounds of past celebrations as the exhibit includes archival audio from Leesburg’s WAGE radio station capturing events from the Bicentennial year, including July 4, 1976, celebrations at the Loudoun County Courthouse, the Bicentennial Wagon Train’s visit to Leesburg, and other memorable moments.

The exhibit will be on display in the Mercer room at Thomas Balch Library through July 31 during regular library hours.

Learn more at leesburgva.gov/departments/ thomas-balch-library.

1 50 West Vineyards 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg 50westvineyards.com

2 8 Chains North Winery 38593 Daymont Ln., Waterford, VA 8chainsnorth.com

3 868 Estate Vineyards 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville 868estatevineyards.com

4 The Barns at Hamilton Station 16804 Hamilton Station Rd., Hamilton thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

5 Bleu Frog Vineyards 16413 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg bleufrogvineyards.com

6 Bluemont Vineyard 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont bluemontvineyard.com

7 Boxwood Estate Winery 2042 Burrland Rd., Middleburg boxwoodwinery.com

8 Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln., Hillsboro breauxvineyards.com

9 Bozzo Family Vineyards 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro bozwines.com

10 Cana Vineyards of Middleburg 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg canavineyards.com

11 Carriage House Wineworks 40817 Brown Lane, Waterford chwwinery.com

12 Casanel Vineyards 17952 Canby Rd., Leesburg casanelvineyards.com

13 Chrysalis Vineyards 39025 Little River Turnpike, Aldie chrysaliswine.com

14 Corcoran Vineyards & Cider 14635 Corkys Farm Ln., Waterford corcoranvineyards.com

15 Creek’s Edge Winery 41255 Annas Ln., Lovettsville creeksedgewinery.com

16 Domaine Fortier Vineyards 13235 Miltown Road, Lovettsville domainefortier.com

17 Doukenie Winery 14727 Mountain Rd., Hillsboro doukeniewinery.com

18 Droumavalla Farm Winery 14980 Limestone School Rd., Lucketts droumavalla.com

19 Eagletree Farm & Vineyards 15100 Harrison Hill Lane, Leesburg eagletreevineyards.com

20 Endhardt Vineyards 19600 Lincoln Road, Purcellville endhardtvineyards.com

21 Fabbioli Cellars 15669 Limestone School Rd., Leesburg fabbioliwines.com

22 Farm de Vine 15960 Short Hill Road, Hillsboro farmdevine.com

23 Firefly Cellars 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton fireflycellars.com

24 Fleetwood Farm Winery 23075 Evergreen Mills Rd., Leesburg fleetwoodfarmwinery.com

25 Good Spirit Farm Winery 35113 Snickersville Turnpike, Round Hill goodspiritfarmva.com

26 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards 23595 Winery Ln., Middleburg greenhillvineyards.com

27 Hidden Brook Winery 43301 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg hiddenbrookwinery.com

28 Hiddencroft Vineyards 12202 Axline Rd., Lovettsville hiddencroftvineyards.com

29 Hope Flower Farm & Winery 40905 Stumptown Road, Waterford hopeflowerfarm.com

30 Kalero Vineyard 36140 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro kalerovineyard.com

31 October One Vineyard 7 Loudoun St., SW, Leesburg Octoberonevineyard.com

32 Old Farm Winery 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie oldfarmwineryhartland.com

33 Otium Cellars 18050 Tranquility Rd., Purcellville otiumcellars.com

34 Petit Domaines

37938 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville thepetitdomaine.com

35 Stone Tower Winery

19925 Hogback Mountain Rd., Leesburg stonetowerwinery.com

36 Sunset Hills Vineyard

38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville sunsethillsvineyard.com

37 Terra Nebulo

39892 Old Wheatland Rd., Waterford terranebulo.com

1 Adroit Theory Brewing 404 Browning Ct., Purcellville adroit-theory.com

2 Barnhouse Brewery 43271 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg barnhousebrewery.com

3 Bear Chase Brewing 33665 Bear Chase Ln., Bluemont bearchasebrew.com

4 Black Hoof Brewing Company 11 South King St., Leesburg blackhoofbrewing.com

5 Crooked Run Fermentations Central 22455 Davis Dr., Sterling crookedrunbrewing.com

6 Crooked Run Fermentations Market Station, Leesburg crookedrunbrewing.com

7 Dirt Farm Brewing 18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont dirtfarmbrewing.com

8 Dynasty Brewing Company 101 Loudoun St, SE, Leesburg dynastybrewing.com

9 Eleven Eleven Brewing Company 725 E. Main St., Purcellville bellylovebrewing.com

10 Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com

1 Bluemont Station Brewery and Winery 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont bluemontstation.com

2 Hillsborough Brewery & Vineyards 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro hillsboroughwine.com

3 Notaviva Brewery and Winery 13274 Sagle Rd., Hillsboro notavivavineyards.com

4 Quattro Goomba’s Brewery & Winery 22860 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie goombawine.com

38 Three Creeks Winery 18548 Harmony Church Road, Hamilton 3creekswinery.com

39 Two Twisted Posts Winery 12944 Harpers Ferry Rd., Hillsboro twotwistedposts.com

40 Village Winery 40405 Browns Lane, Waterford villagewineryandvineyards.com

41 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards 38906 Mount Gilead Rd., Leesburg willowcroftwine.com

BREWERIES

11 Harper’s Ferry Brewing 37412 Adventure Ctr. Lane, Hillsboro harpersferrybrewing.com

12 Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro facebook.com/HarvestGap

13 Honor Brewing Company 42604 Trade West Dr., Sterling honorbrewing.com

14 Lark Brewing Co. 24205 James Monroe Hwy., Aldie larkbrewingco.com

15 Loco Lion 36577 Hesketts Lane, Hillsboro locolion.com

16 Lost Barrel Brewing 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg lostbarrel.com

17 Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Rd. #142, Ashburn lostrhino.com

18 Loudoun Brewing Company 310 E. Market St., Leesburg loudounbrewing.com

19 Ocelot Brewing Company 23600 Overland Dr., #180, Dulles ocelotbrewing.com

20 Old 690 Brewing Company 15670 Ashbury Church Rd., Hillsboro old690.com

1 Henway Hard Cider Company 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont henwayhardcider.com

2 Loudoun Cider House 43376 Spinks Ferry Rd., Leesburg loudounciderhouse.com

3 Mt. Defiance Cider Barn 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg mtdefiance.com

4 Wild Hare Hard Cider Cabin 106 South St., Leesburg wildharecider.com

42 The Wine Reserve at Waterford 38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford waterfordwinereserve.com

43 Walsh Family Wine 16031 Hillsboro Rd., Purcellville northgatevineyard.com

44 Williams Gap Vineyards 35785 Sexton Farm Lane, Round Hill williamsgavineyard.com

45 Zephaniah Farm Vineyard 19381 Dunlop Mill Rd., Leesburg zephwine.com

21 Route 7 Brewing 20051 Riverside Commons PL, Ashburn route7brewing

22 Solace Brewing Company 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling solacebrewing.com

23 Stockyard Brewery 12428 Mountain Road, Lovettsville stockyardbrewery.com

24 Sweetwater Tavern 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling greatamericanrestaurants.com

25 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Ln., Lucketts vanishbeer.com

26 Water’s End Brewing 1602 Village Market Blvd SE #120, Leesburg watersendbrewery.com

27 Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery 38506 John Wolford Rd., Waterford wheatlandspring.com

28 Whites Ferry Brewery 42484 Whites Ferry Rd. Leesburg, Va. whitesferrymanor.com

Catoctin Creek Distillery 120 W. Main St. Purcellville catoctincreekdistilling.com

2 Cool Spring Distilling 37871 Nicewarner Lane, Lovettsville coolspringdistillery.com

3 Flying Ace Farm 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville flyingacefarm.com

4 Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg mtdefiance.com

Stonehouse Meadery 36580 Shoemaker School Rd., Purcellville stonehousemeadery.com

TASTES

Italian Food Culture Inspires Downtown ‘Piazza’

NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Adowntown culinary entrepreneur is offering new Italian options for Leesburg patrons.

Michael Golino this spring launched Piazza di Gogo’s Aperitivo Bar & Gelato Café in the same West Market Street building that houses Buford’s Biscuits.

The nighttime meeting spot is another venture inspired by a trip with friends to Italy three years ago.

“We spent three weeks there, going around everywhere, went to all the major cities, and

just fell in love with the culture,” he said.

He was particularly struck by the feeling that Italians “live to eat” and value the quality of their food. Soon after returning, the downtown bartender bought a gelato machine and started playing with the flavors of that treat. That resulted in the 2024 opening of Gogo’s Italian Gelato on South King Street.

The new venture builds on that with the support of Buford’s owners Lauren Barrett and Charles Schech. Their restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch and The Crow’s Nest rooftop bar operates during weekend nights.

Now, Golino is keeping the restaurant doors open at night, as well.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Michael Golino is welcoming patrons to experience the tastes of Italy at Piazza di Gogo in Leesburg’s historic district.

He plans special events, including expert-led Italian wine tastings and even special guided tours of Italy for patrons.

“We’re doing street food. We’ve got gelato and we have cocktails,” he said. “It’s that Italian hospitality that I’ve grown up with that I want to give to people when they come here. I try to sit down with every table that comes in here and talk to them.”

In the kitchen, he is a self-taught cook. In the hospitality industry, he gained experience working for more than a decade with Great American Restaurants and the past five years as a bartender at the King Street Oyster Bar. “I learned a lot from those guys, and that provided me the platform down here to really know this town,” he said.

The café debuted during Memorial Day weekend. He envisions the space as a place for friends to meet for tapas and cocktails before dinner downtown or for concertgoers at the Tally Ho Theater next door to stop in before or after the show. There may be a time when he expands the menu to full dinners, but that’s not the goal at this point, he said.

“But we don’t want it to feel like a stuffy wine dinner,” Golino said. “That’s what we do—make people feel welcome. The biggest thing is when you come in here, you feel like family.”

Don’t expect pizza at Piazza di Gogo’s, at least not yet.

“I call it a piazza because it’s like the gathering space,” he said. “That’s so many people are like, “Oh, you got pizza here.”

“I will do a fried pizza like they have in Naples, but not yet,” he adds.

For now, building friendships is as important as the food.

“I want to make it more than just a restaurant, more than just a bar. I want a place that you want to celebrate your gathering at,” Golino said.

Piazza di Gogo’s is located at 7 W. Market St. in Leesburg and is open Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until late night.

Learn more at piazzadigogos.com.

bleton Library, and an artist-activist from Cuba. Many of the works incorporate gold leaf, arches, halos, floating hands, and mylar balloons. These materials and motifs honor the talent and ingenuity of each sitter while also showcasing Wingard’s distinctive approach to portraiture.

The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg will feature the exhibit “Ocean Song” through Aug. 30

The exhibit includes oil paintings exploring the serenity of water and includes works by area artists Shawn Hennesy, Jeff Kibler, Victor Nizovstev, and the late Gerald Hennesy.

The exhibition will be on display through Friday, July 24 at Gallery One, located in the lobby of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street SE in Leesburg.

The public is invited to view the work Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Byrne Gallery Features Ocean Views

The selected paintings transport the viewer to serene ocean views from up and down the East Coast, including the Chesapeake Bay, and Atlantic Ocean.

The Byrne Gallery is located at 7 W. Washington St. in Middleburg. Learn more a thebyrnegallery.com.

Equilibrium by Victor Nizovstev

Saturday | July 11th | 2026 | Ages 13+ $30

1p – 4p

Rodeo’s Food Truck Canopy tents welcome! Outside food & drink welcome in the festival field!

TUNES

Crossroads Music Festival Returns with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lol Tolhurst of The Cure

Crossroads Music Festival returns to downtown Leesburg on Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, bringing two days of live music, local craft beer and wine, and community celebration to the heart of historic Leesburg — all to benefit charities serving children in Loudoun County.

Saturday will feature “Songs & Stories from the Crossroads,” an exclusive interview and book signing with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame living legend Lol Tolhurst, co-founder of The Cure, at the historic Tally Ho Theater.

Tolhurst co-founded The Cure with Robert Smith in 1978, helping build one of the most influential, successful, and critically acclaimed bands of its generation — a band that sold over 27 million units worldwide and earned

40 platinum and gold records. Tolhurst played drums on The Cure’s first four albums before switching to keyboards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Cure in 2019.

Beyond his music, Tolhurst has become a celebrated author and chronicler of the alternative music world. His 2016 memoir “Cured: The Tale of Two Imaginary Boys” largely recounts his childhood friendship with Robert Smith and the early years of The Cure. His second book, “Goth: A History,” published in 2023, traces the genre from its 18th-century literary roots to its flourishing as a music subculture.

”I’m thrilled to be joining the Crossroads Mu-

TUNES

FROM PAGE 20

sic Festival in Leesburg, Virginia on September 19th for an afternoon of Songs & Stories at the beautiful Tally Ho Theater. I’ll be sitting down for a conversation about my journey with The Cure, the books, and everything in between … and signing copies afterward,” Tolhust said.

“What makes this one especially meaningful is what the festival is all about: raising funds for charities serving children in need in the Washington, DC, region. Music has the power to heal and connect, and I love being part of an event that puts that to work for kids who need it most,” he said.

The Songs & Stories format — a moderated conversation and book signing in the intimate setting of the Tally Ho Theater — offers attendees a rare and up-close encounter with one of rock’s true architects.

“We are so excited to keep bringing top musical talent to Leesburg.” said Ara Bagdasarian, co-founder and president of BENEFIT, the nonprofit producing the event.

“To ensure maximum access to our musical performances, we’re expanding use of public spaces and providing free and low-priced experiences so everyone can join in this year’s fun and festivity.”

The festival opens Friday evening, Sept. 18, at the Leesburg Town Green with a kickoff celebration featuring award-winning saxophonist Lil’ Maceo, along with local craft beer and wine.

On Saturday, North King Street will close to traffic and transform into a festival thoroughfare featuring local craft beer and wine and the all-new Music Merch Village, a marketplace of music merchandise vendors offering instruments, vinyl, band merch, and collect-

ibles. The Main Stage at the Loudoun County Courthouse Lawn will showcase the region’s top performers.

“Since our first Crossroads Music Festival in 2019, we’ve continued to iterate on the event with the goal of creating a unique experience that brings people back year after year. We think music lovers will enjoy the opportunity to browse records and merchandise, try local craft beverages and wines and check out the wide range of live music while they explore the downtown Leesburg festival location,” said Amy Bobchek, co-founder and vice president of BENEFIT.

Live music showcases across Downtown Leesburg’s venue partners will feature: Airmont Road, Chris Ellinghaus, Cross Cut Saw, Dogs Of Puerto Rico, Domenic Cicala, Ethan & Julia, File A Complaint, Gary Smallwood and Prescott Engle, Hunter Road, Intellect, Laurie Blue, Loudoun Jazz Ensemble, Mike McCabe, Mintons Academy of Music, Mt. Gribley, Piper Stewart, Roam Like Ghosts, The Duskwhales, The Franklin Park Big Band, The Train Wreck Endings, Thomas Hinds, and Uncle Drew and the Scoundrels.

Tickets are available now at CrossroadsMusicFest.org.

Net proceeds from the festival support charities serving children in our community: Northern Virginia Diaper Bank, Dulles South Food Pantry, Loudoun Education Foundation, Loudoun Youth, Inc. and The Salvation Army of Loudoun County.

Crossroads Music Festival is produced by BENEFIT Live Limited, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition of musicians and community leaders dedicated to supporting organizations serving children in Loudoun County.

TUNES CONT.

Music

inthe GapReturns

The Friday night parties at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School kick off July 11 with Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone. The Music in the Gap concert series features 10 weekly concerts through Sept. 11.

The free concerts under the stars begin at 7 p.m., with the showgrounds opening at 6 p.m. Patrons may reserve tables on the veranda in advance.

TUNES CONTINUED ON 23

The Gap Stage at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School will host free live music concerts on Friday nights through Sept. 11.
The U.S. Army Blues Swamp Romp performs in Hillsboro on Aug. 28.

TUNES FROM PAGE 22

THIS YEAR’S LINEUP INCLUDES NEW FACES ALONG

WITH MANY RETURNING FAVORITES:

JULY 17 The Plate Scrapers

JULY 24 Texas Chainsaw Horns

JULY 31 The Darby Brothers

AUG. 7 Rick Reeves Big Band

AUG. 14 Don’t Look Up

AUG. 21 22 Late

AUG. 28 U.S. Army’s Swamp Romp

SEPT. 4 Mostly Fab

SEPT. 11 Franklin Park Jazz Band

Food trucks and beer and wine vendors will be onsite.

The Old School School is located at 37098 Charles Town Pike. Learn more at oldstoneschool.org.

lh

loudoun happenings 07.2026 Get

DOWNTOWN EATERIES TEAM UP FOR LEESBURG RESTAURANT WEEK

Leesburg’s Restaurant Week returns for a second year, kicking off Friday, July 10. More than a dozen downtown eateries are joining in the campaign to offer special menus to showcase the town’s diverse culinary scene.

The program runs daily through July 19 and is an initiative of the town’s Main Street organization, the Leesburg Movement.

During the campaign, participating restaurants will offer special prix-fixe menus, special promotions, and tailored dining experiences. The menus will be offered for lunch and dinner.

Participating restaurants include Buford’s Biscuits, Casa de Avila, Cowbell Kitchen,

PURCELLVILLE CELEBRATES WITH WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

The Town of Purcellville will hold its 13th annual Wine & Food Festival on Saturday, July 18 at Fireman’s Field Park.

One of the town’s signature events, the festival draws town residents and visitors to enjoy locally made food, wine, and beer from area vendors as

Echelon Wine Bar, Fire Works Pizza, Gvino Wine Bar, The Huntōn, King Street Oyster Bar, Leesburg Diner, Lightfoot Restaurant, Piazza di Gogo, Shoe’s Cup and Cork, Tarbender’s Lounge, Tuscarora Mill, and The Wine Kitchen.

Specials released on early menus include blackberry milkshakes at the Leesburg Diner and birria specials at Casa de Avila. Check the event webpage, leesburgmovement.com/eventsinitiatives, for the latest update to the menus. The Leesburg Movement encourages diners to make reservations early as participating restaurants are expected to book quickly.

For the most up-to-date list of participating restaurants, event details and menus, follow Leesburg Movement on social media and use #LeesburgRestaurantWeek on all posts.

well as an afternoon of live music performances. On stage this year are the Rick Reeves Band, the Darby Brothers and the Franklin Park Big Band.

The festival runs from 2 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 in advance and $12 at the gate. Drink tickets may be purchased in advance or on-site at the festival. Go to purcellvillewineandfood.com for tickets and details.

Out

JUSTICE FOR ALL: SEEING OUR HUMANITY

A signature event at Oatlands will bring together descendants from all four National Historic Trust sites of enslavement in Virginia for an afternoon of speakers, music and fellowship. The program will be held July 25, with the public is invited to join.

As part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, the Trust is sponsoring community gatherings, tours, exhibits and workshops at Woodlawn, Belle Grove Plantation, Montpelier and Oatlands—a descendant-centered series of programs called America 250: Justice for All. “Seeing Our Humanity” at Oatlands will be the culmination of the series.

The program features a conversation with Djimon Hounsou, an Academy Award-nominated actor, humanitarian and founder of the Djimon Hounsou Foundation, which champions connection and healing the wounds of slavery. Newly appointed Trust President and CEO Brent Leggs will join the conversation.

LOUDOUN COUNTY FAIR OPENS JULY 21

The Loudoun County Fair celebrates its 90th anniversary this year with five days of animal showcases, carnival rides, food and fun.

The fair opens Tuesday, July 21, and offers a daily roster of activities ranging from rabbit hopping competitions and goat showmanship to pig racing and milking demonstrations. Live music performances include Tommy Wood,

Other talks led by representatives of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund are “How We Remember: Memorials and the Stories We Tell” and “From Reckoning to Repair: Paths Toward Justice and Belonging.”

The program runs from 1 to 6 p.m. Admission is free but registration is required as seating is limited. Oatlands is located at 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, off Rt. 15 south of Leesburg.

Learn more at savingplaces.org/places/oatlands.

Rocknoceros, The Jack Dunlap Band, High Carbon Steel, Mountain Highway, and The Brothers Young. The entertainment schedule includes the daily Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, rodeo events on Thursday and Friday nights, and Saturday night’s demolition derby. The livestock auction will begin at 6 p.m. Friday.

Daily tickets are $16.50 ($20 at the gate after 5 p.m.) for adults and $5.75 for kids. Weekly passes are available for adults (age 13 and up) for $44 and $16.50 for kids ages 6 to 12.

Wednesday is Children’s and Senior Day, those age 12 and under, and age 62 and over are free until 4 p.m. There is a $5.50 daily parking fee.

The fairground is located at 17558 Dry Mill Road, west of Leesburg.

For the full schedule and tickets, go to loudouncountyfair.org.

GEORGE C. MARSHALL’S LEESBURG, VA

ON STAGE FROM PAGE 8

Dodona Manor

VISIT THE HISTORIC HOME OF General George C. Marshall

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and architect of allied victory in World War II TOURS AVAILABLE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY

312 EAST MARKET ST, LEESBURG VA 20176 | georgecmarshall.org

direct Macbeth in Kobe, he cofounded Fusion, a bilingual theater company that bridged Japanese and Western storytelling traditions and producing many bilingual productions of classic plays from “Romeo and Juliet” to “Death of a Salesman.” MacKenzie has also taught acting at the Stella Adler School of Drama and the Theater of Arts in Hollywood.

Performances of “From Castle to Courage” will take place on July 10 and 11 starting at 7 p.m. at The Hill School. Tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for children, and seating is limited. All proceeds of the show will be donated to Equine Rescue League.

Learn more and reserve seats at foxtaleproductions.com.

COCKTAILS FROM PAGE 11

the power of the multinationals to dominate everything,” she said.

Perry, whose legislative district has more wineries, breweries and distilleries than any other in Virginia, said during a recent forum that she was happy to make life a little easier for the businesses. “There are a lot of distilleries that are going underwater in my district,” she said. Her bill originally sought to remove the serving limitation altogether, but it was amended to lift the limit to 6 ounces.

“I think there are distilleries all over the Commonwealth of Virginia who are going to be thanking their legislators for having heard them asking for relief—for the ability to cut red tape and connect people with the products that we make from Virginia agriculture,” Becky Harris said.

Catoctin Creek Distillery is located at 120 W. Main St. in Purcellville.

Learn more at catoctincreekdistilling.com.

7.18

THE PUNCH BUGGIES

Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m.

Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

In addition to their polished sound, retro vibes, and timeless tunes, The Punch Buggies are best known for their signature vocal harmonies which create a rich, layered sound that breathes new life into classic hits.

7.24

TEXAS CHAINSAW HORNS

Friday, July 24, 7 p.m.

Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org

The 10-piece band is known for high-energy performances of everything from the gritty grooves of ZZ Top and the art-rock edge of Talking Heads to the soulful power of Adele, the timeless songwriting of The Beatles, and the legendary sounds of Ray Charles and James Brown.

JIMMY KENNY & THE PIRATE BEACH BAND

Saturday, July 25, 6 p.m.

Tarara Winery tararaconcerts. com

7.25

Escape to island with this tribute to the laid-back tunes of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown.

7.28

JOHN CORABI & FRIENDS

Tuesday, July 28 7 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

The former Mötley Crüe and Dead Daisies frontman brings an all-star band to perform a 35-year career spanning set.

Loudoun Has a Pro Team. Show Up.

Loudoun United FC brings professional soccer to Segra Field all summer - and July’s home games come with themed nights, live energy and a Leesburg location that makes it easy to turn a match into a full evening.

@VisitLoudoun | #DCsWineCountry | #LoveLoudoun

Scan the QR code to see the schedule and grab your seats.

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Get Out Loudoun July 2026 by Loudoun Now - Issuu