Weekend Roundup: Everybody's Got Talent

By Adam Gerchick (Contact)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

It's another big weekend in Loudoun and it seems as if everyone has a talent to show off. For the 10 finalists in the competition, "Loudoun's Got Talent," it's their own musical abilities. For Warrenton resident Justin Timpane and his independent film crew, it's their movie, "Ninjas vs. Zombies." And for Round Hill, it's the town itself. Here's what to look forward to this weekend.

Round Hill Hometown Festival

On the heels of Purcellville's popular Heritage Day last weekend, Round Hill will be hosting its own three-ring circus of family activities, shopping, and historical exhibits, when it welcomes residents and visitors to its Hometown Festival this Saturday.

The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with the annual Hometown Festival 5K Run. The event, which will include a half-mile "Fun Run" for kids, costs $25 to enter, and will offer trophies for the fastest runners in each of numerous age groups. The run will begin at Round Hill Elementary School on Evening Star Drive.

Next up is the town parade, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and traveling from Woodgrove Park to the Town Park. Then the main event begins: jazz bands and Thunder Cloggers take the Town Park stage as the town and several local civic organizations host children's games and the fire department holds a pig roast and open house.

A number of town restaurants will also be welcoming hungry customers.

The celebration will conclude with the town's evening concert under the stars, featuring the rock-and-roll band Shortness of Breath.

Parking for the event will be extremely limited and the town will provide shuttle buses from Woodgrove Park and Round Hill Elementary School.

The events will occur at various locations during the day. For more information, contact the town office at (540) 338-7878 or view the festival's very detailed Web site, at www.hometownfestival.org.

Special Screening of "Ninjas Vs Zombies"

Independent film director and screenwriter, Justine Timpane of Warrenton, has produced what his press release calls an "action-horror comedy," that was filmed entirely in Northern Virginia.

The concept's simple: Seven 20- and 30-something friends learn their area is being attacked by a horde of the undead bent on taking over the area, and, possibly, the world. Fittingly, only one thing can stop the invasion: ninja powers, which three of the friends magically adopt from one's resurrected dead relative.

Blood and guts ensues. Although, the film doesn't take itself too seriously – it's something of a loving parody of the ninja and zombie horror genres – it's producers labored to create a truly comical, exciting, and, most importantly, a quotable film.

The movie's final epic battle takes place in Leesburg's historic Tally Ho Theater, at 19 West Market Street, which is also where the film will be shown.

The film will run on Sunday at 11 p.m. It is currently unrated, though it includes violence, brief nudity and adult language. Tickets cost $5 and may be acquired either by calling 703-967-1326 or visiting the theater's Web site at www.TallyHoLeesburg.com.

"Loudoun's Got Talent" Top-10 Concert

The 10 finalists of the Loudoun's Got Talent musical competition will appear in concert at the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center on Sunday for a final competition for the hearts, and votes, of the audience.

The finalists, among the 45 who initially competed in the contest, each hope to take home the top prize of $1,000. The second- and third-place winners will receive awards of $500 and $250, respectively.

The winner will also perform at the 2009 Annual Symphony Gala on June 14, an event held to benefit the Loudoun Symphony.

Both the Symphony and its supporting organization, Friends of the Loudoun Symphony, are hosting the contest.

The concert will take place at 2 p.m. at Franklin Park, and tickets for adults are $12 at the door or $10 in advance, while tickets for senior citizens are $10 at the door and $8 for advance purchase, and all attendees under age 18 are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 703-771-8287 or order online at www.loudounsymphony.org.

Tagged: competition, entertainment, festival, film, Franklin Park Center, Round Hill, Tally Ho Theatre

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