Rosslyn Welcomes the Holidays with December 1 LIGHT UP Ceremony
Release Date: Tuesday, November 29th 2011~Clothing Drive Helps A-SPAN Clients~
Rosslyn, VA –The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID), Artisphere and Arlington Cultural Affairs welcome the 2011 holiday season with the 18th Annual LIGHT UP Rosslyn ceremony on Thursday, December 1, from 5:15 p.m.–6:30 p.m. NewsChannel 8 Anchor Morris Jones will host the evening’s outdoor festivities in front of the WJLA Jumbotron, located at 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington County Board Chair Christopher Zimmerman will offer remarks and then share the honors with Jones and Rosslyn BID Board President Peter Greenwald as they flip a giant switch to light up the Rosslyn skyline. The musical groups Beltway Brass and Snowday will perform holiday favorites, and Santa Fe Café will offer complimentary hot cocoa and chili.
The rooftops of nearly 40 properties will be illuminated. Rosslyn commercial and residential property owners whose buildings will be part of the 2011 LIGHT UP include, Beacon Capital, Brookfield Office Properties, Clover Management, The JBG Companies, Key Bridge Marriott, London House, Monday Properties, Normandy House, Paramount Group, Penzance Companies, Tishman Speyer, River Place, Virginian Suites, Vornado, Waterview and Weissberg Corporation.
“It’s great to have so many Rosslyn property owners participating in this festive event,” said Arlington County Board Chair Christopher Zimmerman. “The Rosslyn BID does a wonderful job of kicking-off the holiday season with LIGHT UP Rosslyn while helping individuals in need through the annual clothes drive.”
Warm Winter Clothing Drive
LIGHT UP Rosslyn also serves as the final collection point for warm winter clothing, which the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) will distribute to clients who need it most. Rosslyn BID Ambassadors will be on hand to receive new or gently used winter coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, socks and jeans. This year’s winter clothing drive began on November 7, when the Rosslyn BID placed collection bins in offices and residential buildings around Rosslyn.
Commercial property participants include:
| Artisphere (public drop-off site) | The Paramount Group |
| Beacon Capital | Penzance Companies |
| Brookfield Properties | Rosslyn BID (Drop-off site) |
| The JBG Companies | Santa Fe Café (public drop-off site) |
| Key Bridge Marriott | Tishman Speyer |
| Monday Properties | Weissberg Corporation |
Residential property participants include: Normandy House, London House, River Place and Waterview.
Residential property participants include: Normandy House, London House, River Place and Waterview.
“LIGHT UP Rosslyn is one of my favorite local traditions - not only because of the feeling of good cheer - but also because it provides the chance to help our neighbors. Last year, we collected 2,100 articles of clothing for A-SPAN,” says Cecilia Cassidy, executive director of the Rosslyn BID. “I hope the Rosslyn community will join us for this memorable celebration.”
LIGHT UP Rosslyn is a free event. It will be heated to ensure everyone’s comfort. After the ceremony, attendees are invited to join event speakers at Rosslyn’s arts and cultural center, Artisphere, where they can peruse the galleries while enjoying a happy hour featuring live jazz performances.
About the Rosslyn Business Improvement District
Located in Arlington, Va.,theRosslyn Business Improvement District’s (BID) mission is to maintain and grow Rosslyn as an exciting, convenient and urbane commercial center. Since its inception in 2003, the Rosslyn BID sponsors community concerts and events; beautifies Rosslyn’s public spaces; maintains Rosslyn’s 17-block commercial office and residential core through its Ambassador program; provides services for Rosslyn’s homeless; supports public transit; and markets and promotes developments in Rosslyn. The Rosslyn BID is funded by a special tax paid by property owners in Rosslyn’s commercial and residential core. Rosslyn BID is continuing the work of Rosslyn Renaissance: planningfor the future design and development of the greater Rosslyn area.
About Artisphere
Artisphere is a new breed of urban arts center that features four performance venues, three visual art galleries, a 4,000-square-foot ballroom and free Wi-Fi. Named as the “Best Arts Center 2011” by the Washington Post Express and the “Best Venue 2011” by the Washington City Paper’s Reader’s Poll, Artisphere offers a wide array of programming ranging from contemporary visual art, Shakespeare and live music, to film, new media, family programs and dance. For more information on Artisphere and its programming, visit www.artisphere.com or follow us on Twitter, @Artisphere, or at Facebook.com/ArtisphereVA.
About Arlington Cultural Affairs
Arlington Cultural Affairs creates an environment that encourages innovation and excellence within the Arlington arts community. A national model for regional arts support, Arlington Cultural Affairs was the first arts organization to win the Innovation in American Government Award from The Ford Foundation and Harvard University. Arlington Cultural Affairs provides programs and services that build community and transform lives by enhancing enjoyment and understanding of, and participation in, the arts. The unit is a Division of the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.