The Glorious History of Popular Music in Northern Virginia with Ken Avis Plus Open House

Monday, October 27 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM, Hybrid Event

From plantations to punks….and everything in-between!

When you think of history in Northern Virginia, your mind might go to Mount Vernon, Colonial Alexandria, and Arlington Cemetery. Not mentioned in the history books is the area’s amazing and forgotten history of celebrated music, from gospel, to jazz, rock, pop, and most notably country music.

Musician, historian, broadcaster and popular Encore Learning instructor Ken Avis spotlights the beating musical heart beneath the surface of our local history, and the amazing musicians who impacted American Popular Culture from Northern Virginia. Get ready for a white-knuckle ride of musical adventure presenting more than a century of celebrated musicians across just about every genre you can think of.

Join us beginning at 2:00 PM for an Encore Learning Open House to learn about clubs, committees and how to make the most of your membership. We’ll have refreshments and time to mingle before we jingle along with the fantastic presentation beginning at 3:00 PM.

The presentation is a hybrid event and is free and open to all.

You must register if you wish to participate in-person at the Mason Square FUSE building on the first floor. Paid parking is available in the Van Metre Hall garage off Kirkwood Road. Metered street parking is also available in the area.

Click here for more information and to register to attend in-person.