Things to Do in Falls Church

The dance floor at Roda Movements sizzles with the dance and martial-arts forms of Brazil and Latin America. In capoeira classes, students gather in a circle playing drums, the single-stringed berimbau, and the tambourine, taking turns moving to the center to perform acrobatic movements that blend sparring techniques with graceful sweeping motions of the native dance style. Brazilian jiujitsu teaches grappling techniques for fighting on the ground, and Zumba sets a calorie-blasting aerobic-dance routine to Latin rhythms. The ballroom styles of salsa teach quick-paced steps to guests dancing solo, in pairs, or with a musically inclined mop. In addition to Latin dance and martial-arts classes, patrons can build muscles while whittling their waistlines in yoga and African-dance classes. Also catering to the wee ones, kids-only versions of specific classes helped Roda Movements earn a Best of the Best award from the Takoma Voice.

The Writer's Center offers up to 300 workshops in a variety of genres each year, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, songwriting (or "rap-smithing"), and literary translation. Workshop topics run the gamut from structuring your sci-fi/fantasy world to setting up your blog. Take a two-session class to master on-the-job report writing ($80 for center members, $125 for non-members) or learn techniques and strategies for crafting short stories in an eight-session exploration of the genre ($315 member, $360 non-member). Get started on your poetry portfolio before you apply for a MFA with an eight-session class on writing free-verse poetry ($315 member, $360 non-member) or take a one-day intensive workshop on the screenwriting process ($85 member, $125 non-member).

The Mindfulness Center presents people with classes and therapies that take a holistic approach to well-being, complementing—and sometimes eliminating peoples’ need for—more traditional health-care options. These empowering treatment modalities encourage the body’s natural healing processes, using everything from yoga and tai chi movements to reiki therapy and acupuncture. Collectively, the center’s extensive and highly trained staff members can help correct energetic balances while relieving the physical aches and pains caused by daily stress or nightly dreams about Olympic powerlifting.

The story follows military man Don Jose, who falls helmet over boots for a gypsy girl named Carmen. As he spirals into an obsessive jealous spell, his world begins to crumble faster than Sid's first cookie. Don Jose's consuming passion for Carmen leads to disgraceful acts that can only be described operatically. The production is sung in French, with English supertitles and English dialogue.

Learn the fundamentals of fine art while quickly becoming the sharpest, most dangerous crayon in the box. A skilled and accomplished artist leads each class, introducing prospective Leonardos to new and exciting techniques that will inspire first-timers and advanced colorfully decorated veterans. The classes focus on painting and drawing in a cozy, laid-back environment. The student-to-teacher ratio is about 7:1, ensuring personal attention and strict adherence to the golden ratio. All the necessary materials are provided, including canvases, brushes, paints, and berets. Currently, two morning and two night classes are offered, but more will be added to accommodate additional students. Check out the schedule for adult workshop dates and times.

Contradiction Dance is an oasis where the conventions of humdrum vocal speak are replaced by the language of movement. Dancers who have neither the space nor privacy to conduct their own metrical marauding at home can indulge in a series of drop-in classes for adults held in sessions. All five classes must be used within the span of a single session, and the present session runs until June 12 with scheduled classes Mondays through Saturdays. Join in on the heart-pumping workout of a Wednesday Jazz Basics class from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., or try out '80s Hip-Hop Aerobics from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Diverse courses extend to contemporary dance, ballroom waltzing, poi spinning, tai chi, kung fu, and the vigorous calm of Thursday night's Yoga Groove class beginning April 8.