A very important part of ballet is shoes. For dancers dressed in tights and tutus, getting up on pointe is a move known as “pointe,” and it requires a rugged pair of ballet shoes. Rugged yet dainty is the combination that sets apart outfitter R-Class, a new ballet outfitter in Manassas.

“It’s important to really work on the fit,” said Jennifer Fitzpatrick, who is one of the founders of R-Class with fellow dancer Natalya Balatsenko. Ballet dancers start out at a young age, wearing socks or tights, but haven’t reached the pointe level with fancy shoes. That comes with experience. “When you get on pointe shoes, it’s a real big deal,” she said. 


A grassroots effort to preserve the historic Old Bennett School is gaining momentum in Manassas, with nearly 750 signatures collected in just two and a half weeks from city residents and local businesses.

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Manassas City Council unanimously approved a resolution appropriating $468,498 in state funding to pave both directions of Route 28 from Cockrell Road to Church Street, sparing local taxpayers the cost of the improvement.

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Manassas City Council is inviting residents to provide feedback on a proposed renaming of Manassas Regional Airport ahead of a final decision.

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Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) continues to make local history a living classroom through its growing partnership with the Manassas Museum, offering students hands-on, place-based learning that connects curriculum to the community right in their backyard.

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Manassas residents are invited to a town hall meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026, to provide feedback on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget, which features a reduced real estate tax rate but still results in higher average residential bills due to surging property values fueled by data center developments.

The town hall is scheduled to take place in the council chambers at Manassas City Hall. It follows a full-day budget workshop held on March 6, 2026, and offers residents a direct opportunity to share thoughts on the city manager’s proposal as council members work toward final adoption.


The Manassas Chorale presents “Gathered As One” on Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall in Manassas. This annual Voices United concert unites the Chorale with the Voices United Festival Choir, directed by a nationally renowned guest clinician. More than 150 singers join the Chorale’s instrumentalists for a program of fifteen selections that celebrate shared music and community spirit.

The Manassas Chorale, founded in 1994 as a small group of about 25 singers, has grown into a 100-voice auditioned community choir under the direction of Artistic Director Rebecca Verner since 1997. Based in Manassas, Virginia, the organization promotes appreciation for quality classical and contemporary music through four major concerts each season and community events. It also sponsors the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir, established in 2015 to offer performance opportunities for young singers in grades K-8.


Fire crews from the City of Manassas, Manassas Park Fire Rescue, and Prince William Professional Firefighters responded to a house fire in the 8500 block of Signal Hill Road around midnight on March 14. Units arrived to find heavy flames coming from the garage and attic, with the fire spreading to a neighboring home.

Manassas City Police officers arrived first and quickly evacuated nearby homes, helping prevent injuries. A second alarm was called as a precaution for extra resources. The fire was brought under control, though damage extended to at least two structures.


The Manassas Young Marines, a dedicated unit of the national youth development program, has just been named Division 1 Unit of the Year—a testament to years of hard work, heart, and community impact.

The national Young Marines is a nonprofit youth education and service program open to boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation (or age 18+). It emphasizes character building, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to drug-free, healthy living—drawing inspiration from Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, without requiring any military family background or pushing enlistment.


Council Member Theresa Coates Ellis highlighted the event during the March 9, 2026, City Council meeting, calling it “a big favorite in our city.” She encouraged everyone to “wear your green so you don’t get pinched” and to “support our businesses afterwards—our restaurants and our shops, and our factory and our museum… so much to see and do in Manassas.”

The parade offers a classic seasonal kickoff, with participants and spectators alike filling the charming downtown area to celebrate Irish heritage and local spirit.


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