Fairfax Community Events July 17-24, 2008

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Thursday 17

KIDS GUNSTON HALL SLEUTH PROGRAM, for children 6-12 accompanied by an adult, uncover clues to a Mason family mystery by exploring Gunston Hall grounds and taking a child-oriented guided tour of the mansion. Solve the mystery and receive a prize. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Aug. 28, Gunston Hall Plantation, 10709 Gunston Rd., Mason Neck. $8; seniors, $7; ages 6-12, $5. 703-550-9220 or http://www.gunstonhall.org.

CHANTILLY/CENTREVILLE "MOTHERS FIRST" MEETING, a support group for women who have left careers to raise their children. 10:15 a.m., Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Dr. $28 annual membership fee. 703-827-5922 or http://www.mothersfirst.org.

RESTON CHILDREN'S SHOW, by Kid Comic. 11-11:30 a.m., Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Free. 703-620-5554.

GARDEN STROLL AND TEA, a walk through gardens, followed by a full English tea. 1-3 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria area. $25, reservations required. 703-941-7987.

SUMMER STORIES AND SPRINKLERS, children and their parents listen to stories at Vienna's one-room library, then take a run through sprinklers on the Town Green lawn. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. 1:30 p.m. today and next Thursday, Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church St. NE, Vienna. Free. 703-255-6360.

FALLS CHURCH CONCERT AND ART SHOW, paintings by Mary Exline and a cappella music by Skyline. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church. 703-248-5178 or http://www.fallschurcharts.org.

RESTON VOCAL JAZZ MUSIC, by Uptown. 7 p.m., Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Free. 703-476-4500.

FAIRFAX CITY CHILDREN'S CONCERT, outdoors, by the City of Fairfax Concert Band. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Ice cream and balloons provided. 7:30 p.m., Fairfax City Hall, Veterans Amphitheater, 10455 Armstrong St. Free. 703-757-0220 or http://www.fairfaxband.org.

IRISH CULTURAL HERITAGE NIGHT, Irish dance and music performed by Beth Benedetto, Loralee Culbert, Pete Moss and the Bog Band, the Irish Inn Mates, the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance and the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann dancers. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Dr., Annandale. Free. 703-324-7469.

VIENNA STEEL BAND CONCERT, by the Caribbean American International Steel Orchestra. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Nottoway Park, 9601 Courthouse Rd., Vienna. Free. 703-938-7532 or 703-324-7469.

INDIGO GIRLS CONCERT, with guest Brandi Carlile. 8 p.m., Wolf Trap National Park, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. In-house, $40; lawn, $22. 703-255-1868 or http://www.wolftrap.org.

Friday 18

FRISBEE FOOTBALL FOR YOUTHS, for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, compete for prizes. 4 p.m., Vienna Community Center, Club Phoenix Teen Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna. Free. 703-255-6360.

VIENNA BAND CONCERT, swing, Latin and ballroom music by the Eclectic Coalition Band. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. 6:30 p.m., Vienna Town Green, 144 Maple Ave. E. Free. 703-255-6360.

VIENNA FAMILY SKATE NIGHT, bring roller skates or in-line skates and safety equipment. Parents are required to stay with children and are welcome to participate. 6:30-8 p.m., Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE. $1. 703-255-6360.

ANNANDALE EARLY MUSIC CONCERT, Hesperus performs early music, folk music and combinations of the two. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Free. 703-324-7469.

FORT HUNT AREA DANCE, for all ages, big-band music by the Mount Vernon Swing Band. 7:30-9:30 p.m., Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Rd., Fort Hunt area. $4. 703-765-4573.

SPRINGFIELD POPS CONCERT, by the NVCC Annandale Symphony Orchestra. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Rd., Springfield. Free. 703-324-7469.

SALSA CONCERT, tropical rhythms by Pablo Antonio y La Firma. 7:30 p.m., Grist Mill Park, 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Alexandria area. Free. 703-324-7469.

ZYDECO CONCERT, by Little Red and the Renegades. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Royal Lake Park, 5344 Gainsborough Dr., Fairfax. Free. 703-324-7469.

PAT MCGEE BAND CONCERT, with guest Sister Hazel. 8 p.m., Wolf Trap National Park, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. In-house, $32; lawn, $25. 703-255-1868 or http://www.wolftrap.org.

"EVITA," a musical based on Eva Peron's life, performed by the McLean Players. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, through July 26; 2 p.m. July 20, McLean Community Center, Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave. $17; seniors and students and McLean residents, $14. 703-790-0123 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.

KATHY MATTEA CONCERT,8 p.m.; gates open at 6 p.m., Shrine Mont Camp and Conference Center, 221 Shrine Mont Cir., Orkney Springs. Part of Shenandoah Valley Music Festival. Reserved pavilion seating, $33; lawn seating, $28 (17 and younger, $10). 800-459-3396 or http://www.musicfest.org.

Saturday 19

GLADYS KNIGHT CONCERT,8 p.m., Wolf Trap National Park, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. In-house, $42; lawn, $25. 703-255-1868 or http://www.wolftrap.org.

POHICK BAY KAYAK TRIP, for age 16 and older, led by a naturalist, sponsored by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. Equipment and instruction provided. 7-10 a.m., Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay Dr., Lorton. $35, reservations required. 703-354-5093, Ext. 25, or e-mail wbailey@nvct.org.

"ALL THINGS CATS" BOOK SALE, coffee-table cat books, science cat books, signed-by-author cat books, cat breeding books and more for sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr. Admission, free. 703-689-2700.

"ART IN THE GARDEN," horticulturist Tammy Burke discusses how to make art for a garden, such as a copper trellis, leaf-imprinted stepping stones or a sphere covered with glass gems. 10 a.m., Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna. Free, reservations required. 703-255-3631.

FAIRFAX STATION KIDS MUSIC PROGRAM, an introduction to percussion instruments and rhythm by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's Overture to Orchestra Percussion Duo. 10-11 a.m., Burke Lake Park, amphitheater, 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station. Free. 703-324-7469.

CHANTILLY KIDS MUSIC PROGRAM, Barbara Martin teaches children about rhythm, melody, harmony and lyrics through clapping, singing and playing games. 10-11 a.m., Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Rd., Chantilly. Free. 703-324-7469.

FAMILY ART WORKSHOP, for all ages, create wall hangings using repeated patterns of shapes cut from felt, then add sparkling beads, yarn, feathers and more. 10-11:30 a.m., McLean Project for the Arts, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. $10 per individual or family; registration required. 703-790-1953 or e-mail info@mpaart.org.

RESTON PIRATE JACK SHOW, performs songs, such as chanties. 10-11 a.m., Lake Fairfax Park, amphitheater, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston. Free. 703-324-7469.

ANNANDALE PUPPET SHOW, the Goodlife Theater performs "Backpack Puppets Dinosaur Show." 10-11 a.m., Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Free. 703-324-7469.

18TH-CENTURY MARKET FAIR,18th-century dancing and singing, crafts making, children's activities and period wares; food and beverages available for purchase. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean. $5; seniors and children 3-12, $2.50; 2 and younger, free. 703-442-7557 or http://www.1771.org.

CHILDREN'S TEA PROGRAM, for ages 6 and older, storyteller Margaret Chatham tells classic tales of Brer Rabbit, followed by a full English tea. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria area. $25, reservations required. 703-941-7987.

"DADDY'S PLAY DAY," fathers and their children participate in recreational activities, such as a basketball game and arts and crafts; refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Fatherhood Collaborative and Gums Springs Community Center. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the center, 8100 Fordson Rd., Gum Springs area. Free. 703-360-6088.

LUCIA AND LEVI CONCERT, rock, blues, jazz and reggae. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Lake Anne Plaza, Plaza Fountain, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Free. 703-476-4500.

CREATING COMICS, for teenagers, see comics from around the world, then create your own with graphic artist and author Matt Dembicki. 2:30 p.m., Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Kingstowne area. Free. 703-339-4610.

CLASSIC ROCK CONCERT, by Second Wind. 6-8:30 p.m., Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, Fairfax Corner Avenue and Monument Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-227-0894 or http://www.fairfaxcorner.com.

CAJUN MUSIC CONCERT, by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Hayfield Elementary School, 7633 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria area. Free. 703-324-7469.

NEW ORLEANS FUNK AND ZYDECO, performed by the VooDUDES. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. 7:30-10 p.m., Reston Town Center, Pavilion, 11900 Market St., Reston. Free. 703-912-4062.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble performs a tribute to saxophone player Johnny Hodges, who played for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The floor next to the pavilion will be open for dancing. 8 p.m.; gates open at 6 p.m., Shrine Mont Camp and Conference Center, 221 Shrine Mont Cir., Orkney Springs. Reserved pavilion seating, $25; lawn seating, $20 (17 and younger, $10). 800-459-3396 or http://www.musicfest.org.

Sunday 20

ARTISTS RECEPTION, meet members of the Clay Connection at a reception for the display of handmade pottery for house and garden, including planters, birdhouses, vases and more. Light refreshments and an auction of a floral arrangement. 1-3 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, Horticulatural Reference Library, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria area. Admission, free. 703-642-5173.

FALLS CHURCH ACCORDION CONCERT, Dick Dangel sings and plays the accordion at a meeting of the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society. 4 p.m., Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church. Free. 703-671-5395 or http://www.washingtonaccordions.org.

MCLEAN JAZZ CONCERT, by the U.S. Navy jazz ensemble, the Commodores. 4-5 p.m., McLean Central Park, gazebo, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean. Free. 703-790-0123 or http://www.mcleancenter.org.

RESTON CONCERT ON THE SQUARE, by the Gypsy Strings. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. 5-7 p.m., Reston Heights, 11750 Sunrise Valley Dr. Free. 704-476-9377.

VIENNA FOLK CONCERT, by Cletus Kennelly and Lori Kelley. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. 6:30 p.m., Vienna Town Green, 144 Maple Ave. E. Free. 703-255-6360.

SPRINGFIELD BINGO, for age 12 and older, no smoking permitted, youths 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult. 7 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays, the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, 7011 Backlick Rd. $1-$35. 703-569-9828.

ANNANDLE BAND CONCERT, by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's summer band. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Free. 703-324-7469.

ANNANDALE POPS CONCERT, by the NVCC-Annandale Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m., Ernst Community Cultural Center, Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Tpk., Annandale. $15; seniors and teenagers, $10; children, free. 703-569-0973.

Monday 21

FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD MEETING,9 a.m., Fairfax County Government Center, Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Pkwy. 703-324-3151.

CREATING COMICS, for teenagers, see comics from around the world, then create one with graphic artist and author Matt Dembicki. 7 p.m., Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Rd., Burke. Free. 703-249-1520.

Tuesday 22

BURKE/FAIRFAX MOTHERS FIRST MEETING, a support group for women who have left careers to raise their children. 10 a.m., Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Rd., Burke. $28 annual membership fee. 703-827-5922 or http://www.mothersfirst.org.

RESTON CHILDREN'S SHOW, by Chuck's Amazing Feats. 11-11:30 a.m., Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Free. 703-620-5554.

FAIRFAX CITY COUNCIL MEETING,7 p.m., Fairfax City Hall annex, Room 100, 10455 Armstrong St. 703-385-7935.

MARK KNOPFLER CONCERT,8 p.m., Wolf Trap National Park, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. In-house, $45; lawn, $30. Tickets, 877-965-3872; information, 703-255-1868 or http://www.wolftrap.org.

Wednesday 23

FAIRFAX KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, by Mr. Knick Knack. 10:30 a.m., Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, Fairfax Corner Avenue and Monument Drive. Free. 703-227-0894 or http://www.fairfaxcorner.com.

"CHESAPEAKE CRIMES 3," authors of the book read from it and respond to questions from the audience. 7-9 p.m., Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Rd., Belle View area. Free. 703-768-6700.

FRANCONIA BAND CONCERT, by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's summer band. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Lee District Park, amphitheater, 6601 Telegraph Rd., Franconia area. Free. 703-324-7469.

ANNANDALE BLUES, ROOTS ROCK CONCERT, by the Patty Reese Band. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Mason District Park, amphitheater, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Free. 703-324-7469.

RHYTHM AND BLUES CONCERT, by Lalah Hathaway. 8 p.m., Wolf Trap National Park, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. In-house, $40; lawn, $25. Tickets, 877-965-3872; information, 703-255-1868 or http://www.wolftrap.org.

Thursday 24

ERIC IDLE'S "NOT THE MESSIAH," a comic oratorio starring Idle, with the National Symphony Orchestra, inspired by Monty Python's "Life of Brian." 8:15 p.m., Wolf Trap National Park, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. In-house, $35, $45, $55; lawn, $20. Tickets, 877-965-3872; information, 703-255-1868 or http://www.wolftrap.org.

REDWARE POTTERY CLASS, adults and children 8 and older create and paint a piece of early American-style pottery. Historic house tour included. 10-11:30 a.m., Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. $25 per class; prepaid reservations required. 703-437-1794.

RESTON CHILDREN'S SHOW, by Malcolm the Magician. 11-11:30 a.m., Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Free. 703-620-5554.

POETRY, PHOTOGRAPHY AND MUSIC, poetry by Mali Phonpadith, photography by Dede Haas and bluegrass music by Andrew Acosta and the New Old-Time String Band. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church. Free. 703-248-5178 or http://www.fallschurcharts.org.

RESTON RHYTM AND BLUES CONCERT, by the Swingin' Swamis. 7 p.m., Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Free. 703-476-4500.

GERMAN BAND CONCERT, an outdoor concert by the City of Fairfax Band's Alte Kameraden. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. 8 p.m., Fairfax City Hall, Veterans Amphitheater, 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax City. Free. 703-757-0220 or http://www.fairfaxband.org.

-- Compiled by JEAN MACK

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