Prince William County community calendar, July 15-22, 2010

Thursday 15

OLD TOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING, 8 a.m., La Capilla, 9329 Main St., Manassas. Free. 703-335-7711.

"THE UGLY DUCKLING," Bright Star Children's Theatre performs the tale of Eggbert, an ugly duckling. Free. 11 a.m., Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge, 703-494-8126, and 2 p.m., Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge. Free. 703-792-4800.

SPANISH CHAT, practice conversational Spanish with others. Noon-2 p.m., Central Community Library, 8601 Mathis Ave., Manassas. Free. 703-361-8211.

THIRD THURSDAY THRILLERS BOOK GROUP, this month's selection is "Death by Cashmere: A Seaside Knitters Mystery" by Sally Goldenbaum. 7 p.m., Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge. Free. 703-494-8126.

Friday 16

"THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA," Vpstart Crow Productions presents the children's play. 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through July 25, Cramer Center, 9008 Center St., Manassas. $10-$20. 800-660-8580 or http://www.vpstartcrow.com.

"ILLUSIONS OF REALITY," oils and watercolors by Gina Noelle Ash. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 5, ArtBeat Gallery, 9407 Main St., Manassas. Admission, free. 703-365-8558 or http://www.artbeatgallery.org.

Saturday 17

"FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING," paintings by Deborah Conn. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 1, Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. Free. 703-490-1117 or http://www.theloftgallery.org.

ARTISTS' UNDERTAKING GALLERY, an exhibit by six members of the cooperative, including digital photographs, watercolors, pastels, prints and mixed media. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 1-5 p.m. Saturdays, through July 22, Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory, Caton Merchant Family Art Gallery, 9419 Battle St., Manassas. Free. 703-330-2787 or http://www.center-for-the-arts.org.

"OCEAN ODYSSEY" EXHIBIT, watercolors by Jack Dyer, jewelry by Sherry Chaples and carved egg shells by Tina Kannapel. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through Aug. 2, Artists' Undertaking, 309 Mill St., Occoquan. 703-494-0584.

OCCOQUAN FARMERS MARKET, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Mill Street parking lot, next to Route 123 bridge. 703-491-1918.

VIRGINIA HISTORY CELEBRATION, sword-fighting and lacemaking demonstrations, artifacts from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Colonial music and games, portrayals of Civil War spies and a suffragette parade. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge. Free. 703-792-4800.

SCIENCE-FICTION BOOK CLUB, participants discuss "Dying of the Light," by George R.R. Martin. 2:30 p.m., Central Community Library, 8601 Mathis Ave., Manassas. Free. 703-361-8211.