Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/March 14
<cal2>St. Patrick's Luncheon. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon. Cost: regular lunch donation. Call 703-430-2397.
Green Day March. 10-10:45 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Make slime and shamrocks. Ages 2-3. Cost: $6. Call 703-771-5913.
<cal1>Thursday/March 15
<cal2>Leave It to Beaver. 9:30-11 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Learn all about beavers. Ages 3-6. Cost: $10.50. Call 571-258-3700.
Rainy Day March. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Fun events for a rainy day. Ages. 2-3. Cost: $6. Call 703-771-5913.
Leprechaun Treasure Hunt. 4-5 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Join the fun searching for clues to the Leprechaun's treasure. Cost: $8 plus $5 supply fee. Call 703-444-2889.
Totally Tubular. 4 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Create necklaces and bracelets from vinyl tubing filled with bits of different materials. Recommended for ages 9-11. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/March 16
<cal2>Word Beat. 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road. Come hear Word Beat, with world percussion master Tom Teasley and vocalist Charles Williams, Tickets: $10, available at the door, with a percentage of the proceeds going to charity. Visit uusterling.org.
Theater. 7:30 p.m., Old Stone School in Hillsboro. “Treasures-The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is an original adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.aurorastudiotheatre.org. Cost: $12 advance; $15 at the door; $5 students.
Toddler Treks. 9:30-10:15 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Trek through the outdoors with baby Ages 1-2. Cost: $4. Call 571-258-3700.
Park Pals. 10:45-11:145 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling Discover the outdoors with a grown-up friend. Cost: $7. Call 571-258-3700.
Rain on My Umbrella. 10-10:30 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Make an umbrella and sing rainy day songs. Ages 3-5. Cost: $4. Call 703-771-5913.
Music & Movement. 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Beth Frook, Little Hands Kindermusik, provides an energetic musical and movement story time. Recommended for children ages 0-5. Tickets are required and can be picked up one half hour before the program begins. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
<cal1>Saturday/March 17
<cal2>Irish Music. 12-4 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Enjoy the Celtic sounds of Music by Anthem while sampling wines in Tarara’s Bacchus Gallery Tasting Room. No admission fee; $5 tasting fee for featured selection, $10 tasting fee for winemaker’s selection. Call 703-771-7100 or visit www.Tarara.com.
Ballet. 7 p.m., Potomac Falls High School, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. The Loudoun Ballet Company presents the full-length version of Swan Lake. Tickets: advanced reserved seating $15 for adult, $12 for child and senior; $20 per person for premium seating and at the door. Call 703-771-8074 or visit www.loudounballet.org.
Bowling. Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area's Annual Bowl-A-Thon at Bowl America Dranesville in Sterling. Register by calling Hillary Brendzel at 202-777-4473 or e-mailing bowl@janca.org. Cost: $14 nonrefundable registration fee per bowler for two games. Proceeds will go to benefit JA and its after-school initiatives in the greater Washington region. Visit www.JABowl.org.
Theater. 7:30 p.m., Old Stone School in Hillsboro. “Treasures-The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is an original adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. See March 16 item for more details.
St. Patrick's Day Concert. 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun, 20460 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg. A St. Patrick’s Day concert featuring traditional Irish music. Cost: $12 per person; children under 8 free. Visit www.uuloudoun.org or call 703-737-7644.
Bluegrass Concert. Doors open at 6 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m., at the Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Iron Ridge and Lonesome Highway perform. Cost: $12 at the door; refreshments available at snack bar. Call 703-771-5281.
Vanishing Vernal Pools. 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Rust Sanctuary and other locations. Include an indoor session on vernal pool ecology, followed by an outdoor exploration of vernal pool habitats. Preregistration required. Cost: Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy members, $23; nonmembers, $32. To register contact ANS at 301-652-9188, Ext. 16.
Indian Hindi Story Time. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Tales of Panchtantra narrated by Vanita Kumar and Nirupama Tandon. Recommended for all ages 3-8. Call 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Sunday/March 18
<cal2>Ballet. 3 p.m., Potomac Falls High School, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. The Loudoun Ballet Company presents the full-length version of Swan Lake. See March 17 item for more details.
Bowling. Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area's Annual Bowl-A-Thon at Bowl America Dranesville in Sterling. See March 17 item for more details.
Theater. 3 p.m., Old Stone School in Hillsboro. “Treasures-The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is an original adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. See March 16 item for more details.
Exploring Olde Loudoun, 2-6 p.m., First of a series of four field trips that explore Loudoun County's history, stories, historic places, villages and back roads in celebration of Loudoun County's 250th Anniversary. All tours begin in Leesburg. Cost: $15 per trip or $50 for all four trips. Reservations required, call 540-687-6681 or visit http://www.mosbyheritagearea.org.
Sunday in the Preserve. 1 p.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Join Phil Daley of the Friends of Banshee Reeks and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a free informal, family walk. Call Banshee Reeks at 703-669-0316.
<cal1>Monday/March 19
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, U.S. Botanical Gardens, Air and Space or African Art/Sackler/Freer/Hirshharn museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 per member, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Sing Along. 1 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Sing-A-Long group will sing Irish melodies. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
Forest Fledglings. 9:30-11 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Look for the birds, squirrels, and others that are born there. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Tuesday/March 20
<cal2>Easter Soaps/Story. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Spring and Easter soaps and story will be offered. Cost: $7 plus $4 supply fee. Preregistration is required, call 703-444-2889.
<cal1>Wednesday/March 21
<cal2>Senior Movie. 1 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Superman Returns," starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey; rated PG-13. Cost: $2, includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/March 22
<cal2>Wind and Rainbows. 11-11:30 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Make a rainbow and a fun wind sock. Ages 2-3. Cost: $4. Call 703-444-2889.
Timber Rattlesnakes. 7 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Marty Martin will describe timber rattlesnakes‚ natural history and explain why we should ensure their future. Contact Laura Weidner at lweidner@loudounwildlife.org or 540-554-2747.
<cal1>Friday/March 23
<cal2>One-Man Band. 10 a.m., Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Peter McCory: The One-Man Band for children and families. Cost: advance tickets $5 for each child with adults free; at the door $8 for each child with adults free. Call 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.
Museum Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to the Air and Space Museum in Dulles. Lunch on own. Cost: $5 per member, $7 nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Theater. 7:30 p.m., Old Stone School in Hillsboro. “Treasures-The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is an original adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.aurorastudiotheatre.org. Cost: $12 advance; $15 at the door; $5 students.
<cal1>Saturday/March 24
<cal2>Symphony Performance. 7 p.m. lecture; 7:30 p.m. strings workshop; 8 p.m. performance, Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn. Loudoun Symphony Orchestra performs "Creation," featuring special guest soloists, a chorus of select Loudoun County Public School singers. Cost: advanced tickets $15 adults, $7 child/student, through college; at the door $18 adults, $8 child/student. Call 703-771-8287, fax 703-771-8211 or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.
Irish Music. 12-4 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Enjoy the Celtic sounds of Music by Anthem while sampling wines in Tarara’s Bacchus Gallery Tasting Room. No admission fee; $5 tasting fee for featured selection, $10 tasting fee for winemaker’s selection. Call 703-771-7100 or visit www.Tarara.com.
Theater. 7:30 p.m., Old Stone School in Hillsboro. “Treasures-The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is an original adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. See March 23 item for more details.
Bluegrass Concert. Doors open at 6 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m., at the Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. In The Tradition and Ernie Bradley and Grassy Ridge perform. Cost: $12 at the door; refreshments available at snack bar. Call 703-771-5281.
Birding the Blue Ridge Center. 8 a.m., Neersville Volunteer Fire Station on Route 671. The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
<cal1>Sunday/March 25
<cal2>Symphony Performance. 3 p.m., Potomac Falls High School, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. Loudoun Symphony Orchestra performs "Creation," featuring special guest soloists, a chorus of select Loudoun County Public School singers. See March 24 item for more details.
Theater. 3 p.m., Old Stone School in Hillsboro. “Treasures-The Musical Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is an original adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. See March 23 item for details.
Choir Music. 4 p.m., United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling. The Aldersgate Choir of Sterling will perform the Requiem in D Minor composed by Gabriel Faure. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
Exploring Olde Loudoun. 2-6 p.m. Loudoun's "Golden Age," 1775-1860. This is the second of a series of four field trips that will explore Loudoun County's history. All tours begin in Leesburg. Cost: $15 per trip or $50 for all four trips. Reservations can be made by calling 540-687-6681 or visit www.mosbyheritagearea.org.
<cal1>Monday/March 26
<cal2>Bees, Bugs and Butterflies. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Have fun making insects and playing springtime games. Ages 3-5. Cost: $8. Call 703-771-5913.
<cal1>Wednesday/March 28
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 per member, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Pancake Breakfast. 9-10:30 a.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Includes eggs, bacon or sausage, pancakes, juice and coffee. Cost: $3 per person. Open to the public. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/March 29
<cal2>Springtime Fun. 11-11:30 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Welcome in spring. Ages 2-3. Cost: $4. Call 703-444-2889.
<cal1>Friday/March 30
<cal2>Earth Day. 10-10:30 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Make junk into treasure. Ages 3-5. Parent participation. Cost: $4. Call 703-444-2889.
<cal1>Saturday/March 31
<cal2>Theater Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Middletown, Va., to see Stones in his Pockets at the Wayside Theatre. Includes buffet lunch at Hotel Strasburg. Cost: $47 per member, $49 nonmembers, includes transportation, lunch, tax, tip and show. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Irish Music. 12-4 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Enjoy the Celtic sounds of Music by Anthem while sampling wines in Tarara’s Bacchus Gallery Tasting Room. No admission fee; $5 tasting fee for featured selection, $10 tasting fee for winemaker’s selection. Call 703-771-7100 or visit www.Tarara.com.
Easter Celebration. 9-11 a.m. 2nd Annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Children's Parade, Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Includes full pancake breakfast, photographs with the Easter bunny, egg hunt and other activities; prizes for homemade bonnets and top hats. Cost: $10 per child 10 years and under; everyone else free. Reservations recommended, call 703-771-5281.
Teen Read-a-Thon. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Teen read-a-thon to benefit the Loudoun Literacy Council. Each teen is being asked to raise $50. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Marshmallow Harvest. 11 a.m., Great Country Farms, 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. Marshmallow harvesting, three egg hunts and the introduction of a separate hunt for children 3 and under. Cost: $5. Visit www.greatcountryfarms.com or call 540-554-2073.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 4
<cal2>Charity Golf Tourney. 9 a.m. shotgun start, at Lansdowne Golf Club. The 2nd Annual Team Katelyn Golf Tournament to benefit the March of Dimes Walk America campaign. Cost: $100 per person, includes cart and green fees, free driving range, goody bag, breakfast, lunch and awards dinner banquet, beverages on the course, prizes. Visit www.katelynsjourney.com.
<cal1>Friday/April 6
<cal2>Story Time Matinee. Monthly story time including a video storybook and a craft at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. In April for "How My Library Grew." Recommended for ages 3-6. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or by calling 703-737-8105.
<cal1>Monday/April 9
<cal2>Cherry Blossoms Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to East Potomac Park, Hain's Point, and to the Tidal Basin at the FDR Memorial, to see the cherry blossoms. Bring bag lunch. Cost: $8 per member, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Tuesday/April 10
<cal2>Cherry Blossoms Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to East Potomac Park, Hain's Point, and to the Tidal Basin at the FDR Memorial, to see the cherry blossoms. See April 9 item for more details.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 11
<cal2>Theater Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Riverside Dinner Theatre in Fredericksburg, Va., to see Bye Bye Birdie. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations, and cost.
<cal1>Thursday/April 12
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 per member, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/April 14
<cal2>Teen Reading Buddies. 1-4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Stories read by teen volunteers for preschoolers. Recommended for ages 3-5. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Tuesday/April 17
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, U.S. Botanical Gardens, Air and Space or African Art/Sackler/Freer/Hirshharn museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 per member, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 18
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Brewmaster's Castle and Woodrow Wilson House. Lunch on own. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations, and cost.
<cal1>Saturday/April 21
<cal2>Master Singers. 8 p.m., at St. James Episcopal, 14 Cornwall St., Leesburg. The Master Singers of Virginia perform Aaron Copland's "In the Beginning." Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors/children. Call 703-655-7809 or visit www.msva.org.
Teen Read-a-Thon. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Teen read-a-thon to benefit the Loudoun Literacy Council. Each teen is being asked to raise $50. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 25
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 per member, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/April 28
<cal2>Teen Read-a-Thon. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Cascade Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Teen read-a-thon to benefit the Loudoun Literacy Council. Each teen is being asked to raise $50. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/May 12
<cal2>Youth Orchestra Performance. 4 p.m., at Harper Park Middle School, 701 Potomac Station Drive, N.E., Leesburg. The Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra gives a free performance. Call 703-771-8287, fax 703-771-8211 or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.
<cal1>Saturday/May 19
<cal2>Symphony Performance. 7 p.m., lecture; 7:30 p.m., strings workshop; 8 p.m., performance, at Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn. Loudoun Symphony Orchestra performs "American Fanfare," featuring Charles Willams. Cost: advanced tickets $15 adults, $7 child/student, through college; at the door $18 adults, $8 child/student. Call 703-771-8287, fax 703-771-8211, or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.