Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6459. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday, Sept. 25
</b>Stories and Science. 4 p.m. Stories, activities and an age-appropriate science experiment. Age 4-6 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Things that Go! 1 p.m. Explore different types of transportation through stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Australian Adventure. 1:30 p.m. Stories, activities and a craft. Age 4-5 with adult. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy 7 p.m., at the George Mason University Patriot Center. Tickets are from $15 to $75, and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.disneyonice.com or www.patriotcenter.com.
<b>Friday, Sept. 26
</b>Basic Gardening: Pollinators and other Beneficial Insects. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Master Gardeners will explain the importance of pollinators to our lives and what can be done to provide a welcoming habitat. $12. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. Bring lunch and come for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Richard Byrd Library Book Sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last sale before the library closes for renovations. Library discards, fiction, romance, mystery, science fiction, children’s and non-fiction. Richard Byrd Community Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield.
Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy, live at the George Mason University Patriot Center. 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are from $15 to $75, and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.disneyonice.com or www.patriotcenter.com.
Silvertung, Eat It Raw, oddzar, Lifted Down, The Offset, Union Street. All ages. 6:15 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday/Sept. 27
</b>Art for a Song, live art auction to benefit the Fairfax Choral Society’s youth performance and education programs. Preview 6:30 p.m., auction 7:30 p.m. Admission $7. Over 200 exceptional works of art. Door prizes will include art works and handmade award-winning chocolate. Fairfax County Government Center, 1200 Government Center Parkway. 703-642-4377 or www.fairfaxchoralsociety.org/art_auction.
Fall Garden Festival. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friends of Green Spring-sponsored fund raiser filled with adult and family activities, including a lecture by author Nancy Hugo, tea program on the subject of wood, silent auction and plant sale, including local artisans specializing in garden art and crafts. Proceeds help acquire plants and add to Green Spring’s educational efforts. Lecture $20. Tea Program $25. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-642-5173.
An Evening with Barbara Cook, Tony-award winning singer and actress. A variety of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, the Gershwins, Sondheim and other American favorites. Free valet parking provided. Reception at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Tickets, $75 for Workhouse members, $100 for non-members. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. 703-495-0001. www.Workhouse.org.
Richard Byrd Library Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Library discards, fiction, romance, mystery, science fiction, children’s and non-fiction. Richard Byrd Community Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield.
George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts presents Arts By George!, a benefit event that supports student scholarships and the Great Performances at Mason series. The evening showcases the artistic talents of Mason students and faculty, and culminates in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall with a performance by Broadway artist Brian Stokes Mitchell. ARTS by George! takes place on Mason’s Fairfax campus on at 5 p.m. Tickets are $200 per person. E-mail dpaez@gmu.edu, call 703-993-4188 or visit www.artsbygeorge.com.
Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy, live at the George Mason University Patriot Center. 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are from $15 to $75, and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.disneyonice.com or www.patriotcenter.com.
Occoquan Regional Park Family Film Fun Night, showing "Surf’s Up" at 8 p.m. Park gates open at 7 p.m. Occoquan Park, on Route 123 one mile north of Interstate 395 in Lorton. $15 per car load. 703-690-2121 or www.NVRPA.org.
Dog Day Afternoon Cruise. Lake Accotink Park, 7550 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. 703-569-3464 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefront.
Sunset Cruise. Lake Accotink Park, 7550 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. 703-569-3464 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefront.
Fifth Annual Kit Callahan's Miracle Mile 10K Run/Walk. 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. race start. This event benefits brain injury services and celebrates the success stories of survivors of brain injuries, while educating the public about brain injury. The Miracle Mile will be timed by Pacers and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in various age categories. George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. www.kitsmiraclemile.org or 703-451-8881.
"It's All About the Cats" kitten and cat adoption extravaganza at the Burke Centre Library, 5935 Fred's Oak Road, Burke. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All of the Kittens and Cats can be selected on the adoption site, and many may be able to be taken home the same day. Others will be delivered to the adoptive families home within a day or two. 703-249-1520. Commonwealth Cat Rescue, Inc., A 501(c)3 No Kill Rescue.
The Burning Season with In Alcatraz 1962, Centuries and more. All ages. 4:15 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield.
South Run RECenter’s Fitness Expansion ribbon cutting ceremony. 1:30 p.m. South Run RECenter, South Run District Park, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. 703-866-0566 or 703-324-8662.
<b>Sunday/Sept. 28
</b>Amorphis with Leaves Eyes, Samael, Virgin Black, The Green Evening Requiem. 6:30 p.m. All ages; $20 in advance, $23 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-5940 or visit www.jaxxroxx.com.
Richard Byrd Library Book Sale. 12-7 p.m. Half-price day. Library discards, fiction, romance, mystery, science fiction, children’s and non-fiction. Richard Byrd Community Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield.
Wind Symphony Featuring Guest Graduate Student Conductors. 3 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students and seniors. Concert Hall, George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-993-8794.
Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy, live at the George Mason University Patriot Center. 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are from $15 to $75, and are available by Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.disneyonice.com or www.patriotcenter.com.
<b>Monday/Sept. 29
</b>Practice English. 7 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Practice English. 3 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
<b>Thursday/Oct. 2
</b>Kataklysm with Dying Fetus, Eluveitie, Keep of Kalessin, Apothys and Emesis. All ages. 6:30 p.m. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Friday/Oct. 3
</b>Enrique Iglesias. 8 p.m. Tickets $58 to $88. George Mason Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.patriotcenter.com.
Timelord, Visionary and more. All ages. 6:15 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday, Oct. 4
</b>Workshop: Trough Garden from Hyper-tufa. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Create a "stone" trough out of hyper-tufa for a natural-looking container that’s ideal for succulents, conifers and rock garden plants. Green Spring staffers explain the process, share planting tips and care information, and lead you through the construction. $50. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Watercolor Series: Painting Red Flowers. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Morning demonstration by an artist is followed by an afternoon workshop. Bring a bag lunch. $65. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Family Fun: Harry Potter’s Plants and Potions. 2-3:30 p.m. Children 5 and up with accompanying adult. Conjure up some magic in the gardens and explore the magical powers of Harry Potter’s favorite plants. Craft a wizards’ wand and collect recipes for potions, just in time for Halloween! $10 per project. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Rob Becker's "Defending the Caveman." The one-person play takes a comical look at the age-old battle of the sexes. 7:30 p.m. South County Secondary School in the auditorium, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Tickets are $40. Contact Cheryl Castro at 703-690-1938 or email ccastro39@aol.com. All proceeds go for the 2009 South County All Night Graduation Party.
Sevendust with Taproot, Allyria, Dear Enemy and Stuck in Kaos. All ages. 7:30 p.m. $23 in advance, $25 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Sunday, Oct. 5
</b>The Friends of the Orphans Second Annual Fiesta 5K Fun Run / Walk. 8 a.m. $25 Adults, $15 Youth; Creep and Crawl mini-race for children under age 6 is free but pre-registration is required. Fight global poverty one kilometer at a time. To accommodate this year’s race, the course location has moved to George Mason University’s Patriot Circle, with free parking and an off-street course. For all ages and running abilities. Medals awarded to the top finishers. Post race food, live bluegrass band, awards ceremony and an interactive festival area with games and prizes. Start/finish at George Mason University’s Patriot Circle, Mason Pond Drive by Centre for the Arts, Fairfax. Register at www.active.com, 703-848-2072 or KMcLeod@friendsus.org.
Simple Changes Therapeutic Riding Center Third Annual Picnic and Silent Auction. 2-5 p.m. Traditional American roots music by Andrew Acosta and the New Old-Time String Band, featuring fiddler Speedy Tolliver. Face painting, children’s games and riding demonstrations. $15, children under 12 free. Simple Changes Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families and community through therapeutic horsemanship. Meadowood Recreation Area, 10406 Gunston Road, Lorton. www.simplechanges.org or 703-402-3613.
<b>Wednesday/Oct. 8
</b>Slave to Metal Music Festival, hosted by Mistress Juliya. Bands to be announced. 6 p.m. All ages. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Thursday, Oct. 9
</b>Garden Stroll and Tea. 1-3 p.m. The docent-led tours of the demonstration gardens are followed by a full English afternoon tea. $25. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Uli Jon Roth and more. Age 21 and over. 8 p.m. $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
George Mason University presents Bert V. Royal's "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead." 8 p.m. An unauthorized parody of Charles Schultz's "Peanuts," "Dog Sees God …" centers on the cruelties teens inflict upon each other, with drug use, suicide, eating disorders, rebellion and sexual identity facing the now-adolescent gang. Tickets $6 general admission, $3 for students, seniors and GMU staff. George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-993-8600.
<b>Friday, Oct. 10
</b>Los Gatos, traditional Latin music fused with contemporary jazz. 7 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Call 703-584-2900 or visit www.workhousearts.org.
Springfield Art Guild October Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 7434 Bath St., Springfield. 703-644-6677 or magickaldl@earthlink.net.
Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa brings an array of singers, dancers and musicians to the Concert Hall stage at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. 8 p.m. Tickets are $23-$46. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. The Center for the Arts complex is located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Jon Oliva’s Pain with Circle II Circle, Manticora Division and more. 7:30 p.m. $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
George Mason University presents Bert V. Royal's "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead." 8 p.m. An unauthorized parody of Charles Schultz's "Peanuts," "Dog Sees God …" centers on the cruelties teens inflict upon each other. Tickets $6 general admission, $3 for students, seniors and GMU staff. George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-993-8600.
<b>Saturday, Oct. 11
</b>Fairfax Out of the Darkness Community Walk, benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Registration will begin 8:15 a.m., with the walk scheduled to begin 9 a.m. at Shelter A at Burke Lake Park. To register or donate, visit www.outofthedarkness.org.
Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa brings an array of singers, dancers and musicians to the Concert Hall stage at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. 8 p.m. Tickets are $23-$46. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. The Center for the Arts complex is located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
The Cold War Museum Conference on the 40th Anniversary of the Prague Spring. Registration 8 a.m., program starts 9 a.m. Advance admission $25, at the door $30, students free. Lunch included. Collecting oral histories from Cold War veterans, "Spy Craft" by Linda McCarthy, the history of the Lorton Nike Missile site, and more. South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. 703-273-2381, www.coldwar.org/praguespring or museum@coldwar.org.
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) Meet & Greets. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come meet some Danes, and ask volunteers any questions you may have. MAGDRL helps find homes for abandoned or homeless Great Danes; educational information will be available and donations appreciated. Felix & Oscar, 6671-A Backlick Road, Springfield. 703-866-0222. MAGDRL will be at Felix & Oscar on the second Saturday of every month. www.nova-magdrl.org.
Ultimate Warrior Challenge – Confrontation. Professional mixed martial arts action. 6 p.m. Tickets $28.50-$128.50, (plus applicable service charges) available online at www.ticketmaster.com or via 703-573-SEAT. Visit www.uwcmma.com or www.patriotcenter.com. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
George Mason University presents Bert V. Royal's "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead." 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. An unauthorized parody of Charles Schultz's "Peanuts," "Dog Sees God …" centers on the cruelties teens inflict upon each other. Tickets $6 general admission, $3 for students, seniors and GMU staff. George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-993-8600.
<b>Sunday/Oct. 12
</b>41st Annual Clifton Day Celebration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Horseback rides, Civil War reenactments, craft fairs and vendors, live music, barbeques and historic displays. Historic Town of Clifton, 7144 Main St., Clifton. 703-968-0740 or www.cliftonday.org.
Third Annual Korean American Cultural Arts Festival. 6:30 p.m. Celebrating Korean traditional music and culture, with a performance by the "Nangye Gugak Orchestra," joined by prominent representatives of Korea's traditional arts community known as Intangible Cultural Assets. Tickets at www.tickets.com are $40 general admission, $20 seniors and students. George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-507-4492.
George Mason University presents Bert V. Royal's "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead." 2 p.m. An unauthorized parody of Charles Schultz's "Peanuts," "Dog Sees God…" centers on the cruelties teens inflict upon each other. Tickets $6 general admission, $3 for students, seniors and GMU staff. George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-993-8600.