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/Jan. 15
</b>Once Upon a Fairytale, 1:30 p.m. Stories, activities and a craft. Age 4-5 with adult. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Dave Berry. 8 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Flying Dragons, 7-8:30 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Learn about dragonflies. Reservations required. $6 per person. 703-768-2525.
Burke Preschool Fair, with over 25 preschools from Burke and the surrounding area. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Burke Fire Department Community Hall, 9501 Old Burke Lake Road, Burke. 866-841-9139 or www.geocities.com/momsclubburke.
<b>Friday/Jan. 16
</b>AVP Hot Winter Nights Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15-$65, available through www.ticketmaster.com or 202-397-SEAT. George Mason Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. www.patriotcenter.com.
Lunch Bunch, 12 p.m. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Cancer Benefit for Ana Lucero, with Backfire, The Black Shade, Baba G'Nush, Funkmnkyz, Poor Man’s Lobster, 20/20 Vizions and The Iternals. 7 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance $12 day of show. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
Dave Berry. 8:30 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Two documentaries with on the presidency of George W. Bush, 10:30 p.m. at Cinema Arts Theatre, 9650 Main St., Fairfax. ‘Crawford’ is a view of the Bush presidency through the eyes of the residents of Crawford, Texas, and ‘Public Witness’ is from local independent filmmaker C.W. Prather. Tickets are $5, available at the box office or through www.cinemaartstheatre.com. Visit www.crawfordmovie.com or www.publicwitnessmovie.com. 703-978-6991.
<b>Saturday/Jan. 17
</b>New Year, New Library. Join local scout groups for a library open house and learn about the library's green features. Tours at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Snacks will be provided all day. All ages. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
VITA Tax Assistance, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $42K. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Dave Berry. 8:30 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Frankie and the Actions. 9 p.m. Tickets $5. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's 52nd Season, The Search for a New Music Director - Part 4. 8 p.m. at George Mason University's Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Free ConcerTalk with Daniel Meyer at 7 p.m. 703-563-1990.
<b>Sunday/Jan. 18
</b>G-Scale Trains Running at Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 1-4 p.m. at 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. The Washington, Virginia and Maryland Garden Railway Society will be running large scale model trains in the community room. $2 Adults, $1 children. 703-425-9225 or www.fairfax-station.org.
Sixth Annual Audubon Society of Northern Virginia Waterfowl Count, for birders of all skill levels to count waterfowl in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William counties, including the Potomac and Occoquan watersheds. Novices will be paired with experts. 703-256-6895 or info@audubonva.org.
Karaoke. 8 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
<b>Monday/Jan. 19
</b>Open Mic Night. 8 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Preschool Open House at Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. 703-239-1213 or www.spring-mar.org.
<b>Wednesday/Jan. 21
</b>Needlework Group, 10:30 a.m. Bring a project to work on in the company of fellow needlecrafters. Adults. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Small Wonders, 10:15 a.m. Stories, fingerplays and activities. Age 13-23 months with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English Conversation Group, 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Lorton Book Club 7:30 p.m. “The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers” by Harry Bernstein. Adults. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Book Discussion Group, 7:15 p.m. Call for title. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
<b>Thursday/Jan. 22
</b>Vrrroom! 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and activities about cars. Age 2-5 with adult. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Preschool Storytime, 1 p.m. Stories, songs and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Friday/Jan. 23
</b>Lunch Bunch, 12 p.m. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Hit By Pitch. 8:30 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Winter Night Hikes, 7:30-9 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Search for owls and other night creatures. Suitable for age seven and up. $5 adults, $3 children under 16. Prepaid reservations required. 703-569-0285.
George Mason University’s Potomac Arts Academy, 2009 High School Honor Band Festival, 8 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. High school band students will perform with the United States Navy Band. Free admission. jkilken1@gmu.edu or 703-993-1607.
<b>Saturday/Jan. 24
</b>VITA Tax Assistance, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $42K. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Professional Bull Riders Fairfax Invitational, 7:30 p.m. at the George Mason Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. All-Time Bull Fighting Champion Rob Smets will be master of ceremonies. Adult tickets $20-$65, children 2-12 years $10, available at 703-573-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com.
Hit By Pitch. 8:30 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Winter Chills and Thrills, 1-3 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Discover how wildlife copes with winter. For children age 5-10 with adult. Cost is $4 per child. 703-768-2525.
Winter Night Hikes, 7:30-9 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Search for owls and other night creatures. Suitable for age seven and up. $5 adults, $3 children under 16. Prepaid reservations required. 703-569-0285.
George Mason University’s Potomac Arts Academy, 2009 High School Honor Band Festival, 8 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. High school band students will perform with the United States Navy Band. Free. jkilken1@gmu.edu or 703-993-1607.
EMO Soldiers Festival, with Blessed By a Brokenheart, Love Hate Her, Karate High School, Agraceful, Kiros and Boys Will Be Boys. 1 p.m. Tickets $13 in advance, $15 day of show. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
Chinese New Year Celebration, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Dewberry Hall, George Mason University, Fairfax campus. $6 adults, $2 seniors and children. Dance and calligraphy demonstrations and silent auction. New World Bilingual Institute, 703-978-7905 or www.nwbi.us.
LeadFoot and more. 10 p.m. Tickets $5. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
Asian Community Service Center Chinese New Year Festival, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Lunar New Year Parade, live performances, children’s games, table tennis competition, Chinese language and cooking workshop, Asian food and more. 703-868-1509 or www.ChineseNewYearFestival.org.
Concerts from Kirkwood, ‘Jazz in January’ by the GMU Faculty Jazz Combo, 3 p.m. at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Parkway, Springfield. Free. Donations accepted. 703-451-5320 or www.kirkwoodpres.com.
<b>Sunday/Jan. 25
</b>Professional Bull Riders Fairfax Invitational, 2:30 p.m. at the George Mason Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. All-Time Bull Fighting Champion Rob Smets will be master of ceremonies. Adult tickets $20-$65, children 2-12 years $10, available at 703-573-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com.
Pianist Jeffrey Siegel, 7 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts. Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, including Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Stravinsky’s Circus Polka, Brahms’ Rhapsody in E-Flat, Sibelius’ Evergreen, Granados’ Spanish Dance and Ginastera's Sonata. Tickets are $19-$38. Age 12 and under half price. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit www.tickets.com. The Center for the Arts is on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Karaoke. 8 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Asian Community Service Center Chinese New Year Festival, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Lunar New Year Parade, live performances, children’s games, table tennis competition, Chinese language and cooking workshop, Asian food and more. 703-868-1509 or www.ChineseNewYearFestival.org.
Clifton/Fairfax Station Area Transition in Place Services Open House, 3-5 p.m. at the Clifton town Hall. Light refreshments will be served. Diane Mauthé at mauthe5@cox.net or Nancy Simmons at nancysimmons@cox.net.
<b>Monday/Jan. 26
</b>Stretch Your Mind Games and Activities, 1:30 p.m. Brain teasers, games and more. Age 6-12. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Origami for Beginners, 4 p.m. Hands-on workshop on the Japanese art of folding paper. Age 8-12. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Writer's Group. 7 p.m. Read material aloud for feedback. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Open Mic Night. 8 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
<b>Tuesday/Jan. 27
</b>Computer Tutoring, 3 p.m. Adults. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Book Discussion Group, 7:30 p.m. Call for title. Adults. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Snowy Tales, 10:30 a.m. Winter stories. Age 13-23 months with adult. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
VITA Tax Assistance, 6-8 p.m. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $42,000. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Wednesday/Jan. 28
</b>The Killers, 8 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $45, available through www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
Mother-Daughter Book Club, 7 p.m. for girls age 9-11 and their mothers. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Practice Your English Conversation Group, 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Book Group for Older Adults, 2 p.m. Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Kingstowne Library Writers Peer Review Group, 7 p.m. Review peers' works and receive in-depth feedback on your own work. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Thursday/Jan. 29
</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. 703-971-0010.
Ponderings: Hibernators, 4:30-6 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8510 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. Search for den sites of hibernating animals. Ages 6-10, reservations required. $5 per child. 703-451-9588.
Milkweeds, Grasshoppers and Box Turtles, 7-8:30 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Learn why native grasses and wildflowers are important. 703-768-2525.
<b>Friday/Jan. 30
</b>Lunch Bunch, 12 p.m. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Chop Tank Murphy. 8:30 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
<b>Saturday/Jan. 31
</b>Philadelphia Dance Company, 8 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Free pre-performance discussion begins at 7:15 p.m. on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets $21-$42, age 12 and under half price. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or at www.tickets.com. www.gmu.edu/cfa.
VITA Tax Assistance, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $42K. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Chop Tank Murphy. 8:30 p.m. Kate’s Irish Pub, 6131 Backlick Road Springfield. 703-866-0860 or katesirishpub.com.
Winter Hike: Hawks and Marsh ducks, 1-3:30 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Look for winter hawks and other birds. For hikers age nine and up. $6 per person. 703-768-2525.
ZO2 and more. 9 p.m. Tickets $5. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.