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Community Corner

Weekend Planner: Helicopters, Ballet, Art Walk and More

Friday, August 10 through Sunday, August 12, 2012

Patch has found a variety of events for you to choose from as you make your weekend plans.

Sky-Watching and Meteor Shower

  • Where: Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly
  • When: Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Why Go: Bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch the Perseid meteor shower from the grounds of Cub Run RECenter.  Ask questions and learn about the night sky from naturalists on site.  For ages 5 and up.
  • Price: $4 per person – Registration Required

Super Science Saturdays - Helicopters

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  • Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
  • When: Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go: For one day only helicopters will be on display outside the museum, weather permitting.  There will also be discovery stations, art activities, model helicopter demonstrations and much more inside the center. 
  • Price:  Admission is FREE – Parking is $15 per vehicle

Irish Festival

  • Where: Waterfront Park, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, August 11 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Why Go: Celebrate Irish culture with live music and dancing, arts and crafts, food and much more.
  • Price: Admission is FREE
  • Where: John Carlyle Square Park, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, August 11 from Noon - 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: This event, sponsored by Whole Foods Market Old Town, will feature back to school raffles, vendors, face painting, an art contest, live music and more.
  • Price: Admission is FREE

ACDA Voices United Concert

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  • Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
  • When: Saturday, August 11 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Why Go:  The participants of this youth honor chorus will perform a free concert open to the public.
  • Price:  FREE

Second Saturday Art Walk

  • Where: The Workhouse Arts Center
  • When: Saturday, August 11, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
  • Why Go: See the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists in a unique historic venue - the former home of the Lorton Prison
  • Price: FREE

Starlight Drive-In Cinema

  • Where: Trinity Centre, Centreville
  • When: Saturday, August 11 – Gates open at 6 p.m.
  • Why Go: Enjoy family friendly drive-in movies during the month of August.  This week’s feature will be “The Smurfs”.
  • Price: FREE

Jane Austen Ball

  • Where: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, August 11 at 8 p.m.
  • Why Go: Experience the late 1790s with this event featuring English country dances, live music, “iced refreshments” and more.  Period costumes are encouraged, but not required.
  • Price: Tickets are $45 in advance

What the Butler Saw

  • Where: Green Spring Gardens, Annandale
  • When: Sunday, August 12 from 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go: Enjoy a full English tea while you learn about the “risqué” side of Victorian life through postcards, photos and prints.  For ages 18 and up.
  • Price: $27 per person – Reservations Required

Virginia Ballet Company presents Precedence

  • Where: Ernst Community Cultural Center, Annandale
  • When: Sunday, August 12 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Why Go:  This summer performance concert combines contemporary dance with classical technique, including flamenco, ballet and modern dance.
  • Price: Tickets are $20

Free Concerts:

  • at The Lyceum, Alexandria.  Sunday, August 12 at 3 p.m.  FREE.
  • at Fort Hunt Park, Alexandria.  Sunday, August 12 at 7 p.m.  FREE.

Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series Performances:

  • Braddock Nights presents Johnny Cash Tribute Band, Jed Duvall at Lake Accotink Park, Springfield.  Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Mount Vernon Nights presents Guy Mendilow Band at Grist Mill Park, Alexandria.  Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Spotlight by Starlight presents Hula Monsters at Mason District Park, Annandale.  Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Arts in the Parks presents Rocknoceros at Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station.  Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m.  FREE.
  • Arts in the Parks presents The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO Brass Quintet at Mason District Park, Annandale.  Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m.  FREE.
  • Arts in the Parks presents The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO Percussion Duo at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m.  FREE.
  • Mount Vernon Nights presents The United States Air Force Band “Airmen of Note” at Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton.  Saturday, August 11 at 7 p.m.  FREE.
  • Spotlight by Starlight presents Korean Cultural Heritage Night at Ossian Hall Park, Annandale.  Saturday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.
  • Spotlight by Starlight presents Clifton Williams and the Blue James Band at Mason District Park, Annandale.  Sunday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m.  FREE.

Library Events:

  • Fun Flicks at Pohick Regional Library, Burke.  Friday, August 10 at 10:30 a.m.  For all ages.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Nature Highlights:

  • Mammal Mania – Herbivores at Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield.  Friday, August 10 at 4 p.m.  For ages 6 - 8.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Evening Adventure Wagon Ride at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Friday, August 10 at 8 p.m.  For ages 2 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Insect Safari at Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly.  Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m.  For ages 3 – 15.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Beginning Nature Photography at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m.  Weekend Parking is $4 per vehicle.
  • Turtle Time at Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly.  Saturday, August 11 at Noon.  $5 per person – Registration Required.
  • Homegrown Medicine Chest Garden Tour at Sully Historic Site, Chantilly.  Saturday, August 11 at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.  $5 - $7 per person.
  • Geology Rocks at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, August 11 at 2 p.m.  For ages 5 - 13.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
  • GPS Adventure at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, August 11 at 4 p.m.  Weekend Parking is $4 per vehicle.
  • Kayak Tour at Pohick Regional Park, Lorton.  Sunday, August 12 at 8 a.m.  For ages 12 and up.  $30 per person – Reservations Required.
  • Treemendous! at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Sunday, August 12 at 11 a.m.  For ages 2 - 5.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Mammals of Mason Neck at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, August 12 at Noon.  Weekend Parking is $4 per vehicle.
  • The Marsh at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, August 12 at 4 p.m.  Weekend Parking is $4 per vehicle.
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