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Arts & Entertainment

Weekend Planner: Concerts, Festivals, Trains and More

Friday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14

Ready for the weekend? Patch has a weekend full of local events to keep you busy this Friday through Sunday:

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  • Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
  • When: Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.
  • Why Go: Performed in French with English supertitles, this acclaimed opera by Bizet tells the story of two pearl fishermen in love with the same woman.
  • Price: Tickets range from $44 - $86

 

Family Fall Festival

Find out what's happening in Greater Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Where: Armistead L. Boothe Park, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Why Go: Activities will include live music, puppet shows, pony rides, scarecrow making, hay rides, pumpkin painting and more. 
  • Price: Admission is FREE – see website for details

 

Super Science Saturday: Balloons and Blimps

  • Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go: Visitors of all ages will learn about balloons and blimps through hands-on activities and demonstrations. 
  • Price: Admission is FREE

 

Teas of Africa Tasting Party

  • Where: Green Spring Gardens, Annandale
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m.
  • Why Go: Experience the flavors of Africa by sampling teas from Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi.  For ages 18 and up.
  • Price: $22 - $24 per person – registration required

 

17th Annual Alexandria Arts Safari

  • Where: Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from Noon – 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: This family-friendly event will include painting, clay modeling, origami, block printing, a scavenger hunt and more. 
  • Price: FREE 

 

Archaeology Day: Can You Dig It?

  • Where: Gunston Hall, Lorton
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from Noon – 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: The archaeology staff will demonstrate how to screen for artifacts, as well as how to clean and mend discovered objects.  The Hunting for George Mason’s Landscape tour will occur at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.  
  • Price: Family Admission: $25, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Ages 6 – 18: $5, Under Age 6: FREE

 

Elisabeth von Trapp Concert

  • Where: Franconia United Methodist Church, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.
  • Why Go: The granddaughter of the real life Baron and Maria von Trapp will perform original compositions and much-loved favorites.
  • Price: Admission is FREE

 

Young Concert Artists

  • Where: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Why Go: Three musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship Program will perform on the harp, flute and violin.  Featuring music by Barber, Faure and Ibert.
  • Price: Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students and Teachers: $10

 

Table Top Display and N Gauge Model Trains

  • Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, Fairfax Station
  • When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 1 – 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: Check out the table top (T-TRAK) display and running N gauge model trains, sponsored by Northern Virginia NTRAK.
  • Price: Adults: $3, Children: $1

 

YoKid Challenge

  • Where: Mt. Vernon RECenter, Alexandria
  • When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 2 – 5 p.m.
  • Why Go:  This event, sponsored by Whole Foods Market, encourages kids to try their hand at yoga and learn about good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
  • Price: FREE – registration required

 

Virginia Bronze Handbell Ensemble

  • Where: George Washington Masonic Memorial, Alexandria
  • When: Sunday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: The ensemble will be joined by the hammered dulcimer, harp guitar, accordion and wooden flute in this “Captivating Carillon” concert.
  • Price: Family Admission: $20, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Children: $5

 

Mason Symphony Orchestra presents: Oktoberfest

  • Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
  • When: Sunday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: In celebration of Oktoberfest, this all German concert will feature music by Beethoven, Hindemith and F. Strauss.    
  • Price: Tickets range from $5 - $10

 

Library Events:

  • Bouncin’ Babies at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m.  For age 23 months and younger.  FREE – registration required.
  • Storytime for Three to Fives at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m.  For ages 3 - 5.  FREE – registration required.
  • Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • BRAVO for Spanish at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 3 - 5.  FREE – registration required. 
  • Wag a Tale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 13 beginning at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 5 – 12.  FREE – registration required.
  • Paws to Read at Lorton Library, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 13 beginning at 11 a.m.   For ages 6 – 12.   FREE – registration required.
  • The One-Man Band Music Show at Kings Park Library, Burke.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. For all ages.  FREE – registration required.
  • Fall Festivities at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m.  FREE.

 

Nature Highlights:

  • Watershed Cleanup Day at Fairfax County Parks (see website for details).  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. 
  • Manassas Battlefield Historical Paddle at Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 9 a.m.  $30 per person – reservations required.
  • Dinosaur Play and Hunt at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 12:30 p.m.  For ages 3 – 8.  $5 - $7 per person – registration required.
  • Amazing Mushrooms at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.  For adults.  $20 - $22 per person – registration required.
  • Visit with a Carpenter at Sully Historic Site, Chantilly.  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1 – 4 p.m.  For ages 5 and up.  $5 - $7 per person.
  • Live Owl and Hawk Fest at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m.   For ages 2 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – registration required.
  • Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh, Alexandria.  Sunday, Oct. 14 at 8 a.m.  FREE.
  • Kayak Tour at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Oct. 14 at 8 a.m.  For ages 8 and up.  $30 per person – reservations required.
  • Wagon Ride at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Sunday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.  For ages 2 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – registration required.
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