The Connection

Friday/May 15

Herndon Pyramid Concert. 7 p.m. Herndon High School Auditorium, 700 Bennett Street, Herndon. This is a great opportunity to hear many talented instrumentalists from Herndon High, Herndon Middle School and their feeder elementary schools. Bring the whole family and enjoy performances from each of the following ensembles: Elementary Area Band, Herndon High School Saxophone Ensemble, Herndon Middle School Symphonic Band, Herndon United Methodist Church Percussion Ensemble, Herndon High School Wind Ensemble, Herndon High School Indoor Guard and Herndon High School Indoor Drumline. Admission is free.

Jazz Dessert Concert. 7:30 p.m.Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Featuring the South Lakes High School Jazz Hawks and Langston Hughes Middle School Jazz Ensemble. $15 Adults, $8 Students, free for age 5 and under with an adult. Tickets at the door or online at www.SouthLakesBand.org.

Friday-Saturday/May 15-16

Alice in Wonderland. 7 p.m. Thomas Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria. This modern retelling of the classic children’s story has all of the characters you know and love, including the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. With cell phone in hand, a present-day Alice encounters the Wonderland so many of us treasure in a musical that appeals to both children and adults. Tickets will be available at the door ($5 for adults, $3 for children, $1 for children at matinee). Concessions will be available.

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. At Reston Town Center, an event attracts more than 50,000 patrons and provides an interactive experience to view, purchase, and experience art directly from the artists who have created it. Visit http://northernvirginiafineartsfestival.org for more.

Saturday/May 16

Spring Gala. 7-9 p.m. ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon. Enjoy a spring evening honoring Elma “The Queen of Herndon” Mankin while enjoying the beautiful chamber music of the Beau Soir Ensemble. Tickets, per-person, $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Semi-formal. Proceeds from this event will go directly to the continuation and enhancement of fine arts programming at ArtSpace Herndon. http://www.artspaceherndon.com/spring-gala/.

Herndon High School’s Annual Paige Saucedo 5k Memorial Fundraiser. 9 a.m. - noon. Herndon High School, 700 Bennett Street, Herndon. Herndon High School will host the 4th Annual Paige R. Saucedo 5K Scholarship Walk/Run. Registration is $20 per adult and $10 per child (under 18). T-shirts will be given to 5K registrants as supplies last. Proceeds of event will benefit Herndon High School ESOL students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need to support post- high school opportunities. Two 1st place $500 scholarships will be awarded to student race winners, male and female (age 14 – 18) regardless of second language criteria.

Teddy Bear Picnic. Herndon Fortnighly Library, 768 Center Street, Herndon. 2 p.m. All ages and their favorite stuffed animal enjoy stories, songs, and activities.

Downfall: The Empire’s Last Stand. 2 p.m. Reston Regional Library, 119235 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Local historical tour guide Jim Lewis presents the Allied leadership’s 1945 plan for a massive invasion of Japan, “The Largest Invasion That Never Happened.” Adults.

Rain Barrel Workshop. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Adults. Rain barrels are a great way to help capture and control stormwater from rooftops, prevent erosion, improve water quality, and conserve water. This workshop is a quick and inexpensive way to recycle a black pickle barrel into a rain barrel for your home. Participants must register and submit payment online at www.arlingtonenvironment.org/barrel.php. Reservations required by May 12. Fee: $55 per barrel (Limit 2 per household.) For more information, email naturecenter@reston.org, or call 703-476-9689 and press 5.

1st Annual Car Show. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. The entry fee for all vehicles is $10, and entries are now being accepted. Spectators will be admitted free of charge. The car show is presented by MNR Dips. Cars and trucks will be judged in three classes. One vehicle will win the "All Show People's Choice" award. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third-place winners. To enter a car or truck, call 571-264-7479 or email Treybrown321@gmail.com. Vendor opportunities are available.

McLean Day 2015. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Petting zoo, rides, games, food trucks and more. http://mcleancenter.org/

Vienna Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Faith Baptist Church Parking Lot, 301 Center Street South, Vienna. www.viennafarmersmarket.com.

Hope & Health Festival. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lorton Community Action Center, South County Cares, and INOVA are providing the annual Hope & Health Festival at the Lorton Park, 9518 Richmond Highway, behind the Lorton Library. Free health screenings, food, inflatables, kids’ games and activities will be available, rain or shine to all in attendance. LortonAction.org or call 703-339-5161, ext. 140.

7th Annual Occoquan River Fest. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Lorton. This family event will feature free river boat rides, a children’s midway, live animals, food, hiking, paddling and over 15 outdoor recreation, history and conservation organizations. The event is sponsored by NOVA Parks with assistance from the Occoquan Watertrail League, the Occoquan River Communities, Bob Beach Architects, Vulcan Materials, Rivergate Development, Prince William Marina and Lorton Station Merchants.

Creative Writers Club. 2 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Fred Oaks Road, Burke. Do you enjoy writing fiction, poetry, non-fiction and/or memoirs? Join us for sharing, discussion and feedback of works in progress. Ages 12-18.

Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) Benefit Buffet Luncheon. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Springfield Outback Steakhouse, 6651 Backlick Road, Springfield. The Springfield Outback Steakhouse will be presenting a fundraiser to benefit the FARA.Cover charge is $30 and includes an all you can eat buffet including sliced steak, sliced chicken, side dishes, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. Live entertainment will be provided by the “Ocean Drive” from Fredericksburg, Va, (www.islandgerry.com). The event is being co-sponsored by the Washington Area Parrot Head Club. www.curefa.org, or contact Donna Rambler at the Springfield Outback at obs4713@outback.com or by phone at 703-912-7531.

Springfield Smart Markets Farmers Market. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Springfield Town Center, at the corner of Loisdale Road and Spring Mall Drive. Fresh local fruits and veggies.

Creative Writers Club. 2 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Fred Oaks Road, Burke. Do you enjoy writing fiction, poetry, non-fiction and/or memoirs? Join us for sharing, discussion and feedback of works in progress. Teen volunteer facilitates. Age 13-18.

Saturday-Sunday/May 16-17

Claude Moore Colonial Farm 1771 Market Fair. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Sit in the shade and savor roast chicken and spicy sausages, enjoy dancing and singing with the fiddler, test your water color and writing skills with Mr. Andrews at the Stationer. Visit http://1771.org for more.

Sunday/May 17

Hansel & Gretel. 4 p.m. Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. RCO performs a special Hansel & Gretel with Pamela Ferguson and her Little Green Dragon. Maestro Dingwall Fleary presents RCO youth soloist Mika Cutler playing Kreisler's Praeludium and Allegro. Free Admission. Tickets required.

Invertebrates are Everywhere. 2-3 p.m. Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Ages 5 to 12. Discover the variety of habitats invertebrates can live in from trees to ponds to the soil under our feet. Explore the amazing adaptations of these creatures without backbones. Reservations required by May 14. Fee: $5/child RA members, $7/child Non-members. For more information, email naturecenter@reston.org, or call 703-476-9689 and press 5.

3rd Annual Fragile X Walk. 7:45 a.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Early Registration is $35 per adult (includes dry fit t-shirt) and $15 per child (includes dry fit t-shirt) Children under 4 are free. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges and various physical characteristics. FXS is the most common known genetic cause of autism. It can cause learning and behavior challenges ranging from mild to severe. Over 1 million individuals nationwide have, or are at risk, of carrying the Fragile X mutation. Late Registration after May 5 is $40 per adult and $15 per child and shirt sizes are not guaranteed. https://www.crowdrise.com/FXSNOVA2015.

N Gauge Model Train Show. 1-4 p.m. Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Museum members, free; adults 16 and over, $4; children 5-15, $2; under 4, free. Information on the museum and shows is at www.fairfax-station.org phone 703-425-9225.

Historic Colonial Church Service at Gunston Hall Plantation. 10:30 a.m. Gunston Hall is located at 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. A colonial Anglican Service of Morning Prayer will be held at Gunston Hall. The service will be led by the Rev. Mr. Lee Massey, a colonial Rector of Pohick Church, as portrayed by the Reverend Thomas Costa, D.D. The service will use the Order for Morning Prayer from the 1662 English Book of Common Prayer, the service George Mason and George Washington used in their regular Sunday worship. For more information call 703-550-9220 or visit www.gunstonhall.org

Workhouse Farmers Market. 1-5 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. The opening day of this year’s farmers markets season.

2015 Joe Cassella 5K Walk/Run Charity Event. 8:30 a.m. Great Falls Village Centre, 776 Walker Road, Great Falls. Participants from all ages and skill levels will gather together for a great cause and enjoy a day of fitness and fun. The Kids Fun Run will kick off this event followed by the competitive, ChronoTrack-timed 5K Run/Walk. The Joe Cassella Foundation will host a post-race celebration to include food, music, entertainment for kids, cash prizes, awards and giveaways.Registration fees to participant will be $30/adult ($35 after May 14th), and $10/child 12 & under ($15 after May 14) Pre-registration and late registration will be available at www.JoeCassellaFoundation.org.

Amadeus Orchestra with Jessica Stecklein. 4 p.m. Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Soprano Jessica Stecklein returns to perform with the Amadeus OrchestraTickets are $30 and may be purchased at the door or online at http://www.amadeusconcerts.com. Students 17 and under are admitted free of charge.

Spring into Summer. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tysons West, 1500 Cornerside Boulevard, Tysons. Spring into Summer at Tysons West with playful activities and entertainment for all ages. Make your own jump rope, play hopscotch, climb the rock wall, get your face painted, get in on the action with the Jump Bunch, a Zumbathon, and UJam. Enjoy more fun and health tips, too, with Tysons West merchants. Rain or shine.