To have arts and entertainment events in Fairfax, Loudoun and Arlington listed free, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or fax to 703-917-0991 or e-mail maweber@connectionnewspapers.com
“Whit and Whimsy: Marvelous and Magical,” a collection of acrylic paintings by Arlington artist Shannon T. McIntyre-Bugos, will be displayed through March 20 at the Washington Gas windows, 1100 H St. N.W., as part of the Artists in Our Midst program.
Keegan Musical. "Violet," a musical set in the 1960s during the Civil Rights movement, will be presented through March 31 at the Clark Street Playhouse, 601 S. Clark St. Show times are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 with senior and group discounts. Call 703-527-6000 or visit www.keegantheatre.org.
Hispanic Theater. Teatro de la Luna presents the Fifth International Festival of Hispanic Theater through March 16 on Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., and Saturday matinees at 3 p.m., at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive. Some performances at the Mexican Cultural Institute, 2829 16th St. N.W. Tickets are $25, seniors $20. Visit www.teatrodelaluna.org or or call 703-548-3092.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/MARCH 13
<cal2>Join Washington, Northern Virginia and Maryland professionals in the under 35 group for once a month networking and light appetizers. This month, the meeting is at the Rhodeside Grill, 1836 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $12 in advance, $18 at the door. For information and reservations, visit www.learningescapes.com.
<cal1>THURSDAY/MARCH 14
<cal2>March 14 is Food & Friends’ Dining Out for Life day. Eat at a participating restaurant on this day and a donation (25-100 percent of your food bill) will be donated to Food & Friends. For a listing of restaurants, call 202-582-DINE.
<cal1>FRIDAY/MARCH 15
<cal2>The Shamrock Pub Hop is the official kick-off party of the Mid-Atlantic Shamrock Festival. Held 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Ballston Common Mall, the event will feature five different themed parties, live modern rock bands, Irish entertainment, March Madness games on big-screens, Irish party favors, and food and drink specials. The cost is $10 with a canned food donation, $12 without. Sponsored by HiBall Events and Hot 99.5. Visit www.hiballevents.com for more information.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MARCH 16
<cal2>The Mid-Atlantic Shamrock Festival will take up three city blocks in Ballston (Arlington), from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Indoor/outdoor activities, five indoor restaurants, two outdoor stages with 10 live bands (modern rock, classic rock and Irish), lots o’ beer booths, Irish entertainers and attractions, and food. Advance tickets are $10, available from www.hiballevents.com.
<cal1>SUNDAY/MARCH 17
<cal2>The New Dominion Chorale will perform “Requiem,” at 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Tickets are $20 at the door, $18 in advance, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students. Call 703-442-9404.
<cal2>Learn how to preserve and care for vintage hats at “In Your Easter Bonnet,” a tea program being held March 17, 1-3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria. Wear a hat, preferably vintage. A full English tea follows the program. Reservations and $20 prepayment are required. Call 703-324-3988.
<cal2>The Grandsons celebrate their 15th year in rock 'n' roll when they return to The Barns of Wolf Trap on Sunday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. for a general admissions dance. The St. Patrick's Day performance marks the release of their new live album. Tickets are $14. Tickets can be purchased at the
Barns Box Office located at 1635 Trap Road; by calling Tickets.com at 703-218-6500; or online at www.wolftrap.org.
cal1>WEDNESDAY/MARCH 20
<cal2>Patricia Hill Collins will lecture on “Black Sexual Politics,” 1:30 p.m. at the Johnson Center Cinema at George Mason University in Fairfax. Collins is the chair of sociology within the Department of African American Studies at the University of Cincinnati and the author of several books. Free. Call 703-993-2896.
<cal2>Altan, the first Irish band to be signed by a major label will perform at the Barns of Wolf Trap Wednesday and Thursday, March 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased at the Barns Box Office located at 1635 Trap Road; by calling Tickets.com at 703-218-6500; or online at www.wolftrap.org.
<cal1>THURSDAY/MARCH 21
<cal2>Women’s History Month continues at George Mason University with a musical performance, “Coffee House,” by singer/songwriter Magdalen Hsu-Li. In the Johnson Center Bistro. Free. Call 703-993-2896.
<cal1>FRIDAY/MARCH 22
<cal2>Le Neon Theatre presents “The Man Who Laughs,” March 22-April 14, at the Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, in honor of the 200th anniversary of Victor Hugo’s birth. The production is a new staging of Le Neon’s 1996 adaptation of Hugo’s epic novel, “L’Homme Qui Rit.” Performed in English. Show times are Thursday-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with a special performance April 13 at 2 p.m. Sunday performances are followed by discussions with the actors and directors and a special guest speaker. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $12 for students and are available by calling 703-243-6366.
<cal2>The Big Bash for Breast Cancer at Rhodeside Grill, 1836 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, will include live music by Tastes Like Chicken at 9:30 p.m. The event, hosted by Team Helly-Bellies, benefits the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Doors open at 8 p.m.; $10 donation at the door. Call 703-243-0145.
<cal2>The Alexandria Volunteers are sponsoring the 9th Annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria. The event will be held at the Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road in Alexandria, 7-19 p.m. Cost is $40 per person or $70 per couple and includes food, soda and entertainment. Call 703-836-2176.
<cal1>SATURDAY, MARCH 23
<cal2>Gunston Hall’s annual Kite Festival will be held from noon-5 p.m. Bring your own kite, or buy one from the Museum Shop. Historic puppet shows, costumed characters, hands-on activities, and the plantation’s newborn animals will also be featured. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, free for children under 18.
<cal>SUNDAY / March 24
<cal2t>New techniques and visions of the contemporary quilt maker will be discussed at “Quilts of Art,” a tea program at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria, March 24, 1-3 p.m. A full English tea follows the program. Reservations and $20 prepayment are required. Call 703-324-3988.
<cal2>The 13th Annual Reston 10-Miler will benefit the Oakton and Herndon high school track and field teams. The race will be held at South Lakes High School in Reston at 8 a.m. The cost is $20 before March 15, $25 for late entry, $30 race day. Call 703-620-6356.
cal1>TUESDAY/MARCH 26
<cal2>Helen Zia is the keynote speaker for Women’s History Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, 1:30 p.m. at the Johnson Center Bistro at George Mason University in Fairfax. Free. Call 703-993-2896.
<cal1>FRIDAY/ March 29
<cal2>A symposium examining the influence of scientific instruments on daily life will be held March 22 at George Mason University. The $50 registration fee must be postmarked by March 15. Call 703-631-1429.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MARCH 30
<cal2>The Wolf Trap Young Associates Theater Party Evening of Comedy will offer a buffet dinner at 7:30 p.m, dessert, drinks and performances by comedians at 9:30 p.m. Held at Wolf Trap Plantation House, 1627 Trap Road, Vienna, the cost is $33 for dinner and performance or $17 for dinner only. Reservations required by March 20. Space is limited. Call 703-255-1940.