Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 18
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Brewmaster's Castle and Woodrow Wilson House. Lunch on own. Cost: $18 members, $20 nonmembers, includes transportation and admissions. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Senior Movie. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Man of the Year," starring Robin Williams, Laura Linney, Christopher Walken and Jeff Goldblum; rated PG-13. Cost: $2, includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
Senior Trip. 1 p.m., Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg. Take a bus ride through Paris, Va. Cost: $4. Call 703-737-8039.
Film Screening. 7-9 p.m., Dodona Manor, 217 Edwards Ferry Road, Leesburg. Marshall Plan Film Series screening of "Selling Democracy." These films provide an informative look at how the European Recovery Plan, popularly known as the Marshall Plan, was promoted to European audiences through propaganda films. Cost: $10 at the door. Members attend free.
Choir Music. 7 p.m., Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road. The Northern Lights Youth Choir, a 43-member Christian touring group from northern Maine will perform. Free will donations will be accepted. Call 703-729-2012 or visit www.ashburnpresbyterian.org.
Frogfest. 3:30-5 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 old Vestal's gap Road, Sterling. Search the ponds and puddles of the park for toads, frogs, and tadpoles. Ages 6-8. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Thursday/April 19
<cal2>Musical Messages. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 3-6. Use your ears to hear nature's music and figure out what there're saying; make your own musical message. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
Potluck Dinner. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg. Bring a covered dish to share and a white elephant gift wrapped or placed in a gift bag. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
250th Anniversary Celebration. 4 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. In celebration of Loudoun County's 250th birthday and National Library Week, the Loudoun Museum Heritage Players will re-enact some special events in the county's history. Recommended for the family. Call 703-771-5624.
<cal1>Friday/April 20
<cal2>Percussion Music. 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive, Sterling. Word-Beat, with percussion master Tom Teasley and vocalist Charles Williams, will perform a concert to benefit the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter. Cost: $10 at the door. Visit www.word-beat.com.
From Swann’s Castle to Governor’s Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5; children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
Toddler Treks. 9:30-10:15 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Join other parents and their little ones on a hike to discover birds, squirrels, flowers and more. No unregistered siblings. Cost: $4 per adult. Call 571-258-3700.
Park Pals. 10:45-11:45 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 2-4. Look for tracks, listen for birdcalls, look under logs, and more, while focusing on monthly themes. No unregistered siblings, please. Theme: Frogs Friends. Cost: $7 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Saturday/April 21
<cal2>Master Singers. 8 p.m., at St. James Episcopal, 14 Cornwall St., Leesburg. The Master Singers of Virginia perform Aaron Copland's "In the Beginning." Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors/children. Call 703-655-7809 or visit www.msva.org.
Teen Read-a-Thon. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Teen read-a-thon to benefit the Loudoun Literacy Council. Each teen is being asked to raise $50. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Saturday Music. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tarara Vineyard and Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Celebrate Spring with some of the area's finest musicians and award-winning wines. Call 703-771-1000 or visit http://www.tarara.com.
Canine Country Jamboree. 11-4 p.m., Leesburg Canine Country Club, 22025 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. This charity fund-raiser to end pet homelessness features bluegrass music, country cooking, animal adoptions, a charity auction and more. Leashed dogs welcome. Free. Call 703-554-2162 or visit http://www.leesburgcaninecountryclub.com.
Senior Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace and the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, will both be taking a trip to Harrisonburg, Va., to visit the Virginia Quilt Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Market and Patchwork Plus. Cost: $16 for members, $18 for nonmembers, includes transportation and admission; lunch and dinner on own. Extensive walking. Call Senior Center at Cascades, 703-430-2397 or Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 703-737-8039, for departure/return times and locations.
Naturalist Center. 1-3:30 p.m., Naturalist Center of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Includes "hands-on science" about the fossils, minerals, birds, butterflies and bones you might find in your backyard. To register, contact Mimi Westervelt, at 703-779-9714.
Benefit Concert. 6:30 p.m., at Leesburg United Methodist Church. This is the second annual Mission Guyana Benefit Concert featuring One Horse Town with Diamonds in the Rough opening, presented by Evergreen Church International Mission Group. Suggested donation for the concert is $15 per family, with the majority of proceeds going to IMG Mission Guyana. Call 540-882-3625.
Choral Performance. 7:30 p.m., at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. Loudoun Chorale's spring concert "400 Years of America Singing." Cost: $10 general admission, $8 seniors, $5 youth, children 12 and under free. Call 703-722-3985 or visit www.loudounchorale.org.
Book Signing. 2-3:15 p.m., Dodona Manor, 217 Edwards Ferry Road, Leesburg. In conjunction with Virginia Historic Garden Week, Andre Viette will give a short talk followed by question-and-answer session and book signing. Cost: $10 at the door; Dodona members attend free. Call 703-777-1301.
Art Show. 1-4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. The Potomac Falls High School Chapter of the National Art Honor Society invites the community to its First Annual Student Art Exhibit. Admission free and half of all donations will go to the humanitarian organization CARE. Contact Stephany Lin at stephanylin@gmail.com.
Wine Tasting. 12, 2:15 and 4:30 p.m., Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville. Breaux Vineyards Annual Vertical Tasting. $50 fee includes wine, gourmet food, and lecture with winemaker, Dave Collins. Advanced reservations are required. Contact www.breauxvineyards.com/events or call 800-492-9961.
Jewelry Making Creations. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Make a necklace or bracelet. Ages 9-15. Cost: $8 plus $15 supply fee. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Loud Poetry Guy. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. James Scott, a.k.a. The Loud Poetry Guy, brings charm, wit, and fast-paced loud poetry and short stories. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Call 703-430-2397.
Fighting & Frolicking: The Civil War Comes to Morven Park, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Confederate soldiers and civilians in replica log huts tell the story of life in camp at Morven Park following the 1861 battle at nearby Ball’s Bluff; includes firing demonstrations and drilling. Cost: adults $5; children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
Bluegrass Concert. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music at 7 p.m., Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Dark Hollow and Blue Daze perform; refreshments available at snack bar. Cost: $12. Call 703-771-5281 or visit LuckettsCommunityCenter.org.
Flower and Garden Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., downtown Leesburg. Offers landscape displays, fresh cut flowers, live trees and shrubs, garden sculptures and art, fountain displays, outdoor grills and fire pits and more. Suggested admission is $3 per person, with ages 6 and under free. Call the Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department at 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.
Spaghetti Dinner. 5-8 p.m., Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 20688 Ashburn Road. All-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner fund-raiser for Explorer Post 1666; includes spaghetti, meatballs, garlic toast, salad, tea and coffee. Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children under 12 and children under 3 free. Call 703-729-0006.
Wild Edibles Walk. 1-2:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Discover the hidden values of plants on this naturalist-led hike. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 10 amd up. Cost: $4 per person. To register, call 571-258-3700.
Earth Day Campfire. 7:30-9 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Listen to Native American stories, playing games, singing and toasting marshmallows provided by the park over a campfire. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All ages. Cost: $4 per person. To register, call 571-258-3700.
Keep Loudoun Beautiful. 8 a.m.-noon, Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Conduct trail maintenance, clean streams and pond shorelines, and remove trash from park borders. Wear work clothes, boots and work gloves. Water and a snack will be provided. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
<cal1>Sunday/April 22
<cal2>Aldie Community Concert. 3 p.m., Aldie United Methodist Church, 39325 John Mosby Highway, Aldie. Joni Bishop will perform in a special concert and art show. Visit www.villageofaldie.com.
Sunday in the Preserve. 1 p.m., Banshee Reeks Preserve. Phil Daley of the Friends of Banshee Reeks and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a free informal, family walk around the preserve. Call the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 703-669-0316.
Film Screening. 3-6 p.m., Round Hill Center, 20 High St. A screening of "An Inconvenient Truth" will be held. Following the movie, join an open discussion led by a facilitator. Contact Laura Weidner at 540-554-2747 or lweidner@loudounwildlife.org.
Choral Performance. 4 p.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 West Market Street, Leesburg. Loudoun Chorale's spring concert "400 Years of America Singing." See April 21 item for more information.
Plant Exchange. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. 14th annual spring seed and plant exchange; bring extra seeds, bulbs, plants and cutting to exchange with others. Free. Call 703-430-2136.
Travel through Time in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5; children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
Flower and Garden Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Leesburg. See April 21 item for more details.
<cal1>Monday/April 23
<cal2>Toddler One and Two. 11 a.m., Rust Library. Join Rust Library for stories, rhymes and movement. Parachute play for toddlers on the go. Ages 12-24 months with parent/caregiver. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us, go to Calendar of Events.
Sing Along. 1 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Theme: songs of spring. Cost: free. Call 703-430-2397.
From Swann’s Castle to Governor’s Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. See April 20 item for more information.
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Read "On Beyond Bugs" by Tish Rabe and learn about these fascinating creatures; meet some live insects up-close. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Chipmunks and their Friends. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Learn about chipmucks and their friends. Ages 3-6. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 25
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 per member, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Fashion Show. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Second annual "Spring Fling," includes Easter bonnet competition and prizes. Cost: lunch donation; register on lunch sign-up sheet. Call 703-430-2397.
Senior Lunch. 11:30 a.m., sponsored bt the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg. Have lunch at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Cost: $3 for transportation. Call 703-737-8039.
<cal1>Thursday/April 26
<cal2>Music. 7:30 p.m., Potomac Falls High School, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. The Potomac Falls High School Symphonic and Concert Bands will hold their spring concert. Admission is free and all are welcome. Call 703-444-7542 or Tim.Niebergall@loudoun.k12.va.us.
Spring Fun. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Spring activities and crafts. Ages 4-10. Cost: $9 per child. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Spanish Bilingual Story Time. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Bilingual story time presented by Barbara Davila. Recommended for ages 2–6. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/April 27
<cal2>Audition. 7-9 p.m., Waddell Theater, Loudoun Campus, Northern Virginia Community College, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling. Open auditions for the "5th of July" by Lanford Wilson to be directed by Mathew Randall. Performances July 6-8 and July 13-15. Call 703-948-7701.
Toddler Treks. 9:30-10:15 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Join other parents and their little ones on a hike to discover birds, squirrels, flowers and more. No unregistered siblings. Cost: $4 per adult. Call 571-258-3700.
Park Pals. 10:45-11:45 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 2-4. Look for tracks, listen for birdcalls, look under logs, and more, while focusing on monthly themes. No unregistered siblings, please. Theme: Spring is Here. Cost: $7 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
From Swann’s Castle to Governor’s Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5; children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Saturday/April 28
<cal2>Teen Read-a-Thon. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Cascade Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Teen read-a-thon to benefit the Loudoun Literacy Council. Each teen is being asked to raise $50. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Saturday Music. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tarara Vineyard and Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Celebrate Spring with some of the area's finest musicians and award-winning wines. Call 703-771-1000 or visit http://www.tarara.com.
World Fest. 7-9 p.m., Crossroads Baptist Church, 850 Edwards Ferry Road, Leesburg. Visit Spain, Norway and Russia through music featuring the Little Mozart Academy Youth Chamber Orchestra (LMAYCO) and the Society Youth Orchestra (SYO) and enjoy ice cream. Call 703-728-2589.
Spring Gala. 6:30-11 p.m., Oatlands. The theme of the ninth annual spring gala is "The Barns Reborn … Old Fabric, New Life, New Purpose." Cost: $2,000 per table; $1,000 program sponsors; $200 individual ticket. Call 703-777-3174, Ext. 115 or visit www.oatlands.org to purchase tickets.
Birding the Blue Ridge Center. 8 a.m., Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a free bird walk Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Spring Volkmarch. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., St. John's Catholic Church, 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive, N.E., Leesburg. The Loudoun Breast Health Network and the Loudoun Walking Club sponsor a walking course. Fee: $3 or donation to the LBHN. E-mail nancyaldie@aol.com or rcwright_va@comcast.net or call Nancy at 703-509-9709.
Audition. 12-2 p.m., Waddell Theater, Loudoun Campus, Northern Virginia Community College, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling. See April 27 item for details.
Golf Tournament and Silent Auction. Lansdowne Resort, Lansdowne. The Brad Kaminsky Foundation's Sixth Annual Heroes of Hope Golf Tournament and Silent Auction to benefit brain cancer research. Flashback to the '80s awards dinner starts at 6 p.m., and is $75 a person. E-mail Lisa Millar at DNL1231@aol.com.
Civil War Tour: John Brown. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Depart/Return: Claude Moore Park Visitor Center, Sterling. Ages 12 and up. Historian Steve Meserve leads a tour of John Brown related sights. Bring a bag lunch or buy one when stop. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register by April 27, call 571-258-3700. Cost $35 per person plus $5 for site admissions.
How to Search for (and Find) Wildlife in the Spring. 10-11:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 8 and up. Discover the simple skills that naturalists use to find the animals in their homes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $4. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
Beaver Bits. 7-8:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Naturalist-led hike to view beaver evidence, play a habitat game and see some beavers. Cancelled if heavy rain, program is on if it drizzles. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $4 per person. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
Animal Park. Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., Leesburg Animal Park, 19720 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. Outback Jack Stanton, a modern minstrel from "Down Under," will perform music, songs and international characters. Cost: $7.95 for children and seniors, $9.95 for adults. Visit www.LeesburgAnmialPark.com.
Dog Wash. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., The Dog School, 305 Market St., Leesburg. Doberman Assistance, Rescue and Education (DAR&E) will hold a dog wash. Prices vary depending on the size of the dog; all proceeds benefit DAR&E. Call 703-779-1333 or www.dobe.net.
Flags, Flasks & Flu: My Experiences in Richmond. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Explore the life and times of Marguerite Inman Davis, wife of World War I-era Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis. Cost: adults $5; children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Sunday/April 29
<cal2>Walk. Ida Lee Park, Leesburg. WalkAmerica supports the March of Dimes fight to save babies from premature birth and from other serious threats to infant health. To join the event visit www.walkamerica.org or call 1-800-525-WALK.
Animal Park. Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., Leesburg Animal Park, 19720 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. See April 28 item for details.
Travel through Time in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5; children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.