Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional entertainment listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com, E section.
<cal1>Wednesday/July 11
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, U.S. Botanical Gardens, Air and Space or African Art/Sackler/Freer/Hirshharn museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Film Screening. 6:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Enjoy a Humphrey Bogart film. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Magic. 4 p.m., Sterling Library; 2:30 p.m., Cascades Library. Joseph and Bob the Bookworm use slight of hand and comedy to magically motivate young people to read. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Meet Thomas Jefferson. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Jefferson is portrayed by Rob Coles, the fifth great-grandson of Thomas Jefferson. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Thursday/July 12
<cal2>Musical Theater. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Wolf Trap in Vienna for a performance of "Camelot," a musical retelling of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot. Cost: $61 members, $63 nonmembers, includes transportation and orchestra seats. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Young at Art. 4-5 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Program offers a variety of themes in individual classes. This week's theme is Under the Sea. Cost: $9 per child and includes all supplies used. Call 703-430-6673.
Science Sleuth. 1:30-2:30 p.m., Cascades Library; 3:30-4:30 p.m., Sterling Library. Become a detective as you gather and use information from skeletons, fingerprints and DNA. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Animal Tracks. 10 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Examine animal tracks, make a track to take home. Recommended for ages 5-7. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8105 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/July 13
<cal2>Jazz Concert. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Jazz on the Potomac featuring Common Ground. Free, food and beverages available for purchase. Children's movie, 6-9 p.m., cost: $15. Children must be potty trained to attend.
RC Car Grand Prix. 6-8 p.m., Douglass Community Center hockey rink, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. All ages. Bring own radio-controlled car and race. Free. Preregistration required, call 703-771-5913.
Ice Cream Social. 6-7:30 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road. All ages. Ice-cream social on the playground; moves indoors in case of rain. Cost: $5. Call 703-430-6673.
Music. 5:30-6:30 p.m., Broadlands Hillside Park, 42935 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. Rocknocerous and Hi-Octane and the Texas Chainsaw Homs will perform. Visit www.broadlandslive.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. Learn Morven Park’s history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034.
Under the Stars. 7-9 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Pack a blanket and enjoy musical, cultural and other special events under the stars. Call 703-430-9480 for event schedule.
Teen Movie. 2-4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. See M. Night Shyamalan's movie "Signs," rated PG-13. Popcorn and drinks provided. Recommended for ages 13-18. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Mr. Knick Knack. 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Summer concert with Mr. Knick Knack. Recommended for all ages. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour before the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
South Riding Summer Concert. 7-9:30 p.m., Town Green. The Gridloc, a four-piece group specializing in R&B, Top 40 and old soul, will perform. Visit www.southriding.net.
<cal1>Saturday/July 14
<cal2>Acoustic on the Green. 7-9 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring Lighthorse. Free. Visit www.acousticonthegreen.com or call 703-737-7084.
Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
Fighting & Frolicking: The Civil War Comes to Morven Park. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Historical interpreters portraying Confederate soldiers and local civilians recreate a Civil War encampment from 1861/62. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
Beach Book Swap. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg. Swap the old books for new ones to take to the beach or pool. Books on tape/compact disc are welcome. Call 703-771-5281. Free.
Sterling Boulevard Cleanup. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Park View Recycling Center, 400 W Laurel Ave., Sterling. Volunteers needed. Bring gloves. Call Kevin Chroninger at 703-406-7749 or visit www.sterlingfoundation.org.
Birding Banshee. 8 a.m., Banshee Reeks. Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for the monthly bird walk; bring binoculars. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Family Yoga. 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Bring the whole family for some fun with yoga. Advance registration required, begins two weeks prior to the program, limited to 20 families. Call 703-737-8105 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Acoustic on the Green. 7 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Lighthorse will perform. Free event. Call 703-737-7084 or visit www.acousticonthegreen.com.
<cal1>Sunday/July 15
<cal2>Musical Theater. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Wolf Trap in Vienna for a performance of "Camelot." See July 12 item for more details.
Bluemont Concert Series. 7 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. One Horse Town will perform. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
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.
Summer Music Fest. 5 p.m., Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. The Loudoun Summer Music Fest, featuring Los Lonely Boys with Cracker. Advance tickets: $12.50; at the gate $15. Visit www.LiveAtBelmont.com or call 703-726-8867.
<cal1>Monday/July 16
<cal2>Monday Movies. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. A different movie every Monday. Call 703-737-8100 for movie titles. Ages 12 to 18.
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 July 13 item for more details.
Ice Cream Day. 1-4 p.m. Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg. Join in for ice-cream sundaes. Call 703-771-5281. Free.
<cal1>Tuesday/July 17
<cal2>Gardening. 12 p.m., Ida Lee Park Demonstration Gardens. Learn from a Master Gardener about irises. Visit www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org or call the Master Gardener Volunteers' Help Desk Office at 703-771-5150.
Young at Art. 4-5 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Program offers a variety of themes in individual classes. This week's theme is Stars and Stripes. Cost: $9 per child and includes all supplies used. Call 703-430-6673.
Lullaby Concert. 7 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Lullaby Concert, hear stories, songs and music (flute) played by Ms. Van Nagley. Recommended for ages 2-6. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Sweet Treat Sushi. 2 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Wrap own sweet treats by making mock sushi using Rice Krispies, marshmallow fluff, fruit rollups, gummy worms and more. Then build own candy pyramid. Recommended for ages 6-12. Advance registration required, call 703-430-9500 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Wednesday/July 18
<cal2>Senior Movie. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio," starring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson; rated PG-13. Cost: $2 includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/July 19
<cal2>Young at Art. 4-5 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Program offers a variety of themes in individual classes. This week's theme is Princess Capers. Cost: $9 per child and includes all supplies used. Call 703-430-6673.
<cal1>Friday/July 20
<cal2>Jazz Concert. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Jazz on the Potomac featuring Rob Maletick. Free, food and beverages available for purchase. Children's movie, 6-9 p.m., cost: $15. Children must be potty trained to attend.
Open Skate Night. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Bring skates or Rollerblades for a night of skating on an outdoor hockey rink. Call 703-771-5913. Cost: $1.
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. Learn Morven Park’s history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034.
South Riding Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m., Town Green, South Riding. Trout Fishing in America will perform. Free event. Visit www.southriding.net.
Gobbledygook and Gibberish. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Includes silly stories and songs. Recommended for ages 5-8. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8105 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Harry Potter Party. 2 p.m., Cascades Library. 21030 Whitfield Place. Celebrate the release of the last Harry Potter book with bingo, book reading and potion making. Recommended for ages 7-11. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/July 21
<cal2>Acoustic on the Green. 7-9 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring Naked Blue with Jennifer Daniels. Free. Visit www.acousticonthegreen.com or call 703-737-7084.
Family Relay Day. 9-11:30 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Compete against other families, prizes awarded. Cost: $10 per family. Call 703-771-5913.
Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
Summer on the Pavilion. 2-4 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon of family entertainment with cultural, musical and other special events. Call 703-430-9480 for event schedule.
Butterflies And Dragonflies. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Bles Park, Ashburn. Free, family butterfly and dragonfly walks. If own binoculars, bring them. Contact Andy Rabin at stylurus@gmail.com.
1918: A Living History Program on World War I and the Home Front. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Reactors tell the story of life in the county during during WWI. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Sunday/July 22
<cal2>Bluemont Concert Series. 7 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. Danny Knicely will perform. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
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.
Summer Music Fest. 5 p.m., Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. The Loudoun Summer Music Fest featuring KC and The Sunshine Band. Advance tickets $15; at the gate $20. Visit www.LiveAtBelmont.com or call 703-726-8867.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. The 72nd annual Loudoun County Fair. Admission includes professional rodeo, demolition derby, petting zoo/farm animals, vendors/food and crafts, carnival rides and more. Visit www.loudouncountyfair.com for a detailed schedule.
<cal1>Monday/July 23
<cal2>Monday Movies. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. A different movie every Monday. Call 703-737-8100 for movie titles. Ages 12 to 18.
Lego Robotics. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Construct a robot out of Legos then learn how to program it to perform simple tasks. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required, at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call the library at 703-430-9500.
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. Learn Morven Park’s history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 22 for more information.
Creatures Great & Small. 2:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place; 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Experience Rainbow Puppet Production's latest musical. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
The Hoop of Life. 11 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place; 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Dance performed with 28 hoops, each representing an element of human life or nature. Tickets are required and may be picked up a half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Tuesday/July 24
<cal2>Gardening. 12 p.m., Ida Lee Park Demonstration Gardens. Learn from a Master Gardener about hostas in the shade garden. Visit www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org or call the Master Gardener Volunteers' Help Desk Office at 703-771-5150.
Creatures Great & Small. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library. See July 23 listing for more information.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 22 for more information.
Bay Fossil Fun. 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:45 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. A in-classroom field trip to the Chesapeake Bay. Recommended for ages 7-11. Advance registration is required, call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Sphinx Treasure Hunt. 2 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Explore ancient Egyptian history while solving the Sphinx's puzzles with fellow treasure hunters. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Advance registration is required, call 703-430-9500 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Wednesday/July 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 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Film Screening. 6:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Enjoy a Humphrey Bogart film. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Creatures Great & Small. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Experience Rainbow Puppet Production's latest musical. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. The 72nd annual Loudoun County Fair. Admission includes professional rodeo, demolition derby, petting zoo/farm animals, vendors/food and crafts, carnival rides and more. Visit www.loudouncountyfair.com for a detailed schedule.
<cal1>Thursday/July 26
<cal2>Young at Art. 4-5 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Program offers a variety of themes in individual classes. This week's theme is Dinosaur Adventures. Cost: $9 per child and includes all supplies used. Call 703-430-6673.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 25 for more information.
Watch and Learn Magic. 1:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road; 6:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. See magic performance and learn a trick or two. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration is required, call 703-444-3228 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/July 27
<cal2>Jazz Concert. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Jazz on the Potomac featuring Matcus Mitchell Project. Free, food and beverages available for purchase. Children's movie, 6-9 p.m., cost: $15. Children must be potty trained to attend.
Under the Stars. 7-9 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Pack a blanket and enjoy musical, cultural and other special events under the stars. Call 703-430-9480 for event schedule.
South Riding Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m., Town Green, South Riding. Wil Gravatt will perform. Free event. Visit www.southriding.net.
Watch and Learn Magic. 2 p.m., Sterling Library. Call 703-430-9500 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us. See July 26 item for details.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 25 for more information.
Journey Down the Appalachian Trail. 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Learn about the Appalachian trail. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/July 28
<cal2>Acoustic on the Green. 7-9 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring The Cherry People. Free. Visit www.acousticonthegreen.com or call 703-737-7084.
Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
Birding the Blue Ridge Center. 8 a.m., Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, located a few miles south of Harpers Ferry. Bring your binoculars and join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for the monthly bird walk. Meet at the Neersville Volunteer Fire Station on Rt. 671. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Summer Streamside Wildflower Walk and Picnic. 5 p.m., the MacDowells, located near Waterford. Join Dr. Stan Shetler, Curator of Botany Emeritus at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, on a walk through the MacDowells to view the many wildflowers that thrive there in the summer. Call Karin or Bob MacDowell at 540-882-9000.
Mountain Play Day. 10-4:30 p.m., Bears Den Trail Center, 18393 Blueridge Mountain Road, Bluemont. Includes six suggested hikes of varying difficulty, insects presented by a docent form the Smithsonian’s Insect Zoo, and a potluck lunch. Call Linda Burchfiel at 703-506-4310 or e-mail larva@attglobal.net.
Drive-In Movie. Starts at dusk, approximately 8:30 p.m., Hyland Hills Pool, South Riding. Bring favorite float to the pool and enjoy "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." Free event with a valid 2007 RecPass. Visit www.southriding.net.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 25 for more information.
James Horton Program for the Arts. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Sadie Green Sales Jugband will perform a vaudeville-style musical act with versions of authentic Jug Band music. Call 703-737-8879 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Sunday/July 29
<cal2>Musical Theater. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Park View High School for the Sterling Playmakers' production of "King and I," a musical about Anna and the King of Siam. Cost: $17 members, $19 nonmembers, includes transportation and reserved seating. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Bluemont Concert Series. 7 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. The Pan Masters will perform. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.