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/April 9
<cal2>WOOL GATHERING. 4 p.m., 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Join the library’s knitting circle. Satisfy that inkling to learn how to knit, pick up some pointers if you already knit, chat with like-minded people. Just bring your own needles and yarn. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
JOHN WAYNE MOVIE. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "Stagecoach" at the library. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
MIDWEEK RUST RAMBLES. 10-11:30 a.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg. Explore early spring with the center's naturalist. Call 703-737-0021 or visit www.audubonnatualist.org.
FASHION SHOW FUND-RAISER. 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m., River Creek Country Club. A fashion show, networking, inspirational speaker, silent auction and lunch will highlight the 3rd annual "Networking in Style" organized by the Zonta Club of Loudoun County. The keynote speaker is Mildred Muhammad, domestic violence survivor and ex-wife of the convicted D.C. sniper. Proceeds from the event will help the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS) and provide medical equipment to a neo-natal unit at a hospital in Bulgaria. Tickets: $55 each. Contact Patricia Boyle at 703-669-9762, boyleguardia@comcast.net.
<cal1>Thursday/April 10
<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.
ALL CRACKED UP. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 3-6. Search for animals that hatch from eggs. Cost: $10.50. Call 571-258-3700.
SWISS STORIES, Cowbell and Yodeling. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Listen to a reading of "A Bell for Ursli" by Selena Chonz, learn about Switzerland, decorate cowbells and practice yodeling. Recommended for ages 6-10. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8105.
MAGIC SPRING. 10 a.m., Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. For ages 2 and up. Kaleidoscope Children’s Performance Series features Barbara Effron who will perform an interactive program "Magic Spring" with songs and stories welcoming the season. Advance tickets: $5 for each child with adults free; at the door are $8 for each child with adults free. Call 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.
<cal1>Friday/April 11
<cal2>BABY SIGNS. 10:30 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. A story time playgroup with BeeBo, the Baby Signs Bear. Read stories, sing songs and learn some signs. Recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years with parent/caregiver. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
FROGSHACKLE OPEN HOUSE. 10-11:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Discover a treasure trove of objects from nature. Free. 571-258-3700.
C3 CYBERCLUB. 6-9:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 East Market St., Leesburg. Ages 7-14. A fun and safe night of age-appropriate video gaming, recreational activities, movies, pizza and drinks. Cost: $24.95 per child and $19.95 for each additional child. Call 703-771-5913, or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
ZOO TRIP. 9 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 East Market St., Leesburg. The Douglass Community Center is organizing a trip to the National Zoo. Bring a bag lunch. Parent or guardian must pay and accompany child. Trip departs from the center returns at 2:30 p.m. Cost: $12 per person. Call at 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov.
MUSIC TOGETHER. 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring your children and take part songs, instrument play, movement and dance. Recommended for ages newborn to 5 years with parent/caregiver. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Saturday/April 12
<cal2>BOOK SWAP. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Claude Moore Community Center holds monthly book swaps throughout the year. Bring your adult and children’s books to trade for something new to enjoy. Call 571-258-3500.
LIVING GREEN FAIR. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. All ages. Living Healthy Living Green fair to promote early detection and increased health and environmental awareness through screenings, educational displays and expert presentations. Free. Call 571-258-3600.
ARBOR DAY. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg. All ages. 20th Annual Loudoun County Arbor Day includes various activities. Free. 703-669-0316.
CIVIL WAR IN LOUDOUN-The Eyes of the Army. 10-11:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 12 and up. Learn about the Union signal station at the park. Cost: $5. Call to register, 571-258-3700.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Traces the evolution of Morven Park from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt-country estate. Call 703-999-8505.
INSTRUMENTAL PETTING ZOO. 2-4 p.m., Loudoun Cooperative Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. In celebration of National Library Week, musicians from the Loudoun Symphony give children the opportunity to hear, touch and try out musical instruments. Sponsored by Loudoun Symphony, Melodee Music and Rust Library Advisory Board. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
ROYALS & RUSTICS: A High School Students Guide to Shakespeare. 1-4 p.m. Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Actors and veteran performers will work with students to explore short scenes from "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" while providing an overview of interpretation, voice projection and characterization alongside professional acting techniques. Register at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
BLUEGRASS SERIES. Doors open at 6 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m., Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Features the Scott Brannon Band and Tony Holt and the Wildwood Valley Boys. Refreshments available at the snack bar. Cost: $13. Call 703-771-5281.
SHENANDOAH COFFEEHOUSE SERIES. 8 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun, 20460 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg. Features Northern Virginia singer, songwriter and percussionist, Lisa Taylor, who is celebrating the release of "True North," her first compact disc in over a decade. Cost: $12, and are available when the doors open at 7:30 p.m. Visit http://www.shenandoahacoustics.com.
<cal1>Sunday/April 13
<cal2>HORSE RACES. 11 a.m., Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. The Loudoun Hunt Point to Point horse races. Bring the family and a picnic to enjoy a day in the country with a backdrop of thoroughbreds, partygoers and a tour of the historic mansion and the nation's oldest greenhouse. No dogs. Tickets: $5 per person or $50 for a parking pass and four people. Call 703-777-8480.
CONCERT. 2 p.m., Falcons Landing Continuing Care Retirement Community, Algonkian Parkway, Potomac Falls. Featuring the National Concert Band of America in the Falcons Landing auditorium. The concert is open to the community and no tickets are required. Contact Donna Cassani at 703-404-5120.
PLANT EXCHANGE. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. 15th Annual Spring Seed and Plant Exchange. Bring extra seeds, bulbs, plants and cuttings to share. Call 703-430-2136.
<cal1>Monday/April 14
<cal2>PUPPET SHOW. 4:15 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. The Tale of Peter Rabbit & Rumpelstiltskin with Kaydee Puppets. For ages 2-6. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
LITTLE SEEDS Grow Big Plants. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 3-6. Look for plants and seeds in nature and plant a seed to take home. Cost: $10.50. Call 571-258-3500.
CELEBRITY GOLF. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the Golf Club at Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. 24th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by Brian Mitchell to benefit the American Heart Association. Public invited to view the tournament from selected holes.
<cal1>Tuesday/April 15
<cal2>RECYCLE THOSE JEANS. 4:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Take part in Earth Day and recycle something. Bring a pair of old jeans and turn them into a purse, a book cover or something else. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-444-3228.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 16
<cal2>WOOL GATHERING. 4 p.m., 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Join the library’s knitting circle. Satisfy that inkling to learn how to knit, pick up some pointers if you already knit, chat with like-minded people. Just bring your own needles and yarn. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Toby's Dinner Theater in Baltimore, Md. Cost: $50 members, $52 nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
WEE GOT THE BEAT. 10:15 a.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Experience and enjoy music and social interaction through singing, finger plays, movement and instrument play. Activities are designed to nurture learning, socialization and creativity. Recommended for ages newborn to 3 years with parent/caregiver. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-771-5624.
SENIOR MOVIE. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Dan in Real Life," starring Steve Carrell and Juliette Binoche. Cost: $2, includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/April 17
<cal2>BILINGUAL STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. All are welcome to this fun-filled bilingual story time presented by Barbara Davila in her most animated voice. Recommended for ages 2-6. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
LITTLE SEEDS Grow Big Plants. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 3-6. Look for plants and seeds in nature and plant a seed to take home. Cost: $10.50. Call 571-258-3500.
<cal1>Friday/April 18
<cal2>TODDLER ONE AND TWO. 11 a.m., Rust Library, 34 D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Includes stories, rhymes and movement. Parachute play for toddlers on the go. Recommended for ages 12-24 months with parent/caregiver.
SPRING FLING LUNCHEON. Noon, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Includes fashion show, theme flower power. Participants encouraged to wear bright floral patterns or clothing reminiscent of the '60s "mod" style. Lunch donation requested, sign up with regular lunch sign up sheet. Call 703-430-2397.
WHALE OF A TALE. 3:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Enjoy larger-than-life legends. Then create a colorful character and "tall" snack. Recommended for ages 7-10. Advance registration required. Sign up at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
NATURE TIMES TWO. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Age 2. Toddlers explore nature with an adult. No unregistered siblings. Cost: $7. Theme: Tadpoles and Friends. Call 571-258-3700.
PARENTS' NIGHT OUT. 5-9 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 4-10. Take spouse out while staff babysits. Includes pizza party, games, crafts and family movies. Cost: $16 for first child, $8 for second. Call to register, 571-258-3500.
FLOWER POWER. 10-11:45 a.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Ages 2-3 from 10-10:45 a.m.; ages 4-5 from 11-11:45 a.m. Make tissue paper flower to welcome spring. Cost $5. Call 703-430-9480.
BASKET BINGO. 6 p.m., Old Leesburg Fire Department, 215 Loudoun St., S.E., Leesburg. Longaberger filled basket bingo to benefit the Loudoun County Rescue Squad Co. 13 and the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Department Co. 1 Auxiliaries. Cost: $20. Call Missy Isaacs at 703-777-6048 or e-mail Leesburgbingo@gmail.com.
<cal1>Saturday/April 19
<cal2>VOCAL PERFORMANCE. 3:30-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Brydon Brett of the Brett Family Singers of Branson perform. For ages 18 and up. Cost: $5 per person through RecTrac plus a $5 donation at the door for Brett, includes beverages and snacks. Call 703-430-2397.
BEGINNERS BIRD WALK. 8-9 a.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg. Learn about bird watching at the sanctuary. Call 703-737-0021 or visit www.audubonnatualist.org.
MASTER SINGERS. 8 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St., N.W., Leesburg. The Master Singers of Virginia present their spring concert series, Music on the Death of John F. Kennedy. Tickets: $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors (65+), with a $2 discount given with tickets purchased in advance. Visit www.msva.org or call 703-655-7809.
WII SPORT TOURNAMENT. 6-9 p.m., C3 Cyber Club, Ashburn. Ages 6 and up. Compete in virtual boxing, bowling and tennis. Game splayed on 10-foot projection screens, trophies awarded. Cost: $10. Call Douglass Community Center, 703-771-5913.
EARTH DAY ACTION. 8 a.m.-noon, Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Road, Sterling. All ages. Clean up trails and streams, conduct trail maintenance. Free. Register by April 16, call 571-258-3700.
OH, DEER. 1-2:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Explore the lives of deer through discussion, survival game and hike. Cost: $4. Call to register, 571-258-3700.
DRAW-IN. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., The Smithsonian Naturalist Center, 741 Miller Drive, Leesburg. Artists and illustrators 10 years old and older are encouraged to come draw objets in the natural history specimen collection. Bring own supplies; professional illustrators will be on hand. Call 703-779-9712.
WATERFORD 10K Run-Hike-Walk. 9:30 a.m. Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy as it helps fellow, local nonprofits with a fund-raising event. The run route is approximately 10K, the hike route 6K and the walk about 3K. Race day registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with a 9:30 a.m. start time. Visit www.WaterfordVa.org .
ROYAL TEA and Fairytale Theater. 2 and 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Come dressed as a princess or prince, enjoy refreshments and watch a fairy tale play performed by teen volunteers. Recommended for ages 3-6. Advance registration is required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
ROCKNOCEROS. 11 a.m., Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church, E. Frederick Drive, Sterling. Coach Cotton, Williebob and Boogie Benny are a lively band performing hits for the under age 8 set from their latest compact disc "Dark Side of the Moon Bounce." Visit www.stmatthewssterling.org.
GOLF TOURNAMENT. South Riding Golf Course, 43237 Golf View Drive, South Riding. Operation Pinecone Inc., a Loudoun County-based nonprofit organization, will host the Second Annual Golf Tournament at South Riding Golf Course to raise funds to continue its program of supporting service members. Visit the Operation Pinecone Web site at http://www.operationpinecone.org to download a registration form or learn more.
<cal1>Sunday/April 20
<cal2>MASTER SINGERS. 8 p.m., Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. See April 19 listing for more information.
STERLING STREET FAIR. 12-4 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. The Third Annual Sterling Street Fair will be open for family fun. The event will take place rain or shine with the Hogettes, a moon bounce, carnival games, face painting, a petting zoo and family health education. The Inova Blood Mobile will be there and welcomes donors. Contact Felicia Owens-Smith at 703-401-5318.
HORSE RACE. 12 p.m., Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. The Fairfax Hunt Point to Point Horse Race. Includes introduction by an experienced jockey, food vendors. Appropriate race attire is requested. Call 703-787-6673 or visit http://www.fairfaxhuntraces.org.
SUNDAY IN THE PRESERVE. 1 p.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Join the Friends of Banshee Reeks and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a free informal, family walk around the preserve. Call the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 703-669-0316.