>Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6459. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
Thursday/July 3
Hawaiian Cultural Heritage Night. Hop on board with a talented band of Hawaiian performers for a virtual trip to the islands. 7:30 p.m. Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale. Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances or call 703-324-7469.
Kittie, Dope, A New Revolution, Panic Cell, (Poor Sweet) Abigail, Tolerance for Tragedy, Prodigal Son. Doors open 6 p.m., show at 6:15 p.m. at Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $20 in advance, $22 at the door. 703-569-5940
Daytime Book Discussion Group. "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" by Barbara Kingsolver. 12:15 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Saturday/July5
Kayak with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. 7-10 a.m. Launching from 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton.
Monday/July 7
Let's Go. Hop aboard a train, rocket ship and time machine on Tracey Eldridge's madcap musical trip. 2:30 p.m. All ages. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Teddy Bear Picnic. Bring your favorite stuffed animal for stories and songs. Age 24-35 months with adult. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
American Wildlife. Meet and learn about live animals from your own backyard and beyond with Animal Ambassadors. Age 6-12. 2:30 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. 3 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
Tuesday/July 8
Let's Go. Hop aboard a train, rocket ship and time machine on Tracey Eldridge's madcap musical trip. 7 p.m. All ages. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Wednesday/July 9
Lunch Bunnies. Bring lunch and the fun will be supplied. Age 1-5 with adult. 12 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Thursday/July 10
Cameroon Cultural Heritage Night. Celebrate Cameroon’s cultural heritage with dancing, music, crafts and food. 7:30 p.m. Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale. Free. Call 703-324-7469 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
The Bangkok Five, The Last Vegas, Violet Wild, and other bands. Doors open 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. at Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 703-569-5940.
Let's Play. Learn how to play games that kids from around the world play. Age 6-12. 2 p.m. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010
Mr. Brian and the Boppets. Puppet fun and high energy music. 2:30 p.m. All ages. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Friday/July 11
Blues Jazz Ensemble performed by the United States Army Band. A component of "Pershing’s Own" and one of the few remaining professional big bands. 7:30 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Free. Call 703-324-7469 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Friday Flicks. Bring lunch and join us for stories and a short movie. Birth-5 with adult. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Mr. Brian and the Boppets. Puppet fun and high energy music. 2:30 p.m. All ages. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Call to register 703-339-7385.
Friends of Richard Byrd Library Summer Book Sale. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Books and media offerings. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Purchases help fund valuable library programs.
Saturday/July 12
What's the Matter? Chemistry with fizz, foam and flash presented by Maryland Science Center. 2:30 p.m. Age 6-12. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Lorton Community Action Center Summer Raffle. The drawing will be at Lorton Town Center, in the gazebo. Tickets will be sold at various events including the Lorton Fourth of July parade. Proceeds will help fund food bank programs. Call Lorton Community Action Center, 703-339-5161 X22.
Friends of Richard Byrd Library Summer Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Books and media offerings. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Purchases help fund valuable library programs.
27th Annual Obon Summer Festival. This Buddhist observance to honor ancestors, hosted by Ekoji Buddhist Temple, will include Japanese folk dancing, crafts, games, a candle illumination ceremony, traditional Japanese food, temple tours, lectures, and taiko drumming performed by Nen Daiko. Free. Open to the public. 5:30-9 p.m., 6500 Lake Haven Lane, Fairfax Station. For more, visit www.ekoji.org or call 703-239-0500.
Maple Ridge Ground Breaking Ceremony and Block Party hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia in celebration of the new Maple Ridge condominium building. Face painting, games, and a raffle. Live music performed by Common Ground. Food sponsored by Windows Catering Company. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at 4150 Stevenson St., Fairfax. For more, see www.habitatnova.org or call Megan Coleman at 703-521-9890 ext. 111.
Monday/July 14
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
What's the Matter? Chemistry with fizz, foam and flash presented by Maryland Science Center. Age 6-12. 2:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Call to register 703-339-7385.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. 3 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
Book Chat. A different kind of book group: Stop in to share your current favorites or just to hear what other people are reading. All ages. 4 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Tuesday/July 15
On the Ball. Spinny Johnson, former Harlem globetrotter, performs fun and amazing basketball tricks. Age 6-12. 7:00 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Summertime Fun. Hot stories and activities. Age 13-23 months with adult. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610
Comics Around the World. See comics from around the world and create your own with graphic artist and author Matt Dembicki. Age 12-18. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Call to register 703-339-7385.
Lilly’s Plastic Purse. Stories and activities about Lilly. Bring your camera. Age 2-5 with adult. 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Wednesday/July 16
Sun Fun. Stories and activities. 10:30 a.m. Age 2-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Book Discussion Group. Call for title. 7:15 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Artful Doodles. A graphic artist presents drawing basics in this hands-on program. Age 6-12. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Reading Magic. A magic show full of comedy and good old-fashioned fun with Turley the Magician. Age 6-12. 2:30 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Thursday/July 17
Irish Cultural Heritage Night. Enjoy the heritage with traditional music, song and dance including the "Mise Eire" poem. 7:30 p.m. Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale. Free. Call 703-324-7469 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead. 6:30-11 p.m. Spooky movie film festival with Count Gore De Vol and Lloyd Kaufman. Cinema Arts Theatre, Fair City Mall, 9650 Main St., Fairfax. Call 703-968-6853 or visit www.cinemaartstheatre.com.
Springfield Writers’ Group. Share your work, give and receive feedback in a supportive setting. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Friday/July 18
NVCC Annandale Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops collection. Under the leadership of Christopher Johnston. 7:30 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances or call 703-324-7469.
Friday Flicks. Bring a lunch and enjoy stories and a short movie. Birth-5 with adult. Noon. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Ones at a Time. Short stories and activities. Age 13-23 months with adult. 10:30 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Saturday/July 19
Comics Around the World. See comics from around the world and create your own with graphic artist and author Matt Dembicki. Age 12-18. 2:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Crustaceans. Learn about all the crustaceans found here in Fairfax County, maybe even in your backyard. Meet these "locals" and the other live specimens that will be on hand. 10:30 a.m. All ages. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Kayak with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. 7-10 a.m. Launching from 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton. Call 703-354-5093.
Gold’s Gym Grand Opening in Fairfax Station. Food, prizes, free group exercise classes and membership offers will be available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The new gym is located at 5620-A Ox Road, Fairfax Station.
Monday/July 21
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Books: Passport to Adventure. Listen to stories about other countries and play games children play around the world. Age 6-12. 2 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
A Tangle of Tales by Grey Seal Puppets. Colorful puppets present stories from around the world, including The Frog Prince. 2:30 p.m. All ages. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. 3 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
Tuesday/July 22
Books: Passport to Adventure. Enjoy stories, games and crafts from around the world. Age 6-12. 2:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
A Tangle of Tales by Grey Seal Puppets. Colorful puppets present stories from around the world, including The Frog Prince. All ages. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Evening Book Discussion Group. "Le Mariage" by Diane Johnson. 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Wednesday/July 23
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Kingstowne Library Writer's Peer Review Group. Review peers' works and receive in-depth feedback on your work. Call for more information on submitting work prior to meeting. 7:00 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Travel Club. Bring lunch and enjoy a lively discussion. 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055.
Thursday/July 24
Mexican Cultural Heritage Night. Discover Mexico’s cultural heritage through music and dance from Aztec to Mariachi to comtemporary. 7:30 p.m. Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale. Free. Call 703-324-7469 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
A Tango of Tales by Grey Seal Puppets. Colorful puppets present stories from around the world, including The Frog Prince. 10:30 a.m. All ages. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Bugs, Bugs, Bugs. Songs and activities which feature bugs. Age 3-5 with adult. 1 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call to register 703-339-4610.
Does Lilly Have Her Purse? Storytime about Lilly and her purple plastic purse, with a visit from a special guest. Age 2-5 with adult. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Call to register 703-339-7385.
Friday/July 25
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of George Etheridge, showcasing the country’s best young musicians. 7:30 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Free. Call 703-324-7469 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Friday Flicks. Bring lunch and enjoy stories and a short movie. Birth-5 with adult. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call to register 703-971-0010.
Saturday/July 26
"I Love You More than Rainbows" author Susan Crites signs copies of her children’s book, 2-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Barnes & Noble, Fair Lakes Promenade. Call the store at 703-278-0300.
Tell it Again. Story and activities in Spanish and English. Age 6-12 with adult. 3 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call to register 703-451-8055