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 loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454; for additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/July 30
<cal2>ARCHAEOLOGY DAY. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Help screen, wash and sort artifacts behind the Lanesville House in Claude Moore Park’s Historic District. Free. 571-258-3700.
STORIES WITH A TWIST. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Listen to Barbara Spilman Lawson’s unforgettable and extraordinary stories and songs, presented in her own unique and hilarious manner. All ages. Free, limited tickets will be available, starting half an hour before the performance. 703-430-9500.
1960s FILMS. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "Blowup," just one of several films from the 1960s that the Ashburn Library will be showing on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Recommended for adults; admission is free. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for a complete listing of future movie showings.
TEEN MYSTERY NIGHT: ROCK ‘N ROLL OVER DEAD. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Can you solve the mystery with the evidence and clues presented? Ages 12-18. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-444-3228.
<cal1>Thursday/July 31
<cal2>TWILIGHT TUNES. 7:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg. Music by the Phoenix Swing Band. Bring a chair or blanket, food available for purchase. Concert will be indoors in the event of rain. Free; donations accepted for the pipe organ fund. Call 703-777-4912.
<cal1>Friday/Aug. 1
<cal2>TODDLER ONE & TWO. 11 a.m., Rust @ Catoctin Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Includes stories, rhymes and movement; parachute play for toddlers. Recommended for ages 12 -24 months with parent or caregiver. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-777-0690.
C IS FOR CRIME CAPER! 5:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A crime has been committed at the library, follow the clues to rescue a special work of art. Ages 7-11. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.
STORY TIME MATINEE: The Mysterious Tadpole. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Louis’ uncle has given him a tadpole for his birthday. As he watches the tadpole grow, it soon becomes clear that it is not turning into an ordinary frog. Ages 3-6. 703-737-8100.
JAZZ ON THE POTOMAC. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Features Sharon Thomas Experience. Includes summer foods prepared by the culinary team. Call 703-729-8400 or visit http://www.lansdowneresort.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. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Saturday/Aug. 2
<cal2>ACOUSTIC ON THE GREEN. 7-9 p.m., at the Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring Michael Sheppard. Free, visit www.acousticonthegreen.com.
NYC TRIP. 6:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Bus departs from and returns to Stein Mart, 1021 Edwards Ferry Road, N.E., Leesburg. Travel by luxury motor coach to New York City. Cost: $60 per person; individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Must register at the Douglass Community Center, 405 East Market St., Leesburg; call 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
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 Aug. 1 item for details.
<cal1>Sunday/Aug. 3
<cal2>MONTHLY BREAKFAST. 8 a.m.-noon, Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 20688 Ashburn Road. Breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and biscuits, hash browns, coffee and juices. Features monthly themes and Kids Activity Corner; apparatus bay area is open to children of all ages. Cost: adults $6, ages 3-8 $4, under 3 free and seniors $5. Call 703-729-0006.
BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features Holmes Brothers: Gospel and blues. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.
SUMMER MUSIC FEST. 5 p.m., Belmont Country Cub, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. The Loudoun Summer Music Fest presents KC and The Sunshine Band. Food, beer and wine available for purchase. Cost: $17 in advance, $20 at the gate, children under 6 free. Call 703-327-9096 or visit www.liveatbelmont.com.
RUMMAGE SALE. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. All items will be marked down to half-price after 1 p.m. Call Congregation Sha'are Shalom at 703-737-6500 visit www.sha-areshalom.org/.
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME. 1-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a 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 Visitor Center. Call 703-777-6034.
SUNDAY NATURE WALK, 1-2:30 p.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg. Look for signs of spring. For adults and children over 10. Free. Visit www.audubonnatualist.org.
<cal1>Monday/Aug. 4
<cal2>MYSTERIOUS REPTILES ALIVE! 11 a.m., Loudoun County Extension Office Program Room, 30B Catoctin Circle (for Rust Library); 2:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030, Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls; 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Discover the mysteries of reptiles in this live animal presentation. All ages. Limited, free tickets will be available starting half an hour before the performance. Extension Office, 703-777-0690; Cascades, 703-444-3228; Ashburn, 703-737-8100.
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 Aug. 1 item for details.
<cal1>Tuesday/Aug. 5
<cal2>BEACH JEWELRY MAKING. 2-4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Make jewelry items out of shells and found objects. All supplies provided. No previous jewelry making experience necessary. Ages 12-18. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100, Ext. 4.
RIBBITING TALES and Facts about Slimy Frogs! 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Alonso Abugattas, a naturalist with Arlington County will share facts and stories about frogs includes live frogs to see and touch. All ages. Limited, free tickets are available at the library starting half an hour before the program. 703-444-3228.
MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY. 2 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Watch "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" on the library’s big screen. For teens. Limited, free tickets available at the library starting half an hour before the program. 703-430-9500.
ESL CONVERSATION GROUP. ESL Conversation Group. 7-9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. The English Conversation Group is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. This is not a class, but an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and have fun. Only English will be spoken and all levels are welcome. Recommended for adults. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
KEEPIN' COOL. 9:30-11 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. How do furry foxes and feathered cardinals stay cool under the blazing sun? Discover what they do and try their cool ways yourself. Cost: $10.50. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Wednesday/Aug. 6
<cal2>MYSTERIOUS REPTILES ALIVE! 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St, Sterling. Discover the mysteries of reptiles in this live animal presentation. All ages. Limited, free tickets will be available starting half an hour before the performance. 703-430-9500.
1960s FILMS. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "Rosemary’s Baby," just one of several films from the 1960s that the Ashburn Library will be showing on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Recommended for adults; admission is free. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for a complete listing of future movie showings.
MYSTERIOUS REPTILES. 4 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. An educational show featuring a giant python, alligator, African tortoise, monitor lizard and other reptiles. Free. Call 703-430-9480.
<cal1>Thursday/Aug. 7
<cal2>MISTER DON. 2 p.m., Loudoun County Extension Office, 30B Catoctin Circle (for Rust @ Catoctin Library). Join Mr. Don for an interactive children’s music program, includes sing alongs, motion songs, marching and dancing. Ages 4 and up. Limited, free tickets are available half an hour before the performance. 703-777-0690.
SECRET CODES AND CIPHERS. 2 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Learn about some famous codes, how to write and decipher codes, make invisible ink and more. Ages 8-12. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Friday/Aug. 8
<cal2>TODDLER ONE & TWO. 11 a.m., Rust @ Catoctin Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Includes stories, rhymes and movement; parachute play for toddlers. Recommended for ages 12 -24 months with parent or caregiver. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-777-0690.
JAZZ ON THE POTOMAC. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Features Double Digit. Includes summer foods prepared by the culinary team. Call 703-729-8400 or visit http://www.lansdowneresort.com.
INSECTS FOR EVERYBODY. 10-11 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Join an insect scientist and park volunteer to explore the beetles, butterflies, dragonflies, etc. that live in the park. Call 571-258-3700 to register. An adult must accompany children.
DETECTIVE DICTIONARY. 10:30 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls and 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A blend of storytelling, acting and inventive theatrics, this original play explores the language arts including spelling, reading and much more. Visit libray.loudoun.gov.
OPEN SKATE NIGHT. 5-7 p.m., Douglass Community Center hockey rink, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Bring skates or Rollerblades for a night of skating on the outdoor rink. Cost: $1. Call 703-771-5913.
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. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Saturday/Aug. 9
<cal2>BOOK SWAP. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Bring adult and children’s books to trade; books on tape or compact disc, music CDs, VHS and DVD movies and books and magazines in large print are needed also. Call 571-258-3500.
LAFAYETTE DAY. Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg. Includes historical re-enactors, horse drawn farm tours, tours of the Temple Hall manor house and free refreshments. Free. Visit www.nvrpa.org.
PAS DE DUEX CUP CHALLENGE. 5-8 p.m., Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. All proceeds benefit the programs and services at equestrian center. Includes dressage and pas de duex competition, exhibitions, demonstrations and vendors. Cost: adult general admission $25, children 12 and under $5. Visit www.morvenpark.org.
ACOUSTIC ON THE GREEN. 7-9 p.m., at the Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring Gary Smallwood. Free, visit www.acousticonthegreen.com.
1918: A LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM ON WORLD WAR I AND THE HOME FRONT. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Virginia Gov. and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis and learn of their efforts to lead Loudoun County and Virginia through the Great War. Morven Park farm workers and Leesburg citizens of the time will tell the story of life on the home front. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Call 703-777-6034.
LITTLE MOZARTS. 1 p.m., Rust @ Catoctin Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. A special concert to salute the end of the summer reading program. All ages. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Vineyard and Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Tarara’s Sounds of Summer Series presents The Josh Burgess Band. Cost: $15 per person, free for children 6 and under. Advance discounted tickets available online. Call 703-771-7100, Ext. 233 or visit www.tarara.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Aug. 10
<cal2>BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features Robin & Linda Williams: country folk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.
LEESBURG 10K/20K. 7:30 a.m., Market Station, 108 South St., S.E., Leesburg. Includes 10K, 20K and Kids Fun Run. Register Aug. 8, from 3-7 p.m., at the Potomac River Running Store, 20630 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, or register the day of the race. Contact Amy Grabowski at 703-777-9622 or agrabowski@ymcadc.org.
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME. 1-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a 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 Visitor Center. Call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Monday/Aug. 11
<cal2>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 Aug. 8 item for details.
<cal1>Tuesday/Aug. 12
<cal2>ESL CONVERSATION GROUP. 7-9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. The English Conversation Group is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. This is not a class, but an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and have fun. Only English will be spoken and all levels are welcome. Recommended for adults. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
POTLUCK SOCIAL. 5 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Bring dish to share and small gift bag for bingo prize. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Wednesday/Aug. 13
<cal2>1960s FILMS. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "La Dolce Vita," just one of several films from the 1960s that the Ashburn Library will be showing on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Recommended for adults. Free. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for a complete listing of future movie showings.