Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged.
<cal1> Wednesday/Jan. 28
<cal2> CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
BRILLIANT BRAILLE. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Learn about Braille with a speaker from the Maryland School for the Blind. Recommended for ages 7-11. Registration required; register at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-737-8100.
<cal1> Thursday/Jan. 29
<cal2> FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring the family to watch "Wall-E," rated G, on the big screen at the library. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
PIRATE STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Children ages 4-7 can to listen to pirate stories and then have swashbuckling fun with foam swords. Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-444-3228.
KIDS IN SPACE. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Play among the stars and make your own comet. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1> Friday/Jan. 30
<cal2> PINK FLOYD. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents a live performance of the Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
SENIOR PAGEANT. 12:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. The center is holding a Miss Cascades Pageant. Contact Erik Onate, 703-430-2397.
<cal1> Saturday/Jan. 31
<cal2> PINK FLOYD. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents a live performance of the Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
SOLAR ENERGY. 4:30-6:30 p.m., George Washington University Loudoun Campus, Building 1, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn. Learn about energy conservation and home solar energy systems in this free presentation by the Potomac Region Solar Energy Association. Mitch King will discuss how solar energy systems can reduce the need for new power transmission lines and new power generation plants. Call 540-822-5145 or visit www.prsea.org or www.lccss.org.
CHORUS OF THE OLD DOMINION. 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Leesburg Winter Farmers Market, 32 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg. The Chorus of the Old Dominion, an a cappella chorus for men, will perform a selection of barbershop, doo-wop, gospel, pop and show tunes. Visit www.odchorus.org or call Judy Stroske, LVHMA market coordinator at 540-454-8089.
ARCHEOLOGY WORKSHOP. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Discover artifacts found in the summer of 2008 during archaeology digs conducted behind the Lanesville House in the Claude Moore Park’s historic area. Help the archaeologists clean, classify and record these pieces of history. Free. Adult must accompany children. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1> Monday/Feb. 2
<cal2> BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Recommended for ages 12 and up. All knitting levels are welcome. Bring needles and yarn. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
SPANISH STORY TIME. 10:45 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Introduce children ages 3 and up to the Spanish language through stories and songs. Registration required; visit library.loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8100.
<cal1> Tuesday/Feb. 3
<cal2> FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "To Sir, With Love" will be shown in the first installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Wednesday/Feb. 4
<cal2> BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION. 10:45 a.m.-3 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Travel to the Thomas Balch Library for a tour of the facility, discussion about black history and lunch at a local restaurant. Registration required, call Erik Onate, 703-430-2397.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 5
<cal2> CRIME CAPER MYSTERY. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Children, ages 8-11, can help solve the mystery of a missing item. Registration begins two weeks before the program online at library.loudoun.gov or by phone at 703-444-3228.
PAJAMA TIME. 7:30 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Children ages 3-8 can wear their pajamas and bring a teddy bear to this story time featuring the books of author Sandra Boynton. Registration required; visit library.loudoun.gov or call 703-430-9500.
<cal1> Friday/Feb. 6
<cal2> LED ZEPPELIN. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music will play Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
ARCHEOLOGY. 7 p.m., the Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St. S.W., Leesburg. Tammy L. Bryant, M.A., a senior archeologist at Thunderbird Archeology, will share the results of her archaeological excavations in Loudoun County. Cost: $5 per person. Call 703-777-7427.
<cal1> Friday/Feb. 6
<cal1> Saturday/Feb. 7
<cal2> LED ZEPPELIN. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music will play Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit See Feb. 6 item for details.
STORY TIME MATINEE. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Stories, songs, a video storybook and a craft. Ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
BRIGID’S FAIRE. 3-11 p.m., Esoterica, 25 S. King St., Leesburg. Brigid's Faire Winter Music Festival features live music throughout the day. Free admission prior to 3 p.m., $5 fee after that.
MUSIC AND DANCE. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Stories of young people of the Civil Rights Movement will be performed by the Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater on Tour. Visit lilbrary.loudoun.gov.
SATURDAY AT THE SANCTUARY. 9-10:30 a.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg. Learn about winter survival and look for signs of spring. Free. Call 703-737-0021.
ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dulles Town Center, Macy’s wing, 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Dulles. Meet international and domestic adoption agencies, foster-care representatives and adoption attorneys. Music and face painting for children. Call 540-454-6480.
CSI. 1-2:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. As a Critter Scene Investigator trainee, discover the clues animals leave behind then explore the woods and fields searching for those critters then enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Cost: $4 per child. An adult must accompany children. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1> Monday/Feb. 9
<cal2> BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
ALL ABOUT ARTHUR. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. A fun-filled time with books about Arthur and his buddies. Recommended for ages 6-11. Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
SNOWFLAKES. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Explore snow, winter cold and how the animals make it through these chilly months. Cost: $10.50 per child. Ages 3-6. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1> Tuesday/Feb. 10
<cal2> FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "The Defiant Ones" will be shown in the second installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
SUSAN CRITES. 7 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Special story time with Susan Crites, Warrenton resident and children's author of "I Love You More Than Rainbows." Call 703-444-3228.
VALENTINE’S CRAFTS. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Children ages 6-11 can make a Valentine craft to take home. Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-444-3228.
MIROSLAV LONCAR. 7 p.m., Park View High School, 400 W. Laurel Ave., Sterling. Guitarist Miroslav Loncar will give a solo concert. Music books will be available for sale and donations will be accepted for the Aguado Guitar Club Guitar Competition. E-mail mloncar1@verizon.net.
<cal1> Wednesday/Feb. 11
<cal2> VALENTINE’S PARTY/DANCE. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Music provided by disc jockey Sky Dantinne, includes door prizes, light refreshments. Transportation provided afterward. Cost: $3 for members in advance, $5 day of and for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
SUSAN CRITES. 11:15 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Special story time with Susan Crites, Warrenton resident and children's author of "I Love You More Than Rainbows." Call 703-430-9500.
COLONIAL KITCHEN. 3:30-5 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Visit Lanesville House, explore the architecture and learn about cooking in kitchens during the colonial period. Cost: $10.50 per child. Ages 6-10. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 12
<cal2> THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Baltimore, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "Sophisticated Ladies." Cost: $61 for members, $63 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
SUSAN CRITES. 11:15 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. See Feb. 11 item for details. Call 703-444-3228
<cal1> Friday/Feb. 13
<cal2> SUSAN CRITES. 11 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. See Feb. 11 item for details. Call 703-430-9500.
<cal1> Tuesday/Feb. 17
<cal2> ME AND MY WORLD. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Explore books about your favorite dogs at this program called "Big Red Puppy Love." Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner" will be shown in the third installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Wednesday/Feb. 18
<cal2> SENIOR MOVIE. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascade Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Changeling," starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, directed by Clint Eastwood, rated R, running time 141 minutes. Cost: $2, includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 19
<cal2> FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring the family to watch "Tinkerbell," rated G, on the big screen at the library. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Friday/Feb. 20
<cal2> ‘80S HAIR METAL. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents the ‘80s Hair Metal Show, a tribute to Spandex, long hair, guitar shredding and power chords. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
CHOCOLATES GALORE. 7-11 p.m., West Belmont Place at National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg. Sample chocolate, dessert and hors d’oeuvre creations and vote for Best Taste and Best Presentation. Proceeds benefit YMCA Loudoun County. Cost: $60 per person advance; $65 per person at the door. Call 703-777-9622 or visit www.chocolatesgalore.org.
TALENT SHOW. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. All ages can take part in this talent show. Register at the information desk by Feb. 20. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Saturday/Feb. 21
<cal2> ‘80S HAIR METAL. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents the ‘80s Hair Metal Show, a tribute to Spandex, long hair, guitar shredding and power chords. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit See Feb. 20 item for details.
MASTER SINGERS. 8 p.m., Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. The Master Singers of Virginia will perform. Cost: $15 per person; $12 per seniors and students. Call 703-655-7809.
PIRATES AND PRINCESSES. 4 p.m., Loudoun County High School, 415 Dry Mill Road S.W., Leesburg. The Loudoun Symphony will team up with the Loudoun School of Ballet to bring pirates and princesses to life. Children are invited to wear a costume. Free. Call 540-454-6981.
BIRD WALKS. 8-9 a.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg. Learn about bird watching. Free. Call 703-737-0021.
<cal1> Sunday/Feb. 22
<cal2> BLUEGRASS JAM. Time TBA, Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Join musicians from the region in an afternoon of music. Refreshments provided. Cost: free for visitors who bring a musical instrument; $5 per adult, $4 per senior, $3 per child age 2-12. Call 571-258-3800.
<cal1> Monday/Feb. 23
<cal2> BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Recommended for ages 12 and up. All knitting levels are welcome. Bring needles and yarn. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
FRENCH STORY TIME. 10:45 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Introduce children ages 3 and up to the French language through stories and songs. Registration required; visit library.loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8100.
<cal1> Tuesday/Feb. 24
<cal2> FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "In the Heat of the Night" will be shown in the fourth and final installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Wednesday/Feb. 25
<cal2> CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
SENIOR JEOPARDY. 11 a.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Teams of four compete for prizes. Open to all seniors, free. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 26
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Bingo World, Baltimore, Md. Purchase bingo cards at the door, purchase or bring lunch. Cost: $11 for members, $13 for nonmembers, includes transportation. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Thursday/March 5
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico. Lunch on own at museum. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Tuesday/March 10
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Alexandria for tours of Carlyle House, a Georgian-Palladian mansion, followed by a tour of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Lunch on own in downtown Alexandria with time for shopping. Cost: $12 for members, $14 for nonmembers, includes transportation and tours. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Wednesday/March 11
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Md., to see "My Way-A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra." Cost: $58 for members, $60 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Thursday/March 12
<cal2> CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Tuesday/March 24
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian museums. Drop-offs and pick-ups at the American History, Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, Air and Space and African Art/Freer/Hirshhorn/Sakler museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $9 for members, $11 for nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Wednesday/March 25
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip Gettysburg, Pa., to visit the Gettysburg Museum and tour the David Wills House, includes the film, "A New Birth of Freedom" followed by the "Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama. Lunch on own. Cost: $24 for members, $26 for nonmembers, includes transportation, film/cyclorama, museum and tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1> Friday/March 27
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Washington Navy Yard Museum. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and free admission. Extensive walking. Photo identification required. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.