Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday/April 15
</b>Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
Earth Day: Birthday! 10:30 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Earth Day stories, songs and activities. Age 2-5 with Adult. 703-249-1520.
Let's Go to the Library. 10:30 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Stories about libraries and a tour. Age 3-5 with and adult. 703-339-7385.
Nature Detectives: Amphibians. 10 a.m. at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Stories, activities and a craft. $6 per child. Register at 703-768-2525.
<b>Friday/April 16
</b>St. Bernadette School Art Show. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at St. Bernadette School, 7602 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a life-sized paper mache tree made by the art teacher and parents and filled with students’ origami projects. 703-451-8696.
Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
The First Night Hike of The Spring. 7:30 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. For hikers 7 and older. Learn about the night life of the lake and shores. Adults should bring a flashlight. $5 adult, $3 child. Reservations required at 703-569-0285.
Ponderings: Pond Life. 4:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. For ages 6-10. $4 per child. Reserve at 703-451-9588.
<b>Saturday/April 17
</b>Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
One-on-One Computer Tutoring. 10 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Learn to use a computer, navigate the Internet and work with common software applications. Call for an appointment. Adults. 703-249-1520.
Tickle Tales to Rattle Your Funny Bone! 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Silly stories from storyteller Gary Lloyd to chase away April showers. 703-971-0010.
PAWS to Read. 11 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Read with Chance, a trained reading therapy dog, for a ten-minute session. Call to register. Call to reserve. 703-339-7385.
Birding and Bagels. 8-11 a.m. at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Join a naturalist on a hike to search for warblers, thrushes and waterfowl. Enjoy a continental breakfast at the Visitor Center. Bring binoculars and field guides. $8 per person. Reservations required at 703-768-2525.
Lake Accotink Wildflower Walk. 10 a.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Search for wildflowers in bloom with a naturalist. Register at 703-451-9588.
<b>Sunday/April 18
</b>The Clifton Lions Club Pancake Breakfast. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Clifton Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 12748 Richards Lane, Clifton. 703-830-3175 or Cliftonpc.org.
<b>Monday/April 19
</b>Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
Read to the Dog. 3:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Read aloud to a trained therapy dog. Call or sign up online for a 15-minute session. Age 6-12. 703-971-0010.
Nature Quest: Snakes. 4:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. For ages 3-6. See snakes specimens up close before taking a woodland walk into their habitat. $4 per child. Reserve at 703-451-9588.
<b>Tuesday/April 20
</b> Open Mic w/Bob Gaynor of The Roadducks. 8 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940.
Mother-Daughter Book Group. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call for the title. Age 9-11 with adult. 703-971-0010.
April Showers. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Rainy day stories and activities. Age 13 to 23 months with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Wednesday/April 21
</b>Assemblage 23, Angel Theory, Ego Likeness, DJ Loss Of Signal. All ages. Doors open at 8 p.m. show at 8:15 p.m., at Jaxx 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940. $15 advance; $20 at door.
Open Irish Song Session. 8:30 p.m. at Hard Times Cafe, 6362 Springfield Plaza, Springfield. Open to anyone who would like to sing or listen to Irish songs. 703-913-5600.
Needlework Group. 10:30 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Bring a project to work on in the company of other needlecrafters. Adults. 703-249-1520.
Mother-Daughter Book Club. 7 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Book club for girls. Age 9-11 and their mothers. 703-249-1520.
Book Discussion Group. 6:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call for title. Adults. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Lorton Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. “The Women” by T.C.Boyle.Adults. 703-339-7385.
Invasive Management Workshop. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Participants must be age 15 or older. 703-324-8681.
<b>Thursday/April 22
</b>Swing Into Spring Jazz Concert. 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit School, 8800 Braddock Road, Annandale. Vocalist Nancy Scimone, guitarist Steve Herberman and bassist Victor Dvoskin. $10. Proceeds benefit Christ House Shelter in Alexandria. 571-232-1873 or LiveJazzConcerts@verizon.net.
Halestorm, Janus, Burn Halo, Infliction. 6:50 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $12 advance; $15 at door. 703-569-5940.
Go Together Like Peas and Carrots. 10:30 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield, on the second floor of the Bank of America building. Stories and songs about friendship, trying new things and garden fun. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
<b>Friday/April 23
</b>The Virginia Opera presents The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess.” 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center For The Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $48-$98. 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com.
The Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards. 8 p.m. at Fairview Park Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church. Volunteer Fairfax and more than 500 community members will honor 176 volunteer individuals and organizations. $35 for individuals or nonprofits, $50 for corporate guests. Tickets available at www.volunteerfairfax.org. Contact Samantha Watson at swatson@volunteerfairfax.org or 703-246-3826.
Cannibal Corpse, 1349, Skeletonwitch, Lecherous Nocturne, C.O.B.C. 5:30 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $24.50 advance; $28 at door. 703-569-5940.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Birth -5 with adult. 703-971-0010.
<b>Saturday/April 24
</b>2010 United Community Ministries Gala. 6-11 p.m. at Mount Vernon Country Club, 5111 Old Mill Road, Alexandria. This year’s theme is “UCM in Bloom: Helping Our Community Flourish” and includes cocktails and a formal dinner, dancing, a raffle, silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit UCM programs. Tickets are $125, available at 703-768-7106 or www.ucmagency.org.
Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
One-on-One Computer Tutoring. 10 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Learn to use a computer, navigate the Internet and work with common software applications. Call for an appointment. Adults. 703-249-1520.
Fairfax County's Best Hikes and Hiking Trails. 1 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Celebrate Earth Day by letting author and hiking guru Paul Elliott point you in the right environmental and recreational directions. Books will be available for sale and signing. Ages 12 and up. 703-249-1520.
Homeschool Theater Spring Show. 12 p.m. at Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, 10712 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and more. Show and bag lunch $15, show only $12. Additional $2 at the door. Reserve at 703-866-3546 or www.yptnva.com/Groups.htm.
Park Manager Walk and Talk. 4-6 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Take a spring hike with park manager Kevin Monroe. Adults. Free. Reservations required at 703-768-2525.
<b>Sunday/April 25
</b>The Virginia Opera presents The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess. 2 p.m. at George Mason University Center For The Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $48-$98. 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com.
West Point Alumni Glee Club. 4:30 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. This concert is intended to honor veterans, members of the “greatest generation,” wounded warriors and their families. Reserve at https://secure.west-point.org/wpagc/ or 703-263-2364.
Homeschool Theater Spring Show. 12 p.m. at Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, 10712 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and more. Show and bag lunch $15, show only $12. Additional $2 at the door. Reserve at 703-866-3546 or www.yptnva.com/Groups.htm.
<b>Monday/April 26
</b>Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
Nature Quest: Bird Nesting Time. 4:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. For ages 3-6. Gather good building supplies for home-building birds. $4 per child. Reserve at 703-451-9588.
<b>Tuesday/April 27
</b>Lullaby Stories. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Evening stories and activities. Pajamas and stuffed animals welcome. Age 1 to 5 with adult. 703-339-4610.
Tell It Again. 6 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield, on the second floor of the Bank of America building. A story in English and Spanish. Activities. Age 4-12 with adult. 703-451-8055.
<b>Wednesday/April 28
</b>Open Irish Song Session. 8:30 p.m. at Hard Times Cafe, 6362 Springfield Plaza, Springfield. Open to anyone who would like to sing or listen to Irish songs. 703-913-5600.
Evening Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Call for title. Adults. 703-249-1520.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Travel Club. 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield, on the second floor of the Bank of America building. Bring lunch and enjoy discussion. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Invasive Management Workshop. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Participants must be age 15 or older. 703-324-8681.
<b>Thursday/April 29
</b>Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
<b>Friday/April 30
</b>Audubon Bird Walk. 8 a.m. at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Beginners welcome. Check the woods and the lake for spring migrants. Meet at the carousel parking lot, first left after entering the park. Register at info@audubonva.org or 703-256-6895.
Ponderings: Creatures of the Swamp. 4:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. For ages 6-10. Catch and identify swamp creatures. $5 per child. Reserve at 703-451-9588.