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 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.
Elizabeth Hartwell Eagle Festival. 1 p.m. at Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Educational activities including Reptiles Alive, bird banding, pony rides and raptor or Bald Eagle viewing. More than 25 national and local organizations will exhibit. Free. www.HartwellFund.com.
Lake Accotink Park’s 50th Anniversary. 12-2 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Road, Springfield. Free rides on the park’s antique carousel and free rounds of mini-golf on the Lucky duck course. Short ceremony at 1 p.m., refreshments will be served. The park’s new commemorative Community Quilt, made of 5-inch paper squares decorated by schoolchildren, will be on display. 703-324-8702 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/accotink.
<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>“Father of the Bride.” 7:30 p.m. at Robert E. Lee High School Lancer Theater, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. 703-924-8438.
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.
<b>Saturday/May 1
</b>Robinson Secondary School Crew Club Plant Sale. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke. All Crew Club boats, coaches and fees are paid solely through fundraising. Burke Nursery donates a percentage of total sales when purchased at the Crew Club Booth with at least one Certificate. Pre-purchase $10 certificates at cv622@aol.com or lewisfamily6@verizon.net. www.robinsoncrew.com or www.burkenursery.com.
Both Sides Battlefield Tour. Meet at the Franconia Museum at Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road. Museum tour, coffee and donuts at 8 a.m. Bus leaves at 8:15 a.m. See where Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, hear about the Franconia connection to Spotsylvania and view the stone wall at Fredericksburg where the Union attack was thwarted. Visit the plantation house where Robert E. Lee courted Mary Custis. $100 includes bus, lunch, and a fast-food value card for the return trip. Contact Don Hakenson at 703-971-4984 or dhakenson@cox.net or Gregg Dudding at 703-971-4860 or wdudding@cox.net.
“Father of the Bride.” 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Robert E. Lee High School Lancer Theater, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. 703-924-8438.
Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; at Jaxx 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940. Ladies free, men $10.
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>Sunday/May 2
</b>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/May 3
</b>Latin Dance Nights. 10 p.m. at Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Ladies free, men $10. 703-569-5940.
<b>Wednesday/May 5
</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.