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 7
</b>Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
<b>Saturday/April 9
</b>Volunteers For the 23rd Annual Watershed Clean-Up. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Clean the park and surrounding roadways. All ages welcome. Meet at the marina to sign in and receive an assignment. Dress for the weather and wear clothes and sturdy shoes that can get muddy. To be held rain or shine. 703-569-0285 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/accotink.
2nd Saturday Art Walk. 6-9 p.m. Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Meet each building's featured artist, a reception in W-16 from 6-7 p.m. and more. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Russian National Ballet Theatre: "Romeo and Juliet." 8 p.m. George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. With choreography by Petipa and music by Tchaikovsky. Based on Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-crossed lovers and family hatreds. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets $27-$54. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
Oldies But Goodies (OBG) Cocker Spaniel Rescue. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Springfield Petsmart, 6535 Frontier Drive, Springfield. Meet cockers of all ages available for adoption. All dogs are spayed or neutered. Volunteers will be available to help potential adopters and answer any questions on the dogs. www.cockerspanielrescue.com or 703-533-2373.
Fuse Box and The Gypsy Sons. 7:30 p.m. Moe’s Peyton Place, 6516 Backlick Road, Springfield. Moe’s Birthday Party is a predominately adult event. 703-451-6620 or www.moespeytonplace.com.
VITA Tax Assistance. 10 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $49,000. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Friends Book Sale. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Gems and finds for all readers. All ages. 703-339-4610.
VITA Tax Assistance. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $49,000. Adults. 703-339-4610.
<b>Sunday/April 10
</b>Columbian Singer Juanes. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets are $39-$125, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. www.patriotcenter.com.
Russian National Ballet Theatre: "Swan Lake." 4 p.m. George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. With choreography by Petipa and music by Tchaikovsky. Inspired by the German legend of Odette, a princess who was turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets $27-$54. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
<b>Monday/April 11
</b>Just Ducky. 11 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories, rhymes and songs about ducks. Age 0-35 months with adult. 703-249-1520.
Book Bunch. 3:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call for title. Age 7-8 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Get Your Quack On. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories, fun, and songs about ducks. Age 24 months-3 years with adult. 703-339-4610.
Read to the Dog. 4:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Age 6-12 with adult. Register at703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/April 12
</b>April Showers Bring May Flowers. 2 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Second Tuesday Book Discussion. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Adults. 703-339-4610.
<b>Wednesday/April 13
</b>Fashion Show. The Woman’s Association of Northern Virginia will sponsor a fashion show 11 a.m., at the Springfield Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. $32. A raffle and silent auction will also take place. The proceeds go to “Hope for the Warriors” to enhance the life of warriors and their families. For more information, contact Sally Smith at 703-250-6636.
Animal Adventures. 11 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories and songs about animals. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-249-1520.
Toddler Time. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Early literacy storytime. Age 13-23 months, one adult per child. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Older Adults Book Group. 2 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. “The Post-American World” by Fareed Zakaria. Meet next door at Kingstowne Center for Active Adults (KNCAA). 703-339-4610.
<b>Thursday/April 14
</b>Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
Paws for Reading. 4 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Practice reading skills with a trained therapy dog. Age 6-12. Register at 703-249-1520.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610
National Poem in Your Pocket Day. 1 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Write out a poem you enjoy and bring it to Lorton Library for the Poem in Your Pocket Day bulletin board. 703-339-7385.
<b>Friday/April 15
</b>Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
"Honk!" 7:30 p.m. Robert E. Lee High School, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield. The musical story of the Ugly Duckling. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students and children. akberting@fcps.edu.
<b>Saturday/April 16
</b>Funatical: Taking Comedy to the Extreme! 7:30 p.m. Northern Virginia Community College Ernst Cultural Theater, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. An intercultural, interfaith comedy tour that breaks stereotypes and bridges gaps between Muslims, Jews, Christians and other faiths. Proceeds benefit the Nooristan Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that provides support for charitable and educational projects in Afghanistan. $25-$40. www.funaticalcomedy.com.
Gallery After Hours: Ballroom Social Dance. 7:30 p.m. Gallery W-16, Second Floor, Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Ballroom dancing, complimentary refreshments and cash bar. 7 p.m. Ballroom mini-lesson, with a focus on Foxtrot, $5. Dance tickets $18-$20 per couple. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
"Honk!" 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Robert E. Lee High School, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield. The musical story of the Ugly Duckling. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students and children. akberting@fcps.edu.
VITA Tax Assistance. 10 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $49,000. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Paws to Read. 11 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Practice reading aloud to a trained therapy dog. Age 6-12. Register at 703-339-7385.
Poems to Pictures: A Poetry Workshop in Honor of National Poetry Month. 2 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Join author and poet Ruth Baja Williams in a poetry reading and writing workshop. Adults. 703-339-7385.
<b>Sunday/April 17
</b>Northern Virginia NTrak Display. 1-4 p.m. Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Operating display of N-gauge model trains. $3 adults, $1 chuldren. 703-425-9225 or www.fairfax-station.org.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
<b>Monday/April 18
</b>Washington National Opera: Children's Workshop. 2 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. “Hänsel und Gretel”, an opera by 19th century composer Engelbert Humperdinck, based on the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale. Age 4-10. 703-249-1520.
It's Raining Cats and Dogs. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Furry stories. Age 13-23 months with adult. 703-339-4610.
Read to the Dog. 4:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Age 6-12 with adult. Register at703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/April 19
</b>Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
I Can Do It! 7 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-249-1520.
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Lullaby Stories. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Evening stories and activities. Pajamas and stuffed animals welcome. Age 1-5 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Wednesday/April 20
</b>Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
Applause Unlimited Puppets. 11 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Travelin’ Jack & Company with classic American folktales. All ages. Register at703-451-8055.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
It's Hot, It's Cold. 10:30 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Stories, songs, and fingerplays. Age 2-4 with adult. 703-339-7385.
Fun with Science. 4 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Easy science with everyday materials. Age 6-12. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday/April 21
</b>Paws for Reading. 4 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Practice reading skills with a trained therapy dog. Age 6-12. Register at703-249-1520.
Springfield Writers' Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Share your work, give and receive feedback in a supportive setting. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Book Discussion Group. 7:15 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call for title. Adults. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Lorton Library Book Club. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Adults. 703-339-7385.
<b>Friday/April 22
</b>Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
Vocalist Azam Ali. 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $30-$65. A sophisticated exploration of Iranian, Turkish, Lebanese, and Kurdish lullabies. cfa.gmu.edu.
<b>Saturday/April 23
</b>Holiday Hunt Easter Eggstravaganza. 10 a.m. South Run RECenter, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. For ages eight and under. Easter egg hunt and face painting, pictures with the “Bunny” and arts and crafts. $10 per child. Register at South Run RECenter or 703-866-0566.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
Easter Egg Hunt. 10 a.m. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For preschoolers to sixth graders. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
<b>Sunday/April 24
</b>Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $7-$15. www.ringling.com or 202-683-3238.
<b>Monday/April 25
</b>What's Hidden in Hidden Pond? 2:30 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Learn about life under the surface of a pond. Presented by the staff of Hidden Pond Nature Center. Age 6-12. 703-451-8055.
<b>Tuesday/April 26
</b>English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Inside the WikiLeaks Revelations. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. David Sanger, discusses WikiLeaks and what the release means to the world. Adults. 703-451-8055.
<b>Wednesday/April 27
</b>Thirty Seconds To Mars. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. $32.50-$39.50, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available at 703-993-3035. www.thirtysecondstomars.com or www.patriotcenter.com.
Travel Club. 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Bring lunch and enjoy discussion. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Fun for 2's and 3's. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Age 2-3 with adult. 703-971-0010.
<b>Saturday/April 30
</b>Women Supporting Women Family Fun Fest. 1-5 p.m. Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter, 13000 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Music, crafts, shopping, refreshments, silent auction, raffles and more. All proceeds will benefit Artemis House, formerly the Fairfax County Women’s Shelter. Rain date May 14. brandland@mac.com.
Kylie Minogue. 8 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $55-$125, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. www.patriotcenter.com.
Northern Virginia Chapter, International Plastic Modelers Society. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fairfax High School, 3500 Old Lee Road, Fairfax. Museum quality scale models, modeling contest, vendors, raffle prizes, Make & Take event for children, doll houses, Lego, Ho & N Scale model Railroads, radio control models, lectures by area historians and more. Food concession on site. $8 adult, $10 entire family. www.novaipms.org.
Fairfax CASA Run for the Children. 8:30 a.m. Fairfax Courthouse. 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. 10K and 3k. Food, prizes and entertainment for runners and spectators. Runners will help raise awareness for the CASA program while also raising money to support the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers from the community to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates. $25-$30. Register at www.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com or 301-871-0400.