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/Feb. 10
</b>Paws for Reading. 4-5:15 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Practice reading with a trained therapy dog. Age 6-12. Reserve at 703-249-1520.
Superheroes and Fancy Nancy Fans, It's a Costume Party. 2 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Dress as a favorite superhero or in your fanciest clothes for fun activities. Age 4-5 with adult. 703-339-4610.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
<b>Friday/Feb. 11
</b>“Six Characters in Search of an Author.” 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Luigi Pirandello’s surrealistic tragicomedy, presented by Aquila Theatre of New York City. Tickets $17-$34 at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
Ill Nino, ANew Revolution, Fashion Bomb, EkoTren and more. 6 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. All ages. $16 advance, $19 day of show. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
The Vagina Monologues. 8 p.m. George Mason University Harris Theatre, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. A benefit performance to raise awareness to stop violence against women and girls. Proceeds benefit George Mason University Victims of Violence Fund and the Tahirih Justice Center. Sponsored by George Mason University Sexual Assault Services, Office of Housing and Residence Life and Women and Gender Studies. Tickets $5-$25. www.vday.org/about/more-about or dlance@gmu.edu.
<b>Saturday/Feb. 12
</b>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.
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.
Opole, the Philharmonic of Poland. 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. With Maestro Boguslaw Dawidow. Mozart’s overture to “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute) and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Virtuoso Evgeni Mikhailov is joined by the orchestra for Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 by Paderewski. Tickets $25-$50, available at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
Make Your Own Valentines. 10 a.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. For ages 6-10. Create a variety of seasonal crafts. $24 per child, includes craft materials and snacks. Registration required at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes or 703-222-4664.
Hope for Haiti Fund Raiser and Reception. 1:30-4 p.m. Belnavis Art Gallery, 6208 Rolling Road, Springfield. Art about Haiti and art donated to raise funds for the Lazarus Project, Haiti. 703-644-0400 or www.belnavisartgallery.com.
Valentine’s Day at the Workhouse. Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Reception and ballroom dancing begin at 6 p.m., workshops in glass, ceramics, fiber arts and painting in classrooms onsite 7-9:30 p.m. Hors d’ouvres and cash bar. Dress code is casual. $20 per couple. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Valentine's Day Massacre with Dying Fetus, Resurgency, Spellborne and more. 3 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. All ages. $13 advance, $15 day of show. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
The Vagina Monologues. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. George Mason University Harris Theatre, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. A benefit performance to raise awareness to stop violence against women and girls. Proceeds benefit George Mason University Victims of Violence Fund and the Tahirih Justice Center. Sponsored by George Mason University Sexual Assault Services, Office of Housing and Residence Life and Women and Gender Studies. Tickets $5-$25. www.vday.org/about/more-about or dlance@gmu.edu.
Valentine’s Day Dance. 6-10 p.m. Kingstowne Center for Active Adults, 6488 Landsdowne Center, Alexandria. Food, music, dancing and door prizes in a celebration of Valentine’s Day. Age 18 and up. Tickets $12, pre-register at 703-550-0134, TTY 711.
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. Fifteen-minute sessions available. Age 6-12. Reserve at 703-339-7385.
Pirate Sails and Mermaid Tales. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Master storyteller Michael Forestieri combines puppetry and music in tales with an uplifting message. All ages. 703-971-0010.
Friends of the Library Book Sale. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Gems and finds for all readers. 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>Monday/Feb. 14
</b>The Welcome to Hell Tour with Whitechapel, The Acacia Strain, Veil of Maya, Chelsea Grin and I Declare War. 6 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $15 advance, $17 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
Glad! Sad! Mad! 11 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories and songs about feelings. Tickets distributed 30 minutes before program begins. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-249-1520.
Slithery, Slinky, Scaly Snakes. 2:30 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Learn about snakes, and see some you may find in your neighborhood. Presented by the staff of Hidden Pond Nature Center. 703-451-8055.
Book Bunch. 3:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Book discussion. Call for title. Age 7-8 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Be My Valentine. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Valentine stories, songs and fun. Age 24 months-3 years with adult. 703-339-4610.
Read to the Dog. 4:30–5:15 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Register for one 15-minute slot at 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/Feb. 15
</b>Shai Hulud, Close Your Eyes, Monsters, I, The Breather, Counterparts, Walk the Plank and more. 5 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. All ages. $12 advance, $14 day of show. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
Calling All Cats. 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.
World Literature Across the Centuries. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call for title. 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/Feb. 16
</b>Taproot, Me Talk Pretty, Descent to Daylight, Shinguh, Evereaux and more. 5 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. All ages. $12 advance, $15 day of show. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
Hot: Living Through the Next 50 Years on Earth. 7 p.m. George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Environmental writer Mark Hertsgaard on mitigating green house gases and adapting to climate change. 415-874-9145 or www.markhertsgaard.com.
Two Hands, Two Feet. 10:30 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Stories and activities about the human body. Age 2-4 with adult. 703-339-7385.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
<b>Thursday/Feb. 17
</b>Paws for Reading. 4-5:15 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Practice reading with a trained therapy dog. Age 6-12. Reserve at 703-249-1520.
Springfield Writers' Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Share your work, give and receive feedback. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Lorton Library Book Club. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. “Saint Maybe” by Anne Tyler. Adults. 703-339-7385.
Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. “The Hemingses of Monticello” by Annette Gordon-Reed. 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.
<b>Friday/Feb. 18
</b>Wagner's "The Valkyrie." 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. The second opera in “The Ring Cycle,” performed by The Virginia Opera and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Tickets $44-$86, available at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu. vaopera.org.
<b>Saturday/Feb. 19
</b>Hot Tuna Blues. 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Blues, jazz, bluegrass and folk by Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets $22-$44, youth through grade 12 half price. 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
Hayfield Choral Boosters Broadway Night. 7 p.m. Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. Broadway song and dance tunes and a dessert buffet. Adults $10, students and seniors $7. 703-924-7547.
Collector’s Showcase Gala. 7 p.m. Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Food, art and music. Each couple or guest will receive an original piece of art as part of this event. $150-$175. Available art work for this event can be viewed at www.WorkhouseArts.org.
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.
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. 703-339-4610.
<b>Sunday/Feb. 20
</b>Wagner's "The Valkyrie." 2 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. The second opera in “The Ring Cycle,” performed by The Virginia Opera and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Tickets $48-$98, available at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu. vaopera.org.
NTRAK Train Display. 1-4 p.m. Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax. NTRAK members with a display of running trains. $3 adults, $1 children. www.fairfax-station.org. or 703-425-9225.