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>Friday/July 1
</b>This or The Apocalypse, Affiance, Last Chance to Reason, Deception of a Ghost In Our Shallow Grave, Meridian, The Concussion Theory , Boltt, Trumpet The Harlot, Eclipse Of Solace, All Out Chaos and Encasing Embrace. 5 p.m. Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $10 advance, $12 at the door. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
Lunch Bunnies. 12 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Bring lunch, enjoy stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-339-7385.
<b>Saturday/July 2
</b>Arts & Stripes: The Workhouse Salutes the Military and the Arts. Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Interactive art demonstrations, youth and family activities, picnic food and drinks available for purchase and more. Free and open to the public, $5 suggested donation to benefit the Lorton Arts Foundation. 703-584-2900 or www.WorkhouseArts.org.
* Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m. in Gallery W-16 on the second floor. The show will include art work from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Air Force Art Program, Combat Paper Project and more. From on-site sketches done while imbedded with our troops, to studio finished paintings, combat artists show the work of war in action and during "down" time.
* The New Dominion Choraliers perform at 4 p.m. in the Festival Tent on the Quad.
* U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) will give the keynote address at 4:30 p.m.
* The Navy's jazz ensemble, the Commodores, perform at 7 p.m. in the Festival Tent on the Quad.
Kings Park Concert Band. 1 p.m. Kings Park, Parkway Place, Springfield. www.kingsparkband.org.
<b>Monday/July 4
</b>“A One-Man Play: Toward July Fourth.” 1 p.m. Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. A one-man play by spoken word performer Adam Whitley about the bumpy road to national independence. 703-550-9220.
Fourth of July at Paradise Springs Winery. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Paradise Springs Winery 13219 Yates Ford Road, Clifton. Special Indpendence Day celebration. 703-830-9463.
<b>Tuesday/July 5
<b>Full Blown Chaos. 5 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. All ages. $10 in advance, $12 day of show. www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Wednesday/July 6
</b>Jammin’ Beach Party. 2:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. A musical beach party with surfing, limbo, singing and dancing. All ages. 703-339-7385.
<b>Saturday/July 9
</b>Cocker Spaniel Adoption Show. 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 help potential adopters find a good match and answer questions. Sponsored by Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue. 703-533-2373 or www.cockerspanielrescue.com.
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.
Henny and IV, High Society Music Group, Breezy-J and more. 6:30 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. All ages. $10 in advance, $12 day of show. www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Tuesday/July 12
</b>Soundgarden. 7:30 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Frontman Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron are reuniting for a summer tour. Tickets $59.50, available at www.ticketmaster.com and 703-573-SEAT. www.soundgardenworld.com or www.patriotcenter.
<b>Wednesday/July 13
</b>Play Ball. 2:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. The Maryland Science Center helps kids discover the science in sports. Age 6 – 12. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday/July 14
</b>Children of Bodom, Devin Townsend Project, Obscura, Septic Flesh and more. 7 p.m. Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $27 advance, $30 at the door. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Friday/July 15
</b>The David Kitchen Band. 7 p.m. Grist Mill Park, 4710 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria. Pop rock. 703-324-SHOW.
Children of Bodom, Devin Townsend Project, Obscura, Septic Flesh and more. 7 p.m. Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $27 advance, $30 at the door. 703-569-5940 or www.jaxxroxx.com.
Lunch Bunnies. 12 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Bring lunch, enjoy stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-339-7385.
<b>Saturday/July 16
</b>First Blood: Battle of Blackburn’s Ford. 2 p.m. Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Talk by historian Mark Trbovich. Free. 703-591-6728.
Latin Pop Rock group Maná. 8 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets are $55-$91, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. www.mana.com.mx.
Drawing 1: Make Your Mark. 2:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Learn to draw or improve your skills with artist Lydia Bratton. Age 12–18. 703-339-7385.
A World Away, The Right Condition, Within Wolves, Eyes On Chelsea, 1Alliance and ZeroShift. 4 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Contact Info@outerlooppresents.com to play. All ages. $10 in advance, $12 day of show. www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Sunday/July 17
</b>Canine Cruises. 6 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Cruise on the Park’s dog-friendly pontoon boat while your dog scans for ducks, geese, and other lake dwellers. $6 per person, no charge for the dog. One dog per person limit. Reservations and pre-payment required. 703-222-4664 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/.
Northern Virginia NTRACK. 1-4 p.m. Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Members will have a display and N gauge trains running. $3 adults, $1 children. www.fairfax-station.org or 703-425-9225.
The Scream It Like You Mean It Battle of the Bands. 4 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Featuring I Am Averna. Contact Info@outerlooppresents.com to play. All ages. $10 in advance, $12 day of show. www.jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Thursday/July 21
</b>The National Park Service Commemorates the Sesquicentennial of the First Battle of Manassas. Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas. The National Park Service will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas with special ranger tours of the battlefield, living history and historic weapons demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, and music. The program opens at 9:30 a.m. with a ceremony at the Visitor Center on Henry Hill. Following the ceremony, the Visitor Center, historic Stone House, and exhibition areas will open at 12 p.m. Exhibition areas include a living history camp area, a three-dimensional photographic exhibit displaying historic images of the battlefield, a medical aid station demonstration area, a youth program tent offering exhibits, programs, and activities and the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile. 703-361-1339.
100th Anniversary of the National Jubilee of Peace. 4 p.m. Old Manassas Courthouse, at the corner of Grant and Lee St., Manassas. Parking at Prince William Fairgrounds. Free. www.manassascivilwar.org.
Sesquicentennial Concert. 8 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas. Tickets $30-$60. 703-933-7550 or www.hyltoncenter.org.
Camp Manassas. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jennie Dean Historic Site, 9601 Wellington Road, Manassas. Military encampments, soap making, period activities and games, horse training and more. Free. 703-361-6599 or www.manassascivilwar.org.
African Folktales. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Bright Star Theater presents African tales. All ages. 703-339-7385.
<b>Friday/July 22
</b>The National Park Service Commemorates the Sesquicentennial of the First Battle of Manassas. Manassas National Battlefield Park, 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas. The National Park Service will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas with special ranger tours of the battlefield, living history and historic weapons demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, and music. Exhibition areas include a living history camp area, a three-dimensional photographic exhibit displaying historic images of the battlefield, a medical aid station demonstration area, a youth program tent offering exhibits, programs, and activities and the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile. 703-361-1339.
Manassas Civil War Parade. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Old Town Manassas. Free. 703-361-6599 or www.visitmanassas.org.
Camp Manassas. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jennie Dean Historic Site, 9601 Wellington Road, Manassas. Military encampments, soap making, period activities and games, horse training and more. Free. 703-361-6599 or www.manassascivilwar.org.