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/March 31
</b>“Design for Murder.” 7 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria. A murder mystery by George Batson. This performance is a dinner show. Tickets are available online, $30 adults, $25 youth, and must be purchased online before March 25. 703-660-2611 or www.acctonline.org.
<b>Friday/April 1
</b>The Virginia Opera: Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” 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.
“Design for Murder.” 8 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria. A murder mystery by George Batson. Tickets at the door $15 adults, $12 youth and seniors. 703-660-2611 or www.acctonline.org.
Cinematic Tourist Series: Japanese Film & Animation. 7:30 p.m. Gallery W-16, Second Floor, Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. A screening of the film classic “Rashomon,” in Japanese with subtitles. $5-$7. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
<b>Saturday/April 2
</b>“Design for Murder.” 8 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria. A murder mystery by George Batson. Tickets at the door $15 adults, $12 youth and seniors. 703-660-2611 or www.acctonline.org.
Cinematic Tourist Series: Japanese Film & Animation. 7:30 p.m. Gallery W-16, Second Floor, Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Artist workshops and demonstrations, featuring traditional arts and food from Japan and Japanese influence. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
*3 p.m. Kimekomi Doll Demonstration.
*4 p.m. Ikebana Demonstration.
*5 p.m. Oshie Demonstration with Storytelling.
*6 p.m. Vegetarian Sushi Culinary Demonstration.
*7:30 p.m. Film screening, title to be announced. Film tickets $5-$7.
<b>Sunday/April 3
</b>The Virginia Opera: Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” 2:30 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.
“Design for Murder.” 2 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria. A murder mystery by George Batson. Tickets at the door $15 adults, $12 youth and seniors. 703-660-2611 or www.acctonline.org.
<b>Wednesday/April 6
</b>American Red Cross Blood Drive. 1-7 p.m. Silverbrook Elementry School Gym, 9350 CrossPoint Drive, Fairfax Station. Register at FNA5810@cox.net or 703-690-5810.
<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.
<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>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.
<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.
<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.