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/May 12
</b>All That Jazz. 7 p.m. West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Jazz, pop and disco songs. $5. jeanabood@mac.com.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. Adults. 703-339-4610.
<b>Friday/May 13
</b>Art & Design Senior Show Reception. 6-10:30 p.m. George Mason University School of Art, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Over 90 artists and performances by The Attractions, Ketura, Solace Sovay, Jelly Gums, Atlast and Stanley Cooley. Complimentary refreshments and food. Free admission and parking. dmoss@gmu.edu.
</b>"Once Upon a Mattress." 7 p.m. New Hope Church, 8905 Ox Road, Lorton. Northern Virginia Players presents the story of the Princess and the Pea in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. www.NVPlayers.com or 703-866-3546.
<b>Saturday/May 14
</b>Franconia in the Civil War. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Robert E. Lee Recreation Center, 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. Two days of history, music, artifacts and information relating to the Franconia area during the Civil War, with artisans, historians and authors from Franconia and Fairfax County. Period music by elementary school groups. Adults $5 for both days, age 62 and up and age 14-18 $2.50, under age 14 free. dhakenson@cox.net or 703-971-4984.
</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.
</b>Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. More than 200 choristers, soloists and musicians performing Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection." With Jeanine Thames, Janine Hawley, Fairfax Choral Society and The Reston Chorale. Pre-concert discussion at 7 p.m. free to ticketed patrons. Adults $25 - $55, ages 6-18 $5. 888-945-2468.
</b>Sesquicentennial Civil War Tour of Fairfax County. 8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Beginning at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Civil War historian John McAnaw will lead the tour to earth works in Centreville, Mt. Gilead and more as well as a tour of Civil War weapons at the National Firearms Museum. Space is limited. $25 for Fairfax Station Railroad members, $30 non-members. 703-278-8833 or www.fairfax-station.org.
</b>Fifth Annual Fair Lakes SpringFest. 1-4 p.m. in the General Dynamics’ parking lot, 12450 Fair Lakes Circle, Fair Lakes. An annual gathering highlighting local businesses, county agencies and community groups, such as Whole Foods Market, Bikes for the World, the Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste and more. Inflatable fun zone, petting zoo, face painting, community police and rescue vehicles and more. Children’s performances include "Rainforest Alive," featuring live animals at 1:30 p.m. and "Oh Susannah" interactive children’s music at 2:30 p.m. Bikes for the World will collect used bicycles to be cleaned and donated to people around the world. A donation of $10 is suggested to defray costs of shipping bicycles overseas. Free admission. www.fairlakes.com.
</b>"Once Upon a Mattress." 7 p.m. New Hope Church, 8905 Ox Road, Lorton. Northern Virginia Players presents the story of the Princess and the Pea in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. www.NVPlayers.com or 703-866-3546.
</b>All That Jazz. 7 p.m. West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Jazz, pop and disco songs. $5. jeanabood@mac.com.
</b>Friends of the Library Book Sale. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Gems and finds for all readers. All ages. 703-339-4610.
</b>Paws to Read. 11 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Practice reading aloud to a trained therapy dog. 15-minute session available. Age 6-12. 703-339-7385.
</b>Spring Carnival. 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School, 6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton. Pony rides, bungee jumping, velcro wall, preschool pirate cove play area and more. Magic shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and live music from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Food available. cln@cox.net.
</b>An Evening With Bluegrass Maestros. 8 p.m. Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Mandolinist Leon Morris and flatpicking guitarist Orrin Star. $15. 703-503-4579 or administrator@accotinkuuc.org.
</b>Cook and Bake-Off for a Cause Dinner. 5 p.m. Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Youth members will bring an entry to compete for best dish. Guests may bring a dish of their choice. All proceeds benefit United Community Ministries and the church’s Youth Appalachia Mission Trip. mvpcvayouth@yahoo.com.
<b>Sunday/May 15
</b>Franconia in the Civil War. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Robert E. Lee Recreation Center, 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. Two days of history, music, artifacts and information relating to the Franconia area during the Civil War, with artisans, historians and authors from Franconia and Fairfax County. Period music by elementary school groups. Adults $5 for both days, seniors and ages 14-18 $2.50, under age 14 free. dhakenson@cox.net or 703-971-4984.
</b>Operating Model Train Displays. 12-5 p.m. Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Northern Virginia Ntrak members and N-gauge model trains. $3 adults, $1 children. www.fairfax-station.org or 703-425-9225.
<b>Monday/May 16
</b>Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! 2:30 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Meet members of the largest and most diverse class in the animal kingdom. Presented by the staff of Hidden Pond Nature Center. 703-451-8055.
</b>Books Are My Friends. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Age 13-23 months with adult. Registration is not required; tickets will be distributed beginning 30 minutes before the event. 703-339-4610.
</b>Read to the Dog. 4:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Call to register for one 15-minute slot. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/May 17
</b>Little White Duck. 2 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
</b>English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
</b>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/May 18
</b>Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
</b>Paint a Rainbow. 10:30 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Stories and activities about color. Age 2-4 with adult. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday/May 19
</b>39th Annual Clifton Charity Homes Tour and Marketplace. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tour Six Clifton Decorator homes, one an original log cabin dating back to the early 1800's on land that was part of the original land grants of Northern Virginia. Currently the cabin is used for offices and as a tasting room for the Paradise Spring Winery. Tour tickets $20-$25, single home admission $10. www.cliftoncwc.org or 703-322-1811.
</b>English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-249-1520.
</b>Springfield Writers' Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Share your work, give and receive feedback. 703-451-8055.
</b>Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
</b>Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call for title. Adults. 703-971-0010.
</b>Lorton Library Book Club. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. World's End by T. Coraghessan Boyle. Adults. 703-339-7385.
<b>Friday/May 20
</b>Musical Revue. 7 p.m. West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Songs from musical theater. $5. jeanabood@mac.com.
</b>Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Age birth-5 with adult703-971-0010.
</b>Fourth Annual Veterans Golf Classic. Medal of Honor Golf Course, USMC Base Quantico. Registration 8 a.m., tee time 9 a.m. With Grand Marshall Col. Jack Jacobs, US Army(Ret) Medal of Honor Recipient, and George Starke, former Washington Redskin star. Awards BBQ Buffet at Mulligans Bar & Pavilion, signed Redskins football raffle, music by Norman Weaver, Scottish Highland Piper and more. Sponsored by VFW Burke Post 5412. Foursome $280, single $75. www.veteransgolfclassic.com.
<b>Saturday/May 21
</b>Ladies Auxiliary Spring Craft Show. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lorton Volunteer Fire Department in the Bingo Hall, 7551 Armistead Road, Lorton. Bake sale, jewelry, pottery, art, children’s items, clothing, photography and more. Proceeds support the Lorton Volunteer Fire Department. www.lortonvfd-auxiliary.com.
</b>Jonathan Austin’s 24 Hour Emergency Juggling and Magic Service. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Juggling, magic tricks, and a tall unicycle. Lots of audience participation. All ages. 703-971-0010.
</b>Northern Virginia Country Western Dance Association. Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Line dance lesson at 7:30 p.m., couples specialty dance lesson at 8 p.m. Open dancing 8:30-11 p.m. Two step, waltz, line, swing, cha cha and more. $5-$12. www.nvcwda.org or 703-860-4941.
<b>Sunday/May 22
</b>Dog Wash: Wash Out Lyme Disease. 12-3 p.m. The Regional Veterinary Referral Center, 6651 Backlick Road, Springfield. Proceeds benefit the National Capital Lyme Disease Association. www.washoutlymedisease.com.
<b>Monday/May 23
</b>Read to the Dog. 4:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Call to register for one 15-minute slot. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/May 24
</b>English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.