Weekend Planner: Concerts, Festivals, Trains and More

Ready for the weekend? Patch has a weekend full of local events to keep you busy this Friday through Sunday:

Virginia Opera: The Pearl Fishers 

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.
• Why Go: Performed in French with English supertitles, this acclaimed opera by Bizet tells the story of two pearl fishermen in love with the same woman.
• Price: Tickets range from $44 - $86

Family Fall Festival

• Where: Armistead L. Boothe Park, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Why Go: Activities will include live music, puppet shows, pony rides, scarecrow making, hay rides, pumpkin painting and more. 
• Price: Admission is FREE – see website for details

Super Science Saturday: Balloons and Blimps

• Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Visitors of all ages will learn about balloons and blimps through hands-on activities and demonstrations. 
• Price: Admission is FREE

Teas of Africa Tasting Party

• Where: Green Spring Gardens, Annandale
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m.
• Why Go: Experience the flavors of Africa by sampling teas from Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi.  For ages 18 and up.
• Price: $22 - $24 per person – registration required

17^th Annual Alexandria Arts Safari

• Where: Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from Noon – 4 p.m.

• Why Go: This family-friendly event will include painting, clay modeling, origami, block printing, a scavenger hunt and more. 
• Price: FREE 

Archaeology Day: Can You Dig It?

• Where: Gunston Hall, Lorton
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from Noon – 4 p.m.
• Why Go: The archaeology staff will demonstrate how to screen for artifacts, as well as how to clean and mend discovered objects.  The Hunting for George Mason’s Landscape tour will occur at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.  
• Price: Family Admission: $25, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Ages 6 – 18: $5, Under Age 6: FREE

Elisabeth von Trapp Concert

• Where: Franconia United Methodist Church, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.
• Why Go: The granddaughter of the real life Baron and Maria von Trapp will perform original compositions and much-loved favorites.
• Price: Admission is FREE

Young Concert Artists

• Where: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Three musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship Program will perform on the harp, flute and violin.  Featuring music by Barber, Faure and Ibert.
• Price: Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students and Teachers: $10

Table Top Display and N Gauge Model Trains

• Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, Fairfax Station
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 1 – 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Check out the table top (T-TRAK) display and running N gauge model trains, sponsored by Northern Virginia NTRAK.
• Price: Adults: $3, Children: $1

YoKid Challenge

• Where: Mt. Vernon RECenter, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 2 – 5 p.m.
• Why Go:  This event, sponsored by Whole Foods Market, encourages kids to try their hand at yoga and learn about good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
• Price: FREE – registration required

Virginia Bronze Handbell Ensemble

• Where: George Washington Masonic Memorial, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
• Why Go: The ensemble will be joined by the hammered dulcimer, harp guitar, accordion and wooden flute in this “Captivating Carillon” concert.
• Price: Family Admission: $20, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Children: $5

Mason Symphony Orchestra presents: Oktoberfest

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
• Why Go: In celebration of Oktoberfest, this all German concert will feature music by Beethoven, Hindemith and F. Strauss.    
• Price: Tickets range from $5 - $10

Library Events:

• Bouncin’ Babies at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m.  For age 23 months and younger.  FREE – registration required.
• Storytime for Three to Fives at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m.  For ages 3 - 5.  FREE – registration required.
• Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• BRAVO for Spanish at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 3 - 5.  FREE – registration required. 
• Wag a Tale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 13 beginning at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 5 – 12.  FREE – registration required.
• Paws to Read at Lorton Library, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 13 beginning at 11 a.m.   For ages 6 – 12.   FREE – registration required.
• The One-Man Band Music Show at Kings Park Library, Burke.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. For all ages.  FREE – registration required.
• Fall Festivities at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m.  FREE.

Nature Highlights:

• Watershed Cleanup Day at Fairfax County Parks (see website for details).  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. 
• Manassas Battlefield Historical Paddle at Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 9 a.m.  $30 per person – reservations required.
• Dinosaur Play and Hunt at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 12:30 p.m.  For ages 3 – 8.  $5 - $7 per person – registration required.
• Amazing Mushrooms at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.  For adults.  $20 - $22 per person – registration required.
• Visit with a Carpenter at Sully Historic Site, Chantilly.  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1 – 4 p.m.  For ages 5 and up.  $5 - $7 per person.
• Live Owl and Hawk Fest at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m.   For ages 2 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – registration required.
• Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh, Alexandria.  Sunday, Oct. 14 at 8 a.m.  FREE.
• Kayak Tour at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Oct. 14 at 8 a.m.  For ages 8 and up.  $30 per person – reservations required.
• Wagon Ride at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Sunday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.  For ages 2 and up.  $5 - $7 per person – registration required.