Weekend Planner: Live Music, Kung Fu, Veterans Day and More

A list of local events to keep you busy this Veterans Day Weekend.

Dinner and a Movie: To Catch a Thief 

• Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
• When: Friday, Nov. 9 from 7 – 10:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy a three course meal as you watch this Alfred Hitchcock classic starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
• Price: Tickets are $50 per person

Mason Jazz Ensemble: Jazz for Justice

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Friday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.
• Why Go: The Mason Jazz Ensemble celebrates 100 years of jazz.  Bring your own instrument to take part in the “jam session” in the lobby following the concert.
• Price: Adults: $20; Students, Faculty, Staff, Seniors and Groups: $15

Bishop Ireton Theatre Arts Presents 'Something's Afoot'

• Where: Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m.
• Why Go: A murder mystery musical "who-dunit."
• Price: $10 adults; $8 students and senior citizens

Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk and Tony Snow Mile for a Miracle

• Where: Fort Hunt Park, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 beginning at 7 a.m.
• Why Go: Race to raise funds and awareness for the Colon Cancer Coalition. 
• Price: Adults: 5K-$35/Mile-$25; Kids 11-16: $20; Kids 10 and Under: $15

5K Fun Run/Walk and Fitness Festival

• Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 from 8 – 10 a.m.
• Why Go: In addition to the 5K, there will also be a 1.5 mile run/walk course for kids.  Enjoy games and activities at the “Fitness Festival”.
• Price: Adults: $30; Kids: $10

5K Fun Run/Walk for Education

• Where: Cora Kelly School, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.
• Why Go: The course will follow Four Mile Run Trail, and all proceeds will benefit St. Rita Catholic School.
• Price: Adults: $35; Kids 5-16: $25

Soldier-led Tours

• Where: Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Why Go: Tour with a Union soldier to learn about the history of Fort Ward and daily life during the Civil War.
• Price: FREE

Super Science Saturday: “To the Moon and Beyond”

• Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy hands-on activities and demonstrations as you learn about science, engineering and more.
• Price: Admission is FREE - parking is $15 per vehicle

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra

• Where: Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m.
• Price: Tickets range from $5 - $80

• Why Go: Featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman as he joins the orchestra for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5.  

Shaolin Warriors: Voices of the Masters

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Saturday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m.
• Why Go: These Kung Fu masters develop their astounding skills through meditation and rigorous physical training.  Don’t miss the pre-performance demonstrations and discussions with the company.
• Price: Tickets range from $24 - $48

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans

• Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Witness a wreath-laying ceremony, place a flower at George Washington’s tomb, enjoy live music and more in honor of Veterans Day.
• Price: Adults: $15; Kids: $7; Active Duty, Former or Retired Military Personnel: FREE

“Safe Defense of a Free State”: Veterans Day Commemoration

• Where: Gunston Hall, Lorton
• When: Sunday, Nov. 11 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Why Go: Visit with re-enactors to learn about the Mason family’s service to the nation, dating back to the struggle for independence.    
• Price: Adults: $10; Seniors: $8; Kids: $5; Family Admission: $25; Active Duty Military Personnel and Veterans: FREE

Kids Take Over Day

• Where: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria
• When: Sunday, Nov. 11 from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Students in grades 5-7 will take over the museum by dressing up in period costumes and interacting with guests.
• Price: Adults: $5; Kids: $3; Veterans and Active Duty Military and their families are FREE

National Symphony Orchestra

• Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
• When: Sunday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: This event is presented by the Music Friends of the Fairfax County Public Library.  Featuring selections by Saint-Saens, Faure, Wieniawski, Massenet and Ravel.     
• Price: FREE

Library Events:

• Bouncin’ Babies at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m.  For ages birth-11 months.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Friends of Kings Park Library Book Sale at Kings Park Library, Burke.  Friday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Wag a Tale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Nov. 10 beginning at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 5-12.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Native American Stories at Martha Washington Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 6-12.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Hip Hop Workshop at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
• Vegan Beauty Workshop at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.  Registration Required.
• Mandolin Concert at Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.  FREE – Registration Required.
• Storytime Express at Burke Centre Library, Burke.  Saturday Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.  FREE – Registration Required.

Nature Highlights:

• Wetland Watch at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Walking Tour of Union Mills departing from Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.  For ages 5 and up.  $24 - $39 per person – Registration Required.
• Harvest Creations at Sully Historic Site, Chantilly.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1 and 3 p.m.  For ages 4 and up.  $10 - $12 per person – Registration Required.
• Founding Gardeners at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m.  For adults.  $20 - $22 per person – Registration Required.
• Eagle Eye at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m.  Weekend parking is $4 per vehicle.
• Fall Guided Hike at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.  FREE parking all day on Veterans Day.
• Veterans Day Celebration: The Fights for our Freedom at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, Nov. 11 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.  FREE parking all day on Veterans Day.

Flying Squirrels: Gliding in Tonight at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Sunday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.