Weekend: Reston Community Players, MLK Jr. Celebrations, Pooh Bear Tea Party + Campfire S'Mores

The weekend is just about here. Got plans? Take a look at what’s going on in the Northern Virginia area this weekend, courtesy of the folks at Fairfax County Weekender:

Friday, Jan. 16: Who Did It?

Reston Community Players — “Rehearsal for Murder”: Based upon the 1982 film, this show, as any good mystery does, will surely have you wondering, “Who did it?” From 8 to 9:30 p.m. at The CenterStage, Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. Also on Saturday. $20/person; $17/senior or student. Buy tickets online. For more information, call 703-435-2707.

Also on Friday:

Rockhounders Winter Series: Children ages 6 to 12 join naturalist Kyle as he delves into Pohick Creek Geology. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. $8/child. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Saturday, Jan. 17: Musical Memorial

9th Annual Memorial Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Maestro Dingwall Fleary will lead the Reston Community Orchestra in a musical salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An integral part of Reston’s weekend of celebration and remembrance, the concert features the works of African-American composers, as well as works inspired by the civil rights movement for which Dr. King gave his life. From 4 to 6 p.m.at Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. All ages. Free admission; donations appreciated. For information, call 703-390-6166.

Also on Saturday:

Garden Design Workshop — Three Morning Lectures + Three Afternoon Work Sessions: Learn do-it-yourself garden design and walk away with a design for your own garden. This three-session workshop includes morning lectures on landscape design basics, followed by afternoons of individualized help on your plan guided by landscape designer Amy Neiberline. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens on Jan. 17, 24 and 31. $185/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

The Fabulous Five Senses — A Dinosaur Show: The GoodLife Puppet Theatre presents a story of how a variety of animals and children can help a dinosaur puppet collect the five senses. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at John Marshall Library. All ages. Free. Register online. For information, call 703-971-0010.

Park Manager Walk and Talk: Join Kevin Munroe for a walk to learn about the wetland restoration project and the park’s wildlife. From 3 to 5 p.m. Huntley Meadows Park. Free; no registration required. Canceled in case of rain. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Campfire Saturdays at Royal Lake: Join us for a campfire where adventure awaits as you explore the woodlands and lakefront spots where wildlife hides and resides. Bring whatever you like to roast; s’mores provided. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Royal Lake Park. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Ballroom Social Dance: Put on your dancing shoes and join the monthly Ballroom Social Dance featuring complimentary refreshments and a cash bar. All skill levels welcome! Arrive early for a 30-minute mini-lesson on the cha-cha from 7:30 to 8 p.m. The social dance is led by a professional ballroom instructor from 8 to 10:30 p.m. in the McGuire-Woods Gallery (second floor of W-16), Workhouse Arts Center. $10/person (Ballroom Social) and $5/person (mini-lesson). Mini-lesson tickets sold only at the door. Ballroom Social Dance tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the door. For information call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Jan. 18: “I Have a Dream”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: The phenomenal impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is chronicled in this compelling dramatization. You will be inspired by the story of this great leader’s struggle and his dream of lifting “our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. For ages 8 through adult. Please join us after the performance for a service project benefitting SHARE of McLean. $15/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Also on Sunday:

Snow Big Deal: Blizzards, freezing rain, frigid temperatures — find out how wild animals stay safe and snug while winter weather deals its worst. After an indoor presentation and animal homes hike expedition, make your own snow globe and six-sided snowflake. Program ends with snow sculpture making and other snowy fun, if Mother Nature cooperates. From 1 to 3 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Richard Bland Lee’s 252nd Birthday: During a house tour, discover important contributions of Mr. Lee’s impressive political career. Stop in the east wing for a piece of birthday cake. From 1 to 4 p.m.at Sully Historic Site. Admission is half-price for this event: $3.50/adult, $3/student and $2.50/senior or child; pay at site. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Winter Lecture — Amazing Papyrus Plant: Papyrus’ connection to humans is long and historic but it also has ecological benefits for our modern world. Dr. John Gaudet will enlighten you about this versatile plant (food, fuel, paper, pollution control) and demonstrate how it is made into paper. From1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. A half-hour reception follows the lecture. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Art by Reston Schools Reception: Come celebrate the young artists’ creativity, contributions and visions. With themes centered on the history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement, the art will be on display through the end of January. Reception from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. atReston Community Center – Hunters Woods. All Ages. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-390-6166.

Pooh Bear’s Friends’ Tea Party: Families enjoy honey, tea and cookies in a Pooh-style tea to learn about Virginia’s black bears and whether heffalumps and wuzzles are native to Fairfax County. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and join us for a guided walk. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. $15/person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Snapshots — Portraits of a World in Transition: For the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration, Anna Deavere Smith, who has been listening to people across the country from all walks of life for the last several years, will share her observations. To illustrate her goal of bringing “people across the chasm” of what she calls the “complex identity of America,” she slips in and out of character during the course of her presentation, recreating a diversity of emotions and points of view on controversial issues. From 8 to 10 p.m. at The CenterStage, Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. $50/person (Reston residents $25/person). Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-390-6166.

Information was correct at time of publication. Please contact individual event sites to confirm programs are being held as scheduled.

The Fairfax County Weekender highlights a selection of county events taking place each weekend. Many more events and activities can be found at the Parks and Library pages, and elsewhere on the Fairfax County website. Additionally, the towns of Herndon and Vienna as well as the city of Falls Church offer many arts, entertainment and recreational opportunities.

A complete list of county calendars is also available online.

To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187.

TTY is 711 unless otherwise indicated.

PHOTO of marshmallow over fire, courtesy of whatscookingamerica.net