Weekend: Baby Boomer Dance, Cashore Marionettes, Gorgeous Gourds

Editor’s note: The following is the Fairfax County Weekender, courtesy of Fairfax County:

Friday, Nov. 21: Let the Festivities Begin!

Free Holiday Movie — “A Christmas Story”: Get in the mood for the upcoming holiday season. Put your bunny pajamas on, get your secret decoder ring out and experience this holiday movie in a totally different way. Go ahead, yell your favorite lines. We tripledog dare you! Rated PG. From 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. Free; no reservations required. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Also on Friday:

Family Nature Night: Reconnect with nature and explore the park’s habitats and diverse wildlife through activities, crafts, games and a walk. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park. $7 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Campfire Friday — Animal Tracking: Learn to recognize and follow wildlife tracks through the forest. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Sixth Generation Baby Boomer Dance: The Sixth Generation is a Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame inductee whose specialty is playing hits from the ‘60s as well as original songs about the era. Their crowd-pleasing performances bring back fond memories for baby boomers and a surprising appreciation of good music for younger generations. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the W16 – McGuireWoods Gallery at the Workhouse Arts Center. $10/person in advance; $15/person at the door. Buy ticketsonline. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Saturday, Nov. 22: Gorgeous Gourds

Thanksgiving Table Arrangement: Break the cornucopia tradition and make a Thanksgiving centerpiece in a fresh pumpkin. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. $35/person plus $25/person supply fee. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Saturday:

Garden Sprouts — Little Gobblers: Children ages 3 to 5 learn about wild turkeys, listen to a turkey call, look for turkey prints and bring home a nature-inspired decoration for the Thanksgiving table. From 11 a.m. to noon at Green Spring Gardens. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Family Fun — Turkey Hunt: Learn the history of the wild turkey, as well as its amazing adaptations and importance to early Americans. From 1 to 2 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Cashore Marionettes — Simple Gifts: Watch a series of touching portrayals and poignant scenes from everyday life set to stunning music by such composers as Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and Copland. Through a combination of virtuoso manipulation, beautiful music, theatrical illusion and artistic insight, the original vignettes provide an entertaining and sensitive vision of what it is to be human. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center. $10/person. Buy ticketsonline. For information, call 703-476-4500.

Cool Cow Comedy Presents Jason Dudey: Jason has performed everywhere from Vegas to Tahoe, New York and L.A. He has opened for Judy Gold, Ant and Sandra Bernhardt. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. and 9 to 10:30 p.m. at the W3 Theatre,Workhouse Arts Center. Due to mature subject matter, patrons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. $15/person in advance; $20/person at the door (advance reservations strongly recommended). Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Andes Manta: Andes Manta performs the vibrant music of the Andes on more than 35 traditional instruments. From the lyrical sound of the quena, or Andean flute, to the haunting tones of the 6-foot-long pan-pipes, the music of Andes Manta is an experience that never fails to bring audiences to their feet. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. atThe Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. $20/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Cashore Marionettes — Life in Motion: In this performance, Joseph Cashore presents his collection of marionette masterworks with characters of depth, integrity and humanity portrayed in an evening unlike anything else in theatre today. A series of scenes taken from everyday life and set to beautiful music is a powerful, entertaining, surprising, theatrically satisfying, one-of-a-kind evening for adults and young adults (appropriate for ages 14 and up). From 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center. $30/person. Buy ticketsonline. For information, call 703-476-4500.

Sunday, Nov. 23: Masterful Music

Concert at The Alden: This free classical music series, now in its 40th season, features professional musicians who have won international recognition for their artistry. Come revel in the music of Josef Spacek’s, a young Czech violinist who is fast emerging as one of the most talented virtuosos of his generation. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. Free; no reservations required. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Also on Sunday:

Sunday Soirée Series — Autumn Splendor:Dance or just listen to the upbeat music of The Wayne Timpanick Trio. From 3 to 5 p.m. at theMcLean Community Center. $15/couple or $8/individual. Refreshments included. Registeronline (class code: 2051.214), at the center or at the door. For information, call 703-790-0123.

• 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 andVienna 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.