Weekend: Civil War Reenactors, Concerts, Celebrate Fairfax!

PHOTO: Celebrate Fairfax! takes places Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Photo courtesy of Celebrate Fairfax!

_______________

Ready to get out and have some fun this weekend? The Weekender, from Fairfax County, has you covered:

Friday, June 5: Celebrate Fairfax!

Celebrate Fairfax! Northern Virginia’s largest communitywide celebration takes place June 5-7 at the Fairfax County Government Center. The 25-acre site is magically filled with fascinating sights and sounds of more than 300 exhibitors, food vendors, crafters and interactive activities. Celebrate Fairfax! showcases live concerts, a petting zoo, carnival rides and great festival foods. Nightly fireworks are a highlight. This year’s event features Kongos, 3 Doors Down and The Amish Outlaws. Hours and other information. Tickets. For more information, call 703-324-FAIR (3247).

Watch a video here about parking for Celebrate Fairfax!

Also on Friday:

Mount Vernon Nights Concerts Kickoff: The five-member rock band, Night Music, brings its joyful energy and an exciting performance. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. to Grist Mill Park. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

A Tribute to the Everly Brothers: David and Ginger Kitchen and the Hummingbyrds, backed by an all-star band, will perform Everly Brothers classics. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason District ParkAmphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Workhouse Cabaret Series — Club Noir: Ganglanders, molls, femme fatales and the rest of the “usual suspects” will take over the cabaret stage in a musical homage to the jazz clubs and torch singers that defined the style. Featuring the best standards from the Great American Songbook, mixed with songs from the Broadway stage and a healthy dose of jazz. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. (same time on Saturday and 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday) in the W3 Theatre, Workhouse Arts Center. $30/person; $25/senior, military or student. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Saturday, June 6: Beneficial Bugs

Pollinators in the Garden: Pollinators — bees, butterflies and more — play an essential role in your ornamental and vegetable gardens. Green Spring master gardeners will show you how to attract these beneficial insects to your landscape by providing an environment rich in diversity of plants and habitat that can also be beautiful. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Martha Washington Library. Adults. Free; register online. For information, call 703-768-6700.

Also on Saturday:

Free Art of Movement Classes: Enjoy free, drop-in Art of Movement classes featuring yoga, hula, mat Pilates, surfset and tai chi on different Saturdays. No experience necessary; bring your own mat and an open mind. From 8 to 9 a.m. each Saturday through Aug. 29 on the Quad at the Workhouse Arts Center. Schedule of classes. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-584-2965.

Herndon Fortnightly Library 20th Birthday: The current Herndon Fortnightly Library opened its doors in June 1995. Help celebrate with crafts, stories, a balloon artist and other party activities. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (story time starts at 11 a.m., crafts and balloon artist noon to 2 p.m.) Herndon Fortnightly Library. All ages. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-437-8855.

C&O Canal History — A Journey Through Potomac History: Mike High, author of the “C&O Canal Companion,” takes you on a virtual tour of the Potomac River waterway. Find out how its history was shaped by its falls and the different ways people found to circumnavigate them — including wagon roads from Pennsylvania, the C&O Canal, Braddock’s Road, Leesburg Pike and the W&OD Railroad. Books available for purchase and signing. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Reston Regional Library. Adults. Free; register online. For information, call 703-689-2700.

McLean Symphony Season Finale — Transitions: Come for an evening of exciting combinations of jazz instrumentalists and singers including Williams’ “Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra,” as well as the symphony’s rendition of “Charlie Parker with Strings.” From 7:30 to 9 p.m.at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. $25/adult, $20/senior, $15/student with ID; 12 and under free. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Mount Vernon Nights: Melodime, a rock band that grew up performing in the hayloft of their horse farm, brings their Southern rock sound. From 7 to 8 p.m. to the Workhouse Arts Center. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Chinese Cultural Heritage Night: Celebrate with Chinese folk music and traditional dance. From7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ossian Hall Park. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

David Bach Consort: If jazz is your style, the David Bach Consort is a spirited group that brings unique musical entertainment. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Arrowbrook Centre Park. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.

Sunday, June 7: Sweet Treats

Family Fun — Strawberry Tea Party :Celebrate June’s luscious fruits with a walk through the garden to see how strawberries and other fruits grow. Then join us for a game and a tea party of strawberry tea and sweet treats. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Ages 5 and up. $15/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Sunday:

The Virginia 49th: The Virginia 49th Infantry will be drilling and offering firing demonstrations.From11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Grain Grinding Demonstration: See the mill in action with grain grinding demonstrations the first and third Sundays of the month. Watch the miller turn corn into meal and grits, or wheat into flour using the now restored, water-powered grist mill. Please call ahead to see if conditions permit grinding. From noon to 3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Regular tour cost applies: $7/adult, $6/student 16+ and $5/child or senior; pay at site. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Northern Virginia Carvers: Wood carvers who lend their tools and expertise to uncover your hidden artistic talent. You can create a creature from a block of wood in a program appropriate for ages 12 and up on the first and third Sunday of the month now through August. From noon to 4 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free lesson; nominal charge for the wood blanks. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Blacksmith Demonstration: See the blacksmith swing his hammer at the forge as he creates tools and other decorative items from iron. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Free Concert at The Alden: Enjoy music by the National Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble featuring Lisa Emenheiser on piano, Peter Haase on violin, Denise Wilkinson on viola and Loran Stephenson on cello. From 3 to 4 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. Free; no tickets required. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Spotlight by Starlight: Founded in 1969, the City of Fairfax Band is one of the area’s best-known community ensembles, bringing enjoyment to all ages with pop-style concerts of light classical, Broadway, jazz, film and patriotic music. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason District Park Amphitheater. Free admission. For information, call 703-324-7469.