Weekend: Sunday Afternoon Dance, Spring Farm Day, National Train Day + More

There’s plenty going on this weekend across Fairfax County. Take a look at some of the events taking place in this schedule courtesy of Fairfax County Weekender:

Friday, May 8: Beautiful Butterflies

Garden Talk — Butterfly Gardening: Butterflies are a joy to watch. Learn what plants you should grow to encourage these delicate beauties to visit your garden and extend their stay. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Friday:

Survival Skills: Survive the wilds and learn shelter building, how to distinguish edible vs. poisonous plants and how to deal with other “dangers” of the wild. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. For ages 6-12. $7/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

S’more Wagon Ride and Campfire: Enjoy a brisk wagon ride through the Rocky Run Stream Valley, discover who Ellanor C. Lawrence was and learn about the area’s local and natural history. Return to a warming campfire and make a sweet chocolate treat to eat. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. atE.C. Lawrence Park. Meet at Cabell’s Mill. $6/person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

“The Fox on the Fairway”: The stuffy atmosphere of a private golf club is the perfect setting for this madcap adventure featuring mistaken identities, slamming doors and hysterical hi-jinx. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. (also on Saturday) at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. $20/adult (19-64) and $17/senior (65 and up) or student (18 and younger). Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-435-2707.

Saturday, May 9: Fun at the Farm

Spring Farm Day: Watch sheep shearing and antique farm equipment demonstrations as well as participate in hands-on farm activities such as cow and goat milking. Enjoy crafts, games and puppet shows as well as get an up-close introduction to baby farm animals. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frying Park Farm Park. $7/person in advance or $8/person at the door. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Also on Saturday:

National Train Day: The National Capital Trackers are setting up model trains traveling across an expansive track. Model train specialists will be on hand to answer your questions. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library. All ages. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-502-3883.

Herb Gardening: Enjoy fragrance and flavor in your life by adding herbs to your garden! Green Spring master gardeners will teach you how to choose and care for the best annual and perennial herbs to flourish in your garden or container. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Martha Washington Library. Adults. Free. Register online. For information, call 703-768-6700.

“Dog Loves Books”: Louise Yates’ New York Times bestseller comes to life in ArtsPower’s newest musical about the irresistible Dog, who loves everything about books. In fact, he loves books so much that he decides to open his own bookstore, but no customers come. Alone in his store, Dog soon realizes that when he is surrounded by books, he is never alone. Dog begins to read the books and discovers that when customers finally come in, he knows exactly which books to recommend. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. $15/person. Buy ticketsonline. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Reston Chorale — Made in the USA: Join the Reston Chorale for an American showcase filled with fabulous music and lots of fun. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. $25/adults (18-61), $20/seniors (62 and older) and free for youth (17 and younger) with a ticketed adult. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-834-0079.

2nd Saturday Art Walk: Tour seven unique studio buildings to see the work of over 100 visual artists and enjoy light refreshments and music. From 6 to 9 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center. Free admission. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Cabaret — The Music of Sondheim: Join a cast of award-winning performers on a celebratory journey through a songbook representing the remarkable 60-year career of one of America’s greatest living composers and lyricists. This special-edition cabaret series will conclude with a spotlight feature on the music of “Into The Woods.” Through May 31, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays in the W3 Theatre, Workhouse Arts Center. $30/person; $25/senior, military or student. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, May 10: Celebrate Mom

Mother’s Day Cruise: Spend quality time with Mom enjoying Mother Nature and thrill to a beautiful May afternoon cruising in sight of wildflower-bedecked shorelines and soaring eagles. Thirty-minute cruises sets out at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park. Arrive 20 minutes before your cruise time to pick up your reserved tickets and get ready for boarding. Cruises will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather or windy conditions. No refunds for any other reason. $3/Mom, $6/other adults, $4/children ages 3 and up. For information and to make reservations, call 703-569-0285.

Also on Sunday:

Make a Birdbath for Mom’s Day: Treat your mother or someone else to a homemade, hand-painted birdbath, as well as get tips for identifying local species and attracting birds. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. atHidden Oaks Nature Center. $15/child. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Sunday Afternoon Dances: Dancers of all skill levels are welcome to foxtrot, swing, cha-cha and waltz during these fun afternoon dances. Music ranges from golden oldies to today’s more modern dance selections. Door prizes and light refreshments add to the fun; partners not required. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. Ages 18 and up. $10/person; pay at door. For information, call 703-390-6157.

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.