Weekend Planner: Live Theater, Magic, and Model Trains

Mason Opera and Symphony Orchestra presents: H.M.S. Pinafore

• Where: GMU Harris Theater, Fairfax
• When: Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 at 8 p.m.
• Why Go: A night of music and laughs with this popular Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.
• Price:  Tickets range from $15 - $20

Moscow Festival Ballet presents: The Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts Concert Hall, Fairfax
• When: The Sleeping Beauty on Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m.; Cinderella on Saturday, April 14 at 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy stunning music, costumes, and dancing as the company performs two different fairy tale interpretations this weekend. 
• Price: Tickets range from $27 - $54 (tickets sold separately for each performance)

The “Grandest Congress”: The French and Indian War in Alexandria

• Where: Carlyle House Historic Park, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, April 14 from Noon to 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Observe a reenactment of Major General Braddock’s meeting with five colonial governors at John Carlyle’s home in 1755.
• Price:  FREE - $5 suggested donation

Magi Whirl 2012 Gala Public Show

• Where: Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria
• When: Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring the magical talents of Aldo & Rachel Columbini, Noland Montgomery, Gustavo Raley, Ken Scott, and George Saterial.
• Price:  Adults $15; Students 14 and under and Seniors $10; Family Pack $44

MVCCT presents: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

• Where: Carl Sandburg Middle School, Alexandria
• When: Beginning Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: This musical production, based on Mark Twain’s classic novel, will feature 55 local actors ranging from ages 8 – 18.
• Price:  Tickets range from $10 - $12

Prison Break 5K Run

• Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
• When: Sunday, April 15 from 8 a.m. until Noon
• Why Go: Experience this unique race as you are “chased, hounded, and tracked” through the former prison grounds.  Proceeds to benefit the Lorton Arts Foundation.
• Price:  $35 entry fee

Mason Neck Horse Coalition “Saddle up for St. Jude” Charity Ride

• Where: Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton
• When: Sunday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m.
• Why Go: Proceeds from this scavenger hunt and trail ride will benefit St. Jude’s Research Hospital.  The two-hour route will include Pohick Bay Regional Park and Gunston Hall Plantation.
• Price:  Suggested minimum donation to participate is $25

Northern Virginia NTRAK Model Train Display

• Where: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, Fairfax Station
• When: Sunday, April 15 from 1 – 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Bring the family for an afternoon of watching and learning about N Gauge model trains, presented by the Northern Virginia NTRAK group.
• Price:  Adults $3; Children $1

Classical Ballet Theatre presents: Swan Lake

• Where: NOVA Annandale Campus
• When: Sunday, April 15 at 2 and 5 p.m.
• Why Go: A condensed version of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake produced specifically with young audiences in mind.
• Price:  Adults and Seniors $15; Students, Children, and Military $12

American Youth Philharmonic presents: Russian Storytellers

• Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
• When: Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Featuring selections by Liadov, Tcherepnin, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, and more under the direction of Daniel Spalding.

• Price:  Adults $14; Students and Seniors $10; Music Teachers admitted for FREE

Mason Jazz Workshop Concert

• Where: GMU de Laski Performing Arts Building, Fairfax
• When: Sunday, April 15 at 7 p.m.
• Why Go: The program will include jazz selections ranging from Sonny Rollins to Quincy Jones.  The GMU Swing Dancers will also be featured in the show.
• Price:  FREE

 Library Events:

• Carrots and Peas at Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria.  Friday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 4 – 5 with adult.  FREE – registration required. 
• Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
• Paws to Read at Lorton Library, Lorton.  Saturday, April 14 from 11 a.m. until Noon.  For ages 6 - 12.  FREE – registration required.
• Science to Amaze and Intrigue at Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m.  FREE – registration required.  
• African Tea Tasting at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m.  FREE – registration required. 
• African Stories Under the Stars at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m.  For grades 3 - 8.  FREE – registration required. 

Nature Programs:

• Butterfly Gardening at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Friday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m.  For adults.  $10 - $12 per person – registration required.  
• Spring Blossom Garden Tour at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m.  For adults.  $12 - $14 per person – registration required.
• Lorton Prison Pond Study at Laurel Hill Park, Lorton.  Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m.  For ages 8 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – registration required.
• Pooh Bear’s Friends’ Tea Party at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m.  For ages 4 and up.  $15 - $17 per person – registration required.  
• Lorton Prison Gone Wild at Laurel Hill Park, Lorton.  Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m.  For ages 9 and up.  $10 - $12 per person – registration required. 
• Best Bird Gardening Tips at Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria.  Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m.  For adults.  $8 - $10 per person – registration required. 
• Nature’s April Foolers Campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, April 14 at 7:15 p.m.  For ages 4 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – registration required.
• Lost and Found GPS Adventures at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Sunday, April 15 at 2:30 p.m.  For ages 6 and up.  Parking fee is $4 per vehicle.