Arts & Entertainment

Weekend Planner: Shamrocks and Snakes in Annandale, Ballroom Dancing in Lorton and More

Fun events in and around Northern Virginia Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? We've found a bunch of happenings, courtesy of Fairfax County and other outlets taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in and around Fairfax County. Know of another fun event? Feel free to mention it in the comments box below. Have a great weekend!

Go Green: Shamrocks & Snakes: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish stories, music and the legend of why there are no snakes in Ireland. Meet several snakes that live here, not there. Participants must be at least age 4. From 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. $6/person. Register online. For information call 703-941-1065.

Gardening with Deer: No, the deer won’t help you and can actually have a negative impact on your garden. And there seem to be more of them than ever. While fencing and spraying repellents are the tactics most often used, another good way to combat deer is to focus on the selection and care of plants. Learn which plants the deer avoid in your garden. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Green Spring Gardens. $10/person. Register online. For information call 703-642-5173.

Find out what's happening in Annandalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Garden Sprouts: Animal Tracks: Observe nature all around you. Three to 5-year-olds can see deer, rabbit and raccoon tracks and look for other signs of these woodland creatures from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Green Spring Gardens. $5/child. Register online. For information call 703-642-5173. 

Family Fun: Animal Trek: Learn how to identify animals by their tracks and other clues. Explore the park for evidence of woodland animals, then make a plaster cast of your favorite animal prints. Participants must be at least age five. From 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Green Spring Gardens. $6/person. Register online. For information call 703-642-5173.

Find out what's happening in Annandalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Katie & Logan Acoustic Duo Enjoy your Friday evening or Saturday afternoon with live music at Paradise Springs Winery, the closest winery to Washington DC and the first in Fairfax County. After a hard week at work, relax with a picnic, good friends, and a great bottle of wine. Featuring live music every Friday evening until 9 p.m., and every Saturday from 2-6 p.m. Artists include acoustic acts, pianists, jazz bands, banjos, or other various forms. Enjoy the sounds of Katie & Logan, from 5-9 p.m. Friday at Paradise Springs Winery at 13219 Yates Ford Road in Clifton. 

Stage Door at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road in Alexandria, presented Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Bishop Ireton Theatre Arts is proud to present Stage Door, a comedy by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman. The play follows 16 different actresses living through New York City's Depression Era. Each of the girls shares the same dream of someday making it big on Broadway. Some choose to follow their dreams, while others abandon them in favor of Hollywood fame, true love and stable lifestyles. Performances are Friday, March 15, and Saturday, 16 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the door, and cost is $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. 

Lynne Mackey, Classical Pianist: Sit back and enjoy an amazing recital featuring music of Russian composers ranging from the romantic pieces of Rachmaninoff and Medtner, to the whimsical humor of Stravinsky and Prokofiev. Talented pianist Lynne Mackey has performed in solo and chamber music settings in the United States and abroad. Her performances include three New York premieres and she currently tours as a pianist with the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Friday, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in W16 –McGuireWoods GalleryWorkhouse Arts Center. $25/person general admission, $20/senior or military and $12/youth/student. Buy tickets online. For information call 703-584-2900. 

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 foxtrot from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The social dance will be 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 are only sold at the door. Ballroom Social Dance tickets may be reserved online, by phone or at the door. For information call 703-584-2900.

Wear Green! Campfire: Wear your best green this St. Patrick’s Day and help find all things wearing green in the meadow. Return to a campfire to toast marshmallows. From 7 to 8 p.m., Sunday, meet at Cabell's Mill in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. $5/person. Be sure to register an adult with child. Register online. For information call 703-631-0013.

Bluegrass Barn Concert Series: Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie: Bill Emerson started singing and playing the banjo in1953 and went on to become the founder of the world famous Country Gentlemen. One of the five most influential string banjo players of all time, he has recorded and performed with more bands than any other banjo player. He performs with Sweet Dixie from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Frying Pan Farm Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance. Call 703-437-9101or go to Frying Pan Farm Park to purchase your tickets.

Cool Cow Comedy Presents: A St. Paddy's Day Showcase!: Lucky you! Some of D.C.'s best will be bringing the laughs this St. Paddy's Day. Rahmein Mostafavi will cost joined by Phillippe Schafer, Jamel Johnson, Becca Steinhoff, Randy Syphax and Brandon Wardell. Due to material, all patrons must be 18 to attend the performance and line-up of performers is subject to change without notice. From 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at W3 TheatreWorkhouse Arts Center.  $10/person (advance reservations strongly recommended as previous performances have sold out). Buy tickets online. For information call 703-584-2900.

Got an event you'd like to see featured? Send it to MaryAnn.Barton@patch.com


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here