Weekend: Country Western Dancing, Jazz Concert, Fall Festivals + More

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Looking to get out this weekend between the rain drops? Here's a look at what's happening at county parks, information courtesy of Fairfax County's The Weekender.

Friday, Sept. 30: Folk Music at the Farm

Frying Pan Folk Music and Stories : Join us for an evening of folk music, stories, games and a campfire in the farm yard. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Dress appropriately for cooler outside temperatures. Ages 5 and up. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Also on Friday:

Garden Talk with Master Gardeners – Native Plants : Learn how to incorporate native plants into your garden for maximum ecological impact and beauty. Get to know the many types of easy-care, native plants that help our native bees and birds, as well as brighten your garden with dazzling color. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Ages 18 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Meet Children’s Author Cece Bell: Join the author and illustrator of “El Deafo” and the Sock Monkey series and other titles. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Burke Centre Library. Books available for purchase and signing. Ages 7 and up. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-249-1520.

Hidden Pond Survivor : Do you know what it takes to survive in the wild? Learn survival techniques while exploring various environments. Identify nature dangers as well as helpful plants and animals. From 5 to 6 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Topics vary. Ages 6 to 12. $7/child. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Summer Stage at Reston Station – Moonshine Society: Get your fill of blues and rock when Moonshine Society plays. From 5 to 7 p.m. in the open air plaza atop Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. All ages. Free. For information, call 703-476-4500.

Campfire Fridays – Owls : Come for a night of campfire, s’mores, animals and more! Topics vary and a different area of the park is explored each week. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Ages 3 and up. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

An Evening with Sandra Cisneros: Meet Sandra Cisneros, award-winning author of “The House on Mango Street” and “A House of My Own.” From 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Harris Theatre, Center for the Arts, George Mason University. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-324-3100.

Saturday, Oct. 1: Jazz Master

A Love Supreme – The Legacy of John Coltrane: In exploring John Coltrane’s musical legacy, the Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet sheds new light on the timeless joy and beauty in the greatest music of an American jazz master. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. $35/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-390-6167.

Also on Saturday:

Fall For Fairfax KidsFest — Exciting, interactive and educational programs, entertainment and activities specially designed for families with elementary and pre-k age children. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (also Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Fairfax County Government Center. Admission, most activities and entertainment free (KidWay MidWay attractions require ticket purchase).

Peter McCory, the One-Man Band: Sing and dance along with Peter McCory, the amazing one-man band! Kids sing, jump, stomp, dance and play hand instruments with this master of multi-tasking from11 a.m. to noon at Reston Regional Library. Free; register online. Please register each child and adult separately. For information, call 703-689-2700.

Workhouse Arts Gala: Come for an extraordinary evening featuring visual art by emerging and established artists as well as performances by some of the area’s finest entertainers. This annual fundraising event raises financial support for and broad awareness of the outstanding arts and education programs at the Workhouse Arts Center. From 6 to 11 p.m. in the McGuire-Woods Gallery, Workhouse Arts Center. $250/person. Register online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Tap Kids: Featuring an extraordinary cast of eight young tap dancers, “Schooldayz” tells the story of how the arrival of a new kid disrupts the equilibrium of a group of teenagers during their last months of high school. Highlights include dancing on lunch trays in the cafeteria, forging friendship over a game of basketball, drama at the high school dance and more. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. at The Alden, McLean Community Center. $20/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Sunday, Oct. 2: You Knee'd This

Aromat Yoga for Knees: Individually, yoga and essential oils each restore and balance the body and mind. This workshop combines yoga and aromatic essential oils to detox, energize, relax and recharge body energy. From 1 to 3 p.m. in W11, Workhouse Arts Center. $25/person. Register online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Also on Sunday:

Sunday Country-Western Dance: Line dance, two-step, shuffle and swing the night away to popular country-western tunes played by Reston Community Center’s DJ. Dances are held monthly in the Community Room, which offers a spacious wooden dance floor and a smoke-free environment. Refreshments provided. No square or contra dancing, please. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. Ages 18 and up. $10/person; pay at door. For information, call703-476-4500.

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.

A complete list of county calendars is also available online.

PHOTO: Turtle Island Quartet photo by Jati Lindsay, courtesy of Turtle Island Quartet