At Jammin' Java this month
Wednesday/Oct. 11
Oktoberfest Potluck. 6:30 p.m. at Great Falls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Great Falls Historical Society is holding an Oktoberfest Potluck, and speaker Jim Lewis will present “How Fairfax and Loudoun Counties Finally Agreed on a
Border.” Visit www.gfhs.org/ for more.
Astronomy Lecture. 7:30-9 p.m. at Turner Farm, 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls. Topics may include planets, open clusters, double stars, stellar color spectrum, globular clusters and galaxies. After class, view the objects that were discussed through the observatory’s telescopes, if weather allows. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turnerfarm/ for more.
Friday/Oct. 13
British Car Tour for Military Kids. 9:30 a.m. A 750-mile maiden American tour through the hills and autumn foliage of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. Called the DC Area America’s Reliability Run, it’s a fundraiser for Our Military Kids, a nonprofit in McLean, Virginia. Visit www.ourmilitarykids.org or call Judy McSpadden at 703-734-6654.
Drumming and Drum Circle Workshop. 7-8:30 p.m. at The Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Join The Alden and master artist Kofi Dennis for an introduction to djembe drumming skills and improvisation. $15/$10 MCC district residents; $7 each additional person, $5 MCC district residents. Visit www.mcleancenter.org for more.
Saturday/Oct. 14
Watershed Cleanup Day. 9-11:30 p.m. at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. An opportunity for individuals, students, families, scouts and other community groups to be part of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup. Help clear the earth’s arteries by collecting tires, bed springs, bottles, cans and other debris from the local waterways. Visit bit.ly/FCPAwatershedClean or call 703-759-9018 for more.
Watershed Cleanup Day. 9-11:30 p.m. at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, 7400 Georgetown Pike, McLean. An opportunity for individuals, students, families, scouts and other community groups to be part of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup. Help clear the earth’s arteries by collecting tires, bed springs, bottles, cans and other debris from the local waterways. Visit bit.ly/FCPAwatershedClean or call 703-759-9018 for more.
Oktoberfest Marketplace. 10 a.m-3 p.m at Charles Wesley UMC, The Hunger Church, 6817 Dean Drive, McLean. Benefit for community help agencies. Visit www.thehungerchurch.org for more.
Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department Open House. 10 a.m-4 p.m at the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department, 9916 Georgetown Pike. Activities for children, games, give-always, and the always popular fire truck and ambulance climb-aboard. Firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs will be on hand for demonstrations and information. The theme for this year is: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” Call 703-362-9075 for more.
Naming Ceremony. 10 a.m. at Ken Lawrence Park, 8081 Jones Branch Drive in Tysons. Jones Branch Fields and Arbor Row Park will be consolidated to form the new Ken Lawrence Park in Tysons. Call 703-324-8662 or email Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov for more.
Churchill Fall Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m at the Churchill Road Elementary School, 7100 Churchill Road, McLean. Giant lawn games, board games and races, as well as inflatables and food trucks. $10, 4 and under free. Email djhutzel@fcps.edu or call 703-288-8400.
Oct. 14-15
Cello Concert. Various times at several locations around town, such as the McLean Project for the Arts’ Chain Bridge Gallery, 1446 Chain Bridge Road.; Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave.; and Spring Hill RECenter, 1239 Spring Hill Road. The Alden in McLean presents internationally renowned cellist Matt Haimovitz in a multi-part performance of “A Moveable Feast.” Call 703-790-9223 for more.
Sunday/Oct. 15
American Legion Breakfast. 1-4 p.m at Post 180, 330 Center St., N.
Vienna. Buffet includes omelets, blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon and more. Adults $9, children 12 and under $3. Call 703-938-6580 for more.
Tuesday/Oct. 17
Meet the Author. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Hoffman is an American writer and a Contributing Editor at the Washington Post and has been a journalist for 30 years and Pulitzer Prize winner in 2010 for a book about the legacy of the nuclear arms race. Email karen.emami@globalinfotek.com, call 703-938-6411or visit gfseniors.org.
Wednesday/Oct. 18
Dining with Dorothy. 12:30 p.m at Legal Seafoods, Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Drive, McLean. This socializing/dining event is hosted by the Shepherd ‘s Center of Oakton-Vienna. Email dflood1706@gmail.com for more.
Tree Talks. 7-9:30 p.m. at Churchill Road Elementary School Cafeteria, 7100 Churchill Road, McLean. Topic: “Trees in McLean’s Changing Landscape–Planting and Protecting.” Visit www.mcleancitizens.org for more.
Friday/Oct. 20
Drumming and Drum Circle Workshop. 3:30-10 p.m. at The Old Firehouse Teen Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Teens can get in the Halloween spirit and spend a Friday night with the Old Firehouse. Only the brave-hearted are invited on this journey. The night will start with a group dinner $60/$50 MCC district residents. Visit www.mcleancenter.org for more.
An Evening Service of Song, Scripture and Prayer. Holy Comforter will welcome two visiting choirs from Delaware: Immanuel Church on the Green, Newcastle, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes. Under the direction of Choirmasters T. J. Thomas and Jack Warren Burnam, the combined choirs will present an evening service of song, scripture, and prayer. This liturgy will be followed by a festive reception.
Oct. 20-22
Vienna Theatre Company Production. Various times at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE. Upcoming production “In Living Sound - Back Home!,” live radio drama directed by Patricia Boswell Kallman. $14. Visit www.viennatheatrecompany.org for more.
Great Falls Studios Tour. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at various venues in Great Falls. A self-guided driving tour of local artists in their personal studios. This three-day event is family-friendly, free, and offers the opportunity to see art being made in the community. Artists will be available 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. Visit www.greatfallsstudios.com for more.
Saturday/Oct. 21
Astronomy Campfire. 6-7 p.m at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Hear tales about the constellations and make s’mores over the campfire’s embers. Ages 4 and up. $8. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/ for more.
Oct. 21-22
18th Century Autumn Market Fair. 11-4:30 p.m at the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Learn to dip candles and watch the blacksmith and rope maker at work. Children’s games, puppet theater and live music. Meet staff and volunteers in costume and character. $8; children and seniors: $4; children under 3 free. Visit www.1771.org for more.
Sunday/Oct. 22
Capitol Steps Comedy Troupe. 3 p.m. at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. A singing, dancing, satirical show that focuses on politics, proceeds go to the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna. $35. Visit www.scov.org/fundraiser-tickets or call 703-281-0538.
Bonis Ensemble. 4 p.m. at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Playing Mozart, Mahler and Bonis. Visit www.amadeusconcerts.com.
Wednesday/Oct. 25
71st Annual Halloween Parade. 7 p.m. on Maple Avenue, Vienna. Join friends and neighbors, ghouls and goblins for one of Vienna's traditions: the 71st annual Halloween Parade, hosted by the Vienna Business Association. Pre-registration is required for businesses and organizations who wish to march in the parade. No registration needed for children who want to wear costumes and walk in the parade; children must be accompanied by their mummy or another adult. Visit bit.ly/2huu6L0 for more.
Oct. 27-28
Vienna Theatre Company Production. Various times at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE. Upcoming production “In Living Sound - Back Home!,” live radio drama directed by Patricia Boswell Kallman. $14. Visit www.viennatheatrecompany.org for more
Saturday/Oct. 28
Arlington Free Clinic Annual Benefit Gala. 6 p.m.-midnight at Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner Tysons Galleria, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean. Cocktail reception and silent auction, which includes getaways, art and photography, sports items, and much more. $300. Visit www.gala.arlingtonfreeclinic.org.
Ellis Paul in Concert. 7:30 p.m. at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Ellis Paul with Sophie B. Hawkins in celebration of 25 years of touring. Visit www.jamminjava.com for more.
Sunday/Oct. 29
Pumpkin Carving Lessons. 10 a.m.-4 p.m at Wildfire, Tysons Galleria, 3rd floor, Mclean. Executive Chef Edwin Amaya shares his best-kept secrets for carving pumpkins and Emma Choi, student representative to Real Food for Kids, will be the special guest followed by a costume contest. $20.00 per child and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to “Real Food for Kids.” Call 703-442-9110 for more.
Spookappella Halloween Jam. 2 p.m. at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Cover band rocking R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, and soul hits of the last five decades. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit www.jamminjava.com for more.