September 6 through 12

 

SPOTLIGHT:

THE WINE FESTIVAL AT THE PLAINS
The art of drinking and the game of polo are teaming up for a double-hitter event. The Wine Festival at The Plains and the 26th Annual Commonwealth Cup of Polo make up a weekend full of hundreds of wines, artisan food, top-notch polo matches, plus a new-to-this-year performance by the Manassas Symphony Orchestra. “This is not your typical Virginia wine festival …This is an upgraded event, in an upgraded venue at Great Meadow, featuring world-class wine paired with world-class polo. Over the past three years this festival has grown into the premier outdoor wine event on the East Coast,” says Carl Henrickson of the Farm Wineries Council. It’s such a fun time; you’ll be chanting, “Vino … polo!” until next year’s festival begins again.

Sept. 10-11, 11 AM to 6 PM. Great Meadow Equestrian Center, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains; 703-823-1868; www.winefestivalattheplains.com; $20 for non-tasting ticket; $30 for tasting ticket (in advance).

 

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SOUND
Toast To the Tunes Summer Concert Series
Sept 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 6-9:30 PM. Tarara Winery has lined up live music throughout the month of September—from cover bands to blues, the wine will be flowing on Saturday evenings as the music plays. Relax in lawn chairs or curl up on a blanket with a glass of local vino and a moonlit view of Shadow Lake. Doors open at 5 p.m., and no outside alcohol is permitted. / Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg; 703-771-7100; www.tarara.com; $15/children under 7 free.

Encore Chorale Open House Rehearsal
Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sept. 7 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Encore Chorale, the nation’s largest and fastest growing choral program for Singers Age 55+, announces start up for fall season rehearsals. Calling all former high school and college choristers, church, synagogue and community choral singers! Come join in on a dynamic rehearsal with the Encore Chorale. Singers improve their voice, meet new friends and enjoy a great new adventure singing music in four parts in preparation to join other Encore Chorales from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, for exciting holiday concerts at venues including the Kennedy Center. There are no auditions and singers may sit to rehearse and perform. / Sept. 6 The Woodlands Retirement Community, 4320 Forest Hill Drive, Fairfax and Sept. 7 Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield; For more information and reservations, please call Jeanne Kelly at 301-261-5747 or email Jeanne.kelly@encorecreativity.org; http://encorecreativity.org.

John Hiatt & The Combo, Big Head Todd & The Monsters
Sept 6 @ 7:30 PM. Eleven-time Grammy nominee John Hiatt, both songwriter and producer for award-winning artists, will kick the show off. His latest musical endeavor, “The Open Road,” was released last year and shows he’s still got it. Next up, fans of 1980s jams will be excited to hear the musical stylings of rockers Big Head Todd & The Monsters, whose accolades include six albums on the Billboard charts. / The Filene Center at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna; 877-965-3872; www.wolftrap.org; $40/in-house, $25/lawn.

The Seldom Scene & The Grascals
Sept 10 @ 7:30 PM. This bluegrass group will have you toe tappin’ and clapping along in no time. The Seldom Scene has been around since 1971 and boasts decades of musical experience that includes performing at the White House and recording over 20 albums. / The Birchmore, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com; $25.

Sing-A-Long ‘The Sound of Music’
Sept 10 @ 7 PM. If you’ve always wanted to be part of the Von Trapp Family Singers, this is your time to channel your inner Captain or governess and croon along to classics like “Edelweiss” and “Something Good” in a summer sing-a-long. / The Filene Center at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna; 877-965-3872; www.wolftrap.org; $25-$38/in-house, $15/lawn.

Mediaeval Baebes
Sept 13 @ 7:30 PM. Since their inception in 1996, these ladies have put on their flowing frocks and enchanted audiences by pulling them straight back in time, to a place where classical instruments and beautiful languages were still rampant and familiar. Their efforts have been well received—2007 Ivor Novello Award for best television soundtrack, performances in castles and Renaissance venues all across London and three albums to their name. / The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com; $25.

 

STAGE
‘Rabbit Hole’
Sept 10-11, 14-15, 16-18, 21; times vary. When their young child accidentally dies, this mother and father deal with their grief in surprising ways. Following their journey post-child loss, “Rabbit Hole” addresses the issues of blame, loss and guilt in a couple’s life through this Pulitzer-prizing winning play. / The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria; 703-683-0496; www.thelittletheatre.com; $17-$20.

‘Social Security’
Sept 16-Oct 1; times vary. Throw an older Jewish mother, some romance, lots of comedic relief and her children onto a stage, and you have a recipe for a hilarious theatrical performance. “Social Security” is a fantastic, side-splitting choice for McLean’s season-opening show. / Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean; 703-790-9223; www.mcleanplayers.org; $15/adults, $13/students and seniors, $10/groups of 10 or more.

‘Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You’
Sept 16-Oct 2 @ 8 PM, Sunday @ 3 PM. Cookies, Catholicism and catechism run rampant in this play. Sister Mary Ignatius, a well-meaning nun, along with one of her best students, teaches the audience about her religious beliefs, giving him treats when he answers her questions correctly. Things really get interesting when several of her former students come into the picture and stir the Catholic pot, so to speak. / The Lab at Convergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria; 703-838-2880; www.telgo.com/pcp; $18/adults, $16/seniors or under 18, $14/group of 10 or more.

‘The Boy Detective Fails’
Through Oct 15; times vary. The adventures of Billy Argo—or “boy detective”—come to life on the stage as he desperately attempts to solve a big mystery. / Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington; 703-820-9771; www.signature-theatre.org; $62-$86.

‘The Hollow’
Through Oct 16; times vary. If you liked the classic “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” be sure to check out this movie-turned-play-turned-musical. Directed by Eric Schaeffer, it combines spookiness with 18th-century vibes. / Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington; 703-820-9771; www.signature-theatre.org; prices vary.

 

TASTE
Cork & Fork Free Beer Tasting
Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 6:30-8:30 PM. If you like sampling new beers, head out to this free specialty beer tasting at Cork & Fork. They will be pouring, and guests will be tasting from four to 20 different beers every Friday night in the month of September. / Cork & Fork, 7344 Atlas Walk Way, Gainesville; 703-753-5554; www.corkandfork.com; free.

Pouring Late Til 8
Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 11 AM to 8 PM. Live music and a glass of wine go hand-in-hand this summer on Friday nights. Tarara Winery will keep the vino pouring till 8 PM on their outdoor deck as local bands serenade listeners. / Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg; 703-771-7100; www.tarara.com; cost of wine.

Friday Night Wine Down
Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 5:30-8:30 PM. The Virginia Wine Experience is offering free wine tastings every Friday night in September. With four new selections added weekly, trial and error is the only option for picking a favorite. Sign up online for additional insider info (read: tasting notes and discount offers). / The Virginia Wine Experience, 826 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; 540-373-8878; www.storefront.ejosephwines.com; free.

A Great Tasting Fundraising Event Including Prize Raffle and Silent Auction
Sept. 8 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Each year 200,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and 125,000 die. In the U.S., Ovarian Cancer accounts for more deaths than all other gynecologic cancers combined. Three years ago on this date my mother, Jean Ann Heber, lost her life after a brutal battle with Ovarian Cancer. Her chances of survival would have been greatly increased had she and her gynecologist been aware of the signs and symptoms of this almost silent disease. A Pap Test DOES NOT detect Ovarian Cancer. With your help we can raise awareness and funds to find an early detection method and ultimately a cure! One in 78 American women will develop Ovarian Cancer in her lifetime, please join us in our efforts to save each one and spare their families this tragic loss. / Glory Days Grill, 7581 Somerset Crossing Drive, Gainesville; 702-524-8519; tklavis@glorydaysgrill.com; $25 donation includes lunch.

 

TOTS
Kids’ Nite at Sportrock
Fridays in Sept from 6:30-8 PM. On Friday evenings, children ages 6-14 can experience indoor rock climbing with instructors in an environment that’s both fun and safe. / Sportrock, 45935 Maries Road, Sterling; 703-212-7625; www.sportrock.com; $20.

 

ODDS
Virginia Air Show Week
SEPT 5-11; times vary. From a traditional Labor Day picnic to a fly-in and an evening of dancing, this is seven days packed with fun, family-friendly events—hot air balloons, parachuters, wing-walkers, barn storming and a 9/11 memorial ceremony. / Warren County Airport, 229 Stokes Airport Road, Front Royal; 540635-3570; www.virginiaairshow.com; $8/advance, $5/seniors, $10/gate, children under 5 are free.

Stranger than Fiction: the Secret Lives of Freshwater Mussels
Sept. 7, 7-8 p.m. Within the rivers, streams, and lakes of North America live over 200 species of freshwater mussels that share an amazing life history. To metamorphose from larvae to adult, the mussels must pass through a parasitic phase on the gills of freshwater fish. To trick the fish into accepting their larvae, female mussels have developed a complex array of lures and baits to attract and fool their unsuspecting hosts. This talk will explore the fascinating reproductive biology and ecological role of one of nature’s most sophisticated fishermen. / 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston; 703-648-4748; http://www.usgs.gov/public_lecture_series/; free.

Monarch Tag and Tea
Sept. 10 from 2:30-3:45 p.m. Sip tea while meeting live monarch butterflies. Tagging a monarch and release ceremony after tea party.. Tea treats include sweets from the Michoachan area of Mexico where the monarchs are heading to spend the winter. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Advanced registration required. / Hidden Oaks Nature Center 7701 royce ST., Annandale; 703-941-1065; http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hiddenoaks/; $15.

9th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts
Sept. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For two days King Street from Washington Street to the waterfront is transformed into an outdoor art gallery with original fine artwork by over 200 artists from the US and abroad. Find paintings, life size sculptures, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, collage, and more. The “Alexandria Art Experience” features hands-on projects, artist demos, and an Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser presented by The Art League and the Torpedo Factory Art Center. / 480 King St., Alexandria; www.artfestival.com; 561-746-6615; Free.

Jimmy Lange Fights for World Title
Sept. 10 @ 7 p.m. Doors @ 6 p.m. Hometown fan favorite and former star of the boxing reality TV show The Contender Jimmy Lange (Great Falls, VA) will fight for a world title taking on Raul “El Toro” Munoz (Topeka, KS) for the World Boxing Union (WBU) 154-lb Championship in the 10-round Main Event on September 10 at the Patriot Center. Jimmy Lange Boxing, presented by Valcourt Building Services, is the region’s most exciting and dynamic show and will showcase seven world-class bouts. The card will also feature Lange’s Contender teammate Jonathan Reid, another Contender participant (Season 2) Michael Stewart, as well as top local fighters Todd Wilson (Fairfax), Eric Aiken (Washington, DC), Zain Shah (Chantilly) and Lawrence Jones (Reston). / Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax; 703-534-4600 x210; www.jimmylangeboxing.com; $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500.

18th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta
Sept 10 @ 10 a.m. The event brings together local sailors in the fight against blood cancers. The 2010 series raised more than $160,000 to support LLS’s mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the lives of patients and their families. The sailors and power boaters are racing for the events’ honorary skippers – Shannon Kelso and Hannah McNeal. Spectator boats will be available to the public for a closer view of the races for $10 per person. Additionally, guests may purchase tickets for the post-race celebration, also $10 per person. / Washington Sailing Marina, 1 Marina Drive, Alexandria; www.leukemiacup.org/nca;  703-399-2905.

Manassas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Sept. 11, 8:46 a.m.-1 p.m. On September 11, 2005, five firefighters in Denver, CO came together to climb 110 stories in memory of the 343 firefighters killed at the World Trade Center. Thus began the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The event has since grown and spread throughout the country. The Manassas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb aims to have 114 firefighters from Prince William County complete the 110 story climb that our heroes were unable to finish. Most of the firefighters will be making the climb in full gear, which weighs between 60 and 70 pounds, as well as carrying commemorative items such as badges and pictures of the firefighters that were killed on that day. Each firefighter participating in the Manassas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb will make a donation, in addition to corporate sponsors. Proceeds from the climb will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (www.firehero.org), which provides assistance to the surviving families of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. / 7900 Sudley Road, Manassas; www.firehero.org;  RSVP to 202-997-6798 or Sarah@verasolve.com.