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By Katie Bianco, Stefanie Gans, Rachael Keeney and Michael Balderston
Workplace humor
Manassas is a bit of a hike for me, but 9 to 5: The Musical sounds like a performance worth traveling for. As in the namesake ’80s movie—which I will have to watch before venturing out to the Hylton Performing Arts Center—three women go on a comedic journey to get revenge on their sexist and egotistical boss. With music by Dolly Parton, I have no doubt that I will be thoroughly entertained. –RK // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
Setting sail
I’m not much of a sailor, but I am a big fan of history, so I’ll give my sea legs a chance this weekend when the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation brings a re-creation of Godspeed, one of the three ships that brought America’s first permanent English colonists to Virginia, to Alexandria. Public deck tours will be open over the weekend as part of the Portside in Old Town Festival. If you hear someone call out “Land ho!” this weekend it’ll probably be me (I’ve always wanted to say that). –MB // Torpedo Factory Art Center: 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
Fettuccine Alfredo somewhere, anywhere
By the end of this week, the 50 Best Restaurants issue will be at the printer. (It hits newsstands Oct. 25.) This means, one, I can finally breathe. And two, I can sneak in a naughty, indulgent meal that I don’t have to write about (though who am I kidding, I’ll probably take a picture and type notes). Like most years, I treat myself with fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli (and maybe a glass of Nebbiolo or a Manhattan made by my husband). I’m not sure where I’m going to get my pasta fix from this year, so if you have a favorite spot, send me a note! stefanie@northernvirginiamag.com –SG
A novel idea
Between editing this magazine and chasing after two small children, I must admit any book on my nightstand gets about five minutes max of my attention each night. But I’m betting on getting some inspiration for keeping my reading light on just a bit longer with the Fall for the Book Festival at George Mason University this week. The four-day fest kicks off on Wednesday and features a lineup of fantastic author talks and events. Of note, Rep. John Lewis will discuss his new book March: Book One on Thursday. It’s a graphic novel (written with Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell) that focuses on Lewis’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. No doubt, an inspiring read. –KB // George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax