Weekend Planner: Wildlife, Movies, Gardening, Children's Theater

Looking to get out and about this weekend? Here are some choices, courtesy of Fairfax County Weekender and other local sources:

Friday, Feb. 22:  

Signature Tour of Mount Vernon. See more of George Washington's Mansion with the new Signature Tour, offered daily at 2 p.m. for an additional $5 per person, in addition to estate admission. Go behind the scenes during your guided exploration of the Mansion to see areas not normally open to guests, including the third floor (where Martha Washington retired after the death of her husband in 1799) and the basement! Ticket information here. Hours and directions here.

Fun Flicks: Watch movies based on children’s books (call for titles). Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Pohick Regional Library. All ages.10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Pohick Regional Library, Meeting Room 1/2. Free but registration required. Register online. (Sign up each child and adult separately) For information call 703-644-7333.

Chicago City Limits drops in at The Barns at Wolf Trap Friday at 8 p.m. This legendary troupe, called “New York’s funniest comedy review” by New York magazine, has been a staple of Big Apple improv for 30 years. For more information, contact Wolf Trap. 

Woodcock Watch: Woodcocks breed in early spring through beautiful night courtship flights. Learn about this breathtaking annual ritual from an Ellanor C. Lawrence Park naturalist. 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Elklick Woodlands Nature Preserve in western Fairfax County. Participants must be at least age eight. $6/person. Register online. For information and directions call 703-631-0013.

Saturday, Feb. 23: 

African American Pioneers in Aviation. All ages 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Celebrate and discover the many accomplishments of African Americans in the fields of aviation and space exploration at an upcoming Heritage Family Day. Meet famed African American pilots from World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, who fought discrimination both at home and abroad. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly. For more information, call 703-572-4118

2013 Northern Virginia Camp & Summer Fun Expo. All ages (family-friendly event). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun. This two-day event, held at Dulles Town Center, will introduce your family to exciting summer opportunities for kids of all ages, all under one roof! FREE Dulles Town Center, Dulles. (from Washington Parent)

Live Onstage: Sleeping Beauty – The Broken Spell: When the prince learns he is to marry the princess known as Sleeping Beauty, he has a right to worry! She falls asleep every chance she gets. Little does he know that a mysterious spell has been cast upon her and he must soon find a cure before it is too late and she falls asleep forever. 3 to 4:30 p.m. in W3 Theater at Workhouse Arts Center. $12/adults and $8/children under 12. Buy tickets online. Limited seating; advance ticket reservations recommended. For information call 703-584-2900.

Live Stand Up Cool Cow Comedy: Jermaine Fowler performed as a finalist in NBC's Stand Up for Diversity and is currently on tour with Comedy Central. He is on SyFy's brand new series "Insane or Inspired," Adult Swim's "The Eric Andre Show," and the reboot pilot of "In Living Color." Due to material, all patrons must be at least 18. Line-up of performers subject to change without notice. Two shows: 8 and 10 p.m. in W3 Theater at Workhouse Arts Center. $15/person (advance reservations strongly recommended as previous performances have sold out). Buy tickets online. For information call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Feb. 24: 

Purim Carnival All ages (family-friendly event). 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrate Purim with games, prizes, crafts, moonbounces and costumes. $$ Adat Reyim Preschool, Springfield.

Winter Lecture: Herbs in the Landscape: If you already have a garden or are just starting out, herbs make a great addition to the landscape to add color and texture, while adding fragrance and flavor for the kitchen and many winged friends. Learn how to add herbs to your landscape to lower maintenance and watering needs. Presentation includes photos. 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. $10/person. Register online. For information call 703-642-5173.

Barred Owl: Stream Valley Hunter: Meet a live barred owl and learn to recognize its call. Learn how to spot owls in our woods and how they are well adapted hunters of the night. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. $5/person. Register online. For information call 703-941-1065.

Maple Syrup Boil-Down: The sap is rising and the maple trees are tapped. Now it’s sugaring time! Watch and learn as sap is boiled down into sweet syrup over an open fire. Sample the delicious combination of maple syrup over fresh baked cornbread for $3, while supplies last! Noon to 2 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill Historic Site. No registration required. For information call 703-759-2771.

Readers Theater Live! Stories for All!: The Chantilly High School Drama Department will present humorous stories and fairy tales featuring acting, audience involvement and Readers Theater. Sure to entertain the entire family! All ages. 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library Meeting Room. Free. Register online. For information call 703-502-3883.

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Schubert in the Age of the Sound-Byte This gifted pianist offers enlightening commentary on one of the most prolific composers that classical music has ever known! In his third concert of his 20th anniversary season, Siegel asks the question, “How do Schubert’s irresistible lyric dramas in tones fit into our robotic society with today’s limited attention span?” 7 p.m., $19, $30, $38. 1 Free Student Ticket Available with Mason ID; George Mason University Concert Hall. Directions and parking.