Weekend’s Best Bets in Falls Church

This weekend is jam-packed full of arts & culture events. Check out a local production of a hilarious musical, travel to Italy with traditional Italian theater performances (including a Helen Hayes Award recommended production!) and dance workshops, enjoy restaurant deals from your "travels" to Creative Cauldron's Passport to the World festival or enjoy a 70s soft rock concert to benefit the National MS Society. Not into that artsy fartsy stuff? Spend Saturday at Mad Fox Brewery for the Barleywine Festival!

Passport to the World - Restaurant Deals: Creative Cauldron is partnering with local ethnic Falls Church restaurants during its Passport to the World festival. Every time you attend a Passport performance or dine at one of the Cauldron's partnering restaurants during the festival, make sure to get your passport stamped (in the back of your festival brochure calendar). The more stamps, the more prizes you'll receive Check out this week's Passport Deals at Pilin Thai and Pizzeria Orso. Look for upcoming deals with Ireland's Four Provinces and Red White & Bleu.
Friday, Feb. 10 - Sunday, March 4; Prices may vary
Various locations around the City of Falls Church; 571-239-5288

The Great American Trailer Park Musical: Traveling Spotlight Productions presents this community theater production of the hilarious off-Broadway musical that pokes fun at everything from trailer trash to '80s nostalgia. Performances will be held at the James Lee Community Center's theater.
Friday, Feb. 10 - Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.; Call (703) 534-3387 for ticket information
2855 Annandale Rd.; (703) 534-3387

Yacht Rock Review: Don't miss the greatest show on surf celebrating the feel-good sounds of late 70s soft rock at the State Theatre. Ticket proceeds will benefit the National MS Society. 18+ show.
Friday, Feb. 10, 8:30 p.m. doors and 9:30 p.m. show; $15
220 N. Washington St.; (703) 237-0300

Barleywine Festival: Head to Mad Fox Brewery for a day full of tastings, from Mad Fox's own barleywines to the best barleywines brewed by its favorite breweries. Beers will rotate through the festival on draught and cask, while they last. Serving sizes are 4 oz. sample glasses.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. - Sunday, Feb. 12, 12 a.m.; No admission cost, price per serving
444 West Broad St.; (703) 942-6840

The Great One-Man Commedia Epic: Faction of Fools Theatre Company presents this classic story of Italian Renaissance comedy about two young lovers whose lives are thrown into chaos as their wedding plans are threatened by squabbling fathers, boasting war heroes and a host of well-meaning but dim-witted servants. “It’s magical, silly fun that has delighted audiences of all ages for years,” said Faction of Fools artistic director Matt Wilson of the play. “There is plenty of audience involvement as I play 12 different characters, even dueling myself! And we all go on a Renaissance thrill ride.” This performance is part of Creative Cauldron's Passport to the World festival.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.; $18-$20
410 South Maple. Ave.; (571) 239-5288

A Commedia Romeo & Juliet: The Helen Hayes Award recommended show, which just played a critically-acclaimed, sold-out run in Washington, DC, will come to Creative Cauldron as part of the Passport to the World festival. The Faction of Fools version of the Shakespeare classic is a high-octane, 75-minute version of the original story that keeps all of the major characters and Shakespeare's beautiful poetry intact, but with only five actors performing on stage, according to artistic director Matt Wilson.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.; $18-$20
410 South Maple. Ave.; (571) 239-5288

Italian Village Dance Workshop: Stay put at Creative Cauldron for an overview of traditional music and dance throughout Italy, followed by a demonstration of some music, dances and songs. “These dances are still being done by people in villages throughout Italy, people of all ages and abilities,” said Celest DiPietropaolo. “They are done by the people for their enjoyment and for each other, not as a performance. We hope to provide an experience that people of all ages can enjoy.” This performance is also part of Creative Cauldron's Passport to the World festival.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m.; $10
410 South Maple. Ave.; (571) 239-5288