Big Apple Circus, Dave Mason, Paws for a Cause and Mindy Smith

Hey the weekend is almost here Falls Church, what will you be doing? We've got some ideas for you:

• Three area bands will be performing this weekend at The State Theatre right here in Falls Church. Click the link for the details.

• Hit the Farmers Market Saturday morning in Falls Church from 8 a.m. to noon at 300 Park Avenue, the City Hall parking lot. You'll find more than 50 vendors.

• Take your kids and the young at heart to see the Big Apple Circus out at Dulles. Lots of shows available through Oct. 14. Tickets are priced from $25 to $80.
• Vienna holds its annual Oktoberfest Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Historic Church Street. All the details here on Vienna Patch. Free admission. Beer, wine, food, kids activities and much more.
• Performances shift to The Barns this week at Wolf Trap in Vienna, with three shows. Former member of the band Traffic, Dave Mason, performs a second night at The Barns on Thursday. Traditional Scottish music and modern pub songs are expected from Battlefield Band on Friday. And Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault take the stage Saturday. Times and ticket costs vary. Location: 1635 Trap Road, in Vienna

• Soulful folk music is on tap at Jammin' Java. Mindy Smith headlines a night of music with Sarah Clanton Schaffer. Smith is best known for her breakout single, “Come to Jesus,” and a haunting rendition of “Jolene.” $20. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Location: 227 Maple Avenue E., Vienna

• Broadway’s villains get the spotlight at the Workhouse Arts Center down 95-South in Lorton this weekend. Saturday’s Cabaret Series performance shines a light on the wicked characters of classic musicals. Shows have sold out, so buy tickets in advance. $25. 8 p.m. Saturday at the W-3 Theatre, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.

• Time to take your dog for a walk — for a good cause. The Paws for a Cause 3K Walk supports Fairfax Pets on Wheels, which provides pet visitation to residents of nursing homes and hospitals. $25. Takes place Sunday at noon at Weber’s Pet Supermarket, 11021 Lee Highway, Fairfax.

• More than 80 rides and games? We’re there. The Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow County Fair and Auction returns with a rock climbing wall, mechanical rides, moon bounce, pony rides and a zip line! Parking is free. $10 for adults, $5 for children, free admission for ages 3 and under. 10 a.m. 11835 Hazel Circle Drive, Bristow.

• Furloughed? Take a class at your local YMCA. The chain of fitness and wellness centers is offering complimentary passes at all of its Washington, DC area locations for the duration of the government shut down.

• “A Bloody Good Time” is what you’ll have at the Washington Improv Theater’s Halloween-inspired show opening today at the Source Theater in Washington, DC, 1835 14th St., NW. This spoof of horror flicks has a different ending in every performance. It runs Oct. 3-5, Oct. 10-12. 202-204-7800.

• Taffety Punk Theater Company’s Riot Grrrls retell the bloody Shakespeare tale “Titus Andronicus” through a female perspective. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St., SE, Washington, DC.  Oct. 2-5, 9-12, 7:30 p.m. $15. Chaw.org 

• Trim the family tree. Join genealogist Lisa Stansbury of the Maritime Heritage Program in the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries to discuss research and more. Stansbury recently researched the families of the 16 men lost on the USS Monitor. At the Athenaeum in Alexandria, 201 Prince St., 7 p.m. Friday, Free. 703-548-0035.

• Fine art photos are on display this Friday through Sunday at the DC Fine Art Photography Fair at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Campus, 2100 Foxhall Rd., NW, Washington, DC. Eighteen galleries from across the nation are participating. The fair includes a panel discussion on collecting art at 11 a.m. Saturday.

• Learn about the role and equipment of Civil War artillerymen in the Defenses of Washington Saturday when Fort Ward Museum in Alexandria presents Civil War Artillery Day. This free, living history program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is designed to appeal to Civil War enthusiasts of all ages. The event is weather dependent. For more information, call the museum, 703-746-4848.

• Art on the Avenue, Del Ray’s centerpiece annual art festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, along Mount Vernon Avenue. The event includes hundreds of artists lining the avenue selling their wares as well as bands, kids’ activities, food and the ever-popular pie-baking contest. Artontheavenue.org

• The Virginia Hospital Center is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month with a panel of experts discussing healthy living as well as a healthy breakfast and health and wellness booths. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the hospital, 1701 N. George Mason Dr., Arlington. Free parking in Blue Parking.

• Alexandria Symphony Orchestra opens its 70th season Saturday at 8 p.m. at Schlesinger Hall. The symphony is offering two complimentary tickets to all furloughed federal workers. The program includes Schoenberg “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables” as well as Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Tickets range from $5 to $20. 703-548-0885.

• Jazz Masters with John Eaton: The Music of Gershwin is a seminar at McLean’s Alden Theatre designed to educate the audience about the composer’s life and writing style. Free. 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. 703-790-0123. Aldentheatre.org

• The Arlington Fun Ride is a family-friendly 17-mile loop around Arlington including multiple pit stops with snacks along with music, games and other activities at the finish. The Adult and Youth ride starts at 8 a.m. in Crystal City, 18th St. and Crystal Dr. and the 3-mile Kids Ride starts at 10 a.m. $10 for individuals, $25 for families (up to four individuals). Arlingtonfunride.org