Neighborhood news: Explore the sounds of Haydn

The NOVA Manassas Symphony Orchestra and music director James Villani will present "Grace and Sophistication," sponsored by Assett, at Grace United Methodist Church, Wellington Road, Manassas, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will feature music by Josef Haydn, the "father of the symphony," whose work spanned the classical period. The performance will contrast two Haydn symphonies, the 22nd Symphony, known as the "Philosopher" which was written in 1764, and the 99th Symphony which was written almost 30 years later. Trumpet soloist Michael Delaune of the U.S. Army Band and Prince William Symphony will join the orchestra in a performance of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major. Also on the program is the beautiful "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" by Johannes Brahms.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors. There is no charge for students. Ticket information can be obtained by logging onto www.manassas symphony.org or by e-mailing tickets@manassas symphony.org or calling 703-257-6500, Ext. 47737.

'Saturday Night Fever'

Catch disco fever tomorrow night from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Center for the Arts' "Saturday Night Fever" Annual Gala at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle St. in Manassas.

Dig out your white polyester suits, bell bottoms and gold chains, and celebrate the '70s with music from the Bee Gees and KC and the Sunshine Band. The center will be transformed into Studio 54 with lights, a live DJ and entertainment from Rooftop Productions.

Tickets are $90 each or six for $500. Order online at www.center-for-the-arts.org or call 703-330-ARTS.

Exhibition of paintings

Acrylic paintings by Michele Frantz of Nokesville will be on display at the Manassas campus of Northern Virginia Community College from March 16 to April 12. "Journeys: En plein air and studio works from 2009" features paintings of familiar Northern Virginia locations such as Chrysalis Vineyards near Middleburg, the Herndon Wine Festival and many of the historic and scenic sites in Manassas and Prince William County.

The NVCC Manassas Campus is located at 6901 Sudley Road. The exhibition is free and open to the public on the first floor of Colgan Hall from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. To learn more, contact Randy Michener at rmichener@nvcc.edu or 703-257-6532.

Until next week.

Fay Wallace reports your neighborhood news from the mid-county area every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Fay at faymary@aol.com.

Woodbridge Music Club

The Woodbridge Music Club presents "I Sing of Myself," a program of songs composed by Leslie Bennett and performed by sopranos Melissa Coombs, Deborah Kent and Debra Madsen. They will be accompanied on the piano by Patricia Parker.

This program is March 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1400 G St. in Woodbridge. The concert is free to the public, but donations will be accepted. A reception will follow.

Folk music concert

Chinn Park Regional Library will present a concert of folk music, featuring the group Hungrytown, on March 21 at 2 p.m. Husband-wife duo Ken Anderson and Rebecca Hall play a down-home sound with flair. Performing bluegrass and ballads with fiddles, mandolins and banjos, their music evokes rustic environments. Critics have described it as American folk music at its best.

For more information or to register for this free family program, visit the library at 13065 Chinn Park Drive in Woodbridge or call 703-792-4800 (voice) or 703-792-4876 (TTY).

Family craft program

Just in time for spring, families can work together and let their imagination soar as they create a pop-up rabbit craft at Chinn Park Regional Library on March 18 at 7 p.m. This is a free, fun, drop-in activity for the entire family. Each child may create one craft. For more information, please contact the library.

Until next week.

Fay Wallace reports your neighborhood news from the mid-county area every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Fay at faymary@aol.com.