Don’t Miss ‘Missiles In Your Backyard!’ at Workhouse

Here are a list of upcoming events in November at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton: 

Dada Re-Discovered
October 25 – January 19

Building W-16 Vulcan Gallery

Dada Re-Discovered explores how contemporary media and ideas can filter past Dada concepts and artwork.  The exhibit will feature sound, video, performance and other visual mixed media. Dada, an art movement birthed out of World War I Europe, was a rejection of prevailing standards in art. As it came to America, it became associated with the absurd, yet stayed grounded in anti-culture and avant-garde artistic ideas.

FCPS Art Teachers Exhibition
November 1 – December 15

Building W-16 McGuireWoods Gallery

The best art teachers teach in Fairfax County and exhibit at the Workhouse! For many years a primary goal of the Fairfax County Public Schools Fine Arts Office has been to seek out and hire candidates who are not only great teachers, but also great artists. Today, there are more than 350 visual art teachers in FCPS, many of whom continue to practice art-making while sharing their expertise with students. The FCPS Fine Arts Office is proud to partner with the Workhouse Arts Center to organize an exhibition showcasing the talents and artistic achievements of these artist-teachers.

Cabaret Series: Heroes Cabaret!
Saturday, November 1 at 8pm & Sunday, November 2 at 1pm
Tickets: $25, includes planche campagnarde

Featuring the music of heroes and anti-heroes alike we celebrate the valiant, the flawed, the strong, and the vulnerable characters that audiences have admired, adored and applauded over the last century! Whether he’s a stately gentleman or the boy-next-door, the music composed for these memorable characters is some of the best ever composed.

The Cold War in Lorton: Missiles In Your Backyard!
Sunday, November 9 at 2pm
Tickets: Free – $10 suggested donation

W-3 Theatre

Marvin ‘Shep’ Crow, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Retired), will discuss the Nation’s perceived need for air defense weapons during the Cold War with the Soviet Union and the development of the U.S. air defense system, focusing on the Lorton site. Presented by the Workhouse Prison and Museum Committee, Workhouse Arts Foundation, Inc.

2^nd Saturday Art Walk

November 8, 6-9pm

Campus Wide, Free!

The 2nd Saturday Art Walk at the Workhouse showcases the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists in a unique historic venue, creating an atmosphere that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of this creative community.

Guests can tour seven unique studio buildings, mix and mingle with artists, buy original works of art, experience ever-changing exhibitions and meet featured artists, all while enjoying light refreshments and music. The social atmosphere of the monthly art walk makes it the perfect destination for a date night or girls’ night out, as well as for art collectors and art appreciation groups alike. These monthly events are also perfect for family art outings.

Date Night: Chef’s Table

Saturday, November 15, 7-9pm

Building W-3, Classroom 302

$85 per person (covers all food and a glass of wine)

Anyone can go out for dinner and a movie so why not make your night something special to be remembered? Date Night cooking classes are designed to be fun, relaxing and an escape from the daily grind. They are great way to learn some basic cooking techniques while enjoying your company and making new friends. The menu items will be prepared by participants working together at each of the cooking islands. Participants will be served a tasting portion of all the entrees and a pre-chef-selected drink of choice. No one will leave hungry! Every month you will prepare a new dish ranging from ethnic cuisines like Japanese, Thai and Spanish High Cuisine to Vegetarian and much more!

Ballroom Social Dance

Saturday, November 15, 7:30-10:30pm

W-16 McGuire Woods Gallery

$10-15

Start your evening by learning some new moves with a ballroom mini-lesson! Each month will feature a new style of dance ranging from the ChaCha to the Tango. Mini-lesson begins at 7:30pm and is $5 per person. Then take your new moves to the dance floor when open dancing begins at 8pm. Open dance is $10 per person. Complimentary refreshments and a cash bar will be available in the gallery. There is no need to get fancy unless you feel like it—the dress code is casual. All skill levels are welcome–even if you have two left feet!

Mini-lesson 7:30-8pm. 
Open dance 8-10:30pm
Complimentary refreshments and cash bar available.

Stranger than Fiction: Great Art Heists in History

Friday, November 20, 7:30pm

W-3 Theatre

$10 per person, $5 for Artists at the Workhouse, Friends of the Workhouse, Workhouse Volunteers and Military

Anne Kenny-Urban: Budget Services Manager at VMFA
Discover what Japanese gangsters, bear spray and daring boat getaways have in common with noteworthy art thefts. In this lecture, you will travel the globe learning why museums from Amsterdam to Zimbabwe have been targets for thieves and what tools they used to elude detection. Find out who got caught…and who did not.

Black Friday Holiday Celebration at the Workhouse

Friday, November 28, 10am-7pm
Campus-wide, Free!

Begin your holiday season with family and friends at the Workhouse’s Holiday Celebration! Explore the artwork of nearly 100 artists, join in interactive demonstrations and find that perfect gift for everyone on your list–while supporting local artists in your community. Festivities will also include Doughnuts with Santa, fine-art projects for children, and holiday music and theatrical performances throughout the day. Don’t miss the culminating sing-a-long and tree lighting! Parking and admission is free. Get into the holiday spirit at the Workhouse!