The McLean Community Center (MCC) offers the following activities in October. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, many Center programs and events have been adjusted to virtual (online) or in-person, socially distanced formats. Please check the Center’s website, www.mcleancenter.org, for up-to-date information. Residents of the Center’s tax district, Small District 1A-Dranesville, are eligible for discounts on fees. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.
LGBTQ+ Ally Week Party on the Plaza
Monday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m.
Free admission; registration is required.
For ages 6+. Join us for a celebration of the great LGBTQ+ people in our lives and the allies who walk with them! D.C. Musician Justin Trawick will perform and games and all of the supplies for creating a unique LGBTQ+ ally shirt will be provided to participants. This event is for family members to participate in together to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Free t-shirts will be given to the first 50 people who register.
Presented by Equality Virginia
“From the Heart: A Transgender Virginian’s Story”
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Free admission; registration is required.
For ages 12+. Join Ann Murdoch, a member of Equality Virginia’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau, for an evening of connection and learning as she shares her story as a transgender woman, followed by plenty of time for dialogue and questions. Moderated by the McLean High School Gay-Straight Alliance.
Sponsored by The Alden
Midday Movies: Foreign Language Films*
Thursday, Oct. 7, 1 p.m.
Free admission; registration is required.
The Sensational Soul Cruisers are an 11-man horn group fronted by four soulful vocalists who pay homage and Come enjoy a foreign film as part of our Ally Week and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. The film screening features the 2018 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, about and starring a transgender woman living in Santiago. All movies are shown in the original language with English subtitles. *These movies are chosen for adult audiences and may contain mature content, language and themes. Register for The Alden’s email list at www.aldentheatre.org to see the name of the film being shown!
LGBTQ+ Ally Week Interfaith Leaders Panel
Thursday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
The Alden. Masks required for all participants
Free admission. Registration is required.
For ages 14+. MCC proudly welcomes local faith leaders to discuss how their different faith communities walk as allies with their LGBTQ+ neighbors and what resources and communities are open to those who identify as LGBTQ+. Fairfax County Interfaith Coordinator, Ramona Carroll, will moderate this discussion and Fairfax County leaders will provide opening remarks. Attendees may submit questions ahead of time on the registration form.
The Old Firehouse
Family Trivia Night (Virtual)
Friday, Oct. 8, 7–9 p.m.
$5 per family of 4. Preregistration is recommended.
Gather the whole family around the computer or tablet and get ready for some socially distant trivia. Prizes for winning teams! Register online or by calling OFC at 703-448-8336, TTY: 711.
The Old Firehouse
Saturday Night Trip: Haunted Trip
Saturday, Oct. 9, 4:30–10 p.m.
$60/$50 Old Firehouse members
The Old Firehouse staff invites the brave-hearted to join them on a haunted journey. We will search for ghosts, zombies and whatever creepy creatures might appear in the night. Admission to all attractions and dinner is included in the fee. Register online or by calling OFC at 703-448-8336, TTY: 711.
McLean Pet Fest
Sunday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
McLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd.
Free admission
The McLean Community Center has created the “purrfect” event for local pet owners and their beloved animals. Learn valuable information and get tips on pet products and services that can enhance the lives of your pet and improve your experience as a pet owner. A variety of pet-related exhibitors will be participating. Join the fun for the Pooch Parade at the event! Bring your leashed pets to show off their best costumes.
Touch a Truck
Monday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. – noon
Free admission
Enjoy the Fairfax County Public Schools’ holiday by joining us for this FREE event that gives kids the chance to see, touch and explore some of their favorite cars and trucks.
National Coming Out Day Film Festival
Monday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Free; registration is required.
IDs will be checked for films with age restrictions.
For 9th–12thIn the culmination of Ally Week and to mark National Coming Out Day, The Alden will host a movie marathon featuring LGBTQ+ affirming films. Register for The Alden’s email list at www.aldentheatre.org to see the list of films being shown.
Sponsored by The Alden
Performing Arts Documentaries – Episode Two
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m.
Free admission; registration is required.
Come explore the history of the Broadway musical in this six-part documentary. Register for The Alden’s email list at www.aldentheatre.org to see the name of the film being shown.
The Old Firehouse
After 7 Dance Party
Friday, Oct. 15, 7–10 p.m.
$5 per person
The Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd.
The Old Firehouse presents After 7, a themed party for that includes raffles, contests, catered food and drinks. One of the hottest DJs in the DMV will be playing the hottest hip-hop, top 40 and dance hall tracks, plus requests. Get ready for some Halloween fun and join us… After 7.
Sponsored by The Alden
“The Okee Dokee Brothers
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 16–17, 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
$20/$15 MCC district residents
Celebrate autumn with your family locally! Harvest Happenings is an indoor-outdoor festival with live entertainment, As the GRAMMY-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander have built a plaid-shirted national following with their outdoor adventure-themed albums, “Can You Canoe?,” “Through The Woods,” “Saddle Up” and “Winterland.” But whether it’s indoors or out, the Okee Dokee Brothers believe that as long as folks are singing together there’s a glimpse of hope for our world. “The Okee Dokee Brothers are an absolute national treasure. These songs are just what the world needs right now.” — Sarah Jackson, Minnesota Parent Magazine
Sponsored by The Alden
Movies for Kids and Families
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m.
Free admission
Bring an indoor picnic and introduce your kids to the animated movies that you love. Register for The Alden’s email list at www.aldentheatre.org to see the name of the film being shown.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
McLean Community Center is helping the American Red Cross with Diverse Blood Donations. It is urgent for donors of all ethnicities to support patients in need. Join us and support the community with your lifesaving blood donation. For an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor word: HEARTOFGOLD, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) Eligibility Questions: Call 1-866-236-3276.
The Old Firehouse
Monster Mash 5th and 6th Grader Party
Friday, Oct. 22, 7–9:30 p.m.
The Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd.
$35/$25 MCC district residents. Preregistration is highly recommended.
The Old Firehouse 5th & 6th Grader Parties are themed and decorated accordingly. Partygoers can enjoy catered food and beverages, a DJ spinning the latest tunes, an open dance floor and a variety of other attractions and activities.
Sponsored by The Alden
The Borisevich Duo
Sunday, Oct. 24, 2 p.m.
$10/$5 MCC district residents
The Borisevich Duo, featuring pianist Margarita Loukachkina and violinist Nikita Borisevich, is an internationally acclaimed violin and piano duet, frequently performing across the United States and Europe.
Sponsored by The Alden
Performing Arts Documentaries – Episode Three
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.
Free admission; registration is required.
Come explore the history of the Broadway musical in this six-part documentary. Register for The Alden’s email list at www.aldentheatre.org to see the name of the film being shown.
MCC Governing Board
October Meeting (In-Person)
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.
All Governing Board meetings are open to the public.
Tax district residents (Small District One A-Dranesville) who wish to speak during the “Citizen Comment” portion of the meeting are asked to call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, to be placed on the agenda.
The Old Firehouse
OFC’s House of Terror and Family Trunk or Treat
Saturday, Oct. 30, 5–10 p.m.
$5 per person; preregistration is recommended.
The Old Firehouse is transforming the inside of the center into the spookiest, scariest, walk-through experience in McLean. The House of Terror will be divided into two timeslots:
- No Scares 5–7 p.m.: Participants can walk through the lighted path and view our actors and actresses with no jumps, scares or fears.
- All Scares 7:30–10 p.m.: The effects are on, the lights are off, and the actors and actresses are out of sight and ready to surprise.
The Old Firehouse
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, Oct. 30, 6–9 p.m.
Free for kids of all ages; preregistration is not required.
If the House of Terror isn’t your thing, no worries! Outside, the OFC’s Trunk or Treat will have some music, fun and themed vehicles with Halloween candy to share while supplies last.
For more information, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711.
About McLean Community Center
The McLean Community Center, an agency of Fairfax County Government, is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all programs, services and activities. We will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request special accommodations, call the Center 14 working days in advance of the event.
To request this information in an alternate format, call 711.