Arts Fest Starts with Mayor's Ball, Battle of the Bands, Bluegrass, More

Art lovers hold on to your (undoubtedly ridiculous) hats. This year's Spotlight on Arts Festival features over 40 art events spanning 30 days. The performances vary from high school art galleries to a battle of the bands to live bluegrass to an inaugural ball and auction.

Can't wait? Well before you go off salivating over the festival's calendar, scroll down. I've taken 40 events and made a handy guide of what-you-need-to-knows for this weekend. And so you don't get overwhelmed, I'll do the same for you every few days.

Check back for updated event listings... and let me know what you think of the festival. I'll be out and about talking to people, taking photos. Say hi if you see me!

Now to the good stuff:

• Mayor's Ball

This event kicks off the Spotlight on the Arts Festival in Fairfax City. Celebrating its first time as part of the festival, the Mayor's Ball will be held at the new Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center. Guests will get a chance to bid for a variety of auctioned items, including a Mercedes Benz and bartending lessons.

Friday, 6:30 p.m., Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center on Old Lee Highway (next to Fairfax City Police Department)

• Battle of the Bands: Saturday

Local bands face off as part of Truro Church's annual Spring Arts Festival. Kids of all ages will be participating. Drop by to cheer on your favorite musicians.

Saturday, 4-6 p.m., Truro Church 10520 Main Street

• Fairfax Art League Exhibition

A group of local artists dedicated to promoting the arts in Fairfax will show off their latest masterpieces at Old Town Hall.

April 16–May 3, Old Town Hall

• Fairfax High School Art Department Show

Fairfax High School artists get in on the fun. Drop by Old Town Hall on Saturday to get a glimpse of their latest art pieces. One Fairfax High Student will receive the Katherine Higgins Scholarship Award at 2 p.m., courtesy of the Fairfax Art League.

Saturday, 12 p.m., Old Town Hall

• Spotlight on Virginians Concert

The evening showcases the premiere performance of a newly commissioned work by Travis Cross, director of the Virginia Tech Wind Ensemble, and a reprise performance of Mark Camphouse's (George Mason University) “Foundation,” commissioned and premiered by the band in 2006. A "Meet the Composers" panel discussion precedes the concert.

Saturday, 8 p.m., Fairfax High School

• Mason Dance Company Spring Concert

Georga Mason University dancers perform their spring concert at Harris Theatre. Click here to buy tickets.

Saturday, 8 p.m., Harris Theatre at GMU's Fairfax campus

• Music Link Recital

Music Link provides discounted music and art instruction for talented children who would otherwise not be able to afford such lessons. Their Northern Virginia students will show what they learned at this recital.

Sunday, 3 p.m., Old Town Hall

• Theatre of the First Amendment presents "Live Wire"

“Live Wire” recreates the feel of the classic radio days of the 1930s, featuring a selection of authentic shows drawn from George Mason University's extensive Federal Theatre Project archives. Originally created to keep the radio industry alive during the Great Depression, this anthology of original programming is performed by Mason's award-winning professional company, Theater of the First Amendment (TFA).

Sunday, 4 p.m. Center for the Arts Cheatre Hall, Tickets: $18, $28, $36

• 4th Annual Bluegrass Festival

Grab a beer and a Sherpherd's Pie and relax with a live show featuring "Speedy Toliver and the New Old-Time String Band with Andrew Acosta" and "Bill Emerson and The Sweet Dixies."

Sunday, 6 p.m., Auld Shebeen

• George Mason University Singers and Women's Chorale

What better way to spend a Sunday night than a stirring performance from Mason's finest singers.

Sunday, 7 p.m., Harris Theatre at George Mason University's Fairfax campus