<b>Thursday/Dec. 11
</b>Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 7 p.m. Tickets $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
Swing Speak, 8 p.m. at The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free swing lesson at 7:30 p.m. Admission $10. 703-424-1745 or www.headoverheelsdance.com.
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," 7:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. 703-219-2351 or www.fxplayers.org.
Financial Planning for Separation and Divorce, 7 p.m. at Investment & Resource Planning Associates, 10600 Arrowhead Drive, Suite 310, Fairfax. $55 non-members, $45 members. 703-281-2657 or www.thewomenscenter.org.
<b>Friday/Dec. 12
</b>Alte Kameraden German Band: traditional German Christmas Carols and seasonal favorites. 8 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS.
Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," 7:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. 703-219-2351 or www.fxplayers.org.
"Oklahoma!," 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandra. 703-750-7500 or www.tjhsst.edu.
Robbie Schaefer with John Jennings. Acoustic/folk. 8 p.m. $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Over the North Pole," 8 p.m. at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre, Northern Virgina Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
"Home for the Holidays," featuring Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts, on the Fairfax Campus at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, will be at 7:15 p.m. on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets are $22-$44, children 12 and under half price. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or at www.tickets.com. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 13
</b>Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," 7:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. 703-219-2351 or www.fxplayers.org.
"Oklahoma!," 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandra. 703-750-7500 or www.tjhsst.edu.
Elizabeth, Phil, and Chris. Acoustic trio. 6 p.m. $12. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Jeremy Enigk. Rock. 9:30 p.m. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Classy Glass. 1 p.m. Make decorative, reusable window clings. Age 12-18. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Microsoft Powerpoint. 2:30 p.m. How to put together a presentation. Age 13 and up. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
"Over the North Pole," 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre, Northern Virgina Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
Christmas Concert with Victor Lopez and the Lopez Performing Arts Youth Choir, 12-3 p.m. at Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Tickets $30-$75 at 703-787-0071, ext. 100. www.jamminjava.com.
A Celtic Christmas, 8 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-993-8888 or www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Toy Train Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Kena Temple, 9001 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. Operating train layouts, train repairs, Santa, door prizes. Adults $5, Military, Scouts in uniform, children under 12 free. Hope Danielson, 703-743-2152
Fairfax County Kinship Respite Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. will provide relatives who are raising a child for another family member a day off while providing fun for the children, who can be part of a theatrical production or participate in a variety of games, arts and crafts. Fairfax County children ages 3 -15 can be dropped off at one of three community centers, and the children will be bused to James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road in Falls Church. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. 703-324-3517, TTY 703-449-1186. Transportation will be available from:
* Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Road, Alexandria.
* Mott Community Center, 12111 Braddock Road, Fairfax.
* Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 14
</b>An Afternoon with a Colonial Fiddler, with musician Michael McDonnell. 2 p.m. Free. Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St., Fairfax. Call 703-385-8414 or visit www.fairfaxva.gov.
Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
Anna Shulman: The Queen of H Street. 10 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Recommended for fourth-seventh grades. JCCNV members $3, non-members $4. Contact Laurie Albert at 703-537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," 2 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. 703-219-2351 or www.fxplayers.org.
"Oklahoma!," 2 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandra. 703-750-7500 or www.tjhsst.edu.
Carrie Rodriguez full band and Carsie Blanton. Roots/country. 7 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Over the North Pole," 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre, Northern Virgina Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops Concert, with the Fairfax Choral Society and W.T. Woodson High School Select Vocal Ensemble, 3 p.m. at George Mason University's Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Tickets start at $15, and are available at 1-888-945-2468 or Tickets.com. www.fairfaxsymphony.org.
"The Battle of Monocacy," lecture by Marc Leepson at 6 p.m. during the monthly supper of the Frank Stringfellow Camp #822 Sons of Confederate Veterans at the Brion's Grille, 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax. Open to the public $5; order off the menu. 703-250-8705 or stringfellowbuva@worldnet.att.net.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops, 3 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts, Fairfax. Tickets are $15 for children and students, $15-$45 for adults. 703-563-1990 or www.fairfaxsymphony.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 15
</b>Sophie the Performing Dog. 10:30 a.m. Sophie, a Cairn terrier, performs tricks and stunts. All ages. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
The Dog Waggers: "Wassailing With the Waggers." 7 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Tiny tots. 10:15 a.m. Very short stories and fingerplays. Age 18-23 months with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Small Oneders. 11:15 a.m. Short stories and fingerplays. Age 18-23 months with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
W. T. Woodson Winter Concert with the Symphonic and Concert II bands, 7:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. Free Admission. 703-403-9224.
<b>Monday/Dec. 16
</b>Old Town Hall Children’s Series: Bob Brown Puppets, 10:30 a.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS or www.fairfaxarts.org.
Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m. "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. Adults. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m. "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. Adults. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 17
</b>Needlework Group. 10:30 a.m. Bring a project to work on. Adults. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Writer’s Roundtable. 7:30 p.m. Discuss writing. Adults. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Sssh, Not a Creature Was Stirring. 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Mother-Daughter Book Club. 7 p.m. For girls age 9-11 and their mothers. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 18
</b>3 Doors Down featuring Switchfoot. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.50-$55, available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Visit www.3doorsdown.com.
Rude Buddha and Cerca Trova. Rock. 8 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Starlight, Starbright. 10:30 a.m. Songs and stories about stars. Age 2-5 with adult. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
<b>Friday/Dec. 19
</b>Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun Holiday Show. Rock/country/rockabilly. 8 p.m. $20. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 20
</b>Oasis Dig Out Your Soul World Tour, featuring Ryan Adams. 7 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets are $49.50-$69.50, through www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
Rocknoceros Holiday Show and Sing-a-long. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
A My Favorite Highway Christmas and Chelsea Lee. Pop/rock. 7 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Over the North Pole," 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Harris Theatre, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
A Classical Christmas with Jubilant Sykes and Christopher Parkening. 8 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Holiday classics, sacred songs and hymns. Tickets are $22-$44. Charge at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Kitten and Cat Adoption Extravaganza, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the City of Fairfax Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. All cats and kittens are fully socialized, vaccinated and de-wormed, and can be selected on the adoption site. Many may be taken home the same day. Commonwealth Cat Rescue, Inc. 703-568-3600.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 21
</b>A My Favorite Highway Christmas and Chelsea Lee. Pop/rock. 7 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Over the North Pole," 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Harris Theatre, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 22
</b>Open Mic Hosted by David Cotton. 7 p.m. Free. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 23
</b>Todd Wright's Sixth Annual Christmas Spectacular. 8 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Mothers First of Burke/Fairfax, 10 a.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Rd., Burke. 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 24
</b>Jewmongous. 7 p.m. $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 26
</b>The Bigger Lights, The Friday Night Boys and Mercy Mercedes. 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 27
</b>Virginia Ballet Company’s 59th "Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center Theater, Annandale Campus. Tickets $30 adults, $20 children, students and seniors. 703 249-8227 or www.virginiaballetcompany.org.
Polar Science. 2:30 p.m. Explore polar animals with simple science experiments. Age 6-12. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 28
</b>Tom O'Connor and Brent Shuttleworth. Pop/rock. 2 p.m. $8. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Jonasay Reunion Show and Trustfall. Pop/rock. 7:30 p.m. $12. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Virginia Ballet Company’s 59th "Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center Theater, Annandale Campus. Tickets $30 adults, $20 children, students and seniors. 703 249-8227 or www.virginiaballetcompany.org.