E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Ongoing
Mount Vernon Community bands need members. All concert band musicians wanted. Most needed are: oboes, bassoons, French horns, saxophones, flutes, trombones, and clarinets. Also needed and welcome are: percussionists, and players of tubas, euphoniums, trumpets. Visit www.mvbands.com, e-mail MVSwingBand@Cox.net or call 703-339-6534 for more information.
On Sundays from noon-5 p.m., visit the Waterfront and see history-inspired performances near the Torpedo Factory; do a “meet and greet” of early Alexandria residents and travelers near the Waterfront and lower King Street. Free. Visit www.historicalexandria.org for more.
Children enter a world of fantasy and fables when costumed interpreters weave three tales together during Mount Vernon’s storytelling session, “Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon”, held every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. through December at the Hands-On History room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. The storytelling program is recommended for children ages three to eight. Parental supervision is required. “Once Upon at Time at Mount Vernon” is included in regular Estate admission: adults, $13.00; youth ages 6-11, $6.00; and children under 5 are admitted free.
Historic Mount Vernon welcomes all Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Club members (in uniform or wearing an official pin) to free admission during its Scouting Days program beginning Nov. 1 through Feb. 15, 2009. For more information, visit www.MountVernon.org.
Gallery West presents “Small Works and Holiday Show and Silent Auction” through Jan. 4 at 1213 King St. Features a variety of art work by members in every size. Silent auction ends Dec. 8. Visit www.gallery-west.com or call 703-549-6006.
Gather the Family at Woodlawn runs Dec. 14,21 and 28 at Woodlawn. Experience an 1820s Christmas with America's First Family before trees, Santa and stockings. Tours available from 5:30-8:30 p.m. $15/person; $5/grades K-12. Visit www.woodlawn1805.org or call 703-780-4000.
The Alexandria Jaycees will sell Christmas trees this season, with proceeds in part benefiting the chapter's holiday shopping tour for kids. The annual tree sales support the Holiday Shopping Tour for underprivileged kids and the chapter's general programming funds for community and leadership development. The Holiday Shopping Tour gives area kids a fun shopping day with funds provided and pizza party to follow, which allows them to purchase gifts for their families. This year's shopping event is set for Dec. 13. The Alexandria Jaycees tree lot is located in the parking lot at the Safeway on the corner of S. Royal and Gibbon Streets in Old Town Alexandria. Tree sales until Dec. 20 or when trees sell out). Lot hours are: Monday-Friday 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more details or for membership information, call the Jaycees' 24-hour recorded event line 703-866-7171 or visit www.alexjaycees.org.
Tree Sale. The Alexandria Police department Christmas tree sale begins on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Alexandria Union Station parking lot (110 Callahan Drive). The official lot hours are: Monday-Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Alexandria Police Youth Camp.
The Alliance Dance Institute presents “The Nutcracker” from through Dec. 28 in the Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St. Fifty-five minute long performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. $20/person. After the show, stay for photo opportunities. Visit www.adidance.com or 703-354-6000.
The American Horticultural Society hosts holiday happenings at its headquarters at River Farm. From Dec. 1 to Jan. 16, River Farm’s grounds and estate house will feature lights, poinsettias, and other festive holiday decorations. All are welcome to visit and enjoy Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but note that the grounds will be closed from Dec. 25 through Jan. 4.
Mystique Fine Jewelry and Designs, 211 Strand Waterfront in Alexandria, will sell “December Love Stone,” a 25-carat rose quartz cabochon ring. Visit www.mystiquejewelers.com or 703-836-1401.
La Muse, 108 N. Patrick St., collects and ships donations for www.AnySoldier.com every day of the year. Bring donations to La Muse and it will be packaged and shipped to soldiers. For ideas on what to donate go to: www.ShopLaMuse.net/Anysoldier.html or call 703-683-1696.
Historic Mount Vernon welcomes Inauguration visitors in January with 20 percent off adult admission. Visitors must print the coupon from Mount Vernon's Web site: http://visit.mountvernon.org. January is also the 250th wedding anniversary of George and Martha Washington, and on display Jan. 12 – Feb. 23 are Mrs. Washington's wedding slippers, which have not been exhibited at Mount Vernon in over 30 years. $15 for adults; $7 for youth ages 6-11; and free for children five and younger. Visit http://visit.mountvernon.org or 703-780-2000.
Woodlawn’s Needlework exhibition is March 1-31 at 9000 Richmond Highway. There will be demonstrations, lunch by Nelly’s Needlers and more. See needleworks from around the world. Visit www.woodlawn1805.org or 703-780-4000 for more.
Wednesday/Dec. 17
Noonday Noel. 12:05 p.m. at The Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 323 S. Fairfax St. Hear music sung by the Potomac River Chorale. Free. Visit www.opmh.org or 703-549-6670. Followed by lunch for $5.
Small Wonders. 10:15 a.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Children ages 13-23 months can enjoy stories, fingerplays and more. Free. Registration required, 703-971-0010.
Book Discussion. 7:15 p.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Adults call for title. Free. 703-971-0010.
Holiday Music Performance. West Potomac High School Chorus and Orchestra will present “Messiah” at 6:30 p.m. in the Springbank Auditorium, 6500 Quander Road. Other holiday favorites will be performed. $5/person.
Sisters in Crime. 7 p.m. at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Authors such as Donna Andrews, Meriah Crawford and others will read. Free. 703-838-4566.
Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The T.C. Williams Band performs a Winter concert. Free. 703-824-6800.
Thursday/Dec. 18
Stories and Science. 4 p.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Children ages 4-6 can enjoy experiments, stories and more. Free. Registration required, 703-971-0010.
Music Performance. Hear music by Douglas A. Beck at noon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 S. Pitt St. Free.
Musical Soiree. 6 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Hear music by Emily Bentgen and more. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
Books Discussion. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Discus “The End and the Beginning,” “Hatred,” and “Reality Demands” in “Poems, New and Collected” by Wislawa Szymborska. Free. 703-931-3559.
Art Exhibit. 5-10 p.m. at AHM Gallery, 215 S. Union St., 2nd floor. See works by Andrew Macdonald, “From the Fall Line to Fort Washington.” Free. Visit www.ahmgallery.com or 571-970-1466.
Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. Free. 703-706-4500. Music by George Washington Middle School students.
Friday/Dec. 19
Fashion Show and Luncheon. 11 a.m. at River Farm. See designs by students from Art Institute of Washington. Pieces will be auctioned off. Reservations required, 703-768-5700 ext. 114.
Holiday Performance. 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. The Thomas Jefferson High School Choral Department will present a choral holiday performance and then go caroling. Free.
Lunch Bunch. Noon at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Children up to age 5 can enjoy stories. Free. Registration required, 703-971-0010.
Music Performance. 9 p.m. at Nick’s Nightclub, 642 S. Pickett St. Hear music by Richie Fields. $5/lady; $7/gentleman. Visit www.nicksnightclub.com or 703-751-8900.
Music Performance. 8 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. Hear music by the City Choir of Washington. Tickets start at $15/person. Visit www.thecitychoirofwashington.org or 301-572-6865.
Wee Ones Storytime. 10:30 a.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Children 2 and under can enjoy stories and songs. Free. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Music Performance. 8 p.m. at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Hear music by the City Choir of Washington. Tickets range between $15-$45/person. 301-572-6865.
Holiday Concert. 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. and 8 p.m. at King Street Arcade, 100 block of King St. Hear Thomas Jefferson High School Choral Department. Free. Visit alexandriava.gov/recreation or 703-838-4686.
Saturday/Dec. 20
Family Gardening Workshop. 2-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Children and adults learn about growing flower bulbs indoors. $15 per project. Materials included. Register at 703-642-5173.
Art Exhibit. See artwork by Yuri Kokoyanin at The von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St., from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for weekday hours, 703-798-8686. Free.
Santa Railway Express. Ride with Santa from King Street Station to Old Town Manassas and back on two Fridays before Christmas. The train departs King Street Train Station in Alexandria at 1:25 p.m. and travels to Old Town Manassas Train Station. Passengers will disembark for holiday stories and treats. The train returns to King Street at 3:30 p.m. Buy tickets only at Whistle Stop Hobbies in Old Town. Visit www.whistlestophobbies.com for more.
Music Performance. 9 p.m. at Nick’s Nightclub, 642 S. Pickett St. Hear music by Richie Fields. $5/lady; $7/gentleman. Visit www.nicksnightclub.com or 703-751-8900.
Holiday Ice Show. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon RECenter, 2017 Belle View Blvd. Free.
Holiday Tea. 2 p.m. at The Grille at Morrison House, 116 S. Alfred St. Children can hear a reading of “The Polar Express,” make ornaments and more while enjoying tea. $38/adult; $28/child. Reservations encouraged, 703-838-8000.
Theater Performance. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Historic Alexandria History Center, 101 N. Union St. Shakespearean actors will perform scenes. Free. 703-706-5262.
Holiday Performance. 4-7 p.m. at Historic Alexandria History Center, 101 N. Union St. Charlotte, enslaved seamstress to Martha Washington will talk about her life. Free. 703-706-5262.
Music Performance. 3 p.m. at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Hear music by the City Choir of Washington. Tickets range between $15-$45/person. 301-572-6865.
Carol Sing. 4 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road. Free. Sing along with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and Youth Orchestra. Visit www.staidansepiscopal.com or 703-360-4220.
Hooray for the Holidays Storytime. 11 a.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Children ages 2 and up can enjoy holiday stories. Free. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Children’s Christmas Party. Noon-2:30 p.m. at Hilton Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road. More than 100 children will enjoy surprise guests, food, presents and more. Contact Captain Thurston McClain at 703 838-4653.
Santa’s Workshop. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Mount Vernon Rec Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Visit with Santa and his elves, view model trains, create ornaments and more. Free, but cost for some activities. Donations of new, unwrapped toys accepted.
Music Performance. 9 p.m. at O’Shaughnessy’s, 1324 King St. Hear music by Folkadelic. Visit www.myspace.com/folkadelics for more.
Caroling for Cats. 5 p.m. at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, 4101 Eisenhower Ave. Families can enjoy caroling, crafts and more. Bring unopened pet food for the shelter’s Community Pet Food Bank. Free. 703-838-4774.
Sunday/Dec. 21
Art Exhibit. See artwork by Yuri Kokoyanin at The von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St., from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for weekday hours, 703-798-8686. Free.
Holiday Music Performance. From 3-5 p.m. enjoy music by "The Colonial Ringers and the Canterbury Ringers" at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria. Free. Visitors will also be able to give a try with the music bells. Call Bob Schurk at 703-838-4994.
Music Performance. 3 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Hear music by the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Free, donations accepted.
Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Virginia violist Kaleigh Acord performs with Russian pianist Irina Kats. Free. 703-838-4994.
Winter Solstice. 2 p.m. at Potomac Overlook Regional Park, off Marcey Road. Watch “The World in 70 Acres,” about the park. Refreshments and music. Free. 703-528-5406.
Puppet Show. Noon-6 p.m. at Historic Alexandria History Center, 101 N. Union St. KD Puppets’ perform. Free. 703-706-5262.
Monday/Dec. 22
Writer’s Group. 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Adults can read work for feedback. Free. 703-339-4610.
Wednesday/Dec. 24
Christmas Carols and Lessons. 11 p.m. at The Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 323 S. Fairfax St. Music with choir and brass quintet. Free. Visit www.opmh.org or 703-549-6670.
Friday/Dec. 26
Wee Ones Storytime. 10:30 a.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Children 2 and under can enjoy stories and songs. Free. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Saturday/Dec. 27
Art Exhibit. See artwork by Yuri Kokoyanin at The von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St., from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for weekday hours, 703-798-8686. Free.
Get Fancy Storytime. 11 a.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Children ages 2 and up can don a tiara, bow tie or something festive for a fun storytime. Free. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Sunday/Dec. 28
Art Exhibit. See artwork by Yuri Kokoyanin at The von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St., from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for weekday hours, 703-798-8686. Free.
Bridge Club. 4 p.m. at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Teens and adults can learn how to play. Free. 703-765-3645.
Tuesday/Dec. 30
Puppets. 2 p.m. at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. All ages can see “The Nutcracker Fantasy” by Bob Brown Puppets. Free. Registration required, 703-765-3645.
Short Story Discussion. 7 p.m. at Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Discuss selections in “The Art of the Short Story.” Free. 703-519-3498.
Wednesday/Dec. 31
First Night Alexandria. Celebrate the New Year with activities, performances and more in approximately 30 venues in Old Town and Del Ray. There is a cost. Visit www.firstnightalexandria.org or 703-838-5005.
Hooray For First Night. 6-8 p.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Take part in an interactive storytime. Free with First Night Badge. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Music Performance. 7-9:30 p.m., hear Bunjo Butler and the T.C. Williams High School Jazz Combo at Meade, 322 N. Alfred St. Free with tickets to First Night Alexandria. Visit www.firstnightalexandria.org or 703-838-4200 ext. 210.
Friday/Jan. 2
Wee Ones Storytime. 10:30 a.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Children 2 and under can enjoy stories and songs. Free. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Sunday/Jan. 4
Twelfth Night Celebration. 5 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church, 2222 S. Arlington Ridge Road. Enjoy music, activities and more. Family-friendly. Free. Visit www.adventlc.us or 703-521-7010.
Friday/Jan. 9
Wee Ones Storytime. 10:30 a.m. at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St. Children 2 and under can enjoy stories and songs. Free. Visit www.hooray4books.com or 703-548-4092.
Saturday/Jan. 10
Opening Reception. 5-8 p.m., see Gallery West’s new exhibit “4X4 – New Year New Visions” is on display from Jan. 7 through Feb. 1. See photographs, paintings, drawings and more. Located at 1213 King St. Free. Visit www.gallery-west.com or 703-549-6006.
Music Performance. T.C. Williams Musical Group will host the District X Orchestra Concert at 3 p.m. at the high school, 3330 King St. Free. 703-824-6800.
Sunday/Jan. 11
Music Performance. 7 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St. Hear music by Hot Soup. $15/general; $12/member. Visit focusmusic.org or 703-501-6061.
Music Performance. 4 p.m. at West Potomac High School Springbank Auditorium. Hear the Capitol Steps. $25/advance or $30/door. E-mail westpotomaccrewcapitolsteps@gmail.com for tickets. Proceeds benefit WPHS crew team.