Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
<cal1>Ongoing
<cal2>Encore Chorale. Conducted by Jeanne Kelly. Will meet on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper Street, Arlington. First rehearsal on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. call Jeanne Kelly at 301-261-5747; 571-215-6118 or email Jeanne.kelly@encorecreativity.org. Visit the Web site http://encorecreativity.org.
Tree Stewards. Volunteer to improve the health of urban trees through educational programs, tree planting and maintenance throughout Arlington and Alexandria. The next volunteer training program will be held Tuesday evenings, from Feb. 16 through April 27 at the Walter Reed Community Center in Arlington. $120 covers the cost of the course, a training manual and all handout materials. Deadline for applying is Jan. 22. Call 703-228-6423 or email TreeStewards_ArlAlex@verizon.net.
<cal1>Now Through Dec. 20
<cal2>"Tis the Season." Celebrates the winter illuminated by the stars, the customs and the character that mark the holidays with warmth and goodwill. At Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy Street, Arlington. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Admission is $3/adults, $2/seniors and children. Reservations not needed. Call 703-228-6070.
<cal1>Now Through Jan. 10
<cal2>"The Snow Queen." Price: $12, $15 at the door, $10 for groups of 10 or more. Dates: Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 30 at 12:30 p.m.; Dec. 20, 26, 27 at 3:30 p.m.; Jan. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mixes original music, masks, pantomime, puppetry, and live action. Based on the play by Alexander Pushkin. Presented by the Synetic Family Theater, Shirlington Village, 4041 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call 1-800-494-8497 or visit http://classika.org.
<cal1>Dec. 18-20
<cal2>Swingin' Santas Cabaret. Tickets are $33. Swingin’ Santas Michael Barry, James Gardiner, Zachary Prince, and Stephen Gregory Smith belt, croon, and harmonize through refreshingly different holiday offerings for eight performances. Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. At Signature's ARK Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call Ticketmaster at 703-573-7328 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 18
<cal2>Bowen McCauley Dance. 10 a.m. Performing "The Little Engine That Could" in collaboration with Glebe Elementary School students. At Glebe Elementary School, 1770 N. Glebe Road, Arlington. Visit www.bmdc.org or call 703-228-6004.
<cal1>Dec. 18-19.
<cal2>"All That Glitters" Holiday Art Show and Sale. Reception on Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance. Oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, pastels and sculpture by Arlington artists. At the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 19
<cal2>"A Century and a Half of Faith." 3-4:30 p.m. Documentary presents the history of the Arlington United Methodist Church through drama, interviews, worship. At Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington.
Breakfast with Santa. 9:30 a.m. Food, photos and fun. Cost is $10.95/children; $16.95/adults. At the Hyatt Arlington Hotel, 1325 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. For reservations, call 703-908-4670.
"Works in Progress." 2 p.m. Inaugural exhibition of photographers of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project — Lloyd Wolf, Xang Mimi Ho, Duy Tran, and Paula Endo. At the Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington. Visit http://cpdpcolumbiapike.blogspot.com.
Country Western Dance. Kat Fanelli will be the DJ. Mal and Linda Zerden will teach a full hour of beginner/intermediate waltz moves beginning at 7:30 p.m. Open dancing is from 8:30-11 p.m. and includes Two Step, Waltz, line, Swing, Cha Cha, and specialty dances. Couples and singles are welcome. Admission is $10 for NVCWDA members, $12 for non-members, and $5 for ages 16-20 with student ID. At Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Visit the web site, www.nvcwda.org or call the hot line 703-860-4941.
Holiday Concert. 4 p.m. Free. More than 200 singers between the ages of 55 and 96, all members of eight area Encore Chorales, directed by Jeanne Kelly, will perform a combined concert of holiday favorites. At Kenmore Middle School, 200 South Carlin Springs Road, Arlington. Call Jeanne Kelly at 301-261-5747 or 571-215-6118 or Jeanne.Kelly@encorecreativity.org or visit http://encorecreativity.org.
Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction. Sponsored by the Mount Vernon High School Girls Basketball team. Tickets are $5. See a student athlete from the girls basketball team or contact Terry Henderson at 703-619-3146 or Terry.Henderson@fcps.edu.
Shop and Drop. 5-9 p.m. Kids ages 7-12 will have a fun-filled evening of activities while parents do last-minute shopping. Obstacle courses, tumble tramp, foam pit, games and more. At Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center. Call 703-228-4747 or visit www.arlingtonva.us/prcr
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 20
<cal2>National Men's Chorus Performs. 4 p.m. Tickets are $15. Arlington resident, singer and songwriter Debi Smith will perform "Music at Christmastide" at Western Presbyterian Church, 2491 Virginia Ave., in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. Call 202-244-7191 or www.nationalmenschorus.org.
Nutcracker Tea. 2-4 p.m. Enjoy afternoon Tea, pictures with the Sugar Plum Fairy, a mini-Nutcracker performance, live string quartet, and the chance to get autographs from your favorite Nutcracker character. Tickets: $55 adults; $35/ages 4 – 12; $15 under 4. Available online at www.BalletNova.org. At the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington.
Winter Solstice Event. 2 p.m. "Simple Pleasures are Life's Treasures" will be celebrated with games, stories, crafts, and entertainment. The event will feature a performance by "The Jazzy Juggler" and a baritone horn solo by park naturalist and musician extraordinaire, Rich Bailey. At Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington. Call 703-528-5406.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 21
<cal2>Tree Dedication. 6-6:30 p.m. Red Sunset Maple Tree dedication and celebration by candlelight. At Church of the Covenant, 26666 Military Road, Arlington. Call 703-524-4115. Go to covenantchurcharlington.org.
Christmas Tea. 1 p.m. An old fashion Christmas Tea with inspirational program by the United Methodist Women. At Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 N. Irving, Arlington. RSVP at 703-527-8574 or go to www.morefaith.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 22
<cal2>Swing Dancing. 9-11 p.m. $10 admission. With Natty Beaux, a mixture of the Billy Coulter Band, Junkyard Saints, Alexandria Kleztet and Western Bop. Hosted by Gotta Swing. At the Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 24
<cal2>Carols in Arlington. 6 p.m. A Traditional Carols Service hosted by Grace Baptist Church of Arlington. At the Woman's Club of Arlington, 700 S. Buchanan Street, Arlington. Visit www.gracearlington.org.
Christmas Eve Worship services. At Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 N. Irving, Arlington
* 5 p.m. — Family Service for all ages. Become a part of the Christmas Story as the songs and scriptures bring the message of Good News to life.
* 11 p.m. — Candlelight Service - Come and quietly reflect on the joy, the peace and love that the Birth of Jesus brings. This traditional service of music, scripture and a message of Good News will end with a Candlelight service anticipating the birth of our Savior.
<cal1>Dec. 27-29
<cal2>The Nutcracker. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Virginia Ballet Company & School will present the Nutcracker at NVCC Annandale's Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for children, students and seniors. Purchase online at www.virginiaballetcompany.org; call 703 249-8227 for information.
<cal1>Dec. 28, 29, 30
<cal2>Holiday Camps. Choose from the Magic Craft Art Camp for elementary age kids, Chummy Gill Basketball Camp for kids 6-13, and All American Sports Camp for kids between 6-12. Sponsored by Arlington County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. Call 703-228-6982.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 29
<cal2>Swing Dancing. 9-11 p.m. Admission is $10. With JP McDermott and Western Bop. Western Bop is where Rockabilly, Classic Country, and Vintage Honky Tonk come together for an evening of non-stop swing music. At the Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 31
<cal2>Country Western Dance. 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Country Western Dance Association. New Year's Eve dance at Fort Myer Community Center, 228 McNair Road, Ft. Myer. Tickets are $25/advance; $35/after Dec. 23. Includes buffet meal, party favors, champagne toast. Contact Dan Pierce at 703-339-8437 or dpierce879@cox.net.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 4, 2010
<cal2>Art Works. Arlington Art Gallery (formerly named Lac Viet Gallery) will have its launch date, featuring 30 Arlington Artists Alliance artists' original 2-D and 3-D works, note cards calendars and more. Located at 5179 Lee Highway, Arlington (between Caribbean Grill and Yorktown Bistro). Gala reception is Saturday, Jan. 9 from 5-8 p.m.
<cal1>Mondays, Jan. 4-Feb. 8
<cal2>Theology on Tap. 7 p.m. gather; 7:30 p.m. talk followed by questions. The goal is to provide a forum for young adults to learn about and discuss their faith in a relaxing social setting. (Must be age 21). At Pat Troy's Ireland's Own, 111 North Pitt Street, Alexandria. Call 703-549-4535.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 9
<cal2>Jazz Concert. 8 p.m. Presented by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performing works by Duke Ellington, Jean Luc Ponty and American standards. At the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater. At the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater, 1611 N. Kent St., Arlington. $20/adults; $10/youth & students; Call 703-548-0885 or visit http://www.alexsym.org/buyTix.shtml for tickets.
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. Performs the works by Duke Ellington, Jean Luc Ponty and American standards. At the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre, 1611 N. Kent St., Arlington. The adult price $20; $10 youth & student; Call 703-548-0885 or visit http://www.alexsym.org, and click on "Buy Tix" for tickets. Call 703-548-0885.
<cal1>Mondays, Jan. 11, 18 and 25
<cal2>The Kadampa Way of Life: Practical Advice for Daily Happiness. At the Vajrayogini Buddhist Center — Arlington Branch Class. At The Griffin Center 3800 Fairfax Dr., Suite 5, Arlington. Cost is $12. Visit www.meditation-dc.org or contact us at 202-986-2257 or email info@meditation-dc.org
<cal1>Jan. 15-30
<cal2>"Reefer Madness." 8 p.m. Cost is $15. Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana. Hosted by Dominion Stage. At Gunston Arts Center, Theatre One, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington. Go to www.dominionstage.org.