<cal1>Ongoing
<cal2>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. and 3 p.m. Storytelling sessions will take place in the Hands-On History Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. "Working Together" is the theme for January's storytelling sessions. During the 20-minute session, children learn Aesop's fables and listen to stories about George Washington's life! The storytelling program is recommended for children ages 3 to 8. Parental supervision is required. "Once Upon at Time at Mount Vernon" is included in regular Estate admission: adults, $15; youth ages 6-11, $7; and children under 5 are admitted free.
<cal1>Now Through Jan. 6
<cal2>Christmas at Mount Vernon. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Themed decorations (including 12 Christmas trees), a gingerbread Mount Vernon, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and 18th-century dancing will be offered. Visit Aladdin, George Washington's Christmas Camel, take special Mansion tours, and make a Chocolate Toast to Christmas, with our 18th-century-style chocolate drink, a Washington family favorite. At George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; call 703-780-2000 or visit mountvernon.org. Admission: $15 for adults, $7 for youth (6-11), and free for children 5 and younger.
<cal1>Every Friday
<cal2>Grown & Sexy Happy Hour and Comedy Show. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hosted by comedian Ed Blaze. Ladies free until 9 p.m. Men $10/$15. At Weyone Lounge, 5801 Duke St. # E100, Alexandria, located in the back of Landmark Mall. Call 202-321-0867.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 24
<cal2>Jewish Community Center’s Day of Service. Join 1,000 volunteers who will help out at over 50 non-profits throughout DC, Virginia and Maryland. Projects vary from 2-4 hours and encompass a variety of activities such as throwing holiday parties for children, visiting seniors and serving meals to the homeless. Family and group projects are also available. Visit www.washingtondcjcc.org/volunteer. There is a nominal registration fee of $20, which helps cover the cost of the event.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 31
<cal2>First Night Alexandria. 100 live performances start at 7 p.m. at 17 venues in Old Town Alexandria; the Fun Hunt; Multimedia Fireworks Finale; lasers; video, music. At George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Admission: $15 before Dec. 21; $20 after. Children 12 and under are free. Note that the headquarters are at Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria. Call 703-746-3301 or visit www.FirstNightAlexandria.org.
Dance Studio Lioudmila's New Year's Eve Dance Party. 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dance to the best in Ballroom, Latin and Swing Music. Attire: Elegant Casual. Admission is $25/advance; $30/door. At Dance Studio Lioudmila, 18 Roth Street, Alexandria. Call 703-751-8868. Visit www.dancelioudmila.com.
<cal1>Sundays, Jan. 2, 9, 16
<cal2>Bach Vespers. 6 p.m. These Vesper services are based on the principles of "ancient-future" worship, which incorporates the rites and elements that go back centuries if not thousands of years – candles, incense, sung Scripture, cantor-lead singing and recitation, and ancient hymns. At Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2701 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria. Visit www.wpc-alex.org
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 8, 15, 22
<cal2>Pinewood Derby Workshop. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Old Town Hardware will be holding its third-annual Pinewood Derby Workshop. Cub Scouts are invited to bring their Pinewood Derby cars to the store to have craftsman Jesse Cathell rough cut their designs. Scouts are required to have the car design traced on their cars. There will be sanders and hand tools available for the Scouts to perform additional work on their cars.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 9
<cal2>"Twelfth Night: Noel, Nouvelet!" 6 p.m. Armonia Nova, an ensemble of historical instruments and voices returns for its ninth year at Christ Church to celebrate the joyous traditions of Twelfth Night and the mid-winter solstice, with French music from the 12th-17th C. At Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., Old Town Alexandria. Also Saturday, Jan. 8, 5 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran, 825 S. Taylor St., Arlington. Donations welcomed. www.armonianova.org or 571-482-9052.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 12
<cal2>DJ Dance Party. 9 to 11 p.m. Admission is $6. With DJ Dabe Murphy. At Nick’s Nightclub, 642 South Pickett St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 14
<cal2>Union 206 Film Night: "Brazil." 8 to 11 p.m. Free. Union 206 Studio presents a free showing of the film, "Brazil." At 206 S. Union St., Alexandria. Visit http://www.union206.com
"Oliver." 8 p.m. Tickets are $25/person. Hosted by the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club. Proceeds will be donated to Fisher House Foundation. At the Little Theater of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 15
<cal2>American Balalaika Symphony in Concert. 8 p.m. Peter Trofimenko and The American Balalaika Symphony present Midwinter Music of Love, a musical exploration of love in all its many variations, as presented by great composers from around the world, including Arensky, Brahms, De Senneville, Kabalevsky, von Weber, Hanley, Tabachnikov, Petrov, Zubkov and more. Tickets are $20/advance; $25/door; $15/seniors and students. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NOVA Community College, Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Visit www.ABSorchestra.org.
Alexandria Coin Show. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Alexandria Coin Club is sponsoring a Coin Show featuring 50 tables with a wide variety of coins, currency and numismatic collectables. Prizes will be given to the first 500 people who show up at the show. An instruction period is included for those new to collecting. Additionally, there is a raffle for Gold & Silver coins. At the Hampton Inn on the corner of the Beltway and Rt. 1 (5821 Richmond Hwy.). Visit www.members.cox.net/alexandriacoinclub.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 16
<cal2>Singer/songwriter Peter Mayer. 7 p.m. With special guest Sterling Trio. Tickets are $18 general, $15 in advance at FocusMusic.org. At Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 17
<cal2>Free Tours. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In honor of the birthdays of Gen. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and his son, Gen. Robert E. Lee, the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden will be offering free tours.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 19
<cal2>Square Dance Lessons. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free. From the Boomerangs Square Dance Teaching Council. At Lincolnia Center, 4710 North Chambliss St., Alexandria. Call Nancy at 703-573-8378.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 20
<cal2>"Measure for Measure." 7:30 p.m. Free. Performed by the American Shakespeare Center. At Pendleton Hall, Episcopal High School, 3900 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Visit www.episcopalhighschool.org or call 703-933-4135.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 22
<cal2>Speak Up for a Child. 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is hosting an information session. At the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. If you would like to learn more about advocating for abused or neglected children, call 703-273-3526, x22 or email ekosarin@casafairfax.org for more information.
<cal1>Feb. 12-20
<cal2>"A Midsummer Night’s Dream." Performances are Feb. 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.; and Feb. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. Presented by Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theater. At Heritage Presyberian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria.