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 Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.
<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>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>Now Through March 16
<cal2>Shakespeare Shenanigans! Wednesdays 11:30-1 p.m. At the Little Theatre of Alexandria in Old Town. Geared for the older adult, participants will discuss, read, and perform scenes from Shakespeare. Non actors welcome. Email Heather Sanderson at bardsplay@aol.com or call the Little Theatre at 703-683-5778, ext. 2.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 20
<cal2>Floral Designs for Entertaining. 10 a.m. Free. Presentation by Marianne Raub, of Helen Olivia Florist, Alexandria, on creating floral designs for entertaining in your home. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Waynewood. Fellowship Hall of Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8523 Forth Hunt Road, Alexandria. Call 703-549-4245.
Book Discussion. 7 p.m. Great Books Discussion Group Meeting on “Hekabe,” a play by Euripides. At the Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria. Contact Bill Scouton at 703-931-3559.
”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>Friday/Jan. 21
<cal2>Swing Dance. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Third Friday with the Mount Vernon Swing Band. At Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Mount Vernon. Cost is $4. Call 703-765-4573.
Premiere Concert - The Modern Dance Society of T.C. Williams. 7 p.m. Free. At the T.C. Williams auditorium, 3330 King Street, Alexandria.
<cal1>Jan. 21 to Jan. 30
<cal2>Alexandria Restaurant Week. 60 restaurants offer a $35 prix-fixe three-course dinner or a $35 dinner for two. The event features fresh food trends, neighborhood finds, and OpenTable Diner's Choice Winners. Participating restaurants include Bastille, La Bergerie, Cheesetique, Pizzeria Paradiso, Tempo, A la Lucia, Columbia Firehouse, Hank's Oyster Bar, Delia's Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza and more. 703-746-3301. Menus and online reservations on VisitAlexandriaVA.com
<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.
Youth Art Symposium. 2 to 5:30 p.m. Free. Explore different forms of visual and performing arts including dancing, stepping, drama, drawing, painting and candy making. Presented by - The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. At the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Contact Celena Noel at celenanoel@gmail.com
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. 23
<cal2>First Communion Open House. 1 to 5 p.m. Browse a large in-stock selection of dresses, suits, shoes, accessories and gifts. At Monday’s Child, 218 N. Lee St., Alexandria. Call 703-548-3505.
Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool Open House. 1 - 3 p.m. Great opportunity to meet the teachers, other parents, tour the grounds, play on the playground. Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool, 7719 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Visit http://tauxemont.org.
<cal1>Jan. 23 to March 27
<cal2>Brit Wit! Sundays 5-7 p.m. At the Little Theatre of Alexandria in Old Town. Fans of British humor with a longing to perform the Dead Parrot sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus will explore the unique style of British comedy in this class which is bound to tickle your fancy! Class size is limited to 12 and will conclude with an end session performance for family and friends. (British dialects optional!) To register, call the business office at 703-683-5778, ext. 2.
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 25
<cal2>Fiber Artist Lecture. 12:30 p.m. Free. Northern Virginia’s Diane Herbort will visit Mount Vernon Quilters Unlimited to present a lecture entitled “And Somehow I Ended up as a Fiber Artist.” MVQU meets at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria. Contact: MVQUPresident@gmail.com.
”Oliver” Benefit Performance. 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Board of Lady Managers of Inova Alexandria Hospital, with proceeds to benefit the hospital’s Surgical Services. Tickets are $25, $45, and $65 and include Desserts at intermission. At the Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria. Call 703-548-9485.
Computer Lab Open House. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet class instructors including our “One-on-One” Volunteer, learn about the class curriculum, find out about upcoming classes, check out the web page and FaceBook page! At Hollin Hall Senior Center,1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria. Call 703-765-4573.
Auditions. 6:45 p.m. The Alexandria Singers, the area's premier pops chorus, are holding auditions for all voice parts. At the Lincolnia Center, 4710 N Chambliss St., Alexandria. Email audition@alexandriasingers.com to arrange an audition, and visit alexandriasingers.com or call 703-941-SING (7464).
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 27
<cal2>”9500 Liberty” Film. 6:30 p.m. Free. Showing of the documentary film about illegal immigration with special guest, film producer Eric Byler, who will host a discussion after the film. AT VCU’s Northern Virginia School of Social Work, 6295 Edsall Road, Suite 210, Alexandria.
Nutrition Talk. 6 to 8 p.m. With health expert Trish Fortune, the founder and president of Extraordinary You. At The Full Cup, 218 N. Lee St. #206, Alexandria. Space is limited. RSVP to lindsey@thefullcup.com.
Pope-Leighey House Lecture Series. 7 to 9 p.m. “William Thornton and the Creation of the American Architecture.” This talk will examine the designs of Dr. William Thornton (1759-1828) and some of the themes in his architecture, along with a comparison to the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Pope-Leighey House. Admission is $25. At The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, Alexandria. Respond to 703-780-4000 extension 26321 or woodlawnRSVP@nthp.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 29
<cal2>Civil War Ball. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cost is $45/advance; $50/door. Period attire either in civilian or military. In preparation for the ball, Civil War-era dance classes will be offered at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 13, 20, and 27. Dance instruction will include the waltz, polka, Virginia reel, and more! Classes are $12 each or $30 for the series. Call 703-838-4242. Online tickets are available under “Shop” at www.gadsbystavern.org. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Old Town Alexandria.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 1
<cal2>National Chamber Players. 7:30 p.m. Free. With guest artist Rohan de Silva. At Pendleton Hall, Ainslie Arts Center, Episcopal High School, 3900 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Visit www.episcopalhighschool.org or call 703-933-4135.
”The Enduring Legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.” 1 p.m. Free. Art, poetry, music and key figures from this period. Hosted by the Hollin Hall Senior Center. At 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria. Contact Lee Maguire at 703-765-4573.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 2
<cal2>Baseball Talk. 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Friends of Duncan Library will host a talk by Michael Green and Roger Launius to introduce their book Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman. As sports fans, they run a website (charliefinleybook.com) and have written a book about Charlie Finley, the colorful figure who bought the Kansas City Athletics 50 years ago and as owner-manager helped transform major-league baseball. At The Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria. Call 703-746-1705.
Swing Dancing. 9 to 11 p.m. Admission is $6. DJ Dance Party with DJ Dabe Murphy. At Nick’s Nightclub, 642 South Pickett St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12
<cal2>”The Elixir of Love.” 8 p.m. Opera presented by the Repertory Opera Theater of Washington. Conducted by Christopher J. Redden-Liotta; directed by Jennifer Randall; sung in Italian, with English supertitles. At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Call 571-403-0814 or www.repertoryoperadc.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 5
<cal2>Country Western Dance. 7:30 p.m. line dancing; 8:30-11 p.m. dancing. Scotty and Lynne Inman will teach an advanced beginner West Coast Swing lesson at 8 p.m. Includes Two Step, Waltz, line, Swing, Cha Cha, and specialty dances. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Country Western Dance Association. At Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallow Road, Falls Church. Visit www.nvcwda.org or call the hot line 703-860-4941.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 9
<cal2>Chilean Wine Tasting. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronco St., Alexandria. Call 703-548-1789. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<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 Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 12
<cal2>Countertenor Thomas Fallon. 8 p.m. Mozart/Rossini arias and Dvorak. Alexandria Symphony Orchestra welcomes Thomas Fallon for evening of vocal selections. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. For tickets, visit www.alexsym.org. Call 703-548-0885.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 13
<cal2>Seeds of Independence Program. 2 p.m. Oral History Film Premiere: Segregation & Civil Rights: Mason Neck, Black & White, 1950-1970. Talk by Juan Williams, Civil Rights scholar and author, journalist and commentator for FOX News. Suggested donation: $9/adults; $8/seniors. At Gunston Hall Visitors’ Center, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. Call 703-550-9220.
Valentine Tea. 1 p.m. Cost is $30/person. Tea and tour of Woodlawn. Tea, finger sandwiches, breads, and desserts with harp music played by Chris Van Dyke. Call 703-780-4000, ext. 26333. Visit www.woodlawn1805.org.
Make-your-own Victorian Valentine. 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $5/crafter. At Lee-Fendall House and Garden, Alexandria. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 14
<cal2>Valentine’s Day Mixer. 7 to 11 p.m. Cost is $10/person. Love-inspired artwork, mood music, food and more. Call Matthew Cuenca (matthewcuenca@gmail.com) or Tracy Wilkerson (tlwideas@comcast.net or visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org. Del Ray Artisans’ gallery is located at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.
Burlesque-a-Pades, February Frolic. 7:30 p.m. For 18 and over. Valentine’s Day-inspired production from purveyors of sexy stockings and classy lingerie Secrets in Lace as well as The World Famous Pontani Sisters. Tickets are $29.50 plus standard booking fees. At The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria. Visit www.ticketmaster.com and www.birchmere.com or call 703-549-7500.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 15
<cal2>Mount Vernon Genealogical Society. 1 p.m. Free. Presentation entitled “Records of the Civilian Conservation Corps – Record Group 35” by Charles S. Mason. At Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria. Call Harold McClendon at 703-360-0920 or haroldm@erols.com.
Irish Musicians. 8 p.m. John Doyle, Niall Vallely and Cillian Vallley. Tickets are $25/advance; $29/door. At The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., in Alexandria. Reservations can be made at www.sunspotpro.com or by calling 800-404-9049.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 19
<cal2>Broadway Night. 8 p.m. The Hayfield Choir Boosters present Broadway Night 2011. Complimentary Dessert Reception at 7 p.m. and entertainment by the Hayfield High School Jazz Band. Tickets are $10/adults; $7/students and seniors. At the Rebeca S. Wilburn Auditorium, Hayfield Secondary School.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 20
<cal2>Folk Singer Pierce Pettis. 7 p.m. With special guest Rj Cowdery. At Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Tickets are $18 general, $15 in advance at FocusMusic.org.
George Washington’s Birthnight Supper and Ball. Features cocktails, a unique silent auction, raffle, seated dinner and live music. Hosted by the Neighborhood Friends of Mount Vernon. Tickets are $175. To attend, call 703-799-8647 for reservations. At Historic Mount Vernon.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 21
<cal2>Surprise Birthday. Free admission. Celebrate the 279th birthday for George Washington. Daily from Feb. 19 through Feb. 21, the party features “General Washington” receiving birthday cheers, 18th-century music and birthday gifts presented from his 18th-century friends. On Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20, have a taste of Washington’s favorite breakfast — hoecakes swimming in butter and honey with “the General” himself! The weekend leads up to a grand holiday party for the first president on Monday, Feb. 21, with free admission, military demonstrations, the new “Surprise Birthday Party” celebration, and a wreathlaying ceremony at Washington’s tomb. Visit www.MountVernon.org. At Mount Vernon.
Meet President Woodrow Wilson. 11 a.m. Actor Brian Hilton brings President Woodrow Wilson to life. At The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, Old Town Alexandria. Call 703-746-4994.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 24
<cal2>Story Time. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Designed for young children and caregivers, features story time and a craft. Fee is $3/family. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. Call 703-548-1789. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 26
<cal2>Lecture. 1 p.m. Cost is $10. Historian Carroll R. Gibbs presents, “Whirlwind Coming: African Americans in the District and Alexandria during the Civil War.” At Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road. Call the Museum at 703-746-4848 to make reservations. Visit www.fortward.org.
<cal1>Saturday/March 12
<cal2>Scout Day. 1 to 3 p.m. Fee is $10/Scout. Scouts will learn how to explore their own family histories through oral history, story-telling, and games. At Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. Call 703-548-1789 or visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<cal1>Sunday/March 27
<cal2>Community Lodgings Spring Event. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Community Lodgings’ 6th Annual Spring Event, “Spring Forward to Union Street,” to raise awareness and funding for Alexandria’s homeless. To purchase tickets, call 703-549-4407. At Union Street Public House, 121 South Union Street, Old Town, Alexandria. Visit www.communitylodgings.org.