Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 9
</b>Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
<b>Friday/Dec. 10
</b>Waverly Consort’s “A Christmas Story.” 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. In the spirit of the medieval church dramas and mystery plays, eight singers and five instrumentalists play reproductions of medieval instruments. $21-$42, youth through grade 12 half price. Tickets available at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
Armor For The Broken, Lions!Tigers!Bears!, The Kindness of Strangers, We're Watching the Sky, The Rhinehart Nebula and more. 5:15 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $10 advance, $12 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 11
</b>Second Saturday Art Walk. 6-9 p.m. Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Meet each building's featured artist, a reception in W-16 from 6-7 p.m. and more. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Wheels to Africa Bicycle Collection. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at South County High School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. The South County Secondary School Key Club will be collecting for Wheels to Africa, a nonprofit that collects bicycles for Africa and needy American communities. $10 donation requested with each bicycle to help cover shipping costs. www.wheels-to-africa.org.
Synergy Brass Quintet: "Christmas in Brass." 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Brass arrangements of Bach's choral works, Handel's triumphant "Messiah" and a selection of classic Christmas carols. $22-$44, youth through grade 12 half price. Tickets available at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
Artists’ Reception. 6-9 p.m. at Workhouse Arts Center Building 5, 96012 Ox Road, Studio 505, Lorton. With artists Eileen Olsen and Marni Maree. 703-644-5375.
Blue Sky Puppets. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. The holiday puppet show, "Santa's Workshop." All ages. 703-971-0010.
Friends of the Library Book Sale. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Gems and finds for all readers. 703-339-4610.
A Christmas Rock Concert with Ivy Rose, Apriori, Phil Good Band, Mad Brenda, Tensions Rising and Neon Rush. 4:30 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $10. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 12
</b>Encore Theatrical Arts Project: “Santa Got Frostbite.” 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College Ernst Theatre, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Christmas chaos and fun for the whole family in a Broadway-style, song and dance holiday spectacular. Tickets $18-$21.
The Holidays at Mason: Believe in Miracles. 7 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. The Mason Symphony Orchestra, University Chorale and University Singers perform selections composed by Alan Silvestri, Glen Ballard and John Rutter. Audience-sing-along. $20 adults, $15 students and seniors. Limited number of free tickets for students with a valid Mason ID. Charge tickets at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
“Ring in the Season” Handbell Concert. 3 p.m. Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. Five handbell choirs perform seasonal favorites. Dessert reception to follow. Free admission, childcare provided. Donations accepted. dcarnes@messiahumc.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 13
</b>Book Bunch. 3:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Book discussion and book-related activities. Call for title. Age 7-8 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Gingerbread Tales. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Wintery stories and fun. Age 24 months-3 years with adult. 703-339-4610.
Read to the Dog. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Call to register for one 15-minute slot. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 14
</b>Mother-Daughter Book Club. 7:30 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Book discussion group for girls and their moms. The Best Christmas Ever by Barbara Robinson. Age 9-11. 703-249-1520.
Second Tuesday Evening Book Discussion. 6:45 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. “A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage. January's title: The Smart Swarm” by Peter Miller. Adults. 703-339-4610.
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 15
</b>Things That Go! 11 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories and rhymes about trains, planes, and cars. Age 13-23 months with adult. 703-249-1520.
P.A.L. Read to the Dog. 4:30 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Practice reading skills with a trained therapy dog. First come/ first serve. No registration. Sign up at the door after 4 p.m. First session at 4:30 p.m.., last session at 5:15 p.m. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-249-1520.
Fun for Twos and Threes. 10:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Age 2-3 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Frozen Noses. 10:30 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Stories and activities. Age 2-3 with adult. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 16
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Adults. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Lorton Book Club. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. “Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer” by James L. Swanson. Adults. 703-339-7385.
C Is For Candle. 2 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Stories and activities celebrating the season. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Springfield Writers' Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Share your work, give and receive feedback in a supportive setting. 703-451-8055.
<b>Friday/Dec. 17
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
2010 Graduating Artist Showcase. 6-9 p.m. George Mason University Art and Design Building, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Fall 2010 Senior Exhibition Reception. Exhibits of over 60 graduating artists including paintings, sculpture, animation, graphic design, drawing and more. Live music and refreshments available. Free admission. 703-993-8898 or hmillera@gmu.edu.
Pat Travers, The Rob Hornfeck Enterprise, The Maiden Project and more. 8 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Age 21 and up. $17 advance, $20 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 18
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Arsis, Powerglove, Conducting From The Grave, Deranged Theory, Orthrus, Blood Corps, Burnside Landing, Jupiter's Wake, Ethereal Genocide, Boltt, Wreckage, 1Alliance and Artiface. 2 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $13 advance, $15 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 19
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Vienna Boys Choir. 4 p.m. at George Mason University Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. $24-$48, youth through grade 12 half price. 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
ABACABB, In Alcatraz 1962, Freqontrol, Upon Disfigurement, As The Kingdom Falls, Villiska, Truth Be Told, Saints Will Rise, Supremacist, The Markov Process, Ceruleus, Decimate the Tyrant, Hackin Jessie and Epitome of the Weak. 1 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $12 advance, $14 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.