Entertainment

A Lullaby to Birdland

MetroStage premieres “Ladies Swing the Blues.”

Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee. Their voices defined the history of jazz alongside the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. But it is the indomitable influence of Charlie “Bird” Parker that sets the stage for “Ladies Swing the Blues: A Jazz Fable,” now playing at MetroStage.

‘Dance Your Heart Out’ in February

In honor of National Heart Month, Metropolitan Fine Arts Center (MFAC) of Alexandria and Fairfax Station is featuring their “Dance Your Heart Out” campaign, offering unlimited adult dance and mind/body classes throughout February for a special price of $110.

A Ticket to Hollywood

Centreville High senior Maddie Assel is on “American Idol.”

Centreville High senior Maddie Assel is a bubbly, outgoing, 17-year-old. She’s busy with school, friends, college visits and — oh, yes, she’s also a contestant on “American Idol.”

Entertainment Calendar

Entertainment Calendar for Jan.-Feb.

‘Peanuts’ Comic Strip Comes Alive

Fairfax High presents, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder—the whole “Peanuts” gang—shows up for Fairfax High’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board for Jan.-April

Get Creative and Stay Active This Winter

A guide to local activities.

On a sunny day with a high temperature of 60 degrees, it is difficult to imagine that this is the middle of winter. While unseasonably warm days can fade snow-filled memories, there are still several weeks left in the winter season, meaning there is plenty of time to enjoy or retreat from the cold. Even if you’re not a cold-weather enthusiast, a bit of ingenuity and investigation into Alexandria’s cultural and recreational offerings can help anyone stay active this season. Here are three ways to have fun and avoid hibernation.

Indoor Winter Fun with Children

Ideas for entertainment when Jack Frost appears.

Winter weather often means limited open air playtime for some children. “It is very important for children to get as much outdoor activity as possible, but there are times when it is not safe for them to be outside for an extended length of time, or any time at all, because it is too cold. ” said Shannon Melideo, chair of the Education Department at Marymount University in Arlington. “There are many other things that children can do besides sledding and ice skating.”

Winter Fun with Food

Easy and tasty ideas for winter meals.

The stove is fired-up, a sauté pan is sizzling and the thud of a steel knife blade hitting a wooden chopping block fills the air along with the woodsy aroma of fresh thyme. The temperature outside is frigid, but the kitchen feels like an inferno as Chef Kristen Robinson drives a knife though a fennel bulb, kale leaves and a tough-skinned butternut squash with staccato succession.

Hang Out at This ‘Bus Stop’

Churchill High to present classic play next week.

The wind is gusting, snow is rapidly piling up and blustery conditions have stranded eight strangers in a Kansas diner in the winter of 1955. What happens next is anyone’s guess as the characters experience frustration, tears and laughter while they forge romantic connections and friendships throughout the night.

Winter Fun in McLean

McLean residents share how they like to spend winter days in McLean.

“I have a lot of friends who go skiing and snowboarding on the weekends. That’s really big. Other than that, it’s kind of cold.

Slavery to Reconstruction Presented in Great Falls

Professional historian Marion Dobbins discusses the role of slavery in Northern Virginia.

Marion Dobbins is a seventh-generation Virginian, born and raised in Fairfax County. As an African-American child, she sat at her grandmother’s knee listening to the rich heritage of her ancestors. Her grandmother’s stories of the past inspired her to become a professional historian.

South County High Picks Mr. Stallion 2013

Holds Fifth Annual Male Beauty Pageant.

Ten male students from South County High School set the stage on fire at the Dale S. Rumberger Auditorium of the South County High School in Lorton, during the Fifth Annual Mr. Stallion Pageant on Thursday, Jan. 17. The event, described by Alison Andrews, one of the coordinators and class sponsors, as “a take on female pageant” and a quest for “bragging rights,” was well attended by parents and students, who kept yelling for more as participants appeared on stage.

Union Mill Holds Winter Concerts

Fifth and sixth grade band students from Union Mill Elementary performed in their Winter Band Concert on Wednesday, Jan. 16, led by band teacher Laura Seifried. First-year band students performed “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Old MacDonald Had a Band,” “Ode to Joy,” and “Hard Rock Blues.” The sixth grade band students performed “Bag ‘O Blues,” and several holiday pieces including “Frosty the Snowman,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”

Volunteering to Cheer

Special Olympics “Cheer Team” wows crowd with high-energy performance.

Like many girls, Jacquelyn Hoffmeier of Burke always wanted to be a cheerleader. The 25-year-old, born with Down Syndrome, finally got her chance to perform on Friday, Jan. 11. Hoffmeier, along with seven of her Special Olympics teammates, cheered and danced before a crowd of nearly 200 parents and students during halftime at the West Springfield High School girls’ basketball game.

The Connection