Artist Maryanne Pollock’s display of large-scale printed, painted, and stenciled canvases titled “Refuge” are meant to reference the hanging gardens of Babylon and “a cradle for our collective human civilization.” “Refuge” is meant to build awareness of global refugeeism and its causes. The exhibit will be on display at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Art Center, 4915 E. Campus Drive, through Jan. 14. Visit www.maryannepollock.com for more. Photo Contributed
Ongoing
“Printed Matter.” Through Jan. 17, at The Target Gallery, 105 N. Union St. Printed Matter features a mix of works (printed media, such as xerography, book arts, and graphic design) created using traditional techniques as well as newer or reimagined ones. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital Art Show. Through Jan. 31 at VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, 2660 Duke St. The artwork is on display in waiting areas and examination rooms as a part of Del Ray Artisans’ Gallery Without Walls program. Free. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org for more.
“Celebrating What We’re Made Of.” Through Jan. 31 at The Associates Gallery, 105 N. Union St. This show features mixed media artist and TAG member Karen Fitzgerald, who creates art from recycled materials. Using everything from junk mail to food packaging, Fitzgerald’s art celebrates the small things that make up our everyday lives. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
Jan. 5-Feb. 7
“Birds of a Feather.” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery–Torpedo Factory Arts Center, 105 N. Union St. The artist focus on things that go together: ham and eggs, bride and groom, etc. Free. Visit www.potomacfiberartsgallery.com for more.
Friday/Jan. 8
“True Colors: Like a Rainbow” Opening Reception. 7-9 p.m. at The Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Meet the artists of the “True Colors: Like a Rainbow” exhibit. Free. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org/True.
The Cecilian Players. 8-10 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1427 W. Braddock Road. Concert consisting of works by Debussy, Ravel, and Shostakovich. Free. Call 703-836-7480 for more.
Friday-Saturday/Jan. 8-9
Ricky Skaggs. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Bluegrass musician Ricky Skaggs is joined by Kentucky Thunder. Tickets are $39.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.
Jan. 8-31
“True Colors: Like a Rainbow.” Gallery hours at The Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Del Ray Artisans’ artists use colors of the rainbow for inspiration. Free. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org/True.
Jan. 8-Feb. 27
“No Holds Barred.” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays at The Gallery @ Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. This exhibit is named for the “don’t hold back, just let go” approach artists Pamela Underhill and Rusty Lynn employ in their artmaking. Free. Visit www.convergence.org for more.
Saturday/Jan. 9
Carl Chase Book Signing. 12-2 p.m. at Capital Teas, 145 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Fort Washington, Md. Chase, a resident of Alexandria, will be available to sign copies of his book, “Jack Spade: Dream Detective.” Free. Visit www.tatepublishing.com for more.
“The Real Greens.” 1:30-3 p.m. at Alexandria Library Special Collections Barrett Branch, 717 Queen St. Dr. Donald DeBats presents, "The Real Greens: Emma and the Green Family of Alexandria." Find out about the real Emma and her family at the center of “Mercy Street.” ]DeBats is the Head of American Studies at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. Free. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703-746-1703.
American Balalaika Society Concert. 8 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St. This full orchestra has its roots in Russian folk music with two stringed instruments, the balalaikas and domras. This concert is titled “Roots of Romanticism: Musical Masters of the Late 18th/Early 19th Centuries.” Tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit www.absorchestra.org for more.
Sunday/Jan. 10
Panel Discussion: “Take a Turn Down Mercy Street.” 1 p.m. at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. George Combs, manager of Alexandria Library's Special Collections Branch, author Michael Lee Pope, and Callie Stapp of The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will introduce you to the history behind the new PBS series, “Mercy Street,” which is based in Alexandria. Free. Call 703-746-1721 or email admin@nvfaa.org to rsvp.
“The 39 Steps.” 3 p.m. reception, 4 p.m. performance at Woodlawn, 9000 Richmond Highway. The Picnic Theatre Company performs the Alfred Hitchcock spy thriller after a reception serving tea, hot chocolate, and treats. Tickets are $21.99-27.24. Visit www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org for more.
Winter Warmer Ladies Tea. 3-5 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Choose from a variety of 18th-century desserts, drink tea, and visit with “Dolley Madison.” Tickets are $35. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.
Organ Music. 4 p.m. at Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road. The public is invited to hear organist Janet Yieh Sun perform. Free. Visit www.vts.edu/chapel.
“Twelfth Night: A Celebration of Epiphany & Winter Solstice 6 p.m. at Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St. Armonia Nova performs using historical instruments including baroque harps and early viols. Free, donations accepted. Visit www.armonianova.org for more.
Maceo Parker. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Saxophonist Maceo Parker performs. Tickets are $39.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.
Wednesday/Jan. 13
Fitness for Kids. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. MOMS Club of Alexandria South invites at-home parents as well as parents who work part-time or have home-based businesses and who reside in zip codes 22303, 22306 and 22307 to learn more about the importance of fitness and strategies to help incorporate into life. Free. Email Southalexmoms@yahoo.com or visit southalexandriamomsclub.webs.com.
Thursday/Jan. 14
Meigs Hodge. 7 p.m. at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Traditional and contemporary blues guitar and vocals. Tickets are $15. Visit www.nvfaa.org for more.
Civil War Ball Dance Class. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. In preparation for the Civil War Ball on the Jan. 23, learn the waltz, polka, Virginia Reel and more from an expert. Tickets are $12 per class, $30 for the entire series. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.
Holy Holy. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Band Holy Holy will perform featuring Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey performing David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World.” Tickets are $39.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.
Friday/Jan. 15
Tea Tasting: Teas for Winter Health. 10 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Taste a variety of the best teas and herbal infusions to boost immunity and boost moods. Learn about their medicinal properties and discover new healthful brews. Tickets are $22. Call 703-642-5173.
Garden Talk: Houseplants. 1:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Learn more about the proper lighting, soil, and watering for houseplants. The class fee is $10. Call 703-642-5173.
“No Holds Barred” Opening Reception. 6:30-9 p.m. at The Gallery @ Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Celebrate the exhibit named for the “don’t hold back, just let go” approach artists Pamela Underhill and Rusty Lynn employ in their artmaking. Free. Visit www.convergence.org for more.
Friday-Sunday/Jan. 15-17
Eddie From Ohio. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Local folk band will give a show entirely based on requests from the audience. Tickets are $39.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.
Friday-Monday/Jan. 15-18
“Into the Woods Jr.” 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at Aldersgate Church Community Theatre, 1301 Collingwood Road. Into the Woods, Jr. features Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and the Witch in this re-telling of classic Grimm Brothers fables. Tickets are $12 plus a service fee. Visit www.acctonline.org for more.
Jan. 15-30
“Medieval Story Land.” 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Saturdays at Port City Playhouse, 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Red Knight Productions presents “Medieval Story Land,” a parody of the medieval fantasy genre. Tickets are $18 and $20. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com for more.
Saturday/Jan. 16
Floral Design: Winter Cutting Garden. 9:30 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Master gardeners will conduct a class to help you determine your needs and rethink your garden space to better match your style. Admission is $38 plus $25 supply fee. Call 703-642-5173.
“The History of Fort Myer.” 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union St, #327. Author and historian John Michael will give a lecture, and will be signing book. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
Family Art Workshop: Shape Tape Art. 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Convergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Parents and children ages 4-9 are invited to make art using tape, acrylic paint, and a canvas. Tickets are $30, $5 for each additional child. Visit www.metamorphosisaec.com/mommy-me-holiday-workshops.
Lecture: Civil War Medicine. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Dr. Guy Hasegawa, a Civil War medicine scholar, will give a talk on "Medicinal Alcohol in the Civil War." Free. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703-746-1702.
Book Talk: “Kidnapped by Nuns.” 2-3 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Retired White House correspondent Robert Fuss will discuss his book "Kidnapped by Nuns and Other Stories of a Life in Radio," chronicling his four decades of traveling from Hollywood to Zimbabwe with presidents. Book sales and signing to follow. Free. Call 703-768-9840 for more.
Celebration Gala. 6-11 p.m. at Holiday Inn, 625 1st St. This Black Tie Gala will celebrate the installation of the new Pastor of Historic Shiloh Baptist Church, Reverend Taft Quincey Heatley. Tickets are $60. Visit www.shiloh-bc.org for more.
Saturday-Sunday/Jan. 16, 23-24, 30
Jane Franklin Dance: “Niche.” 7:30 p.m. at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. Alexandria dance company Jane Franklin Dance performs “Niche,” which follows an unremarkable couple with a new house, big careers, and odd neighbors. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit www.janefranklin.com.
Sunday/Jan. 17
Celebrate Community 5K & 1K Fun Run/Walk. 8-11 a.m. at Eisenhower Ave. This event will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an additional food drive for ALIVE. Registration costs will be $15-25, and $20-25 on the day of the race. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.
“Tea Traditions Beyond Downton Abbey.” 2-3 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Laurie Bell will share how other parts of the world celebrate and enjoy tea. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703-746-1751.
The United States Marine Band. 2 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Free. Visit www.marineband.mil for more.