<sh>Nutcracker Ballets
<lst>"The Nutcracker" will be presented by the Burke Civic Ballet on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m., at the Ernst Cultural Center Theater at the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale campus. The dancers range in age from 3 to adults and include all levels from beginners to professional dancers. Ticket prices are $13 for children and seniors and $16 for adults. Group prices are available for organized groups. For ticket purchase, call 703-323-0101 or call 703-425-5599.
The Fairfax Ballet will present The Nutcracker at Fairfax High School Theater. The show times are Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
Artistic directors Ilona and Thomas Russell import guest artists from major ballet companies in the U.S., in addition to featuring the Fairfax Ballet senior and junior companies and some students of the Russell School of Ballet.
This performance features unique choreography by Thomas Russell, Margaret McGarry, Mary Rodgers and Mary Marshall.
The Fairfax Ballet Company dancers will perform as soloists in Waltz of the Flowers, Snow and the Variations. The ballet has backdrops and scenery designed by Til Turner of George Mason Centre for the Performing Arts.
For tickets, call 703-378-7706 or go to the Web at www.fairfaxballet.com. Tickets available at The Russell School of Ballet, 14119-O Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly. Tickets also available one hour before the show.
For further information on Classical Ballet, Pointe and Variations, Jazz, Tap and Modern classes, call the Russell School of Ballet at 703-803-1055. Classes are offered for all ages, pre-school through professional levels.
The Washington Ballet will perform "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the George Mason Center for the Arts. Tickets: $42-$22. For tickets, call 202-432-SEAT or visit www.washingtonballet.org.
"Nutcracker in a Shell — All Jazzed Up" will be presented Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1:30 and 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. at Farmwell Station Middle School in Ashburn. This production is sponsored by Creative Dance Center I in Chantilly (IPAY) and Creative Dance Center II in Ashburn. It is a shortened version of the Nutcracker, which includes jazz, lyrical dance, tap and ballet. Tickets are $8/adults, $6/children 3-10, and $6/seniors, with children 2 and under free. Call Ginny Frye at 703-378-1800 or Margaret Otto at 703-724-4900.
Nutcracker in a Nutshell. The Center for Ballet Arts will present a condensed version of the classic Hoffman Christmas tale on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Fairfax High School Theatre, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Tickets: $10/adults, $9/students, $8/children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over. Advance tickets are available by calling 703-273-5344.
Mia Saunders School of Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Centreville High School Theatre, located at 6001 Union Mill Road, Clifton. Sponsored by the Centreville High School PTSA with proceeds to benefit CVHS arts scholarship fund and the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries Emergency Relief Fund. Tickets are $10/adults, $8/seniors and $6/students. For reservations, call Francine Fuhrer at 703-830-2558 or Christine Marshall at 703-222-5730.
<sh>Holiday Calendar
<lst>At Fair Oaks Mall, the North Polestal Station is back by popular demand. The state-of-the art "Kringle 9000" allows youngsters to "scan" their Santa letters into a super computer that will beam their dreams to Santa's North Pole satellite dish. There is no charge for the service, located on the upper level near Mastercraft Interiors.
Children can also pose for pictures with Santa; packages start at $10.99. Call 703-591-6548.
A holiday shopping bazaar featuring toys, cosmetics, jewelry, crafts, books, house items and scrap booking. It will be held Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12180 Brecknock in the Fair Oaks area. Admission is free. Come fill your sleigh with gifts for all on your list. Proceeds help Children Orphaned by the Violence in Colombia.
Chantilly High School's Performing Arts Department will present its Tiny Tots Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The shows are at 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $3. Call Beth Frook at 703-631-2046 or email bfrook@littlehands.com.
The Virginia Opera will perform the holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol, The Opera," at the George Mason University Center for the Arts in Fairfax. Performances will be given on Friday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. Tickets and information: 703-993-2787. Single ticket prices: $42-$78. Tickets and information: 703-993-2787. Single ticket prices: $42-$78.
Miracle of Lights — Northern Virginia's drive-thru holiday light show and one of the largest of its kind in the country — will be opening on Friday, Nov. 22, and run through Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003 (closed on New Year’s Eve). Hosted by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the Miracle of Lights is being shown at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, and offers over two miles of lighted entertainment and five holiday theme groups with dozens of twinkling and animated displays in each. On display are Victorian Virginia, Noah’s Ark, Santa’s Woods, The Angel’s Playground, and, the 2002 show brings The Return of The Aliens. Cost of admission is $12 per car load (1-14 people), $25 per commercial van (15-34 people) and $50 per bus (35 people or more). Call 703-709-KIDS (5437).
The Hyatt Fair Lakes will be serving a Thanksgiving Brunch buffet featuring four themed buffet stations and an elaborate dessert display prepared by Executive Chef Edward Deng. The buffet will be opened Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Hyatt Fair Lakes is located at 12777 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax.
The Westfields Marriott has scheduled these holiday events:
* Thursday, Nov. 28 — Traditional Thanksgiving Brunch with complimentary family photographs, and live entertainment. Reservations are required. Call 703-818-3522.
* Sunday, Dec. 1 — Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony — Westfields Marriott in partnership with the Herndon/Dulles Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the season with a traditional tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. Come and enjoy, hot cocoa, milk and cookies, spiced cider while listening to holiday music by local performers. Call 703-818-0344.
* Saturday, Dec. 7 — Breakfast with Santa! Bring the family and enjoy breakfast and a visit from Santa at your table. Complimentary photos and a special gift from Santa for each child. Served between 7-11 a.m. Reservations are required. Call 703-818-3520.
* Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day Brunch with live entertainment. Spectacular brunch is served with a culinary selection of seafood, meats, gourmet salads, pastries, and more. Reservations are required. Call 703-818-3522.
* Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year's Eve Gala in the Palm Court Restaurant. Live entertainment, five-course dinner and dancing, champagne and more. Call 703-818-0361.
* Tuesday, Dec. 31 — New Year's Eve celebrations in the Wellingtons Pub. Join deejay Chris Beckett to bring in the New Year with tunes, an appetizer buffet, party favors, complimentary champagne toast and more. Call 703-818-3500.
The Enchanted Forest, a festival of trees, will be held on Dec. 6-8, at Dulles Expo Center. This holiday festival will feature 300 festive displays of decorated trees and gingerbread houses. Local decorators, artists and chefs will be creating these displays. All of the displays will be available for purchase through a silent auction.
The Enchanted Forest is a wonderful event for the family. Take the family to stroll through the displays and listen to the musical entertainment throughout the weekend.
The Enchanted Forest will also be the setting for Santa's Workshop children's events which features craft making, face painting, sing-a-longs, story telling and pictures with Santa.
For the adults, check out the Spirits in the Forest Wine Tasting Party, which features wines from the top Virginia wineries, appetizers and music. In addition, there will be a live auction of dining, travel and entertainment packages.
The Enchanted Forest is hosted by the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV), an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Proceeds from the Enchanted Forest will enable JLNV to continue to make a difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk children in the Northern Virginia community.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:
* Friday, Dec. 6 — Preview Party from 7:30-10 p.m. Tickets: $15.
* Saturday, Dec. 7 — General admission from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $8/adults, $5/children and seniors.
* Santa's Workshop Children's Events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets: $20 (first child), $10 (each additional child)
* Spirits in the Forest Wine Tasting Party from 8-11 p.m. Tickets: $55/each, $100/couples.
* Sunday, Dec. 8 — General admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets: $8/adults, $5/children and seniors.
* Santa's Workshop Children's Events from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets: $20/first child, $10/each additional child. Includes general admission.
The annual Christmas Caroling on Horseback event will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Town of Clifton. Members of the Clifton Horse Society will ride in costume through the town, singing holiday tunes along the way. They'll end up in King's field, at the end of Chapel Street, where the public is welcome to join them for refreshments and more caroling.
Clifton's Christmas Candlelight Homes Tour will follow, from 4-8 p.m. Visitors will be able to see some of the town's loveliest houses, all decorated for the holidays. Tickets are $15 and are available at Clifton shops and restaurants.
The GMU Music Holiday Concert will be held Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., at the George Mason University Concert Hall. $12 adults; $7 students/seniors. Call tickets.com at 703-218-6500 or online at www.tickets.com.
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m., at the George Mason University Concert Hall. Cost is $40-$18. Call tickets.com at 703-218-6500 or online at www.tickets.com.
Holiday Musical Spectacular. John Lyon will host a holiday concert featuring The City of Fairfax Band, soprano Barbara DeMaio Caprilli and The Fairfax Choral Society. To be held Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., at Fairfax High School Auditorium, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. Call 703-757-0220 or visit www.fairfaxband.org.
New Year's Eve Ball, sponsored by Spotlight on the Arts. To be held Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Dance to the sound of NightMusic. Midnight champagne toast. Hors d'oeuvres and dessert. 475 per person. Call 703-352-ARTS or visit www.fairfaxspotlight.org.