<lst>To have an item listed in the calendar, mail to Calendar Editor, 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; fax to 703-917-0991 or e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Alexandria. If you have any questions, call Elizabeth Orr at 703-917-6449.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 2
<cal2>Wreath-A-Round. Children ages 3 to 5 are invited to create wee round wreaths with natural and recycled material. 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Fee is $5 per child. For reservations, call 703-642-5173.
"Last Minute Gift Ideas." Hosted by the Springfield/Alexandria Women's Connection, featuring speaker Jaime Freeman of Tysons Galleria. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Fort Belvoir Officer's Club. $12, includes luncheon and child care. Reservations required by Nov. 29. Call Barbara at 703-619-0496 or Deniece at 703-451-0677.
Alexandria GOP Committee meeting. 7:30 p.m., at the Minnie Howard School cafeteria. Call 703-823-1801.
"Season's Readings: One Million Books for One Million Children." Story time with Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille to benefit the One Million Books Foundation, supplying children's books to needy families. 11 a.m., at Barnes & Noble at Potomac Yard, 3651 Jefferson Davis Highway. Call 703-299-9124. For more information or to donate to One Million Books, visit http://www.bn.com. The Seasons Readings program will run through Dec. 31.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 3
<cal2>"Harmony Holidays - A Cappella Traditions." Presented by The Alexandria Harmonizers. 8 p.m., at Whaley Auditorium, Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Tickets at 301-352-4035 or online at www.harmonizers.org.
A Christmas Marketplace and Cafe. Home accents, gourmet foods, antiques, jewelry and more from 12-5 p.m., at The Campagna Center. Enjoy a warm drink or treat at the Marketplace Cafe after shopping. The Campagna Center is located at 418 S. Washington St.
A Taste of Scotland. A chance to sample hard-to-find, rare scotches direct from Scotland distilleries from 7-10:30 p.m., at The Campagna Center, 418 S. Washington St.The Lord Provost of Dundee, Scotland, will also attend. Cost is $55-$95. For tickets, call 703-549-0111 or visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.
"A Plantation Christmas" at Gunston Hall, from 7-10 p.m. This popular family evening features candlelight mansion tours, horse-drawn carriage rides and samples of festive foods prepared by hearth cooks. Costumed characters make 18th-century dancing, fiddle playing and seasonal pastimes come alive. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 6-18. Children under age 6 are free. Advance tickets available. Call 703-550-9220 or visit www.gunstonhall.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 4
<cal2>The Endymion Ensemble. Inaugural concert featuring rarely-performed music by Schoenberg, De Falla, Steven Silverman, Strauss and Wagner. 8 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. For more information, visit www.endymionensemble.com or call 703-370-4135. Tickets $20 at the door or through instantseats.com.
Gardeners' Holiday. Join Green Spring Gardens for a day of holiday fun in the garden. Participate in workshops, listen to holiday music, purchase gifts and enjoy decorations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. A wreath workshop will be held from 9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Fee is $35 per wreath project. A mini-tree centerpiece workshop will be held from 1-2 p.m. or 2-3 p.m. Fee is $20 per mini-tree project. For reservations, call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road.
Lights of Love. The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary presents the 23rd Annual Lights of Love program at 5 p.m. in the hospital lobby. With a $5 donation, a light may be dedicated to the memory or in honor of a loved one. $100 places your light in the treetop star. A Festival of Music will be present for entertainment. This year's proceeds go to the enhancement of cataract surgery equipment. A reception follows the event. The Hospital Auxiliary is located at 2501 Parker's Lane. Call 703-664-7260.
"A Soldier's Christmas." The First Virginia Regiment, a nonprofit living history group, and the Carlyle House, an 18th century historic house museum located in Old Town Alexandria, will host a holiday-themed education and entertainment program focused on the soldier of the American Revolution. 12-5 p.m., at Carlyle House, located at 121 N. Fairfax St. Admission prices are $6 adults, $2 for ages 11-17, free for ages 10 and under. A special family price of $12 for two adults and their children is available. Call 703-549-2997.
Holiday Ornament Decorating Workshop. Decorate take-home ornaments with historically-inspired patterns and colors. 1-4 p.m., at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Free. Call 703-838-4399.
Auditions. Auditions for "Guys & Dolls Jr." Aldersgate Church Children's Theater's (ACCT2) 2005 production, will take place from 12- 3 p.m., at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1300 Collingwood Drive. Appointment not required. Come with sheet music and a musical selection that best shows vocal ability. Dress comfortably for a dance audition. Performance dates are Jan. 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, and 23, 2005. For additional information on the audition, call 703-799-7061.
A Christmas Marketplace and Cafe. Home accents, gourmet foods, antiques, jewelry and more from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at The Campagna Center. Enjoy a warm drink or treat at the Marketplace Cafe after shopping. The Campagna Center is located at 418 S. Washington St.
Scottish Christmas Walk. Beginning at the corner of Wilkes and S. Pitt Streets and ending at The Campagna Center, 418 S. Washington St. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. For a map, visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.
"A Plantation Christmas" at Gunston Hall, from 7-10 p.m. This popular family evening features candlelight mansion tours, horse-drawn carriage rides and samples of festive foods prepared by hearth cooks. Costumed characters make 18th-century dancing, fiddle playing and seasonal pastimes come alive. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 6-18. Children under age 6 are free. Advance tickets available. Call 703-550-9220 or visit www.gunstonhall.org.
Del Ray Artisans Holiday Show. Featuring some of the arts and crafts made by local and national artists. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Free admission.
Artists Reception. Meet local artist Anne Cook and view new paintings on the theme of "Freedom of Speech." 1-3 p.m., at the Fisher gallery at the Schlesinger Art Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Exhibit open through Dec. 18. Call 301-775-9987.
Family Santa Time. Learn about how children around the world celebrate the holidays, followed by a full English tea. For ages 5 and up. Fee: $24. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Reservations required. Call 703-941-7987.
"Harmony Holidays - A Cappella Traditions." Performed by the Alexandria Harmonizers, four-time International Chorus Champions. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., at Whaley Auditorium, Bishop Ireton High School, located at 201 Cambridge Road. Tickets are available by phone at 301-352-4035, or online at www.harmonizers.org. Tickets will also be available at the door while they last.
Craft and Jewelry Show. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Call 703-739-9268.
Groundbreaking. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the new T.C. Williams High School, at 3:30 p.m., on the site of the current school at 3330 King St. Construction will begin in earnest some time in the spring and is scheduled to be completed in March, 2007. The public is invited to Saturday’s ceremony.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 5
<cal2>Time Travels-Winter Celebration. Learn how people celebrated holidays during the 18th century; Christmas puddings, dances, caroling and more. $5 per person. One-hour tour, between 1-4:30 p.m. at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Call 703-838-4242.
Christmas Concert by the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. 5 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. For more information or to order tickets, call 703-799-8229.
"Sea Chanters" Chorus. A U.S. Navy band. 4 p.m., at Washington Street United Methodist Church, 115 S. Washington St. No tickets required. Call 202-433-2525 or visit www.navyband.navy.mil.
Shopping Night. Holiday shopping to benefit ALIVE, Alexandrians Involved Ecumenically. 6-8 p.m. at Ten Thousand Villages, 2723 King St. Call 703-837-9300.
Auditions. Auditions for "Guys & Dolls, Jr." Aldersgate Church Children's Theater's (ACCT2) 2005 production, will take place from 7-9 p.m., at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1300 Collingwood Drive. Appointment not required. Come with sheet music and a musical selection that best shows vocal ability. Dress comfortably for a dance audition. Performance dates are Jan. 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, and 23, 2005. For additional information on the audition, call 703-799-7061.
A Cappella Concert. Come and experience an hour of holiday music for the whole family. Traditional, sacred, modern and secular holiday music for all ages will be performed in a cappella style by a vocal trio. At the event, a free-will donation will be collected to benefit United Community Ministries. 6:30 p.m., at the Bethany Lutheran Church, 2501 Beacon Hill Road. Visit http://www.bethany-lcms.org.
Del Ray Artisans Holiday Show. Featuring some of the arts and crafts made by local and national artists. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Free admission.
"Sea Chanters" Chorus. A U.S. Navy Band. 4 p.m., at Washington Street United Methodist Church, 115 S. Washington St. Free. Call 202-433-2525 or visit wwww.navyband.navy.mil.
Community Holiday Concert. The concert will open with a holiday welcome performed by the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic brass section and then the full orchestra will be joined by the NOVA Community Chorus and The Metropolitan Chorus to perform Schutz's Echo Chorus, Psalm 100 and Saint-Saens's Oratorio de Noel, Opus 12. The concert will also feature the WMP Association's Concerto Competition Winner, Emily Phelps, performing Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Samuel Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra. 5 p.m., at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $17 for students and seniors. Call 703-799-8229.
Holiday Cooking Class and Party. Join Chef Charles Oppman, formerly Pastry Chef of the Willard Intercontinental, in the kitchen and learn how to make savory and sweet holiday fare for and holiday party, then sample the prepared dishes. $55 per person. 4 p.m., at Cafe Marianna, 1201 N. Royal St. Call 703-519-3776.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 6
<cal2>Park Planning Session. The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a planning information session for the John C. and Margaret K. White Horticultural Park, at 7 p.m., at the Green Spring Gardens Park multi-purpose room, 4601 Green Spring Road. Comments will be taken at the session or can be e-mailed to Sandy Stallman, parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. Call 703-324-8643.
Auditions. Mount Vernon Community Children's Theater is casting 25-30 teenagers aged 12-18 to be in the play "Holes," based on the book by Louis Sachar. Auditions will be held at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. Call 703-360-0686 for an appointment or more information.
<cal1>Tuesday, Dec. 7
<cal2>Holiday Fair and Networking luncheon. Shop from local woman-owned businesses and enjoy lunch, too. Sponsor: Alexandria Professional Women’s Network (APWN) 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Fee: $16 for members; $17 for guests with reservations. Walk ins $20. Reserve by Dec. 3. Call Sylvia Leach at 703-768-8110.
Free Concert. Featuring pianist and vocalist Jerry Roman. Part of the fall/winter music series at Sunrise of Alexandria, 3520 Duke St. 3 p.m. Call 703-212-9192.
Auditions. Mount Vernon Community Children's Theater is casting 25-30 teenagers aged 12-18 to be in the play "Holes," based on the book by Louis Sachar. Auditions will be held at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. Call 703-360-0686 for an appointment or more information.
Sparkling Wine Indian Meal. Four-course Indian meal featuring sparkling wines from Italy, France, Spain, Napa and Sonoma. $95 per couple, $50 per person. 6:30 p.m., at Dishes of India, 1510 Belleview Blvd. Call 703-660-6085.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 8
<cal2>Holiday Open House. Hosted by the Alexandria Office on Women. 3-6 p.m., at 421 King St., Suite 400. RSVP by Dec. 7 to 703-838-5030.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 9
<cal2>Civil War Roundtable Meeting. 8 p.m., on the second floor of the Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Kevin Rawlings will discuss "Santa Claus during the Civil War." Call 703-758-7861.
Holiday Pottery Show & Sale. The Art League's
Annual Residents and Students Pottery Show. 15 percent of all sales will benefit The Art League. 12-6 p.m., at 311 Madison Ave. Call 703-683-2323.
"Season's Readings: One Million Books for One Million Children." Story times to benefit the One Million Books Foundation, supplying children's books to needy families, featuring Fire Chief Gary Mesaris, Alexandria Fire Department at 11 a.m. and Dr. Lilia Lopez, Mount Vernon Community School Principal at 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble at Potomac Yard, 3651 Jefferson Davis Highway. Call 703-299-9124. For more information or to donate to One Million Books, visit http://www.bn.com. The Seasons Readings program will run through Dec. 31.
West Potomac High School Band Holiday Concert. 7 p.m., in Springbank Concert Hall, 6500 Quander Road. Free Admission. Call 703-830-4330.
<cal1>FRIDAY/DEC. 10
<cal2>Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Carlyle House, Lee-Fendall House, Friendship Firehouse and Old Presbyterian Meeting House by candlelight from 7-9:30 p.m. Free shuttle bus links the sites. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for children and include admission to all sites. For ticket and event information, call 703-838-4994 or visit HistoricAlexandria.org.
Candlelight Mansion Tours. Visit George Mason’s home, Gunston Hall, decorated for a holiday party. Enjoy seeing the elaborately carved rooms in flickering candlelight. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $4 for ages 6-18, and children under 6 are free. The event includes light refreshments served in the Visitors’ Center. Call 703-550-9220 or visit www.gunstonhall.org.
Shopping Village, YMCA Alexandria, 420 East Monroe Ave., will be hosting a Tiny Tots Holiday Shopping Village from 5-7 p.m. Children ages 4-11 only. Entrance is free. Children will have fun shopping for friends and family. All escorted by an elf. Call 703-838-8085.
Holiday Soiree. At Paul Spring Retirement Community, 7116 Fort Hunt Road. Seasonal fare and entertainment for residents, families and guests. 7-9 p.m. RSVP to Barbara Sullivan at 703-768-0234.
Holiday Pottery Show & Sale. The Art League's
Annual Residents and Students Pottery Show. 15 percent of all sales will benefit The Art League. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at 311 Madison Ave. Call 703-683-2323.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 11
<cal2>Try-It Totally: Plants. Brownie Girl Scouts are invited to try all activities to earn your Plant Try-It badge. 9-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. A $10 prepayment to the FCPA is required. Call 703-642-5173.
Civil War Christmas Open House. 12-4 p.m., at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Learn how Christmas was celebrated during the Civil War and enjoy period music, decorations and refreshment. Tours of the historic fort will be offered. A donation is requested. Call 703-838-4848.
Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Carlyle House, Lee-Fendall House, Friendship Firehouse and Old Presbyterian Meeting House by candlelight from 6-9 p.m. Free shuttle bus links the sites. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for children and include admission to all sites. For ticket and event information, call 703-838-4994 or visit HistoricAlexandria.org.
Del Ray Artisans Holiday Show. Featuring some of the arts and crafts made by local and national artists. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Free admission.
Open Studio Show. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the von Brahler Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St.
Christmas Concert. By the Bishop Ireton Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Concert Band. 7:30 p.m., in the Garwood Whaley Auditorium, Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Admission $3 adults, $1 children. Call 703-212-5162.
Nativity Pancake Breakfast. Two seatings: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. 8710 Mount Vernon Highway. Ticket cost is $5.50 for adults and $3.50 for children 3 and over. For tickets or additional information, contact Colleen Ferguson at 703-922-4449.
Holiday Pottery Show & Sale. The Art League's
Annual Residents and Students Pottery Show. 15 percent of all sales will benefit The Art League. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at 311 Madison Ave. Call 703-683-2323.
Holiday Bazaar. YMCA Alexandria, 420 East Monroe Ave., will be hosting a Holiday Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Table sales to support youth camp and after-school scholarships. Call 703-838-8085.
<cal1>SUNDAY/DEC. 12
<cal2>Holiday Demonstration. Turn ordinary plants extraordinary from 1-2 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Bruce Nash uses simple holiday plants to create centerpieces and decorations. Demonstration fee is $12, demonstration with full English tea $24. For reservations, call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road.
Hand Bell Concert. The Colonial Ringers and the Canterbury Ringers Hand bell Concert begins at 3 p.m. Experience the festive joy of English hand bells during a sing-along of Christmas carols and other holiday favorites. Free. The Lyceum is located at 201 S. Washington St. Call 703-838-4994.
Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Carlyle House, Lee-Fendall House, Friendship Firehouse and Old Presbyterian Meeting House from 3-6 p.m. Free shuttle bus links the sites. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for children and include admission to all sites. For ticket and event information, call 703-838-4994 or visit HistoricAlexandria.org.
Del Ray Artisans Holiday Show. Featuring some of the arts and crafts made by local and national artists. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Free admission.
Open Studio Show. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the von Brahler Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St.
Holiday Centerpiece Class. Learn how to transform ordinary plants into the extraordinary with floral design instructor Bruce Nash, followed by a full English tea. Fee: $12 demonstration only, $24 with tea. 1-3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Reservations required. Call 703-941-7987.
Colonial Ringers Handbell Ensemble. Enjoy some holiday merriment with the area's English hand bell ensemble, who perform on more than 60 bells in colonial costume. Free. 3-5 p.m., at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. call 703-838-4994.
Holiday Pottery Show & Sale. The Art League's
Annual Residents and Students Pottery Show. 15 percent of all sales will benefit The Art League. 12 a.m.-5 p.m., at 311 Madison Ave. Call 703-683-2323.
Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. Performing Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and music by Bedrich Smetana, Vtava (the Moldau), Joaquin Rodrigo and Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov. Free. 2:30 p.m., at Pendelton Hall in the Ainslie Arts Center, Episcopal High School, 3900 W. Braddock Road. Call 703-799-8229.
Jewelry show. Six local artisans feature their “Jewelry as Art." The artists are Laura MacCleery, Jeanne Mattison, Paula Danko, Nancy Thompson, Cindy Brandt and Dawn Benedetto. 3-5 p.m., at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane. Call 703-780-5383
Handel‘s “Messiah.” Performed by the New Dominion Chorale and Orchestra, at 4 p.m., at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Tickets $22 in advance, $18 seniors, $15 students; $2 more at the door. Call 703-442-9404.