To have an item listed, mail to the Gazette-Packet, 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. if you have any questions, call Marguerite Rogers at 703-917-6407.
School Break Drama Camps are being offered by Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre for the upcoming two Fairfax County School breaks, Winter Mini Break Camp, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and Spring Break Camp, March 21-25. Campers explore theater games, creative drama, and the craft of acting. Those participating in the full-day spring break camp rehearse and perform a show. Camps take place at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Road, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Half-day options are also available. Download a registration form from mvcct.org or call 703-360-0686.
Studio Gold Dance opened this fall with “DanceWorks” classes for children. Students are led through a Jazz/Modern/Ballet combined dance warm up, followed by the creation and rehearsal of dance choreography. Registration is now open for the Winter Session classes which begin Jan. 4. Classes available for home-schooled students on Tuesdays at 1and 1:45 p.m., and after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:15 p.m. Studio Gold Dance is offered at Gold’s Gym, 1770 Richmond Highway in Alexandria. Enroll in person anytime in December. For more information e-mail studiogolddance@aol.com or call 703-360-1400 Ext. 52.
The Laurie Mitchell Employment Center is offering a free 12-week course in Microsoft Office and Windows for individuals with mental illness. Eligible candidates must type at least 15 words per minute; have basic computer knowledge; read and write English; and commit to attending each class. Classes will be held at 6295 Edsall Road, Suite 175, Alexandria, Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1-5:30 p.m. Classes begin Feb. 1. Applicants must also tell us how our training will help meet an employment or educational goal. Reliable transportation is required. To apply for this free training, call 703-970-3693 and ask about the Microsoft Training Program. Enrollment ends Jan. 18.
Designing a Landscape for Conservation class will guide participants in a hands-on process to create a landscape that conserves natural resources and uses native plants. Five consecutive Thursday evenings, Feb. 17-March 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Arlington’s Fairlington Community Center. Cost is $190 or $165, for CBF members and includes all materials and a workbook. Preregistration required. Space is limited. Contact 703-534-9155 or kanegroup@comcast.net for a registration form.
Joyful Heart Yoga for body, mind and spirit. Mondays, 10 a.m., at St. Marks, 6744 South Kings Highway; and 5:30 p.m., at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St.; Tuesdays, 7 p.m., at Mount Vernon Unitarian, 1909 Windmill Lane. Call Sandy at 703-971-2214 or go to joyfulheartyoga.com.
Building Blocks Music featuring Kindermusik, an internationally respected group music and movement class for ages newborn to 7 years. Classes are held every Thursday, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on S. Kings Highway. Guitar and voice instruction is available to youths through adults. Building Blocks music is committed to bringing out the joy in children’s lives and building foundations of learning. Contact Patricia Fetta 703-966-7329.
Weekday Jazzercise classes formerly held at Lee Center will move back to Durant Center. Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, at 6 p.m. Call 703-491-6583.
Civil War Dance Classes at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Learn the waltz, polka, Virginia Reel and other dances that were popular during the era with dance master Corky Palmer. Wednesdays in January, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $30 for the series or $12 per class. These classes are in preparation for the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Civil War Ball Jan. 29.
Jazzercise Cardio Quick. A 30- to 45-minute class devoted to Jazzercise aerobics. Offered by local jazzercize instructor Debbie Lynch Thursdays, at 6:15 p.m., at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Call 703-491-6583.
Saturday Morning Yoga. 9:55-10:55 a.m., at Lioudmila Studio, 18 Roth St. Everyone welcome. Join the class for an eight-week term leading up to Christmas. Contact suzanne@yoga-wise.com or call 703-209-0049 for details.
Awakening Heart Yoga. Gentle and moderate yoga classes are offered to beginners and those with experience. Monday 6:15 p.m. Classes: Gentle yoga, Tuesday 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m., Wednesday 7 p.m. Stretch & relax, Tuesday, 7 p.m. Moderate, Wednesday 10 a.m. Gentle/Moderate, Saturday 8:00 a.m. Call Holly Barrios-DiNardo at 703-765-4527 for more information and a brochure. Certified and registered with the Yoga Alliance www.yogaalliance.org and the Kripalu Yoga Teacher's Association.
StagePlay!, a dramatic arts program for children ages 3-14 is accepting registrations for its winter session. Classes run Mondays, 5- to 9-year-olds; Fridays, 3- to 5-year-olds and Saturdays, 10- to 14-year-olds. The Monday and Saturday classes incorporate musical theatre, as well as dramatic arts training, theatre games and improvisations. All classes take place at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 1205 Priscilla Road. Call 703-619-5206 or e-mail bardsplay@aol.com.
Old Town Music Together classes. Early childhood music and movement classes for children, birth to age 4, with an adult. Songs, chants, rhymes, dance, instrument play. Registration has begun for winter classes at the Lee Center in Old Town and at the William Ramsay Center in the West End. Sponsored by Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities. Call Angie Moran at 703-593-7387.
Building Blocks Music featuring Kindermusik. An internationally respected group music and movement class for ages newborn to 7 years. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on S. Kings Highway. Guitar and voice instruction is available to youths through adults. For more information contact Patricia Fetta 703-966-7329.
Children's Art Workshops. ECHOLAND ARTS workshops explore the history, meaning and use of arts from around the world. Children are given a playful, supportive environment in which to explore their own creative energy. Each week children will create their very own works of art. Project themes include, mandala creations, Jataka Tale puppets, bookmaking, prayer flags, recycled wonders and masks. All materials are provided. Every Sunday afternoon September through December, 1-2:30 p.m. $10 per child per session, parents free. For more information, please stop by or call Mindful Hands Gallery, 211 King St., 703-683-2074.
Dance Parties. Dance Studio Lioudmila, 18 Roth St. Every Saturday. Dance lesson 7-8 p.m., general dancing 8-11 p.m. $10. Singles and couples welcome. Call 703-751-8868 or visit www.dancelioudmila.com.
Educational Support Groups. SCAN of Northern Virginia offers a free, on-going educational parent support program for English and Spanish speaking parents. English-speaking program is held every Monday at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., from 7-8:30 p.m. Spanish-speaking program is held every Monday at Sacramento Neighborhood Center, 8792-E Sacramento Dr., from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
English-style riding lessons at Woodlawn Stables, 8907 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Offering group lessons six days/week. Call 703-780-4344 for more information.
Jazzercise classes are held at the Hollin Hall Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m., Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-765-0142 or visit www.jazzercise.com.
Metaphysics Classes. The Northern Virginia Branch School of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, 8794 Sacramento Dr. Free public lectures titled “Elohim: The Archetype Pattern of the Universe.” Every Sunday, noon-2 p.m. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 8-10 p.m. 8794 Sacramento Dr., Suites B & C. Call 703-799-9494.
Music Together classes. Early childhood music and movement classes for children birth through 4 and their adult caretakers. Songs, chants, rhymes, dance, instrument play. Registration has begun for fall classes at the Lee Center in Old Town and at the William Ramsay Center in the west end. Sponsored by Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. For additional information contact Angie Moran at 703-593-7387.
Drama Camp. Hosted by Mount Vernon Community Children's Theater, at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Road. Each camp runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with half days available. Sessions: winter break camp, Dec. 27-31; winter minicamp, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, and spring break camp, March 21-25. Download a registration form from www.Mvcct.Org or call 703-360-0686.
Parlez Vous Inc., is a new language center at 1610 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. The center will offer classes and one-on-one tutoring in French, Spanish and Italian for children aged from infancy through college, as well as twice-weekly classes for adults. Classes began Sept. 13. For more information, visit www.parlezvous.org or call 703-838-9683.
Tai Chi classes. Now available at Mount Vernon Health & Racquet Club, Wednesdays at 12:30-1:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-360-7300.
Tea Dances. Dance Studio Lioudmila, 18 Roth St. Every Friday. Dance Lesson 2-2:30 p.m., general dancing 2:30-4:15 p.m. $8. Singles and couples welcome. Refreshments provided. Call 703-751-8868 or visit their website at www.dancelioudmila.com.
United Community Ministries' Bryant Early Learning (BEL) Center is currently enrolling children aged 2 1/2. The BEL Center is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Children and Families and collaborates with the Office for Children in order to obtain child care assistance for families in need. If you would like a tour or further information, please contact Elizabeth McNally or Sandra Espinoza at 703-765-0909.
Winkler Preserve. The Winkler Botanical Preserve, 5400 Roanoke Ave., has nature programs, camps and family events. Call 703-578-7888.
Yoga and Health Studies Center. Classes for beginners to advanced students. 7918 Bolling Drive. Call 703-765-7707 or send an e-mail to nandg@patriot.net.
Yoga and Meditation Classes. Ongoing since 2000. The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, Alexandria. Saturdays: Yoga, 10-11 a.m.; Yoga-Meditation, 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.; Classes also at Carlyle, Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. and Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Call Jane Lopez at 703-549-0484 or e-mail to YogaKala@aol.com.
Yoga Classes. Fully certified and registered yoga instructor offers morning, afternoon, evening and weekend classes in Alexandria. For a schedule of classes, visit www.Yoga-Wise.com or call 202-320-5434.
Yoga Classes. Introductory yoga classes will be held at the Moksa Yoga & Holistic Health Center, 5960 Richmond Hwy. (Huntington Gateway). * Sunday Mornings, 9-10:15 a.m., Community Yoga Class. * Monday Evenings, 6:15-7:15 p.m., Breathing/Meditation Class. Call 703-317-0060. First class free for residents of the Metro Washington area.
Yoga Classes. Saturday mornings at Lioudmila Studio, 18 Roth St., Alexandria. Contact Suzanne at suzanne@Yoga-Wise.com or call 703-209-0049.
Yoga Classes. Stretch and strengthen your body while you calm and quiet your mind. Mondays, 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on S. Kings Highway, and 5:30 p.m. at Gadsby's Tavern Museum. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church on Windmill Lane. Thursdays, 6 p.m. at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church.