<b>Thursday/Nov. 20
</b>Ari Hest and Luke Brindley Band. 8 p.m. Rock at The Barns. Tickets $16. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
Karate for Families. 7:30 p.m. Learn self-defense, gain confidence, leadership, independence and build self-confidence. Each student must register individually. County residents $40, non-residents $50. Lee District RECenter, 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. 703-922-9841.
Veggielicious! 10:30 a.m. Age 2-5. Stories, songs and activities. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Goodbye Pumpkin Pie. 10:15 a.m. Age 3-5 with adult. Stories and activities. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Afternoon Reading Group, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. 1 p.m. Adults. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Let’s Hear it for the Girls: Mother-Daughter Book discussion Group. 7 p.m. Age 9-11 with adult. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Tales for Twos: Zany Zoo. 10:15 a.m. Stories and activities about zoo animals. Age 24-35 months with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Reading Across the Centuries: Great Literature Book discussion Group. 7 p.m. "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. Adults. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Fairfax High School Improv. 7:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. 703-219-2351 or www.fxplayers.org.
Sticks 'n Stones, an interactive drama about censorship, 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. $8 mail advance, $10 at the door. 703-426-2123 or www.RobinsonDrama.org.
Jim Jeffries, comedian. 8 p.m. $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Friday Morning Music Club at the Old Town Hall, at 11 a.m. at 3999 University Drive, at the corner of University Drive and Rt. 236 in Fairfax. www.fairfaxarts.org.
Martin McDonagh’s "The Pillowman," 8 p.m. at the George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4000 University Drive, Fairfax. This play is not appropriate for children. Tickets $6. 703-993-8888.
<b>Friday/Nov. 21
</b>A Tribute to Warren Zevon, featuring Jon Carroll, John Jennings, Patty Reese, The Cravin’ Dogs, Little Pink, Janine Wilson, The Hanson Brothers, Mike Cotter, Billy Coulter, David Kitchen, GHZ, The Alexandria Kleztet, Bill Starks, Paper Umbrella, Rocky Roberts. 8 p.m. at The Barns. Tickets $20. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25.50-$41. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.patriotcenter.com.
Sticks 'n Stones, an interactive drama about censorship, 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. $8 mail advance; $10 at the door. 703-426-2123 or www.RobinsonDrama.org.
"Damn Yankees," 7 p.m. at Paul VI Catholic High School, 10675 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax. 703-352-0925 or www.paulvi.net.
Jazz for Justice Concert, 8 p.m. in the Concert Hall, George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $20 adults, $15 students and seniors. 703-993-8794.
Gavin Mikhail. Pop/rock. 7 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Martin McDonagh’s "The Pillowman," 8 p.m. at the George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4000 University Drive, Fairfax. This play is not appropriate for children. Tickets $6. 703-993-8888.
<b>Saturday/Nov. 22
</b>World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25.50-$41. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle. Call 703-993-3000 or visit www.patriotcenter.com.
Frank Fuerst, author of "Alzheimer’s Care with Dignity," 11 a.m. at the City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. Free. Registration required; call 703-293- 6227.
Burke Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center on the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike. 703-425-5599.
Sticks 'n Stones, an interactive drama about censorship, 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. $8 mail advance; $10 at the door. 703-426-2123 or www.RobinsonDrama.org.
"Damn Yankees," 7 p.m. at Paul VI Catholic High School, 10675 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax. 703-352-0925 or www.paulvi.net.
Plymouth Rock and Roll Thanksgiving Show: Rocknoceros Gives Thanks for YOU! Music for kids. 11 a.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
The Northern Virginia Mineral Club 17th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Student Union II Building, George Mason University, Fairfax. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for age 65 and up and ages13-18. Children under 12, Scouts in uniform, and GMU students with ID are free. Gem, Mineral and Fossil dealers in all price ranges. Demonstrations, exhibits and door prizes. Children's area with Mini-mines and a Miocene Fossil dig. Email rockcllctr@aol.com or www.mineralclub.org.
Tracy Grammer. Acoustic/folk. 7 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
The Dreamscapes Project and Zelos. Acoustic rock. 9:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Fairfax County’s Reinventing Your Home, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Practical applications of universal design, finding and paying for contractors, de-cluttering and garden design. Registration required. 703-324-7746 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa/reinventhome.htm.
Care with Dignity, 1 p.m. at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Being a successful caregiver. 10360 North Street, Fairfax City. 703-293-6227 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins at 7 p.m. on the Grand Tier III. Tickets are $25. 888-945-2468 or www.fairfaxsymphony.org.
Martin McDonagh’s "The Pillowman," 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4000 University Drive, Fairfax. This play is not appropriate for children. Tickets $6. 703-993-8888.
<b>Sunday/Nov. 23
</b>The Capitol Steps, 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. Tickets are $28. Proceeds support the Fairfax High School Theatre Department’s student trip to London in April 2009. www.fxplayers.org.
Burke Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center on the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike. 703-425-5599.
"Damn Yankees," 2 p.m. at Paul VI Catholic High School, 10675 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax. 703-352-0925 or www.paulvi.net.
Pete and J, Garrison Starr and Taylor Carson. Roots/pop. 7:30 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
GMU Various Chamber Ensembles, 3 p.m. in the Harris Theater, George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-993-8794.
GMU Saxophone Ensemble Recital, 7 p.m. in the Harris Theater, George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-993-8794.
Pianists Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman together in performance, 4 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Tickets are $30-$60. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit www.tickets.com. The Center for the Arts is on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
The Northern Virginia Mineral Club 17th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Student Union II Building, George Mason University, Fairfax. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for age 65 and up and ages13-18. Children under 12, Scouts in uniform, and GMU students with ID are free. Email rockcllctr@aol.com or www.mineralclub.org.
Martin McDonagh’s "The Pillowman," 2 p.m. at the George Mason University Black Box Theater, 4000 University Drive, Fairfax. This play is not appropriate for children. Tickets $6. 703-993-8888.
<b>Monday/Nov. 24
</b>Monday Movies. 3:30 p.m. Which was better, the book or the movie? Call for title. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Turkey Time! 1:30 p.m. Thanksgiving stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Tuesday/Nov. 25
</b>Game Night. 7 p.m. Age 12-18. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Book discussion Group: "The Dew Breaker" by Edwidge Danticat. 7:30 p.m. Adults. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Genealogy Databases. 7 p.m. Age 13 and up. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Turkey Time! 1:30 p.m. Thanksgiving stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Wednesday/Nov. 26
</b>Here, Turkey! 10:30 a.m. Age 3-5 with adult. Stories and activities. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Reggae Night with The Iternals and The One Band. Reggae. 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Thursday/Nov. 27
</b>The Feast: Bo Jankans, Sleepy Hollow, Blackbox Entertainment and Trekot. Hip-hop. 9 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Friday/Nov. 28
</b>The Grandsons. 8 p.m. Roots rock at The Barns. Tickets $16. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts | 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
Alex Hassan: piano music of the 1920s-1930s, ragtime favorites. 8 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS.
Fastball, Shane Hines and the Trance and MHR. Pop/rock. 7:30 p.m. $12. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Bonita Lestina Performance Series, 8 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax City. 703-352-ARTS or fairfaxarts.org.
<b>Saturday/Nov. 29
</b>John Eaton. 7:30 p.m. Classic songs at The Barns. Tickets $25. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
Enter the Haggis. Celtic rock. 8 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Warrenton Author Susan Crites will be reading and signing her children’s book "I Love You More Than Rainbows," 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fairfax Borders, 11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax. 703-359-8420 or www.susancrites.com.
A Chanticleer Christmas, 8 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets for are $24-$48. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Illumination Celebration, 6-8 p.m. at Fairfax Corner, 4245 Summit Corner Drive, Fairfax. Free horse drawn carriage rides beginning at 6 p.m., hot cocoa and holiday cookies. Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. to light the tree. 703-227-0894 or www.fairfaxcorner.com.
<b>Sunday/Nov. 30
</b>Inova Blood Drive. 12-4 p.m. Photo ID required. Appointments preferred, call 1-866-256-6372. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Songwriters Circle featuring Anthony Fiacco, Shane Hines and Todd Wright. 7 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
A Chanticleer Christmas, 2 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets for are $24-$48. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
<b>Monday/Dec. 1
</b>Old Town Hall Children’s Series: Mr. Skip – Fairfax’s favorite Music Man, 10:30 a.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS or www.fairfaxarts.org.
Rosie Thomas and Friends present "A Very Rosie Christmas" with Sheila Saputo and Cheyenne. Indie/folk. 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Calling All Guys. 7 p.m. Book discussion group for boys, age 9-12 with adult. Call for title. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 2
</b>Bibliomaniacs Book discussion Group. 7 p.m. Age 8-12 with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Teen Book Club, 6:30 p.m. Food, fun and great book discussions. Age 12-18. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Tales for Twos: Family Time. 10:15 a.m. Stories music and activities. Age 24-35 months with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Writer’s Roundtable. 7:30 p.m. Discuss writing. Adults. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Mothers First of Burke/Fairfax, 10 a.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 3
</b>W.T. Woodson Symphonic Band Holiday Tunes for Tots, 10 a.m., in the W. T. Woodson High School gymnasium, 9525 Main St., Fairfax. Appropriate for ages 3-7. Tickets are $3. 703-385-5561 or lynnhill@yahoo.com.
Melissa Ferrick. Folk rock. 7:30 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 4
</b>W.T. Woodson Symphonic Band Holiday Tunes for Tots, 10 a.m., in the W. T. Woodson High School gymnasium, 9525 Main St., Fairfax. Appropriate for ages 3-7. Tickets are $3. 703-385-5561 or lynnhill@yahoo.com.
Schooner Fare. 8 p.m. Maritime tunes and high-energy folk at The Barns. Tickets $25. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts,1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
Jewish Historical Society lecture, on the growth and development of the Jewish community in Northern Virginia 12-2 p.m. Bring a dairy or parve lunch. Dessert, coffee and tea will be served. Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. JCCNV members free, non-members $3. 703-537-3064 or Info@jhsgw.org.
Adrian Legg. Fingerstyle guitar. 7:30 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Lamb Tales. 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and activities for age 13-23 months with adult. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Flu Vaccinations. $25 or Medicare Part B. Must be 18 or older. Call Inova, 703-698-2424. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Animals in Winter. 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Animal stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Friday/Dec. 5
</b>Schooner Fare. 8 p.m. Maritime tunes and high-energy folk at The Barns. Tickets $25. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
The Kennedys. Acoustic/pop/folk. 7:30 p.m. $18. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Numa and Politicks. Rock/soul/reggae 10:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Lunch bunnies. 12 p.m. Bring lunch, listen to stories. Birth-5 with adult. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Donizetti’s "The Elixir of Love," 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins at 7:15 p.m. on the Grand Tier III. Tickets are $44-$86. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com.
Celebrity Autograph Signing and Symposium, at the Johnson Center, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. The autograph signing session begins at 3:30 p.m., and admission is free. The symposium begins at 6:30 p.m., tickets are $15. celebrityweekend.gmu.edu.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 6
<ca.2>Festival of Lights and Carols in Old Town Fairfax. Free. Santa Claus, caroling, ice sculptures, s’mores and hot apple cider, a Yule log, the lighting of the Christmas tree and light display in the Kitty Pozer Garden, next to Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive.
Holiday Open House with cookies and punch from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St., Fairfax. Free. 703-385-8414.
Decorate a gingerbread house for a local homeless shelter, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m., Ratcliffe-Allison House, 10386 Main St., Fairfax. Free. 703-385-8414.
The Kennedys. Rock for children. 11 a.m. $8. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Tyler Hilton full band, Curtis Peoples and Dave Yaden. Pop/rock. 7:30 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Braddock’s True Gold," Providence Perspective Project and the Jamestown 400 Legacy Book Fairfax County Stories 1607- 2007, with Gerry Connolly, Sharon Bulova, Linda Byrne, Kathy Marinucci, Mary Lipsey, Cora Foley and more. 3 p.m. at the Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Free. Registration required. 703-242-4020.
Donizetti’s "The Elixir of Love," 2 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins at 1:15 p.m. on the Grand Tier III. Tickets are $48-$98. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com.
Pet Photos with Santa, 12-2 p.m. at Fairfax Corner, 4245 Summit Corner Drive, Fairfax. Every pet gets a treat. Proceeds benefit H.A.R.T. (Homeless Animals Rescue Team). 703-227-0894 or www.fairfaxcorner.com.
The 19th Annual Model Train Display, sponsored by the Friends of Fairfax Station, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the railroad museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Many different gauges, all moving, including a Garden gauge around the building. Bring model train problems to "The Train Doctor". Weather permitting, Model A autos will be on display. Caboose and gift shop open. Visit by Santa. $4 adults, $1 children. 703-425-9225 or www.fairfaxstation.org.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 7
</b>Festival of Lights and Carols in Old Town Fairfax. Free. The Kitty Pozer Garden, next to Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive.
Annual Mid Atlantic Song Contest Awards Gala & Concert. 7 p.m. $7 in advance and for SAW members, $10 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Holiday Book Mart. 2 p.m. New and used books. Authors will be available to sign their books. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Anuna will perform and sign copies of the CD "Christmas Memories" at 7 p.m. in Borders Bookstore, 11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax.
The 19th Annual Model Train Display, sponsored by the Friends of Fairfax Station, 12-4 p.m. at the railroad museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Rd. Fairfax Station. $4 adults, $1 children. 703-425-9225 or www.fairfaxstation.org.
Holiday Concert, 7 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 703-99308888 or www.gmu.edu/cfa.