E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 1
<cal2>KUKU. 7-9 p.m. Free. KUKU performs uniquely soulful and captivating music inspired by his African heritage. Often singing in his native Yoruba tongue, this self-taught musician has enchanted audiences throughout the Washington, DC area. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, part of the Thursday Nite Local Spotlight series. At 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or go to www.torpedofactory.org.
GIANT YARD SALE at Washington Farm UMC, 3921 Old Mill Road, Alexandria, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - rain or shine. Proceeds used to further church programs. Admission Free.
<cal1>Oct. 2, 3, 4
<cal2>Mount Vernon's Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. 6-9 p.m. Wines from 17 Virginia wineries and live blues music. Tickets are $30/person. Fruit and cheese boxes are available by advance purchase ($24 each; serves two). For details, go to www.MountVernon.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 3
<cal2>Oktoberfest. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. At FireFlies Restaurant & Bar and parking lot, in the Del Ray Neighborhood, 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Call 703-548-7200 or visit www.firefliesdelray.com.
Blessing of the Animals. 11 a.m. At Aldersgate Church on the front lawn. Bring along a pet of any kind (leashed or caged) to be blessed. At 1301 Collingwood Road in the Mt. Vernon area of Alexandria. Call 703-765-6555 or visit www.aldersgate.net.
Solo Piano with Robin Spielberg. 8 p.m. Seats are $16. At The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria. Call 1-800-836-0833, ext. 5.
Apothecary Open House. At the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. 1-5 p.m. Free admission, tours and hands-on activities. Visitors will learn about the curative properties of plants in their own backyard, while discovering the important role the apothecary played in early Alexandria. At 105-107 South Fairfax Street in Alexandria. Call 703-838-3852 or visit www.apothecarymuseum.org
American Balalaika Symphony Performs. 7:30 p.m. Under the artistic direction of Peter Trofimenko, the ABS presents "Bitten by the Beat," the first concert of the 2009-10 season, At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria. Tickets are $20/advance, $25 at door. Charge online at www.ABSorchestra.org or call 703-351-1331.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 4
<cal2>"Recession-Proof Wine" Tasting. 3-5 p.m. $25/person. Taste six highly-ranked but reasonably-priced (under $20 a bottle) wines and learn from the experts. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronco Street, Alexandria. Call 703-548-1789.
Organ Recital and Choral Evensong. 4:40 p.m. With Colin Lynch, organist. Music by Herbert Murrill, Henry Ley, William, Smith and Samuel S. Wesley. At Christ Church, 118 North Washington Street, Alexandria. Call 703-549-1450 or email Jason Abel, Director of Music.
Bach Vespers. 6 p.m. With Paul Stetsenko, organist, music by J. S. Bach, woven into a vesper liturgy in the tradition of ancient worship. At Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2701 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria.
<cal1>Oct. 4-31
<cal2>16th Annual Pumpkin Sale. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria (Corner of Seminary Road and Quaker Lane). All proceeds go directly to charity (ALIVE, Carpenter's Shelter, Network Preschool, New Mexico Navajo Indians and many more). Contact Susan D. Dawson at 703-931-4349 or SDDawson@comcast.net.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 8
<cal2>Second Thursday Art Night: Dig It! 6-9 p.m. Free. History Scavenger Hunt, open studios and kids' activities. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Go to www.torpedofactory.org; call 703-838-4565
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 9
<cal2>Jazz Percussionist Robert Jospé. 7:30 p.m. Robert Jospé and Inner Rhythm, featuring guest guitarist Royce Campbell, Pendleton Hall at Episcopal High School, 3900 W. Braddock Road. Free. Call 703-933-4135 or email
arts@episcopalhighschool.org.
Ballroom Dancing for Couples. Private non-profit dancing club holds dances from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month; waltz, rumba, fox trot, cha cha, swing, tango, and more to live music on large wooden dance floor, Mt Vernon area; $15 per person. Reservations required. Go to www.fridaynightersdancingclub.com
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 10
<cal2>Alexandria Arts Safari Festival. Noon to 4 p.m. Children will enjoy the Clay Experience, Arts Safari Painting, Fabric Collage, Treasure Box Making, Giant Papier Mache Animal, and more. Free admission. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565, www.torpedofactory.org.
Community Fall Festival. Noon to 5 p.m. Free. Offers job training, computer clean-up clinic, employment and career development information, as well as free shredding to dispose of documents safely. At the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), 3001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria. Contact Kathy M. Clement at 703-933-5081 or kclement@nvcc.edu.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 15
<cal2>Jim Stephanson and John Previti. 7-9 p.m. Free. Guitarist Jim Stephanson and bassist John Previti will treat visitors to an evening of blues, swing and jazz inspired tunes. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, part of the Thursday Nite Local Spotlight series. At 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or go to www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 17
<cal2>Fall Festival. 3-6 p.m. Free. Enjoy Kids Games & Crafts, German Food, Bake Sale, Book Sale, also seasonal flu shots and blood pressure checks. At Nativity Lutheran Church, 1300 Collingwood Road, Alexandria. Call Lynne Rizzo at 703-678-9324
UpBeat OffBeat Auction. 7-10 p.m. Del Ray Artisans' classic whacky artful fund-raiser, featuring a live auction of home furnishings "extremely made over" by local artists. At the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria. Details and tickets ($15 in advance / $20 at the door) at www.theDelRayArtisans.org.
Wine Party. 7-10 p.m. "La Fête de Lafayette" wine party in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the hero of the American Revolution. After-five attire is requested, and reservations are required. Tickets are $50 a piece for Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society members and $65 each for non-members. At Gadsbys Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria. Tickets may be purchased online at www.gadsbystavern.org or by calling 703-838-4242.
Outdoor Craft Fair. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will feature handcrafted items, including jewelry, fabric arts, knitting, oil & watercolor paintings and more. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum, 514 Oronco St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Oct. 17-18
<cal2>Mount Vernon's Fall Harvest Family Days. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entire family will enjoy autumn activities including horse-drawn wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, a straw bale maze, early-American games, music and demonstrations. $15 adults; $14 seniors; $7 children 6-11; free for children under 5. At George Washington's Farm, Mount Vernon. Go to Visit.MountVernon.org for more information.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 18
<cal2>Concert. 7 p.m. Miche Fambro, and Brad Yoder with Jason Rafalak. $18 general, $15 members or in advance. Contact: Kay at kay@focusmusic.org, 703-501-6061, or log onto FocusMusic.org. At Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 22
<cal2>Big Lebowski Bash. 9 p.m. $12 donation. Costume party and screening of the Coen Brothers' movie, "The Big Lebowski," benefitting Community Family Life Services. At the Old Town Theater, 815 King Street, Alexandria. Call 703-684-6000.
Lynn Hollyfield and Grace Griffith. 7-9 p.m. Free. Lynn Hollyfield and Grace Griffith perform traditional and contemporary folk music. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, part of the Thursday Nite Local Spotlight series. At 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or go to www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 24
<cal2>Heritage Trail Civil War Bike Ride. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Explore Alexandria’s Civil War history with Alexandria Archaeology! Meet at the Bike and Roll Alexandria shop for a 14.5-mile guided bike tour of Alexandria’s Defenses of Washington. Reservations required. At Bike and Roll Shop, One Wales Alley. Call 703-838-4399 or e-mail ruth.reeder@alexandriava.gov.
Country Market Fair. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Huge rides, BBQ from Del Merei Grille, live band music, loads of games and arts and crafts. At the Alexandria Country Day School, 2400 Russell Road, Alexandria. Call 703-548-4804 or visit www.acdsnet.org.
Artists Exhibit and Sale. Noon to 5 p.m. Kingstowne Area Artists Association will exhibit and sell its work — acrylics, oils, watercolor, mixed media, pastels, photography, pen and ink, digital media — at the Snyder Center, 6450 South Van Dorn Street, Kingstowne. Free. Go to www.kingstowne.org or contact Ginny Sywyj at duchessducky@msn.com or Nancy Hannans at nhannans@cox.net.
Christmas Bazaar. Good Shepherd Catholic Church’s Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Oct 24. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, contact Sharon Gurke at wavoff@yahoo.com or call 703-780-5673 for an application/contract. Apply online at http://www.CraftLister.com/GoodShepherdChurchChristmasBazaar. GSCC is located at 8710 Mount Vernon Highway Alexandria.
Candlelight Ghost Tours. 8-10 p.m. Visitors will view the museum by candlelight while hearing the ghost stories and creepy history of the Lee-Fendall House. Admission: $7/adults, $5/children ages 5-12. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronco St., Alexandria.
Fall Into a Cure. 7 p.m. Cost is $85/person. Food, drinks and silent auction. At Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria. Sponsored by the DC/Baltimore Chapter of the UMDF.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 25
<cal2>Capitol Steps Live. 4 p.m. The West Potomac High School Crew Team is hosting the Capitol Steps. Tickets are $25/advance, $30/door. For tickets, go to www.wpcrew.org or call 703-768-1065. Free parking. Refreshments available. All proceeds benefit the West Potomac High School Crew Team.
Piano Concerto. 4 p.m. Free. Beethoven with the ASO and APAA. Pianist Yuliya Gorenman, on faculty at American University, will be soloist along with the following members of the ASO: Claudia Chudacoff and Allison Bailey, violin; Greg Ruppert, viola; Sean Neidlinger, cello; Bob Kurz, bass. At The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria. Call 703-548-0885 or visit www.alexsym.org.
<cal1>Tuesay/Oct. 27
<cal2>NOVA Community Chorus. 7:30 p.m. Presents Johannes Brahms, a German Requiem. $10 admission. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, NVCC, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Call 703-845-6097 mwhitmire@nvcc.edu.
<ca1>Thursday, Oct. 29
<cal2>Jim Stephanson and John Previti. 7-9 p.m. Free. Guitarist Jim Stephanson and bassist John Previti will treat visitors to an evening of blues, swing and jazz inspired tunes. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, part of the Thursday Nite Local Spotlight series. At 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or go to www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Friday, Oct. 30
<cal2>Candlelight Ghost Tours. 8-10 p.m. Visitors will view the museum by candlelight while hearing the ghost stories and creepy history of the Lee-Fendall House. Admission: $7/adults, $5/children ages 5-12. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronco St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 3
<cal2>Concert. 8 p.m. Susanna Phillips, soprano, with Craig Terry, piano. The recital at Bishop Ireton is sponsored by Christ Church Alexandria to benefit the music program at local area schools. At Bishop Ireton Auditorium, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by contacting Christ Church at 703-549-1450 or jabel@HistoricChristChurch.org.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 5
<cal2>KUKU. 7-9 p.m. Free. KUKU performs uniquely soulful and captivating music inspired by his African heritage. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, part of the Thursday Nite Local Spotlight series. At 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or go to www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 19
<cal2>The Reverie Jazz Trio. 7-9 p.m. Free. The Reverie Jazz Trio will perform early jazz standards and forgotten favorites. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, part of the Thursday Nite Local Spotlight series. At 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or go to www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Nov. 27-Jan. 6
<cal2>Christmas at Mount Vernon. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The halls are decked for Christmas at Mount Vernon. Exciting additions include a dozen themed Christmas trees, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and 18th-century dancing! $15/adults, $7/children ages 6-11, free for children under 6. At Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon. Call 703-780-2000 or www.MountVernon.org.
<cal1>Nov. 27-29
<cal2>Mount Vernon by Candlelight. 5-8 p.m. Mrs. Washington hosts an enchanting evening of candlelit tours. Cost is $18/adults, $12/children under 11. At Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon. Call 703-780-2000 or www.MountVernon.org.
<cal1>Dec. 3
<cal2>Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Open House. 6-9 p.m. Free. Galleries are open for holiday shopping plus music, refreshments and drawings for prizes. At 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565.
<cal1>Dec. 4-5
<cal2>Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk, Parade and Weekend. Free. Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. Even dogs wear kilts during the annual Scottish Christmas Walk. Christmas Marketplace is Friday, Dec. 4 all day, George Washington Masonic Memorial. Taste of Scotland, Friday, Dec. 4, evening. Call 703-549-0111, or go to www.ScottishChristmasWalk.com
<cal1>Dec. 4-6
<cal2>Mount Vernon by Candlelight. 5-8 p.m. Mrs. Washington hosts an enchanting evening of candlelit tours. Cost is $18/adults, $12/children under 11. At Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon. Call 703-780-2000 or www.MountVernon.org.
<cal1>Dec. 5
<cal2>Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Free at dusk. At Alexandria Marina at the foot of Cameron Street, behind the Torpedo Factory. Alexandria's harbor sparkles when brightly lit boats cruise along the Potomac River at the City's historic waterfront.
<cal1>Dec. 5
<cal2>Holiday on the Avenue. Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood gets into the festive spirit with Holiday on the Avenue. Local businesses around the one-mile stretch of Mount Vernon Avenue feature all-day events and stay open until 9 p.m. The Del Ray tree lighting is at 6 p.m. at Colosanto Park at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue. Then follow Santa down the luminary-lit Mount Vernon Avenue. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap for a photo at the end of the walk. Join in the caroling and stop in the shops for a hot drink. Free. www.VisitDelRay.com.
<cal1>Dec. 5
<cal2>Ornament Decorating Workshop for Families. 1-4 p.m. Be inspired by the colors and patterns of pottery excavated in Alexandria and make a memorable holiday keepsake. Participants can decorate and take home dough ornaments which are shaped like artifacts from the museum’s own collection. Great for families. 1-4 p.m. Free. At the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (inside the Torpedo Factory)
105 N. Union Street, #327, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4399, www.AlexandriaArchaeology.org.
<cal1>Dec. 5
<cal2>A Soldier's Christmas. Noon-4 p.m. The "Soldier's Christmas" program will feature re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, as well as interpreters from the Carlyle House and will highlight life in Alexandria during the holidays at the time of the American Revolution. Activities include demonstrations of military drill, fife and drum music, gaming and cooking. The Regimental surgeon will discuss Continental Army medicine and demonstrate 18th-century surgical instruments in the basement, while officers and ladies entertain guests in the dining room. Activities and games for children. $5 suggested donation. At 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria. Call 703-549-2997 or go to www.nvrpa.org/parks/CarlyleHouse/index.php.
<cal1>Dec. 11-12
<cal2>Gunston Hall Plantation Christmas and Yuletide Dinner. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip warm cider by the fire and sample period foods prepared in the colonial hearth kitchen. Costumed characters will greet you in the house and throughout the grounds. Friday, Dec. 11, 6:30 and 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 12, 4:30, 6 and 8 p.m. Admission: Adults $15; Children 6-18 years, $8; Children 2-5 years, $2. Yuletide dinner: adults, 11 and older $49.95; Children 6-10 years, $24.95; 2-5 years $9.95. Reservations required. At 10709 Gunston Rd, Mason Neck. Call 703-550-9220, www.GunstonHall.org.
<cal1>Dec. 11-13
<cal2>Mount Vernon by Candlelight. 5-8 p.m. Mrs. Washington hosts an enchanting evening of candlelit tours. Cost is $18/adults, $12/children under 11. At Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon. Call 703-780-2000 or www.MountVernon.org.
<cal1>Dec. 12
<cal2>Civil War Christmas in Camp. Learn how soldiers and families celebrated Christmas during the Civil War. Suggested donation $2 adults, $1 for kids. At Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4848, www.FortWard.org.
<cal1>Dec. 12
<cal2>Kwanzaa Craft Workshop. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join the Alexandria Black History Museum staff in a fun interactive program that will guide you through the principles of this African American holiday as well as instruct you in ways to make Kwanzaa gifts called Zawadi. All supplies will be provided. At 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4356, www.AlexBlackHistory.org.
<cal1>Dec. 12
<cal2>The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration Film Screening. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. The Black Candle is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa are so important to African-Americans today. The movie traces the holiday’s growth out of the Black Power movement in the 1960s to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants. At the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4356, www.AlexBlackHistory.org.
<cal1>Dec. 20
<cal2>Holiday Favorites With the Colonial Handbell Ringers. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Join the Colonial Handbell Ringers as they play more than 60 bronze bells. Musical selections include Christmas classics like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Feliz Navidad," and "Frosty the Snowman." Sing along with your favorite Christmas carols. At the Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum, 201 South Washington Street, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4994, www.AlexandriaHistory.org.
<cal1>Dec. 31
<cal2>First Night Alexandria. New Year's Eve celebration with music, dance, performing arts for all ages with more than 100 performances in 25 indoor venues throughout Old Town. All ages are welcome and all venues are alcohol free. 6 p.m. to midnight. Fireworks at midnight. Entrance fee. Call 703-746-3301, www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com or www.FirstNightAlexandria.org.