Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 16
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Adults. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Lorton Book Club. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. “Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer” by James L. Swanson. Adults. 703-339-7385.
C Is For Candle. 2 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Stories and activities celebrating the season. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Springfield Writers' Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Share your work, give and receive feedback in a supportive setting. 703-451-8055.
<b>Friday/Dec. 17
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
2010 Graduating Artist Showcase. 6-9 p.m. George Mason University Art and Design Building, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Fall 2010 Senior Exhibition Reception. Exhibits of over 60 graduating artists including paintings, sculpture, animation, graphic design, drawing and more. Live music and refreshments available. Free admission. 703-993-8898 or hmillera@gmu.edu.
Pat Travers, The Rob Hornfeck Enterprise, The Maiden Project and more. 8 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Age 21 and up. $17 advance, $20 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 18
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Arsis, Powerglove, Conducting From The Grave, Deranged Theory, Orthrus, Blood Corps, Burnside Landing, Jupiter's Wake, Ethereal Genocide, Boltt, Wreckage, 1Alliance and Artiface. 2 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $13 advance, $15 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 19
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Vienna Boys Choir. 4 p.m. at George Mason University Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. $24-$48, youth through grade 12 half price. 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
ABACABB, In Alcatraz 1962, Freqontrol, Upon Disfigurement, As The Kingdom Falls, Villiska, Truth Be Told, Saints Will Rise, Supremacist, The Markov Process, Ceruleus, Decimate the Tyrant, Hackin Jessie and Epitome of the Weak. 1 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $12 advance, $14 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Monday/Dec. 20
</b>Toddler Time. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Early literacy storytime. No siblings, please. Age 13-23 months with adult. 703-971-0010.
I Am Special. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Age 13-23 months with adult. 703-339-4610.
Read to the Dog. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Call to register for one 15-minute slot. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-339-4610.
Going Green Inside and Out. 2:30 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Learn ways to go green and help the environment this winter as well as how animals use the green of evergreens to survive. 703-451-8055.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 21
</b>Lullaby Stories. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Join us for evening stories and activities. Pajamas and stuffed animals welcome. Age 1-5 with adult. 703-339-4610.
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Lorton Arts Foundation Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Phase II Expansion. At the Workhouse Art Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Demolition ceremony at 12:15 p.m., hard hat tours 1-3 p.m. With Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) state and local officials. The renovations will allow the center to expand its performing arts offerings, theatre and visual arts productions and professional instruction for young audiences, and its event, conference, and meeting space for the region. Open to the public. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 22
</b>Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Travel Club. 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Bring lunch and enjoy a lively discussion. Adults. 703-451-8055.
The Sacred Worlds and Songs Divine World Tour: Blind Guardian, Holy Grail and Seven Kingdoms. 8 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $25 advance, $28 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 29
</b>Fun with Origami. 4 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Learn Japanese paper folding. Age 6-12. 703-339-7385.
Read Yourself Silly. 10:30 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. A juggling and magic show presented by Flow Circus. Cosponsored by the Friends of Richard Byrd Library. All ages. 703-451-8055.
Shrine, Broken Buttons, The Idiomatics, Georgiamac, She Bites Dogs, Drawing Sounds, Ritual of The Boar, IQ and Shankool, LEDs and Smoke Machines. 6 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $8 advance, $10 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 31
</b>Outerloop Presents: Night of New Year's Metal. 6 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $10 advance, $12 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Friday/Jan. 7
</b>Apex Booking Presents: Wings of Apollo and More. 5 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $10 advance, $12 at the door. www.Jaxxroxx.com.