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>Ongoing
<cal2>Children enter a world of fantasy and fables when costumed interpreters weave three tales together during Mount Vernon's storytelling session, "Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon," held every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Storytelling sessions will take place in the Hands-On History Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. "Working Together" is the theme for January's storytelling sessions. During the 20-minute session, children learn Aesop's fables and listen to stories about George Washington's life! The storytelling program is recommended for children ages 3 to 8. Parental supervision is required. "Once Upon at Time at Mount Vernon" is included in regular Estate admission: adults, $15; youth ages 6-11, $7; and children under 5 are admitted free.
<cal1>Every Friday
<cal2>Grown & Sexy Happy Hour and Comedy Show. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hosted by comedian Ed Blaze. Ladies free until 9 p.m. Men $10/$15. At Weyone Lounge, 5801 Duke St. # E100, Alexandria, located in the back of Landmark Mall. Call 202-321-0867.
<cal1>Now Through March 16
<cal2>Shakespeare Shenanigans! Wednesdays 11:30-1 p.m. At the Little Theatre of Alexandria in Old Town. Geared for the older adult, participants will discuss, read, and perform scenes from Shakespeare. Non actors welcome. Email Heather Sanderson at bardsplay@aol.com or call the Little Theatre at 703-683-5778, ext. 2.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 3
<cal2>Eighteenth-Century Dance Classes. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $30/series or $12/class. Learn the dances of Jane Austen, George Washington, and Abigail Adams in Gadsby's Tavern Museum’s historic ballroom. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 703-746-4242 or www.gadsbystavern.org.
<cal1>Feb. 3 to March 31
<cal2>StagePlay Stories. Thursdays 4:15-5:30 p.m. Ages 6-9. Traditional children's stories come to life in this class where youngsters team up to enter into the world of make believe. Theatre games, improvisations, the unique
StagePlay costume collection and an atmosphere of kindness, add to the merriment. At St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Rd., Alexandria. Cost: $120. Email bardsplay@aol.com or call 703-963-9430.
<cal1>Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12
<cal2>”The Elixir of Love.” 8 p.m. Opera presented by the Repertory Opera Theater of Washington. Conducted by Christopher J. Redden-Liotta; directed by Jennifer Randall; sung in Italian, with English supertitles. At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Call 571-403-0814 or www.repertoryoperadc.org.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 4
<cal2>”Crude Justice” Film. 7 p.m. Documentary on the damage done by the BP oil spill to the lives and livelihoods of the people who depend on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. At Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane. Call 703-721-0595 or gpourchot@yahoo.com.
"Beyond Borders: The Debate Over Human Migration." 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Film screening and panel discussion led by guest speaker Simon Burrow, executive producer. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 5
<cal2>Country Western Dance. 7:30 p.m. line dancing; 8:30-11 p.m. dancing. Scotty and Lynne Inman will teach an advanced beginner West Coast Swing lesson at 8 p.m. Includes Two Step, Waltz, line, Swing, Cha Cha, and specialty dances. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Country Western Dance Association. At Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallow Road, Falls Church. Visit www.nvcwda.org or call the hot line 703-860-4941.
Recruiting Day. Noon to 3 p.m. Free. Explore Civil War reenacting when soldiers and civilians of the 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry, Company K, will be on hand to talk about a soldier’s uniform and equipment, demonstrate drills and explain the roles of military and civilian reenactors. At Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria. Visit www.fortward.org or call 703-746-4848.
Play Date With Pride. 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Special Black History Month activity program for kids. Children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy this interactive workshop with hands-on creative arts like storytelling, crafts, music and dance. Cost is $5/child. At the Alexandria Black History Museum in the heart of the Parker-Gray Historic District. Call 703-746-4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 6
<cal2>Marine Chamber Orchestra. 2 p.m. New Horizons. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NVCC, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria. Call 703-845-6156 or www.schlesingercenter.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 9
<cal2>Swing Dancing. 9 to 11 p.m. Admission is $6. DJ Dance Party with DJ Dabe Murphy. At Nick’s Nightclub, 642 South Pickett St., Alexandria.
Chilean Wine Tasting. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronco St., Alexandria. Call 703-548-1789. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 10
<cal2>Naked Blue. 7 p.m. Part of the Second Thursday Music at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Tickets are $10. Call 703-548-0035 or nvfaa.org.
Eighteenth-Century Dance Classes. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $30/series or $12/class. Learn the dances of Jane Austen, George Washington, and Abigail Adams in Gadsby's Tavern Museum’s historic ballroom. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 703-746-4242 or www.gadsbystavern.org.
<cal1>Feb. 12-20
<cal2>”A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Feb. 12, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. Performed by MVCCT and directed by Tiffany Ford. Tickets are $10/adult; $8/seniors and students. For tickets, call 703-360-0686. At Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Visit www.MVCCT.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 12
<cal2>Countertenor Thomas Fallon. 8 p.m. Mozart/Rossini arias and Dvorak. Alexandria Symphony Orchestra welcomes Thomas Fallon for evening of vocal selections. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. For tickets, visit www.alexsym.org. Call 703-548-0885.
Swordsmen’s Rendezvous. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Swordsmen tours last one hour and include re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display and discussion of 18th-century weapons. Admission is $5, ages 5 and up. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Old Town Alexandria. Call 703-746-4242.
<cal1>Feb. 12-14
<cal2>Valentine’s Cruises. Cruise along the Potomac River on the Odyssey for $129/person dinner; $64.90/person brunch. Includes champagne, photos, souvenir glasses. Cruise along the Potomac on the Spirit of Washington is $109.90/person dinner; $40.90/person lunch. For reservations, call 866-302-2469.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 13
<cal2>Paul Robeson at the Carlyle Club. 5 p.m. Experience the spirit of Black History Month with actor, scholar and activist Paul Robeson, in “Paul Robeson, A Play by Philip Dean Hayes.” Following the 90-minute performance, guests will enjoy a two- or three-course meal. Tickets are $40. At the Carlyle Club, 411 John Carlyle Street, in Alexandria. Call 703-746-4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.
Seeds of Independence Program. 2 p.m. Oral History Film Premiere: Segregation & Civil Rights: Mason Neck, Black & White, 1950-1970. Talk by Juan Williams, Civil Rights scholar and author, journalist and commentator for FOX News. Suggested donation: $9/adults; $8/seniors. At Gunston Hall Visitors’ Center, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. Call 703-550-9220.
Valentine Tea. 1 p.m. Cost is $30/person. Tea and tour of Woodlawn. Tea, finger sandwiches, breads, and desserts with harp music played by Chris Van Dyke. Call 703-780-4000, ext. 26333. Visit www.woodlawn1805.org.
Make-your-own Victorian Valentine. 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $5/crafter. At Lee-Fendall House and Garden, Alexandria. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 14
<cal2>Valentine’s Day Mixer. 7 to 11 p.m. Cost is $10/person. Love-inspired artwork, mood music, food and more. Call Matthew Cuenca (matthewcuenca@gmail.com) or Tracy Wilkerson (tlwideas@comcast.net or visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org. Del Ray Artisans’ gallery is located at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.
Burlesque-a-Pades, February Frolic. 7:30 p.m. For 18 and over. Valentine’s Day-inspired production from purveyors of sexy stockings and classy lingerie Secrets in Lace as well as The World Famous Pontani Sisters. Tickets are $29.50 plus standard booking fees. At The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria. Visit www.ticketmaster.com and www.birchmere.com or call 703-549-7500.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 15
<cal2>Mount Vernon Genealogical Society. 1 p.m. Free. Presentation entitled “Records of the Civilian Conservation Corps – Record Group 35” by Charles S. Mason. At Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria. Call Harold McClendon at 703-360-0920 or haroldm@erols.com.
Irish Musicians. 8 p.m. John Doyle, Niall Vallely and Cillian Vallley. Tickets are $25/advance; $29/door. At The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., in Alexandria. Reservations can be made at www.sunspotpro.com or by calling 800-404-9049.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 16
<cal2>George Washington Lecture. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12/person; $10/members. Join Dr. Peter Henriques, Professor Emeritus of History from George Mason University, as he presents “Those Who Labor For Me” – A Closer Look at Some of George Washington’s Enslaved Workers. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society. Call 703-746-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Swing Dancing. 9 to 11 p.m. Cost is $10. With Jim Stephanson and the Blue Dogs. At Nick’s Nightclub, 642 South Pickett St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 17
<cal2>Eighteenth-Century Dance Classes. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $30/series or $12/class. Learn the dances of Jane Austen, George Washington, and Abigail Adams in Gadsby's Tavern Museum’s historic ballroom. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 703-746-4242 or www.gadsbystavern.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 19
<cal2>Broadway Night. 8 p.m. The Hayfield Choir Boosters present Broadway Night 2011. Complimentary Dessert Reception at 7 p.m. and entertainment by the Hayfield High School Jazz Band. Tickets are $10/adults; $7/students and seniors. At the Rebeca S. Wilburn Auditorium, Hayfield Secondary School.
Steven Gellman in Concert. 8 to 10 p.m. At St Elmo's Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Call 703-739-9268.
Genealogist Char Bah. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5. During Black History Month, discover your own family history with expert techniques for tracing African-American ancestors. At the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-746-4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.
George Washington’s Birthnight Supper and Ball. Cocktails, a unique silent auction, raffle, seated dinner and live music. Hosted by the Neighborhood Friends of Mount Vernon. Tickets are $175. To attend, call 703-799-8647 for reservations. At Historic Mount Vernon.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 20
<cal2>President’s Day Concert. 3 p.m. Free. The 40-member Harmony Heritage Singers will present a barbershop concert at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria. A free-will offering will be taken to support the work of United Community Ministries. Contact Ron Brandt, 703-765-4779, brandtron@verizon.net.
”Ready for Spring” Event. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Find products like Airbonne, doTerra, lia sophia, Miche Bags, Thirty One and Willow House. Purchases will benefit the Lee Fendall House Museum and Garden. Contact Jeri Hesson at 703-350-2385 or jeri.hesson@cox.net.
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. 3 p.m. Free. At Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria. Pre-concert lecture at 2:15 p.m.
Marine Chamber Orchestra. 2 p.m. The Compleat Percy Grainger. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NVCC, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Call 703-845-6156 or www.schlesingercenter.com.
Folk Singer Pierce Pettis. 7 p.m. With special guest Rj Cowdery. At Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Tickets are $18 general, $15 in advance at FocusMusic.org.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 21
<cal2>Surprise Birthday. Free admission. Celebrate the 279th birthday for George Washington. Daily from Feb. 19 through Feb. 21, the party features “General Washington” receiving birthday cheers, 18th-century music and birthday gifts presented from his 18th-century friends. On Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20, have a taste of Washington’s favorite breakfast — hoecakes swimming in butter and honey with “the General” himself! The weekend leads up to a grand holiday party for the first president on Monday, Feb. 21, with free admission, military demonstrations, the new “Surprise Birthday Party” celebration, and a wreathlaying ceremony at Washington’s tomb. Visit www.MountVernon.org. At Mount Vernon.
Meet Woodrow Wilson. 11 a.m. Free. President Wilson will be brought to life by actor Brian Hilton, who will discuss his views on events of the time of his presidency, 1913 to 1921. At The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History museum, 201 South Washington Street, Old Town, Alexandria. Visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703-746-4994.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 22
<cal2>Quilting Lecture. 12:30 p.m. Free. Pictorial Art Quilter Laura Wasilowski presents “I Quilt, Therefore I Am” to Mount Vernon Quilters Unlimited. MVQU meets at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria. Contact: MVQUPresident@gmail.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 23
<cal2>Swing Dancing. 9 to 11 p.m. Admission is $6. DJ Dance Party with DJ Dabe Murphy. At Nick’s Nightclub, 642, South Pickett Street, Alexandria.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 24
<cal2>Story Time. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Designed for young children and caregivers, features story time and a craft. Fee is $3/family. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. Call 703-548-1789. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 26
<cl2>U.S. Army Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. Free. With guest artist Steve Houghton, percussion. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NOVA Campus, Alexandria. Visit www.usarmyband.com.
Lecture. 1 p.m. Cost is $10. Historian Carroll R. Gibbs presents, “Whirlwind Coming: African Americans in the District and Alexandria during the Civil War.” At Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road. Call the Museum at 703-746-4848 to make reservations. Visit www.fortward.org.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 28
<cal2>“Alexandria and the Civil War: Pride and Shame in Black and White.” Reception at 6:15 p.m., Dinner ($25 members/$30 nonmembers) at 6:45 p.m.; Program 7:15 p.m. Dinner reservations required. With Ronald Beavers, Civil War Historian; Andy Evans, Community Activist and Comedy Counselor; Lillian Patterson, Retired Curator, Alexandria Black History Museum; and Laura Trieschmann, Director, Survey and Documentation at EHT Traceries. Special Guest, Barb Winters, author “Letters to Virginians.” Holiday Inn Eisenhower Metro Center, 2460 Eisenhower Avenue. Contact Sherry Brown, 703-548-7089 or agendaalexandria@aol.com.
<cal1>Saturday/March 5
<cal2>Mardi Gras Celebration. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Cost is $40/person. Hosted by the Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee. Del. Scott Surovell is a confirmed speaker. Congressmen Gerry Connolly (D-11) and Jim Moran (D-8), Supervisor Gerry Hyland, and other local Democratic leaders from Mount Vernon District are invited to speak. At Don Beyer Volvo, 7416 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Visit www.mvdemocrats.com.
<cal1>Thursday/March 10
<cal2>Pat Wictor. 7 p.m. Part of the Second Thursday Music at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Tickets are $10. Call 703-548-0035 or nvfaa.org.
<cal1>Saturday/March 12
<cal2>Scout Day. 1 to 3 p.m. Fee is $10/Scout. Scouts will learn how to explore their own family histories through oral history, story-telling, and games. At Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. Call 703-548-1789 or visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
Swordsmen’s Rendezvous. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Swordsmen tours last one hour and include re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display and discussion of 18th-century weapons. Admission is $5, ages 5 and up. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Old Town Alexandria. Call 703-746-4242.
<cal1>Sunday/March 27
<cal2>Community Lodgings Spring Event. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Community Lodgings’ 6th Annual Spring Event, “Spring Forward to Union Street,” to raise awareness and funding for Alexandria’s homeless. To purchase tickets, call 703-549-4407. At Union Street Public House, 121 South Union Street, Old Town, Alexandria. Visit www.communitylodgings.org.
Scrapbooking Workshop. 1 to 3 p.m. Join scrapbooking expert Claudia Lopez-ViÒas for this hands-on scrapbooking workshop. Materials will be provided. Cost is $7/person. RSVP to 703-548-1789. At Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org.