Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: Jan. 15-24

Entertainment

Ongoing

“Printed Matter.” Through Jan. 17, at The Target Gallery, 105 N. Union St. Printed Matter features a mix of works (printed media, such as xerography, book arts, and graphic design) created using traditional techniques as well as newer or reimagined ones. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.

VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital Art Show. Through Jan. 31 at VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, 2660 Duke St. The artwork is on display in waiting areas and examination rooms as a part of Del Ray Artisans’ Gallery Without Walls program. Free. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org for more.

“Celebrating What We’re Made Of.” Through Jan. 31 at The Associates Gallery, 105 N. Union St. This show features mixed media artist and TAG member Karen Fitzgerald, who creates art from recycled materials. Using everything from junk mail to food packaging, Fitzgerald’s art celebrates the small things that make up our everyday lives. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.


Friday/Jan. 15

Tea Tasting: Teas for Winter Health. 10 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Taste a variety of the best teas and herbal infusions to boost immunity and boost moods. Learn about their medicinal properties and discover new healthful brews. Tickets are $22. Call 703-642-5173.

Garden Talk: Houseplants. 1:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Learn more about the proper lighting, soil, and watering for houseplants. The class fee is $10. Call 703-642-5173.

“No Holds Barred” Opening Reception. 6:30-9 p.m. at The Gallery @ Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Celebrate the exhibit named for the “don’t hold back, just let go” approach artists Pamela Underhill and Rusty Lynn employ in their artmaking. Free. Visit www.convergence.org for more.


Friday-Sunday/Jan. 15-17

Eddie From Ohio. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Local folk band will give a show entirely based on requests from the audience. Tickets are $39.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.


Friday-Monday/Jan. 15-18

“Into the Woods Jr.” 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at Aldersgate Church Community Theatre, 1301 Collingwood Road. Into the Woods, Jr. features Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and the Witch in this re-telling of classic Grimm Brothers fables. Tickets are $12 plus a service fee. Visit www.acctonline.org for more.


Jan. 15-30

“Medieval Story Land.” 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Saturdays at Port City Playhouse, 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Red Knight Productions presents “Medieval Story Land,” a parody of the medieval fantasy genre. Tickets are $18 and $20. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com for more.


Saturday/Jan. 16

Floral Design: Winter Cutting Garden. 9:30 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Master gardeners will conduct a class to help you determine your needs and rethink your garden space to better match your style. Admission is $38 plus $25 supply fee. Call 703-642-5173.

“The History of Fort Myer.” 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union St, #327. Author and historian John Michael will give a lecture, and will be signing book. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.

Family Art Workshop: Shape Tape Art. 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Convergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Parents and children ages 4-9 are invited to make art using tape, acrylic paint, and a canvas. Tickets are $30, $5 for each additional child. Visit www.metamorphosisaec.com/mommy-me-holiday-workshops.

Lecture: Civil War Medicine. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Dr. Guy Hasegawa, a Civil War medicine scholar, will give a talk on "Medicinal Alcohol in the Civil War." Free. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703-746-1702.

Book Talk: “Kidnapped by Nuns.” 2-3 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Retired White House correspondent Robert Fuss will discuss his book "Kidnapped by Nuns and Other Stories of a Life in Radio," chronicling his four decades of traveling from Hollywood to Zimbabwe with presidents. Book sales and signing to follow. Free. Call 703-768-9840 for more.

Celebration Gala. 6-11 p.m. at Holiday Inn, 625 1st St. This Black Tie Gala will celebrate the installation of the new Pastor of Historic Shiloh Baptist Church, Reverend Taft Quincey Heatley. Tickets are $60. Visit www.shiloh-bc.org for more.


Saturday-Sunday/Jan. 16, 23-24, 30

Jane Franklin Dance: “Niche.” 7:30 p.m. at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. Alexandria dance company Jane Franklin Dance performs “Niche,” which follows an unremarkable couple with a new house, big careers, and odd neighbors. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit www.janefranklin.com.


Sunday/Jan. 17

Celebrate Community 5K & 1K Fun Run/Walk. 8-11 a.m. at Eisenhower Ave. This event will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an additional food drive for ALIVE. Registration costs will be $15-25, and $20-25 on the day of the race. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.

“Tea Traditions Beyond Downton Abbey.” 2-3 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Laurie Bell will share how other parts of the world celebrate and enjoy tea. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703-746-1751.

The United States Marine Band. 2 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Free. Visit www.marineband.mil for more.


Monday/Jan. 18

MLK Community Summit. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. The MLK Community Summit is an annual community service event created and hosted by The Morning Bishop Theatre to provide meaningful service projects while learning about the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The community is invited to participate in community service activities of first aid assemblage, baking cupcakes, creating greeting cards for the sick and shut-in, donation sorting and material organization. Contact McKenya Dilworth at theatreofpurpose@gmail.com or call 202-352-4864.

Historic Christ Church MLK Day Event. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Historic Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Christ Church Alexandria is hosting a day-long reading of his writings, speeches, and sermons. Free. Visit www.historicchristchurch.org for more.

MLK Poster Exhibition and Program. 1-3 p.m. at Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall, 301 King St. The exhibition will display students’ illustrations of their own family’s struggles and journeys to reach Alexandria, perhaps from another country or situation. Free. www.alexandriava.gov for more.

Gad Elmaleh: “All in English.” 7:30 p.m. at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. French comedian performs. Tickets are $25. Visit www.birchmere.com for more.


Tuesday/Jan. 19

Homestead Records at the National Archives. 1-3 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Sharon Cook MacInnes, Ph.D. talks about the 30 states where federal homesteading occurred in this talk sponsored by the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society. Free. Visit www.mvgenealogy.org or call 703-768-4101.


Wednesday/Jan. 20

Antiques Club Meeting. 9:30-11 a.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Ryan Johnson, a professional clock repairman, is scheduled this month to speak on how to properly take care of clocks, especially old clocks. Free. Call 703-360-4979 for more.


Thursday/Jan. 21

Morris Day and The Time. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Listen to live R&B. Tickets are $69.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.

Civil War Ball Dance Class. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. In preparation for the Civil War Ball on the Jan. 23, learn the waltz, polka, Virginia Reel and more from an expert. Tickets are $12 per class, $30 for the entire series. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.


Friday/Jan. 22

Bottle Rockets. 7:30 p.m. at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. St. Louis-based Bottle Rockets celebrate the release of “South Broadway Athletic Club.” Tickets are $29.50. Visit www.birchmere.com.


Friday-Sunday/Jan. 22-24

“Into the Woods Jr.” 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday at Aldersgate Church Community Theatre, 1301 Collingwood Road. Into the Woods, Jr. features Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and the Witch in this re-telling of classic Grimm Brothers fables. Tickets are $12 plus a service fee. Visit www.acctonline.org for more.


Saturday/Jan. 23

Preparing for a Ball. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Explore the tavern where famous balls like George Washington’s Birthnight Ball were held and practice the tasks involved in preparing for a ball. Includes an 18th century dance lesson and a craft to take home. The program begins each 45 minutes. Tickets are $6. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.

“Our American Girl.” 1-3 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. Join Mount Vernon’s American girl, “Nelly Custis” on a tour of George Washington's estate. Enjoy refreshments with “Lady Washington” and create colonial crafts. Tickets are $35 for youth, $25 for adults. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.

Author Event. 2-3:30 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Gregg Riley, an Inspirational speaker, author and retired U.S. Army Colonel will read from and sign copies of his new book "Steps to the Promised Land." Free. Call 703-746-1702.

Documentary Screening. 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1900 Windmill Lane. Watch a 90-minute documentary on the life and principles of Aldo Leopold, author of “Sand County Almanac” and one of the principal conservationists/environmentalists of the 20th century. Free. Visit www.greenfiremovie.com for more.

Ladies Night Out Art Workshop: Vision Board. 7-9:30 p.m. at Convergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Women are invited to make vision boards for 2016. Tickets are $45. Visit www.metamorphosisaec.com.

Emily West. 7:30 p.m. at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Country music artist performs. Tickets are $25. Visit www.birchmere.com for more.

Civil War Ball. 8-11 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. The evening will include live music, dance instruction, and period desserts. Period attire, either civilian or military, is encouraged. Tickets are $45. Visit www.shop.alexandriava.gov for more.


Jan. 23-Feb. 28

“Trending: Contemporary Art Now!” Gallery hours at the Target Gallery, 105 N. Union St. This all-media exhibition shows works by self-identifying women artists. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/target for more.


Sunday/Jan. 24

American Association of University Women Program. 2-4 p.m. at Cameron Station Clubhouse, 200 Cameron Station Blvd. The Guest House Speaker’s Bureau is a program in which women who have exited from prison/jail share their journeys about the origin of their difficulties, the nature of incarceration, and the steps they are taking to reenter society as responsible citizens. Their talks reveal insights into larger policy issues being addressed by the currently-heightened focus on improving the criminal justice system. Free. Call 703-548-1349 for more.