December 10 – Family Kwanzaa Celebration Program

Get ready for Kwanzaa in time to celebrate it this year with this special family program at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street. The Family Kwanzaa Celebration program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is ideal for children and their parents. Conducted by Culture Kingdom Kids, educator Jessica Smith will teach families fun and creative ways to celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa through a variety of interactive performances, hands-on activities and crafts. "Culture Queen," the superhero mascot of Culture Kingdom Kids, will also make a special appearance. Families will be culturally enriched and better prepared to celebrate Kwanzaa in their homes and communities. Admission is $5 per person, and advance reservations are recommended. For more information, visitwww.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Two Free Concerts Featuring Holiday Classics on December 18

Colonial English Handbell Ringers Perform at The Lyceum

Enjoy your favorite holiday music with the Colonial English Handbell Ringers at The Lyceum on Sunday, December 18.  The Colonial English Handbell Ringers, now in their 20^th season, will give two performances with the first beginning at 2 p.m. and the second, a repeat performance, at 4 p.m.

 

This year's program is "A Very Merry Christmas: Celebrating 20 Years with the Colonial English Handbell Ringers." The free show features ten ringers in period costume playing a full five-octave set of nearly 80handbells from the world-famous White Chapel Foundry in England. The ringers will perform many of their all-time personal favorites and crowd-pleasers, including children's classics like "Frosty the Snowman" and the original work, "A Carillon Christmas," timeless holiday tunes like "Silver Bells" and "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," and original show-stoppers such as "Bell Talk" and "Three Carols From Three Countries." As in years past, there will be an audience participation sing-a-long.

 

The Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum, is located at 201 South Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria. Limited free parking is available.

 

For more information, contact The Lyceum at 703.746.4994 or visitwww.alexandriahistory.org.

City of Alexandria to Host Holiday Invitational Cheerleading Competition on Saturday, December 17, 2011

The public is invited to attend the Alexandria Holiday Invitational Cheerleading Competition, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 17 at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street. The competition features youth cheerleading teams from City recreation centers and other teams from the metropolitan area. 

 
Tickets are available for purchase in advance and also at the door the day of the event. Tickets will be on sale from December 2 – December 15, at the Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay recreation centers and at the Recreation Services Division Office, located at 1108 Jefferson Street.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 for ages 13 and older, $2 for ages 6-12 and ages 5 and under are admitted free. Ticket prices at the door will be $6 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 6 – 12 and for ages 5 and under are admitted free.

December 10 & December 11 – Annual Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours

	Take a break from the fast pace of the season and experience the unique charm and history at Old Town Alexandria's most popular holiday event. As part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial events, experience 1860s Alexandria during the holidays. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum (134 North Royal Street), Carlyle House (121 North Fairfax Street), Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco Street) and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 South Fairfax Street) by candlelight and enjoy seasonal decorations, entertainment and light refreshments. Shuttle among the sites included. Tour times are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and older), and $5 for children (ages 6-17).   Reservations are recommended. For more information or to buy tickets, visitwww.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4242.