18th Century English Dance Classes

Join us for 18th-century English country dance lessons! Learn to dance like George Washington in the historic ballroom of Gadsby's Tavern Museum. Reservations recommended. A series of dance classes is held prior to every ball. Classes before the balls are strongly encouraged.

After you have learned the steps, come dance in the historic ballroom that was once the setting for the elegant events that marked George Washington's birthday and other important social occasions in Alexandria. Period music, re-enactors and guests clad in period attire, a dessert collation, and candlelight combine to make Gadsby's balls festive events. These balls are held several times a year, featuring, a variety of themes and time periods. Period clothing is not required, though after-five attire is suggested.

Admission Fee: $12 per class

All classes from 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Thursday, February 03

Thursday, February 10

Thursday, February 17

Thursday, March 31

Thursday, April 07

Thursday, April 14

Gadsby's Tavern Museum

134 North Royal Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

http://alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern

For more information

http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/historic/info/gadsbys/Birthnight%20Ball%20details%202011.pdf

Mike Epps with D.L. Hughley @ DAR Constitution Hall

Hailing from Indianapolis, Mike Epps started his career on stage as a comedian. Born into a large family with eight siblings, Epps was the class clown who decided in his teens to enter a stand-up contest at an Indiana club. His success on stage gave him the courage to strike out on his own, heading to Atlanta where he made a name for himself at the Comedy Act Theater. The owner of the club suggested Epps move to New York to build his act, and within a week, Epps left for NYC. He soon fought his way into the Def Comedy Jam, where he excelled and became a member in 1995. He toured with the group and performed at Laffapalooza fest and the Comedy Store in L.A.

Come see Mike Epps, recent star in Talk to Me and The Hangover, and D. L. Hughley (well known from his hit show The Hughleys) at DAR Constitution Hall. It will be a show you do not want to miss!

Friday, February 4

7.30 pm

DAR Constitution Hall

1776 D Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20006

http://www.dar.org/conthall/

For more information, please visit

http://mikeepps.com/

http://www.myspace.com/dlhughley

Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement

Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement is a little-known holiday celebrated each year on January 26. Originally established as a day to connect with others through the heart, it stresses the importance of sharing a kind word with fellow man. Although the name conjures thoughts of childhood storybooks and amusement park rides, Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement is actually rooted in an 1800s-era school house located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

A storyteller, Ralph C. Morrison, apparently fell in love with the name of the school and from there created stories featuring this mystical place. When people would inquire as to where Toad Hollow actually was, he would reply that it could not be found on a map, only 'in your heart'.

Morrison stated that the idea for the Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement grew out of their passion for helping others, ultimately becoming a way to motivate people to share what is in their hearts every day.

Read more: What Is Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6781531_toad-hollow-day-encouragement_.html#ixzz1C9ERI96C

On Keeping Warm...

For all staying in the NoVA area, you might have noticed it's been just a little bit colder than usual...well, a lot colder. The average low for January in VA is 26°F. However, for the remainder of the month, the temperature is expected to remain in the low 20s. This upcoming week, it is expected that the storm which has been raging in the South will head up the East coast. Here are some helpful tips for keeping warm during the rough winter.

Dressing in Layers

• First layer: a light weight material that does not trap sweat (e.g. wool, silk, man-made materials)
• Second layer: a insulation layer that holds in the heat and keeps out the cold (soft wool sweater, a polar fleece top)
• Outer layer: for going outside, to protect self from the elements (large coat, scarves, shawls)

Foods That Will Warm You From the Inside Out

• Soups, casseroles, stews- cook at low temperature over long period of time, helps with energy costs and will help to warm the area (after cooking leave the oven open to release the excess heat into the area)
• Foods high in protein to keep metabolism up
• Spicy foods keep your body warm
• Hot tea/coffee (warms body from the inside, keeps hands warms)
• Cayenne pepper- can be used internally and externally (in powdered form can be dusted into shoes/mittens)
• Ginger, cinnamon- increases circulation (ginger tea, cinnamon toast)

How to Warm Your Bed

• Layer your blankets, using above method
• Hot water bottle
• Heated bag of rice, cooked potatoes
• Hug pillows

Exercise

• Keeps blood moving, metabolism up
• The more time spent outdoors, the faster the body will adjust and become acclimated to the weather
• Clean- dusting, vacuuming

Other tips

• Set fans to turn in reverse to push the warm air down.
• Do laundry, put on clothes immediately after coming out of the dryer
• If a draft is noticed, block with a towel
• Wear thick socks, a cap to prevent heat loss
• During the day, keep curtains open to let in the sunlight
• At night, close curtains to keep out the cold.
• While showering, do not use the fan- the humidity in the air is warm. After a bath, leave the water in tub to keep the heat
• Candles produce heat

For more information, visit

http://www.weather.com/

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/energy-power/keeping-warm-ways-to-do-it-without-turning-the-heat-on-or-up-098784

http://hubpages.com/hub/Low-Cost-Ways-to-Stay-Warm-in-Winter

National Hug Day!

It has been said that a hug a day keeps the blues away...it gives you energy and an emotional boost. Even just one twenty second hug can make a profound difference in your mood.

National Hug Day (aka Hug Day, World Hug Day, Send-A Hug Day) was founded on January 21, 1986 as a day to spread the warmth and joy of a hug to those you love and for any others you come across...you never know who might be needing one :)

Celebrate today by giving hugs to everyone you come in contact with. You'll love the warm feeling you get. Below are links for more information about Hug Day and also some helpful hugging tips.

Hug O' War

By Shel Silverstein

About Hug Day

http://worldpeace.org.au/readcyber.asp

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/huggingday.htm

Different Types of Hugs & Hug Etiquette

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A603668

http://www.easier.com/31293-a-hug-a-day-keeps-the-blues-away.html

http://www.toddlertime.com/circlinglights/Expressionns/ExpPages/HugEtiquette.htm

Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service

Legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The federal holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary of the King federal holiday.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off." . The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community" - his belief in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraging all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live.

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions.

Visit http://mlkday.gov/ or the above sites to find a project to contribute to in the NoVA area.

American Ballet Theatre Presents 'The Bright Stream'

The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.

From January 18 to February 6, 2011 the Kennedy Center hosts The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration. This three-week series of events and performances commemorates the president who led the United States into the modern era of global participation and who was a foremost patron of the arts. The celebration features performances by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach and the National Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet Theatre, Yo-Yo Ma, Denyce Graves, Emanuel Ax, and others, in addition to a newly commissioned play for young audiences and their families based on two collections of poetry selected by Caroline Kennedy, a documentary, performances on the Millennium Stage, and more.

The Bright Stream

A comic ballet in two acts, The Bright Stream, set to music by Dmitri Shostakovich, features sets by Ilya Utkin and costumes by Elena Markovskaya. The libretto, by Adrian Piotrovsky and Fyodor

Lopukhov, tells the story of the members of a Russian farm collective in the 1930's and their humorous interactions with a group of visiting performers during the harvest festival. Featuring Paloma Herrera, Marcelo Gomes, Gillian Murphy and David Hallberg.

The original production of The Bright Stream, with choreography by Lopukhov, was premiered on April 4, 1935 by the Maly Opera and Ballet Theater at the Maly Theatre in Leningrad.

Friday & Saturday, January 21 & 22
7.30pm

For a full listing of performances and ticket information please visit
http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20566

http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jane Franklin Dance is looking for dancers for our next project for Forty +.

Forty + Thursday Project includes dance technique and creative process in preparation for a performance with JFD at INTERSECTIONS: A New America Arts Festival on March 6, 2011 at Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington DC.

Forty + is a performing group of older adults committed to the joys of movement past the age of 40. The group conducts free workshops and performances at Arlington community centers and has performed for the United States Environmental Protection Agency “Diversity Day,” and in concert programs for Jane Franklin Dance.

January 20 – March 312.00 noon – 1.30pm

FORTY + THURSDAY PROJECT

3700 S Four Mile Run Drive
Arlington, VA 22206

http://www.janefranklin.com/
703.933.1111

TGISunsets @ Barrel Oak Winery

Barrel Oak Winery is known as the place to have fun! Every weekend holds a variety of activities geared to singles, couples, families, seniors, young professionals, and the young at heart. Kids, dogs, and picnickers are always welcome.

'Our Signature TGISunsets Happen Tonight On The Patio. Beautiful And Historic Views. Great Wine. Awesome 240 Degree Sunset Views. The Fire Pits Lit. Good People. Happy Dogs. We Like It...We Think That You Will Too!'

Friday, January 07 - Friday, March 25

6.00pm - 9.00pm

Barrel Oak Winery
3623 Grove LnDelaplane, VA 20144

540.364.6402

NOVA & DC Winter Restaurant Week Jan 17- 23

Northern Virginia's finest restaurants offer awe-inspiring, multi-course meals prepared especially for the 17th annual Washington, DC Restaurant Week. This event will be hosted by Destination DC and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

From January 17- 23, participating restaurants will offer discounted prices for this gourmet event.

Most, but not all, restaurants participating in Restaurant Week offer online reservations through OpenTable.com. Your reservations are FREE and confirmed instantly 24 hours a day. No phone calls. No hassles.

Lunch: $20.11 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Dinner: $35.11 for a three-course fixed-price meal
Beverages, gratuity and tax are not included.

Please visit http://washington.org/restaurantwk/ for a complete list of participating restaurants.

International Guitar Night @ Wolf Trap

The world’s premier touring guitar festival; innovative masters of the acoustic guitar get together for a special evening to exchange styles and solos.

•England-native Clive Carroll started playing the banjo at age 2, has released 3 solo albums, and was described by Acoustic Guitar as “probably the best and most original young acoustic guitar player and composer in Britain.”

•Son of Brazilian composer/guitarist Egberto Gismonti, Alexandre Gismonti has developed his own distinct musical language, representing his country at music festivals around the world.

•Pino Forastiere of Italy received his degree in classical guitar at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome in 1992. In March 2010 he premiered with Guitar Republic, a new acoustic guitar trio in which he performs with Sergio Altamura and Stefano Barone.

•Known as a “poet of the guitar,” American Brian Gore is the founder of International Guitar Night and published the book Fingerstyle Guitar: Lessons in Technique and Creativity in 2005.

Thursday, January 13, 2011
Opens 8.00pm

Admission Fee: $25.00
Purchase tickets here http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=WOLF_TRAP&pid=6827076

The Barns at Wolf Trap
1635 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182
http://www.wolftrap.org/Home/Barns.aspx

2nd Saturday Art Walk In Lorton

The 2nd Saturday Art Walk at the Workhouse showcases the diverse work of more than 150 visual artists in a unique historic venue, creating an atmosphere that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of this creative community. Guests can tour seven unique studio buildings, mix and mingle with artists, buy original works of art, experience ever-changing exhibitions and meet featured artists, all while enjoying light refreshment and music. The social atmosphere of the monthly art walk makes it the perfect destination for a date night or girl's night out, and for art collectors and art appreciation groups alike. These monthly events are also perfect for family art outings.

Saturday January 08, 2011
6.00pm- 9.00pm

Workhouse Arts Center
9601 Ox Road
Lorton, VA 22079
703.584.2900

http://www.workhousearts.org/