Violinist Benjamin Scott and accompanist, works by Mozart, Beethoven, Pärt, Handel, Schubert, Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association, 3-5 PM, Information 703-799-8229 and www.wmpa.us, free

Cillian Valely and Kevin Crawford: The piper and flute player from Irish band Lunasa are releasing a new CD as a duo. 8 pm. Information and tickets at http://www.sunspotpro.com. $25 in advance & $29 at door.

An Evening with Dick Morgan.  An unbelievable opportunity!   A free concert by the legendary jazz pianist, Dick Morgan.  Dick has thrilled audiences from Duke Ellington and Tommy Dorsey to President Obama's Inaugural Ball.  The event is sponsored by the Alexandria Performing Arts Association and Jazz at Meade. Performance begins at 4 PM.   Free Admission but (because of expected demand far exceeding the capacity of the hall) tickets will be required. If you wish to attend contact APAA at the telephone number (703) 505-0700 or e-mail  gchadwick@verizon.net

Soul Of A People:  The WPA Writers’ Project In Virginia , presented by the Alexandria Historical Society.  Old Town resident David A. Taylor, the author of Soul of a People: The WPA Writers’ Project Uncovers Depression America, will discuss “The WPA Writers’ Project in Virginia,” and talk about the process of making the 1930s Virginia guidebook and some of the surprises you find there at 7:30 PM.     During the Great Depression the WPA Writers' Project was one small part of FDR's New Deal designed to put people back to work. The Writers' Project assigned unemployed workers to research their communities and interview people about local history, and produced a series of unusual state guidebooks now known as the WPA Guides. The WPA writers produced a remarkable set of life history accounts which helped to launch the current interest in oral history, and published an important account on African-American history in the Commonwealth. This talk will look at their experiences and their legacy now. David Taylor's latest book, Soul of a People, and a Smithsonian Channel HD special of the same title, are based on an article that he wrote for Smithsonian, open to the public, no reservations needed, open seating   The capacity of the lecture hall is 140 persons. Free.

Odarka Polanskyj Stockert, harpist, in an enchanting solo performance on her concert pedal harp, followed by a repertoire of poignant as well as light-hearted Celtic, Ukrainian, and Czech ballads/songs on her Celtic harp, with voice accompaniment. 3:00 pm, unreserved seating, suggested donation $20, students free. Information 301-229-2615.

Pianist/Composer Robin Spielberg kicks off her fall tour with a return visit to the Lyceum for an evening of solo piano. The concert will feature audience favorites from her 15 critically-acclaimed recordings. Named to the prestigious "Steinway Artist Roster" in 1996 .  Spielberg’s concerts have the distinction of intertwining humorous and poignant storytelling with her musical gifts at the piano.  CD and songbook signing follows the performance.  Sat at 7:30pm. All seats $16. Tickets available by calling 800-836-0833 ext 5, or at the door. (Limited seating, advance ticketing highly recommended). Preview Robin's music here: http://www.RobinSpielberg.com

Zino Bogachek and Friends.  Zino Bogachek, violinist with the Washington National Opera is joined by musicians from the Orchestra for an afternoon  of classical chamber music featuring romantic and contemporary composers. Pieces for violin, cello, viola and piano.  3:00 pm, unreserved seating suggested donation $20, students free. Information 301-229-2615. http://www.thewashingtongroup.org

Beethoven with the ASO!  Featuring a chamber music arrangement of his Piano Concerto No. 4.  Pianist Yuliya Gorenman, on faculty at American University and currently engaged in a complete Beethoven piano sonata cycle, will be soloist along with members of the ASO. FREE. Call 703-548-0885 or visit www.alexsym.org.

The Great Decision:  Jefferson, Adams, Marshall, and the Battle for the Supreme Cour, presented by the Alexandria Historical Society.  Cliff Sloan, co-author of The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams, Marshall, and the Battle for the Supreme Court, will tell the exciting story of Marbury v. Madison, probably the most important Supreme Court decision in the history of the United States

Marbury v. Madison established the power of the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.  But it is also an Alexandria story.  Three of the four plaintiffs (Dennis Ramsay, Robert Townshend Hooe, and William Harper) were Alexandrians, and the attorney for the plaintiffs (Charles Lee) was an Alexandrian.  Important events leading up to the case took place in Alexandria.
The capital of Washington, like the country, was divided and enraptured by the public spat between the parties who has just fought America’s first contested election.  Newspapers took highly partisan sides, senators insulted each other to the point of violence, and the Adams government was so near to collapse that a second revolution seemed possible.

John Marshall realized that he could in one ruling dismiss the merits of Jefferson’s case, strike down an act of Congress, and place the Supreme Court above the fray.  Thus, Marshall established the power of the Supreme Court to be the last word on constitutionality – a stroke that dramatically enhanced the Court and laid the cornerstone of the distinctive American rule of law. Cliff Sloan is a magna cum laude graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law School.  He has argued before the Supreme Court five times, open to the public, no reservations needed, open seating . The capacity of the Lyceum lecture hall is 140 persons, 7:30 PM,  Free

“Poe in Alexandria”, a recreation of an Edgar Allen Poe lyceum lecture, portrayed by actor David Keltz, information 703-838-4994, 8 pm, $15

“Poe in Alexandria”, a recreation of an Edgar Allen Poe lyceum lecture, portrayed by actor David Keltz, information 703-838-4994,  8 pm, $15

The United States Army Strings Chamber Music Recital, works of the three B's: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms: featuring Bach's Cello Suite in C minor, Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 59, No. 1, and Brahms' Violin Sonata in G Major, 7:30 p.m., information 703-696-3399 and www.usarmyband.com, free

Swedish Jazz. An evening of Jazz with The Swedish Jazz- Anders Lundegard Saxophone & Al Baumann Guitar and Voice. 8 PM, Tickets $20 at the door. More info at www.theswedishjazz.com

An Afternoon of Virtuoso Piano Transcriptions by Sergei Morozov will take place at 3PM, Dr. Sergei Morozov, international piano competitions winner, performs Classical music hits, arranged for piano by the world greatest pianists: Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Volodos and others. The program includes Mozart's Rondo alla Turca, Rimsky-Korsakoff's "Flight of Bumble-bee" from Tsar Saltan, Bizet's "Gipsy Song" from Carmen, Rossini's "Figaro" aria from The Barber of Seville, Rachmaninoff's Polka Italienne, and others. Preview samples of this program at http://mysite.verizon.net/serhiim/video.html Suggested donations: $20. Seats are limited. Please, e-mail pianotranscriptions@hotmail.com or call (301)935-0669 for confirmation.

The Eclectic Guitars: Larry Snitzler, (Classical Guitar), and Rick Whitehead, (Jazz Guitar), reach out and have fun with a wide-ranging   variety of styles and pieces, covering the gamut from Latin American, to classical, to American jazz standards. 4:00pm, information & reservations 703-919-9773 http://www.larrysnitzler.com,  http://rickwhiteheadguitar.com/, $25.00, Free to under 18, accompanied by a paying adult

Scottish Singer Jim Malcolm: Jim returns to The Lyceum with a special show celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. 8 pm. Information and tickets at http://www.sunspotpro.com. $20 in advance & $24 at door.

The Air Force Chamber Players return to the Alexandria Performing Arts Association Guest Artist Presentation series (GAPS). The concert is at 4:00 PM and is free (donations accepted),  information call (703) 505- 0700.