DECEMBER 9 & 10

The term “musical comedian” conjures up some pretty unsavory images, mostly of “Weird” Al Yankovic. But Christine Lavin achieves a balance between music and comedy that’s a bit more equitable. While song titles like “Sensitive New Age Guys” and “Prisoners of Their Hairdos” speak for themselves, many of singer/songwriter Lavin’s compositions—like her poignant take on loneliness and vulnerability, “Blind Dating Fun”—are so lovely you forget to laugh. At 8:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the Birchmere, 3901 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $19.50. (703) 549-5919. (Nicole Arthur)