[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City, February 16 - 22

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria, February 16 - 22

Saturday, February 16 – George Washington Birthday Classic 10-K Race
The George Washington Birthday Classic 10-K Race and 2-K Fun Run, benefiting the Alexandria Police Youth Camp, will begin at 8:30 a.m.  The 10-K USATF certified race course travels along Eisenhower Valley and through Alexandria’s parklands (Cameron Run, Holmes Run, and Ben Brenman Park). The race, which will be timed by Pacers Events, Inc., is part of the 2008 Race Packet Grand Prix Series and begins just steps from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station.

Saturday, February 16 – Birthnight Ball
This annual event recreates the famous celebration of Washington's Birthday at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St. The evening includes an 18th century banquet, English country dancing, dessert collation, character re-enactors, including General and Mrs. George Washington. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. This event is sold out, but media is invited to cover this fun and colorful event. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Monday, February 18 – George Washington Birthday Parade
The City will shut down many of the streets Washington walked to hold the largest George Washington Birthday Parade in the United States. The parade starts at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Wilkes and South St. Asaph Streets. The reviewing stand is located next to Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, at the intersection of South Royal and Cameron Streets. The parade route ends at North Fairfax and Gibbon Streets.  For more information, visit www.washingtonbirthday.net

Monday, February 18 – George Washington Day Holiday
City of Alexandria government offices will be closed.
Monday, February 18 –Friendship Firehouse Annual Meeting
Enjoy a three-course breakfast, guest speaker Gail Halvorson, and special presentations at the historic fire company’s annual meeting at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 625 First St. Reception follows at the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred St. The cost is $25 per person. For more information, please call 703.751.6416 or visit www.washingtonbirthday.net.

Monday, February 18 – Open House at Friendship Firehouse
Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company now is housed in a firehouse that was built in 1871. Come view the exhibitions and historic firefighting equipment at the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred St. The event is free, and the Firehouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information please visit www.friendshipfirehouse.org or call 703.838.3891.

Monday, February 18 –Parade Day Museum Open Houses
Enjoy free tours at two museums on the day of the George Washington Birthday Parade. Both Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal Street), and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, (105-107 S. Fairfax Street), will be hosting open houses from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call 703.838.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org and www.apothecarymuseum.org.

Monday, February 18 – Meet the President: Theodore Roosevelt
A living history interpreter portraying Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President, will visit The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. At 11 a.m., President Roosevelt will discuss issues of his day and answer questions from the audience. This free event is co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Association. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Thursday, February 21 – Infill Task Force
The public is invited to the next meeting of the Infill Task Force at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 301 King St., in Room 2000.  The discussion of floor area ratio will continue, and other bulk control tools will be discussed, including volume, lot coverage and open space.  For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/planning or contact Valerie Peterson at 703.838.4666 ext. 338.

Thursday, February 21 – Public Hearing for Proposed Replacement Athletic Fields and Landbay-K at Potomac Yard
The Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave., to discuss the replacement of the athletic fields associated with the Potomac Yard Development and Potomac Yard Landbay-K.  Presentations of concept plans will be made by City staff and the project’s planning and landscape architectural consultant, EDAW, Inc. With the development of Potomac Yard, the replacement fields will be dedicated to the City for public use.  For additional information, call Ron Kagawa at 703.838.5041.

Through Friday, March 7 – “Imaging Blackness” Exhibition
“Imaging Blackness, 1915-2002: Film Posters from the Indiana University Black Film Center/Archive” is now open at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. This new exhibition features dozens of movie posters from a variety of black films, including westerns, musicals and dramas. Vintage posters represent the marketing of black entertainers who contradicted or strengthened stereotypes as they created a successful place for African Americans in film. The exhibit is free and open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

2008 Black History Month Programs
Sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Charles Houston Recreation Center (Located at the Durant Center)
1605 Cameron St.
Saturday, February 16, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.:  Field trip to the Blacks in Wax Museum, $10
Monday, February 18, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Civil Rights Movie Festival, Free
Thursday, February 28, 4 - 6 p.m.: Black History Jeopardy, Free
For information call 703.838.4814.

Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center
1108 Jefferson St.
Black History Week Activities daily, 3 - 6 p.m.
Monday, February 18: African Market, Free
Tuesday, February 19: African Story Telling, Free
Wednesday, February 20: African Drum Making, Free
Thursday, February 21: Taste of Africa, Free
Friday, February 22: African Dance, Free
Saturday, February 23: Field trip to the Black Wax Museum, Fee: $9
For additional information call 703.838.4845.

Charles Barrett Recreation Center
1115 Martha Custis Drive
Friday, February 22, 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
Out-of-School Program participants present a “Motown Revue Talent Show” in the Auditorium. The event is free. For information call 703.838.4818.

William Ramsay Recreation Center
5650 Sanger Ave.
Thursday, February 28, 5 p.m.
“The Rising Tide of the Color Line”
This program will depict the cultural achievements, social and political development of African Americans in the United States of America. Specifically, the program will highlight the progress of African Americans after the civil rights movement and showcase the some of the leaders of today. The event is free. For additional information call 703.838.4826.

Cora Kelly Recreation Center
25 W. Reed Ave.
Thursday, February 28, 6:30 p.m.
“Remembering Our Past While Preparing For Our Future”
The program features a presentation of historical black history facts and entertainment including dancing, singing, and poetry reading.  Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.  For information call 703.838.6464.

Mount Vernon Recreation Center
2701 Commonwealth Ave.
Thursday, February 28, 4-6 p.m.
“A Call for Us to Remember”
Reverend Donald Hayes from Oakland Baptist Church is the guest speaker and the men’s choir performs. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center’s “Kulture Kidz” performs by reading excerpts from the “writings” of Black Americans. Admission is free. For information call 703.838.4825.

Patrick Henry Recreation Center
4643 Taney Ave.
Friday, February 29, 7 p.m.
Throughout the month, pre-teen leaders will conduct a variety of activities, trips, and poster contests with a Black History Month theme.  All of their efforts will be showcased at the end of February with a children’s performance of dance, poetry, song, and storytelling. Admission is free. For additional information call 703.519.3390.

Coming Soon!

Wednesday, February 27 – artCHAT at the Torpedo Factory Art Center
The Alexandria Commission for Arts invites the public to attend an artCHAT at 7 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.). The artCHAT will offer residents the opportunity to further explore this groundbreaking survey. The discussion will feature Mary Margaret Schoenfeld, Community Development Manager with Americans for the Arts, and members of the Alexandria arts community. Admission to the artCHAT and the Torpedo Factory Art Center are free. For additional information call Cheryl Anne Colton, Cultural Arts Administrator, at 703.838.6348 or cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, February 28 – Workshop: The Art and Science of Talking about Sex with Youth
There are few topics to discuss with young people that are more important than sex.  But it isn't always the easiest conversation to start, maintain, and continue.  This workshop will provide practical strategies and tips for having important conversations with young people about sex.  It will also look at the ethical issues and some of the really challenging questions youth can pose.  This training is open to anyone working with youth.  The workshop is sponsored by the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy and the Alexandria Community Services Board.  Space is limited.  To register, visit www.alexgetreal.com/acap_about.php and download the registration form.  For more information, contact Becky Griesse at 703.746.5030 or e-mail rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov.