[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: May 3-9

May 2, 2008      

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
May 3 – May 9

Saturday, May 3 – Teddy Bear Tea 
Last chance to register for the Teddy Bear Tea! The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, hosts its annual Teddy Bear Tea, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., to help children to learn about basic table etiquette. The tea is suitable for boys and girls ages 5 to 10, and parents or caregivers must accompany children for the entire program. Proper dress and advance payment of $18 per person is required. For more information, please call 703.838.4356.

Saturday, May 3 – All Alexandria Reads 2008 at Duncan Branch Library
The community is invited to participate in the All Alexandria Reads program at Duncan Branch Library. The featured book for the program is Marley & Me, by John Grogan. To celebrate and recognize the book, special dog-related events will take place at Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.) throughout the day. Scheduled activities include dog photographs with Mary O’Malley from 9  to 11 a.m., Maryland Sled Dog Adventures at 11 a.m., a photography class with Mary O'Malley at 12 p.m., and a dog obedience class with Janet McMillan at 1:30 p.m. For more information, or to reserve a slot for photo shoot, call 703.838.4566.

Saturday, May 3 – All Alexandria Reads 2008 at Burke Branch Library
The community is invited to participate in the All Alexandria Reads program at Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Rd.). The featured book for the program is Marley & Me by John Grogan. In celebration of the book, a basic dog training class will be held at 3 p.m. Janet McMillan, one of the Washington metropolitan region’s top dog trainers, will conduct the class. For more information, please call 703.519.6000.

Sunday, May 4 – West End Farmers’ Market Opens 
The public is invited to the opening of the West End Farmers’ Market at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. This farmers’ market, featuring home baked goods, breads and pastries, and locally grown produce, is one of a kind on the City’s West End. In addition to food items, opening day will also feature the work of local artists. The West End Farmers’ Market will be open Sundays, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4343.

Sunday, May 4 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Between noon and 5 p.m., watch Alexandria's historic past come to life! See live, engaging performances by Mr. Thomas Wall, Gentleman Fencer, and English country dancing at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Meet and talk with Alexandria visitors and residents from the 18th century (courtesy of McLean High School’s Project Enlightenment program) along the waterfront and lower King Street. For more information, please visit
http://oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Tuesday, May 6 – Preservation 101: Lecture
Learn how to maintain your historic property with this series of lectures and workshops throughout May! First is a fun-filled Overview of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Design Guidelines, presented by Pratt Cassity of the University of Georgia. Pratt provides a unique and humorous look at these federal guidelines through his illustrated and enlightening discussion. The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St. Cost is $10. Please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.838.4554 for more information.

Tuesday, May 6 and Friday May 8 – “Lunch Bunch” Concerts at Market Square
The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and General Services is once again sponsoring the “Lunch Bunch” concerts at Market Square (301 King St.) in May. The concerts, which feature students from local and visiting schools, are free and open to the public. All concerts begin at 12:15 p.m. Please note that in case of inclement weather, concerts may be canceled. To check on the status of concerts, please call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686.
Performances scheduled for this week include:

May 6       St. Rita School Band, Strings and Choir (Alexandria, VA)
May 8              St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School 5th Grade Saints Choir &
Upper School Concert Chorus (Alexandria, VA)

Friday May 8 – Latin American Book Discussion Group
A discussion of stories by Latin American authors will be held at the Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke St.) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information on the stories, please call Mark Schwartz at 703.519.3498 or visit Beatley’s Reference desk.

Now Enrolling – Archaeology Summer Camp 2008
Young people ages 12 to 15 will discover Alexandria’s history through archaeology at this unique day camp. Assist professional archaeologists at a real excavation site; go on special field trips, and more! Applications are being accepted for two week-long sessions in July. For more information, please visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.838.4399.

Now Open through Monday, September 8 – Living Legends of Alexandria Exhibition
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) is hosting Living Legends of Alexandria, which celebrates and documents individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. Living Legends of Alexandria features photographs of 48 nominees by Nina Tisara, with information about their contributions by Christa Watters. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Now through Wednesday, December 31 – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition
The Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) has extended this exhibition of Civil War artwork through the end of the year. Civil War drawings by soldier, artist, and musician William Lydston, Jr., are featured, with musical instruments and related objects as part of the statewide celebration of Virginia’s musical heritage. Admission is free. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Coming Soon! 

Saturday, May 10 – Eco-City Summit
Help Alexandria to become an “Eco-City!” The City invites the public to participate in the Eco-City Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The Summit, part of the City’s Eco-City Alexandria Initiative, will provide opportunities for residents to give feedback, input, and discussion on the City’s draft Eco-City Charter and to assist in the creation of a draft Environmental Action Plan. For more information, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/tes or  ecocity.ncr.vt.edu or call 703.838.4966.

Saturday, May 17 – “Avoiding Plan B” City at Peace Performance
Teens are invited to an exciting performance by City at Peace at Cora Kelly Recreation Center. Registration and dinner will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the City at Peace performance at 6 p.m.
The City at Peace performance is called Avoiding Plan B. It explores the lives and relationships of a group of teenagers as they approach high school graduation and deal with the perceptions and implications of sex in their lives. The performance will be followed by informative and interactive workshops given by the City at Peace performers and Game Show Night at Cora Kelly. For more information, contact Becky Griesse at rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5030.

Monday, May 26 - 31st Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the 31st Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Admission is free. (In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St.) The festival features music from the Difficult Run Jazz Band; Project Natale; Larry Brown Quintet; Sandra Johnson Quintet, and Al Williams. For more information on the City of Alexandria’s Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.

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